The setting for my next release, Handsome Devil (book 7 of the Quicksand series), is Houston, Texas. I visited the city a few years ago and had a great time with my uncle and cousins, dining out and sightseeing. But it was only for a few days.
After conducting research on this novel, I’m anxious to go back because I missed a lot. When doing research, there’s so much we learn that we can’t put into the book, but the following five interesting facts about Houston are included in the story.
Diverse Food Scene
I was surprised to learn that Houstonians eat out more than any other city in the country. (I was certain that honor belonged to Atlanta.)
Any cuisine you crave, you can find it in Houston. That’s because there are more than 10,000 restaurants in the city, and they offer a variety of foods. Good pho is easy to find because Houston is home to the second largest Vietnamese population in the country. Tex-Mex cuisine is also popular, and of course, great barbecue.
Diverse Population
There are more than 2.3 million people in Houston, making it the fourth most populated city in the United States behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Houstonians are a diverse group, with twenty-five percent of the population originating from outside the United States! Dante, the hero, is one of those people, who moved to the United States from Venezuela.
River Oaks Area
The residential community of River Oaks was built for middle-class families, but instead became an enclave for wealthy businessmen and celebrities. It’s filled with multi-million-dollar homes and includes an exclusive country club.
When Annabelle and Dante married the first time, he was nowhere near as wealthy as he is now. Now Dante has a home in River Oaks, which Annabelle moves in to when they remarry. That means their neighbors include Megan Thee Stallion (rapper), Joel Osteen (pastor), and 50 Cent (rapper, actor).
JP Morgan Chase Tower
As of this writing, the tallest building in Houston is the JP Morgan Chase Tower, which also happens to be the 29th largest building in the U.S. In the novel, I took some creative license and made the largest building the Hilderbrandt Plaza. Dante wants to own this iconic building, and he agreed to marry Annabelle because she can get him access to the man who owns it.
The Museum District
Houston’s Museum District is a major draw for the city. Its 20 museums attract 8 million visitors per year! In the story, Dante and Annabelle take some time off from hating each other and visit a museum in the district, where they—surprise, surprise—enjoy each other and connect on a deeper level.
You’ll learn more about Houston and the couple in Handsome Devil, which releases on February 29th. The pre-release price is $3.99. Regular price $4.99, so preorder your copy to receive 20% off (On Barnes & Noble, use coupon code BNP2024 to get the discount).
Buy links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N | Apple | Kobo | Google Play
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Have you ever been to Houston? What was your favorite part of the trip?
4 Responses
Happy Monday, Delaney! I have never been to Houston TX and never really thought of going. That’s why I enjoy exploring different places through the books I read bc it might pique my interest😁 Your research is appreciated! Have a blessed week🤗
I’m like you and enjoy reading about a city or country in the books that I read. Especially places that I’ve never been. Have a good one!
Houston really does reward anyone willing to explore beyond the usual attractions. The diversity of its food, neighborhoods, and culture makes every visit memorable. During one of our trips, we used Pro Ride Luxury Limousine for an evening around River Oaks, and it helped us stay on schedule while exploring different parts of the city comfortably.
Being driven around in a luxury limousine sounds like a great way to see the city. I haven’t been back yet but look forward to taking another trip and doing more sightseeing. I definitely want to explore more of the restaurant scene too.