Cherie Claire grew up in New Orleans, with mud between her toes and a rabid love of Mardi Gras parades. Naturally, she couldn't help but write about her unique, colorful state and the South.

Cherie is the award-winning author of several Cajun historical romances and The Cajun Embassy series of contemporary romances and the Viola Valentine paranormal mystery series. She's a Holt Award finalist, a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award finalist, and received the Louisiana Press Women Book of the Year.

She also writes non-fiction books under the name of Cheré Dastugue Coen.

Visit her website at www.cherieclaire.net and write to her at CajunRomances@Yahoo.com.