Cover art by Richard Stroud
ISBN 1-59088-792-1
What they're saying about Mardi Gravestone:
"Once you start reading you can’t put this story down until you turn the last page. Sandy Semerad keeps you enthralled from the beginning to the end..." Beverley Bateman, author of FADE TO BLACK http://www.beverleybateman.com.
"Don't forget to pack your costume for Mardi Gras as you begin the trip with Lilah Sanderford and her daughter, Angela. And don't get too close to the pickup traveling in front of you with the red-headed man riding in the bed.
Lilah wasn't careful enough and when the collision
occurred, she became
involved in a bizarre case of murder, theft and politics.
Mardi Gravestones is a delightfully complex story with
many trails for you to follow. You will get to know a piano player named Jay and
a large sized policeman named Billy Joe Harris who used to play football. There
are also other characters whose motives and personalities will lure you page to
page. You
won't want to stop reading.
Highly recommended as a truly fun read, one that any mystery lover will enjoy. The settings will delight your inner eye and remind you of the lost civilization of the old south. This very talented author, Sandy Semerad, offers us something original and fun. Happy reading." Anne K. Edwards, MURDER AND MAYHEM BOOK CLUB. http://www.murderandmayhembookclub.com/mardi.html
"From the French Quarter to the Garden District, from the St. Louis Cathedral to Charity Hospital, from the private masked balls to Mardi Gras street parades, Sandy Semerad knows New Orleans. Mardi Gravestone leaves a taste as unforgettable as shrimp gumbo. Into her steaming caldron, Semerad throws her journalist protagonist, a jazz musician, a graveyard psychic, a crystal necklace, and a pinch of presidential/vice-presidential politics..." Dirk Wyle, author of AMAZON GOLD
"Mardi Gravestone is a romantic mystery set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and it was given to Book Sense as a recommended read.
"Journalist and widow Lilah and her daughter, Angela, are on the way to New Orleans from Florida to cover the vice-president as Grand Marshal of the parade. They have a run-in, literally, with a mysterious man who is sent into a coma by their strange auto accident. Lilah finds his luggage and takes it for safekeeping. She discovers a million dollars in his suitcase. The rest of the book deals with a newly discovered relationship and concern about America’s first woman president coming to speak at Mardi Gras.
"This book is solidly written with many excellent settings and background details. The lives of professional journalists and musicians are explored well." Bob Spear, Publisher and Chief Reviewer of Heartland Reviews, www.heartlandreviews.com.
"Read this great new book called Mardi Gravestone, by Sandy Semerad. The book is about local New Orleans people with a slightly erotic context, a teasing mystery, a passionate musician, most of you know one, right, and a definite read. Be sure to visit www.nolalife.com to find out more..." Editor of New Orleans Bands. com, Thaddeus Frick.
"MARDI GRAVESTONE is a wonderful story filled with intrigue, romance and a hint of paranormal. In this first novel, Sandy Semerad has written some great characters; Ben Comeaux, the cheesy, crooked cop, Mama Sis, whose not really any ones mama, and Katherine Georgia Wilson, the first female President..."Reviewed by Tina Burns for Road to Romance
"First time author Sandy Semerad has put together an exciting look into
New Orleans at Mardi Gras time. Lilah Sanderford and her daughter
Angela are heading for New Orleans where Lilah will be covering the Vice
President's appearance as Grand Marshall at the Mardi Gras parade. As
the traffic signal turns green, a pickup truck in front of them guns the
engine and takes off throwing Daniel Duffy off the bed and onto Lilah's
hood. After the incident is investigated and everyone has left the
scene, Lilah finds Daniel's suitcase filled with cash, a
lot of cash! Lilah seeks out her childhood friend, Billy Joe Harris,
who is now a police officer in New Orleans. He expresses concern about
the officer who investigated the accident, how quickly he arrived at the
scene and how far out of his territory he was.
Lilah finds out Daniel was supposed to have a meeting with the Vice President
She decides to take a side trip to Baltimore to learn more of the
connection between Daniel and the Vice President."
"This was very exciting story, with a taste of the flavor of New Orleans
at Mardi Gras time thrown in.
"Certainly agree with Jeremiah Healy's comment that this could
possibly be a nominee for best first novel. Will be looking forward to
Semerad's next book."
Fred Yoder, Mystery Fan (Posted on DorothyL)
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Mardi Gravestone
is a well written first novel by author Sandy Semerad. It has flair and
certainly makes the reader feel that they are experiencing the entire
Mardi Gras experience from start to finish. Ms. Semerad has done her
research quite well and brings the noise and experience of Mardi Gras,
complete with tourists, to almost larger than life. She has tied in a
little romance with suspense and blended it with mystery for a wonderful
story. The story is not all about romance, but rather, offers the reader a glimpse into the life of a reporter who is trying to finish a story. She introduces her heroine and hero with a panache that is usually not found in a first novel. Her character development is superbly done. The characters are highly believable. The author has drawn upon her experience as a mother to make her heroine come across as real. The story is gripping and intense. There are more twists and turns than the Mississippi River which add to the story, rather than detract from it. http://www.loveromances.com/mardigravestone_meg.html First-time author Sandy Semerad scores with MARDI GRAVESTONE, a romantic mystery set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. - Vivian Outen I Love a Mystery
MARDI GRAVESTONE mixes mystery with the raw elements of New Orleans. You
can feel the night swaying the old trees, taste the beignets and tap to
the jazz hitting the streets. Semerad's protagonist convincingly holds
down the job of reporter, mother, friend and lover. She's someone you
wish you could meet in person. The plot is appealing as it unfolds. It
will have you wondering if it can really happen... 
Ms. Semerad has written a story that takes the reader on a
ride that has a surprise ending; you don't see what's coming. It's
action packed and shows the sites of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The
characters are well rounded and believable. There are a couple of scenes
that made me chuckle out loud. One where she is explaining to Billy Joe
what she is doing, she is swooshing, that whenever she has a problem she
swooshes, putting her arms out, palms up then throwing her arms above
her head, he doesn't want her swooshing him. The other is when Lilah and
Angela are getting ready to watch TV, Angela wants to watch The
Shining, and Lilah is against it. The romance between Jay and Lilah
show how two people who'd lost their loves can still find love, it's
gentle, warm and refreshing. Read the entire Fallen Angel review:
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/October2004/Donna-MardiGravestone.htm
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