Please note that Demon Rodeo is part of the Chasing the Buckle series. This series focuses on characters who are a part of or associated with rodeos. Although this is a series, each book can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, readers should be aware that there are some plot points and/or storylines that overlap across all books in the series. As a result, not all plot points or storylines in Demon Rodeo may have a finite resolution at this time.
Several points need to be addressed regarding the language(s) used in this story.
- This story has characters native to South Louisiana. Thus, the narration and characters speak using native/regional dialect. Some readers may find the use of multiple languages disruptive.
- As a state, Louisiana has a very rich and diverse culture. Persons residing in North Louisiana may sound and speak differently than persons in South Louisiana. The characters portrayed in this book are fictional and not meant to be representative of all persons residing in or native to Louisiana.
- Two of the main cultures (but not the only ones) in South Louisiana are Cajun and Creole. While similar, these cultures are not the same. Although both Creole and Cajun cultures may speak French, Cajun French and Creole French are slightly different from each other.
- Likewise, both Creole French and Cajun French are slightly different than the French spoken in Europe (European French) and Canada (Canadian French). Therefore, variations in language and sentence structure in the same town are not uncommon, as all four of these variations of French may be spoken. All of these variations are reflected in the story.
- However, not all persons who have a Creole or Cajun heritage speak or understand French.
- It should also be noted that some people share both Creole and Cajun heritages.
- Furthermore, the writing style is unconventionally structured. Some of the terms, phrases, and sentence structures used are common regional expressions and may at first glance seem like a typo or grammatical error. For example, “What did you say?” may be expressed as “What you said?” “Why do you care?” may be expressed as “What care you?” Instead of “buying groceries” or “putting up groceries,” it is common to say, “making groceries” or “saving groceries” or “make a bill.” Characters may speak using proper grammar in a professional setting but revert to their regional dialect when relaxed or in informal environments.
- Additionally, another common practice is to drop verbs, especially the verb “is/are.” Instead of asking, “Are you going to the movies?”, the speaker simply may say, “You going to the movies?” Another example would be instead of asking “Where have you been?” would be to phrase it as “Where you been?”
- This story discusses stereotypes and sensitive topics that are difficult and/or controversial to discuss and uses language and/or terms that some readers may find disturbing or offensive.
- A glossary of terms/phrases has been included for reader convenience.