Texas Books

Fancy Holleday a beautiful woman who has previously lived in a whorehouse and unfortunately knows the lifestyle robs a train for some U.S. minting plates to help her boyfriend, Diego, a man she feels she loves and is her only hope for marriage and finally a decent life. Federal marshal Cord Rawlins, on the train fails to stop the heist and later catches up with her and takes her into his custody. This is the focus of this story, a lawman and his prisoner traveling to Carson City, their final destination to have her placed in jail. Being in close proximity at all times makes them both feel things they don't want to feel. I understand this was Ms. deWolfe's first book... I'm very impressed. Texas Lover, the sequel is the story about Wes, Cord's younger brother.

Very good written love story and well developed characters. I'm very particular with my reading material. I found Texas Outlaw a few years ago and took a chance to buy it because my favorite authors' were not available. I'm hooked eversince, bought all her other books (Texas Lover and Texas Wildcat) but Texas Outlaw is the best of the three. Ms Dewolfe evenly went in depth with all her characters both protagonist and antagonist. Nothing is as black and white as bad man vs good guy. The most poignant is when the minor character Blisse is dying and she asked for a decent kiss from Cord, wow... both Cord and Fancy earned my admiration. I wish Ms DeWolfe wrote more than just the Rawlins Brothers series.

I thoroughly enjoyed Adrienne deWolfe's book, Texas Outlaw. After writing this, I'm ordering the other two available titles. Characters were truly likeable and believable. I am sorry Fancy had to have such a tough life before the story began. Usually, I prefer the hero of the story to "deflower" the heroine--but hey, it all worked out and made the story more realistic. Cheers to a new favorite

The Texas Rangers:Wearing the Cico Peso,is a wonderful history of an amazing institution. At least until 1900 the Rangers were entrusted with the protection of the citizens of Texas, a monumental task, in light of the prevelance of vigouous Indian tribes, many lawless whites who came to Texas to escape the law in more settled States, and the absence of laws to deal with the ownership of such vital assets as land and cattle. The Rangers performed their dangerous work excellently despite being grossly unmaned, underfunded and poorly paid. Mike Cox has managed to put together this factually monumental work and make it a gripping read as well.
Bob Fussell

In this wonderfully written, well documented history of the early Texas Rangers, Mike Cox tells it the way it was, without attempting to romanticize, justify or condemn. Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Texas frontier history, where lawlessness was the rule and racial hatred prevailed on all sides, the author puts into perspective the violence of the era and the attrocities committed by all the competing cultures during such turbulent times. With a second volume in the works, this is destined to be the definitive work on Texas Ranger history.

Book review: Straight-talking look at first Rangers

Web Posted: 03/07/2008 12:18 PM CST

Sterlin Holmesly
Special to the San Antonio Express-News

The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900
By Mike Cox

Forge, $25.95


Texas Ranger lore continues to fascinate, and Mike Cox makes a substantial contribution to it with this work on the force's first 80 years.

Stephen F. Austin's settlers were threatened by the cannibalistic Karankawa Indian tribe. A small group of armed riders was formed for protection. That was the beginning of the Rangers.

Over the next eight decades, the Rangers battled Comanches, Apaches, Mexican soldiers, bandits, rustlers, fence-cutters, bank robbers and outlaw mobs. They furnished their own horses and weapons and were poorly and erratically paid. Their numbers expanded and contracted according to the size of the threats to the frontier and the shaky state budget. Many served hoping to be paid by the next session of the Legislature.

The Rangers quickly developed a reputation for ferocity. They were often accused of being racist vigilantes, accurately in some cases. Still, they deserve credit for protecting the state's expanding frontier and eventually making Texas a safe place to live and work.

For Mike Cox, this book is obviously a work of love and fascination. For 15 years, the former journalist served as the spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which includes the modern Rangers.

It is a meticulously researched book, drawing on newspapers of the day (including the San Antonio Express), letters, orders and official reports cited in copious source notes. The writing is straight-ahead.

We meet such leaders as Capts. "Rip" Ford and Leander McNelly as well as privates who put their lives on the line and rode the country from San Saba to El Paso.

Cox details the capture of outlaw John Wesley Hardin and the shooting of Sam Bass and his gang, two highlights in Ranger history.

As the book ends, some Texans began to believe that the Rangers were a relic of the past and were no longer needed. As we know, that wasn't true.
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Sterlin Holmesly is a San Antonio author.

I just passed my state exam and found the CD to be very helpful. I highly suggest it for preparing!

This book is a must if you dont remember much from your classes. The refresher course is straight to the point, and the tests on the computer really help out ALOT. If you can pass the tests on the cd, passing the exam is easy.

I found this book to be very helpful. I especially liked the glossary of terms and the condensed review in the middle of the book. I used the CD exams as practice for my test to get used to the computer format. I passed both parts on my first try and I think this book helped me do that.

This is more helpful than the college courses I had. The college courses are required, but this is a definite "must have" before taking the test.

Texas Sampler is a great cookbook filled with easy to prepare recipes that look like you really toiled over. The cookbook, produced by the Junior League of Richardson is a collection of the best recipes of a membership of over 500 members. The Texas Sampler won the Southwest Tabasco Cookbook award in its first year of publication and its recipes have been featured in Southern Living. A must for every kitchen. Try the Mushroom Baked Brie - a true crowd pleasing appetizer.

Texas Sampler is a great cookbook filled with easy to prepare recipes that look like you really toiled over. The cookbook, produced by the Junior League of Richardson is a collection of the best recipes of a membership of over 500 members. The Texas Sampler won the Southwest Tabasco Cookbook award in its first year of publication and its recipes have been featured in Southern Living. A must for every kitchen. Try the Mushroom Baked Brie - a true crowd pleasing appetizer.

Texas Sampler provides great recipes for the busy life in the 90s while still providing a "home cooked" feel. The recipes are easy to follow with bulleted directions, and many handy tips provided throughout. A great Kids section is provided in the back. Some of my favorites from Texas Sampler - Avocado Pico De Gallo, Fettucini with Grilled Chicken and Sun Dried Tomatoes, Ray's Poblano Shrimp, and Pecan Pie Squares. All simple, and everyone will love! Best of all, the proceeds benefit the community.

When I received this book as a gift and initially thumbed through the pages I was in awe. Though I was familiar with the work of Wyman Meinzer and was already a fan of his, I really didn't beleive that anyone would ever have the talent to put a book like this together. Truthfully, many of the photos made me swallow hard with emotion because the images elicited such special feelings. Though the photos could easily stand alone, the quotes are very well chosen and compliment each image well. John Graves is wonderful of course. When I escape to Texas Sky, I think about the pure exhiliration in being able to stand at each of the places in the precious few moments when the sky was so spectacular. Have you ever regretted not having your camera in your hand, or perhaps ran to get it but were too late, or even snapped the shot only to realize later that you didn't get it right? Well, all of our missed shots are captured flawlessly by Wyman Meinzer in Texas Sky. The only disappointment was that Mr. Meinzer didn't write more. Just read the preface, page 61 or the acknowledgment, you'll want more too. In my opinion he is the photographer by whom all others should be judged and the writer all writers should strive to be like. I will forever be envious. Everyone should own this book. PS I just got Texas Seasons...one of his most recent books....awesome again, Wyman.

I bought this book for my father, who is a friend and fan of the photographer. Now I have to go buy one for myself! The pictures in this book are incredible, and truly capture our magnificent Texas sky. Way to go Wyman!

Texas is my home. One doesn't have a home somewhere in Texas. Once you claim it the entire state is home. I wasn't certain exactly why that was true, until I received this book as a gift today. The Texas state of mind has as it's roof the Texas Sky. Wyman Meinzer has captured through his impeccable lenses the beauty that makes us hurry home. It is a book with a catch in it's throat on every page. I'm purchasing a new easel to do it honor.

I'm more and more impressed with each cook book I receive from this series. The recipe directions are easy to follow, the food is great and the pictures are almost National Geographic like. I really liked this one because I'm more familiar with the types of recipes, being that I'm a resident in the U.S. I'm looking forward to more cooking with this wonderful book!

I now own four books from the "Beautiful Cookbook" series. This is by far my favorite. The food stylists and photographers for this particular book have raised the bar to a dizzying height. This melange of simple and upscale recipes is presented as down-to-earth...Texas-style. You can almost smell and taste the beautiful food. The stylish photos are works of art.

The recipes range from the traditional basics to "new Texas cuisine." Try to imagine a chilled "Cream of Tomatillo Soup" served in a bowl of ice...with edible flowers and herbs encased in the ice. (The ice bowl is easy to make!)

Does "Hot Crackered Texas Crab with Pecans" sound good? Or "Chili-and-Cheese Corn Husk Muffins with Pumpkin-Seed Topping"? What about "Chorizo-Stuffed Poblanos with Mango Salsa" or "Texas Hot-Pepper Shrimp with Avocado Salsa"? And for dessert, how about "Churros with Cinnamon-Pecan Ice Cream" or "Blueberry Creme Brulee with Rose Geranium"?

I could go on and on about the food and the presentation. These tempting and colorful dishes can all be made by the novice cook who enjoys the preparation.

I LOVE this book! Highly recommended. Great pictures and food. Very authentic to the region. Great for the home or professional chef. A nice addition to anyone's collection.

Came across this book at Gonzales, Texas book fair in Dec. 2006. A great gift for friends and loved ones who have a sincere appreciation for small-town Texas. Very unique.

If you don't smile several times, feel nostalgic several times, and maybe even get a tear or two, while reading and studying the photos in this book, then you must be too young or just arrived from the former Soviet Union.

Page after page in this book called out to me, "You've got to go there," or "Haven't you been there?" Since the book is a compilation of work over a number of years, many of the subjects in these photos are gone. Many more will be gone. Small towns in Texas, and the Southwest in general, are being transformed.

Buy this book. Read it. Go to the places photographed in it while you still can.

"Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture: A Photographer's Journey" by architectural photographer Richard Payne is a photographic survey of small Texas towns. Payne embarked on this project as a part-time activity -- something to do in his spare time out of nostalgia, curiosity, and taking pictures of places that reminded him of him own hometown. The 'golden age' of small town Texas architecture ran from 1880 to 1930 and reflected all of the early American architectural styles and influences including Greek, Roman, Italian, Egyptian revival, Spanish Colonial, Victorian, Art Deco, Moorish motifs, and a great many idiosyncratic oddities that defy classification. "Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture" showcases architectural examples drawn from around two hundred towns throughout every region of Texas. Payne carefully documents his beautifully detailed images, many of which rise to the status of art as reflected through the lens of his camera. A unique addition to personal, professional, and academic library collections, "Texas Towns And The Art Of Architecture" is a very highly recommended reading for students of Photography, Architecture, and Texas History.

Favorite scene with Vida-
The whole scene of caring for Taylor when he's ill.

Favorite scene with Taylor-
His first meeting with Honor.

Together-
Before their wedding, realizing they belonged there, willing to give up the new job.

What did you like about Vida-
Her strength and stubborness. Never giving up on Taylor. Telling him they won't be taking the detective job because they should stay where they are and be with family. I can't believe Buck survived. Yeh!!! Vida told Taylor family's more important than a job. Her easy goingness with the cowpokes at the saloon.

What didn't you like about Vida-
That she felt she didn't need to tell Taylor when she went back to New Orleans to get info. on Celeste. They're partners, and yet she felt like she could do what she wanted without his permission. She took risks-esp. with Pierre and Derek. It's not her per se, but sometimes her vulnerability and hurt feelings don't fit her tough cookie, detective persona. She wears her heart on her sleeve and shows her feelings and it doesn't quite fit.

What did you like about Taylor-
Loving Vida. Never giving up on his dad. Reconciling with Cal and Honor, although it was hard for him. Telling Celeste off. His mother-son affection with Doc Maggie. And his affection for the ranch hands.

What didn't you like about Taylor-
It's not him per se, but the drunk act. It made him look bad in people's eyes. He might not have been able to tell people the truth yet, but still- He was too stubborn about reconciling with Cal and Honor. Glad he did.

If I had to cast Vida, I'd cast Catherine Zeta-Jones.
If I had to cast Taylor, I'd cast Cameron Mathison.

The best way to read this trilogy is from the beginning. While 'texas triumph' is the best of the 3 because it wraps up all the loose ends and has all the characters together, it is much more enjoyable having read the story of Cal, Honor and then Taylor. If u only pick one of the trilogy, this would be the one to choose. Story itself is as reviewed by HK.

In 1850 New Orleans, Buck Star seduced his friend's wife. She is willing to give up everything for Buck, but the handsome lothario deserts her leaving behind the broken Gannon family without a look back or feeling the slightest of remorse.

In 1869, an ailing Buck's past has come home to roost (see TEXAS STAR and TEXAS GLORY). Several people have the motive to want Buck dead for the havoc he caused and left behind two decades ago. His son Pinkerton Agent Taylor Star returns to the family spread to investigate a murder. He is accompanied by his partner Vida Malone, who Taylor quickly realizes is the only person he trusts to include blood relatives. As the two agents investigate and protect each other's back, the attraction they already have for one another but deny explodes into the open. While danger mounts from an avenging unknown culprit, Vida and Taylor fall in love, but first must uncover who wants anything remotely Star dead.

The last Texas Star tale is an enjoyable historical private investigative romance as the lead couple investigates who wants to destroy Buck even while falling in love. Taylor and Vida make a wonderful pairing as the Agents have avoided their growing attraction until the danger turns personal and they fear for their partner. The final of this fine trilogy is a triumph for fans of Reconstruction Era Texas romantic mysteries as Elaine Barbieri star will shine with glory.

Harriet Klausner

Being an avid paddler, I was initially dissappointed to move from Georgia to Texas and leave behind the whitewahter rivers of the southeast. I was happy to find that there are some credible paddle spots in the Lone Star state and this book helped me to find them. It is well organized and easy to read and the information provided is very thorough.

If you like Texas Whitewater, this book is a must

This book has identified all the information you need to locate true whitewater in the state of Texas.

Writer Davis is a master of humor and no one can beat illustrator Stacey at funny facial expressions---just look at the longhorn. These two have created a great book!

My daughter and I read this book over the weekend and thouroughly enjoyed it. She was really taken with the humorous story and "funny" animals. Zeke and the Longhorn are quite the characters. The ending is very satisfying.I am looking forward to rereading this one.

David Davis has done it again: a laugh a second picture book with amazing art by Alan Stacy. This is a Texas-flavor retelling of The Old Woman and her Pig. And, Boy Howdy, this book will steer you right--An Absolute Award-Winner and Bestseller!