Bøker av Julia Birmele

As a clever, depraved woman of business, Madame Carolina Chauvet owns the vibrant gentlemen's club, the French Maidens, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The end of World War II has not only produced an influx of victorious, lustful men, but a naive farmer from Indiana, Willy, has found himself seated at the bar of the vivacious club. As he attempts to keep a family promise, Willy is instantly attracted to Madame Chauvet and entranced by the surreal nights that he wouldn't dare dream about. Unforeseen circumstances land Willy behind the bar of the club where he is immersed in the intricate operations of Madame Chauvet. There is more to the French Maidens than shiny poles and topless dancers, and things are starting to go wrong. Madame Chauvet is left to question if the young farmer is to blame for the failures her business is enduring or if the staff she has trusted for years is capable of sabotage.Laced with a perfect amount of New Orleans voodoo, The Death of Madame Chauvet is an ominous tale of how far one will go for vengeance, love, opulence, and hatred. Make yourself a delectable French 75, find a seat at the catwalk, and enjoy the show. Welcome to the French Maidens.

No one is to blame for what I endured throughout those two years but myself. If I had simply rejected her after her first relentless accusation that I was a cheating whore, then Francine never would have slammed her fist into my face repeatedly while I held myself in the fetal position on my living room floor. If I had blocked her phone number, then she never would have dragged the issues of our relationship and of herself through the prison in which we both worked. If I had ignored her fabricated tears and scripted apologies, then Francine never would have told me to kill myself enough times to where I considered giving her what she wanted. Hindsight, you ruthless bastard. Just as my relationship with Francine began to teeter on the brink of normal and peaceful, the sudden appearance of a new officer would revive Fran's wrath, insecurities, and narcissism. My incessant protest of a friendless life while Fran did as she pleased would lead to her reluctant approval of a peculiar friendship to form between myself and our new co-worker, Officer Keeler. The uniform that Stephanie Keeler wore was a mere attempt to conceal the angel wings beneath it, for that friendship would quickly lead to an epiphanous dream and a life-changing kiss. Caramel Apples is the true story of how difficult it can be to pull yourself from the unforgiving floor, observe your life with a weary, broken heart, and realize that you have no idea who you are anymore. Sometimes it takes an angel from Minnesota to help you to your feet. Sprinkled with stories of youthful struggles, failed attempts at love, and corruption within our correctional system, Caramel Apples is a reminder that moving on is bittersweet.