Delania (D.M.) Bourgeois Griffin loves to read and had always wanted to write a book. She loves mystery and suspense and finally decided one day to simply start writing. She did just that and published her novel, “Slipping Into Darkness” in December 2020.
The work of fiction is about a woman that lives in Crown Point with her husband and has a perfect life. She suddenly finds herself in the center of a hundred-year-old curse and, with the help of her husband and friends fights to discover the truth and regain control of her life. It’s about multiple murders, strange occurrences, too many coincidences to be ignored. An easy read, “Slipping Into Darkness” has a lot of local content as the characters frequent local restaurants and attend events in and around Gretna and the New Orleans area.
One of the popular spots in the book is Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar at 435 Huey P. Long Ave.in Old Gretna. So appropriate that Gattuso’s is hosting an outdoor book signing for the author on Sat., March 6 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the restaurant. You can get a book there or bring the one you have already purchased to be signed by the author.
Delania is happily married to Glenn Griffin. The couple lives in Crown Point and has two children and two grandchildren together. “At age 57 and without a clue, I started to write. I just grabbed a tablet and my laptop and started writing. After about 10 chapters, I asked my husband to read it and his response was “Wow, that’s pretty good!” He encouraged me to continue writing the book,” the author said.
“When the writing began, I decided to write under my maiden name, D.M. Bourgeois, because I wasn’t sure I wanted people to know that “I” wrote the book. I used my maiden name because I was feeling a bit vulnerable, scared to have people read my book. What I hadn’t realized was that my husband told everyone he encountered about me writing. For a brief moment I was upset with him, but soon realized that he was just proud of my accomplishments and wanted to share them with the world.”
Delania went to Higgins High School in Marrero. Right out of high school she married and had her first daughter, Jessica in 1980. By 1992, she was a single parent working during the day to raise her daughter and attending college at night. She did not finish her degree at that time.
“Glenn and I met and married in 1998. I became a part time bookkeeper and a stay-at-home mom focusing on my family. After my youngest daughter, Katie graduated from high school in 2016, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. We have a camp in Magnolia, Mississippi that we go to every other weekend. After the kids were grown it was just the two of us most of the time. He would be outside working, and I would be inside eating and being lazy. Our camp is our own little slice of heaven on earth and that was what inspired me to start writing. It’s the perfect get away to focus and not be disturbed,” she said. “In fact, the story revolves around a walking stick similar to one I purchased in Summit, Mississippi, a town near the camp. The walking stick gave me the idea for the story.
“When I started to create my characters, I used my family and friends’ personalities to create them, but only as a base. That was my favorite part, creating and naming all of the characters. I loved writing, watching the story unfold. I just really enjoyed writing.
“Finally the novel was written, but it took some work to figure out how to publish it. I have to say that I really enjoyed writing the book, but trying to publish it, not so much. It was finally published and went on sale Dec. 21, 2020.
“Once the book was finished, even though a long time since high school, it felt right to take some creative writing classes to help with my new career choice. When inquiring about classes at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux in August of 2019, I was blessed to talk to someone who looked up my history and informed me that I could finish my degree while taking some English classes!
“In May of 2020 at 58 years old, I graduated Cum Laude in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in English and Humanities. My writing led to the accomplishment of another dream, earning a college degree!
“I am currently working on a second book and also co-writing a children’s book with my 13-year-old granddaughter, Gabrielle. Gabby was so excited about my initial book that she decided to become a writer and I am thrilled. She came over one day and said, “Honey, I am writing a book called “A Day in a Life.” When I asked what it was about, she said it is about what happens in a day in “her” life. We decided to start writing a children’s book together.
“I have to say that when I look back to 2020 and think about COVID-19 and how life was unpredictable, challenging and scary, and still is, I also think about how blessed I was to publish my first book and also graduate college.”
D.M. Bourgeois immediately had a following, with many positive reviews already. One fan, Mary Fletcher wrote, “I could not put it down and didn’t until I finished. It was great. The suspense kept me interested. There were times when I was laughing out loud. Once I even said, “Oh, no, don’t do it! LOL. Being familiar with many of the places, I could picture it all in my mind’s eye. I am looking forward to your next book!”
The author’s mom said as she was reading, “I had to get up and put on all the lights!”
A review from Sherri M. Verrett said it all. “Loved, loved your book. Couldn’t put it down!”
Step out in lovely downtown Gretna on Saturday, which promises to be a nice day for the book signing at popular Gattuso’s and give this new author your support.
You can order “Slipping Into Darkness” in print through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and most places that sell books. It’s also available as an eBook. D.M. Bourgeois can be reached at dmbourgeois61@gmail.com or on Facebook.com/D.M.Bourgeois.
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