Texas Books

Family of 4 killed in Ohio plane crash.

BUCYRUS, Ohio - A plane crashed in a field, killing four members of a Texas family and raining debris on a nearby apartment complex, authorities said.

No injuries were reported on the ground after the crash Sunday evening about 60 miles north of Columbus, state highway patrol Lt. Tony Bradshaw said.

Paul and Lillian Martin, of Austin, Texas, and their two children had been visiting relatives in Oklahoma and was flying to Searsmont, Maine, where the couple owned property, the highway patrol said. All four were killed on impact.

The crash site is about a mile from the Bucyrus-Crawford County Airport. But there was no sign of a distress call or any contact with air traffic control before the crash, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said Monday.

Damage to the Indian Creek Apartments, the complex hit by debris, was minor, authorities said. Residents said they heard the plane's engine sputtering, followed by an explosion.

"When you're listening to something like that, you don't even think to take cover," resident Chris Beck said. "If it had gone a little further, it would have hit the apartments."

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Light rain was reported in the area when the crash happened about 7:10 p.m. National Transportation Safety Board and FAA investigators were heading to the scene, Bradshaw said.

Authorities said Paul Martin was 49 and his wife 45, and identified their children as Kitanna, 10, and Shawn, 11. In Searsmont, Maine, town clerk Kathy Hoey said the Martins often spent time there during the summer. He was involved in marketing, and his wife was a marine archaeologist who wrote a book on Venetian ships, she said.

Rotund merchant ships. Sleek warships. Humble fishing boats and sturdy lighters. Pleasure craft and gondolas. The harbor of Medieval and Renaissance Venice thronged with watercraft. Ships and boats were unquestionably vital to the Venetian Maritime Republic, and her ships were of extreme importance historically. Venice, settled in the fifth century in the lagoons of the Adriatic Sea, was always a maritime nation. Three factors gave Venice advantages over other medieval trading city-states: the city's location, governmental policies, and the skills of her inhabitants. Nearly the entire population of Venice was involved in maritime trade in one way or another. Venice became a key trading agent between the European and Mediterranean world market and her citizens made a fortune. Many details as to the nature of their watercraft, however, have yet to be well understood. Three forms of evidence potentially fill in the void: archaeological remains of ships or boats, written documents concerning vessels, and artistic representations of watercraft. Remains of Venetian ships and boats are scant, and written records, rarely complete in their information. Excavations in the region have revealed only a few small boats, two merchant ships, and a galley, yet this limited sample of the ships and boats of Venice offers the base on which to build. A more accurate understanding of Venetian maritime history is achieved only through integrating all forms of evidence.

Pictorial documents constitute a unique corpus of data, invaluable information for anyone studying the history of ships and boats, yet these documents are rarely adequately studied. I had the pleasure of living and working in Venice with the goal of discovering and documenting maritime art from the region. Maritime themes prevail in the culture and legends important to the area. Ships and boats abound in Venetian mosaics, frescoes, paintings, sculptures, manuscript illuminations, technical treatises and graffiti. For example, the relics of St. Mark (who became patron saint and symbol of Venice) were "pirated" away from Alexandria, hidden from the Muslim customs officials in a basket of pork on board the ship. This story was frequently depicted in Venetian art, and these images show us what Venetians conceptualized when they thought of "a merchant ship". This book, with 158 illustrations, is full of interesting and beautiful maritime art, and offers intriguing details to ponder. The book appeals at one level to the layman interested in archaeology, ship history and art history, but has the substance (index, bibliography), detail and depth to satisfy the researcher.

No fashion magazine was more popular or had a larger impact upon the clothing styles of American women than 'Vogue'. Part of the Texas Tech University Press 'Costume Society of American' series, "As Seen In Vogue: A Century Of American Fashion In Advertising" by fashion expert and historian Daniel Delis Hill has drawn from this seminal fashion periodical's more than 600 fashion adds for a century-long overview beginning with the magazine's founding in 1893 through ten decades to 1993. Superbly illustrated throughout with black-and-white photos of advertisements showcasing the changes in fashion styles and the growing sophistication of the American Fashion Industry down through the years, "As Seen In Vogue" also discusses and documents the evolution witnessed within its pages of the evolution in American fashion, American society, and American culture. A fascinating and specialized history, "As Seen In Vogue" is a seminal and unique work of scholarship that makes it a critically important, informed and informative contribution recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library reference collections and American Fashion History supplemental reading lists.

In the origins of the great American middleclass consumer market in the 1890s, "a symbiotic, tripartite relationship between clothing mass production, fashion journalism, and mass-media advertising became firmly established." The internationally-known women's fashion magazine Vogue put this new symbiosis to work to become the leading magazine in its field for more than a century. In the line of Godey's Ladies Book and Harper's Bazaar of the mid 1800s, Vogue published its first issue on December 17, 1892. By focusing entirely on fashion, it differentiated itself from the popular Ladies Homes Journal, which covered fashion only as one of many topics. Since its start over a century ago, Vogue has held its leading position by mirroring changing tastes in fashion by informative articles as well as its polished, sophisticated ads. The ads particularly, the subject of this book, have become a subject of interest in themselves.

Simply glancing at the ads running chronologically roughly by decades displays a social history of women's changing tastes in fashion. The buttoned-up look of the late Victorian era embellished by ruffles and flounces became the sparer, yet still essentially button-up look of the early 1900s seen in pictures by Christie and other illustrators. With the 1920s and '30s, bright colors and patterns mimicking art deco came into fashion. And in this era too, sport clothing became a significant vein of women's clothing. In the more liberated times of the 1960s and later, women's clothing became more revealing while becoming more casual; and it became more varied in incorporating the ideas of foreign designers and the elements of a multicultural, internationally-oriented society.

Attention to the settings of the ads and the poses of the models puts the fashions into the context of a period's surrounding social attitudes, image of women, and women's own assumptions and aims. One sees the empty backdrops of the late Victorian and early 1900s become detailed domestic, workplace, and outdoor scenes.

The text points out and comments on the numerous illustrations; with captions with many individual illustrations like brief annotations providing additional points and information. Author Hill has worked in the fashion industry as a creative director of fashion photography, among other positions.

I really enjoy a good mystery. A real good "who-done-it". A story that, as you read, is fun to guess who the guilty party might be! I found The Austin Fires to be one of these types of books and I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading the next Stormy Winters Mystery. So hurry out with your next book S. A. Slack, your fans are anxiously waiting!

I am always searching for, and am in support of, new woman writers on the market. This is the first novel S.A. Slack has had published and I was one of the first to own it. This piece is creative and entertaining with a suspense that kept me turning the pages just to see what would happen next. It's wonderful to see new authors do this great! Keep up the good work!

I thought I had all the books on Austin! This book is great. I love the series, and the photos are terrific. All the important sites are included.

As someone who lived in Austin in the '60's and returned recently, the comparison of landmarks 'then and now' was a wonderful stroll through Austin's memorable sites. We liked the book so much that we gifted others with it - it's a very popular conversation book which all our friends have enjoyed.

Jessie is the only girl in a house full of Brand men. When Lash Monroe comes to work on the ranch & as deputy sheriff to Garrett, Jessie takes a shine to him. But how can an only girl find time to get closer to Lash with all those brothers of her keep threatening Lash if he misbehaves with Jessie?

This is a great story which had me in stitches in parts. I can't wait to get onto the rest of the series. Next one is Wes's story in "Badlands bad boy".

A simple equation yet it works: bad virgin=good book. You don't need to be an engineer, however, to comprehend this fast paced novel. It stunningly portrays what life in the old west must have been like. The author uses vivid imagery to bring the characters to life. YEE-ha go read it cowgirls

Tess Baron at first seems like an uptight business woman with no feelings for anyone other than herself. But in this story, as in life, not everything is as it seems. Nick Trejo suddenly appears and nothing is the same for Tess again. Tess has never known love in her life, so for her life is about her work and the family business. Tess is drilling for oil that could bring in millions of dollars, but at the same time she may cost Nick his family's fortune and his grandfathers dream. At first, Tess is unimpressed with Nick and his plea for her to stop drilling, but she soon learns Nick will pull out all the stops to convince her to do the right thing. Nick is unaware of the price that Tess will have to pay in order to help him. Even though Nick and Tess seem to be at a impass they are still deeply attracted to each other. Nick and Tess give us a story of love, courage, faith, and any other emotion that you can think of. This is a great start to the series.

Back cover reads:
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Tess Baron knew she was in trouble the second she laid eyes on the mysterious--and oh-so-sexy--stranger. Why had Nick Trejo suddenly appeared, asking her for a private meeting? And what was it about Nick that made Tess long to be in his arms...?
Nick was on a quest to discover his family's fortune, and he wasn't going to let some beautiful heiress stand in the way--even if he was falling in love with her. Or could the treasure he'd been searching for his entire life be less precious than the treasure he'd just found--Tess's love?

I did not know that there were so many conflicts that occurred when Texas was trying to become independent of Mexico. These stories are tremendous and interesting and informative.

This is a history book and battlefield guide. The book list all known battles, raids, skirmishes and some not known in Texas from the Spanish exploration and settlement period to U.S. Cavalry fights with Indians in 1880. The author admits this might not be an all inclusive listing but it will meet most requirements of Texas Battlefield pursuance.
A description of each action, known location and historical markers cover the listings. Overview maps of the actions are included in the book but a person would have to check other maps elsewhere for details on some of the locations.
Also, included is an informative and interesting section describing some of the leaders participating in these actions.
I will drive clear across Texas just to see and read a historical marker setting in a cow pasture. Does this sound like you? This is an excellent book to learn something about battles in Texas. It is also an excellent guide to get you headed in the right location.

Crisp writing, great characters, and a love story based in the hill country of Texas--a winning combination. This author's debut novel is a genuine A+. I recommend it for anyone with even the tinnest soft spot in their heart.

Suzanne Mason creates a world that sweeps you right into Texas Hill Country from the very first sentence. You can almost feel the heat from the blaze, hear the thunder rumbling overhead and experience the cool spring water gliding over you. Images of white silk draping from trees seduce you just as it does Sydney.

The characters are incredibly three-dimensional. Just as you think you know each one's personality, Ms. Mason uncovers yet another stunning facet to them. I feel as if I walked every step with Sydney Parker Ross on her journey. I could feel her excitement over a budding relationship with Jared, and her despair over what life with Duncan would bring. Celia Pearl's get-to-the-heart-of-the matter attitude was refreshing. I can see the positive impact her wisdom had on Sydney. I think everyone should have a Celia Pearl in her life!

Ms. Mason's "goal is to create characters that the reader will remember long after they put the book down." She has succeeded brilliantly as I not only will remember them as characters in a book, but also feel as if I've known them as friends.

Nora Roberts has taken me to Ireland with her books and now Suzanne Mason has led me to experience Texas Hill Country. I can't wait to read Ms. Mason's second novel!

Captain Jace Riley of the Texas Rangers has just two months to track the killers who murdered his mentor during an armored car robbery. So far his undercover assignment as a summer relief driver of a parcel service has turned up nothing in the West Texas mountains. Now he only has two weeks left and no leads. Then a chance encounter with a stranger takes him to Dana Turner's rented trailer.

When she opens the door, Dana sees a man in uniform and fears he's there with an arrest warrant. She spent seven months in prison for the murder of her sister until a judge overturned the conviction. Although she was innocent, she knows many people will only see her prison record rather than her exoneration. Worse, prison changed her. Her claustrophobia has gotten much worse, and she's learned to appreciate every little mundane freedom. Rather trust for her fellow man, she is now filled with suspicion.

Dana came to West Texas to work at an isolated observatory and gaze at the stars. Now for the first time in a long time, Dana is attracted to a man. Conflicting emotions lead to alarming complications to her previously quiet existence. Worse, Dana and Jace come to realize that she's in danger from her landlord's grandson. And Jace can't decide if she's associated with the cop-killers, or the woman of his dreams.

I confess to having a weakness for bold characterizations with an unconventional past. Author Rebecca Winters fills that type with flair, creating heroine Dana who tries to leave the pain of imprisonment behind her while embracing the newfound strengths such an experience produces. Her understandable distaste for law enforcement creates a delightful conundrum since her soul mate happens to be an undercover Texas Ranger. Further, Jace's early misgivings about her background create the perfect balance of tension and passion. Indeed, the balance of strong characterizations and a fascinating plot makes BENEATH A TEXAS SKY a terrific read. Very highly recommended.

Six months ago in Austin, two men held up an armored car stealing a million dollars and killing three people that included retired Texas Ranger Gibb Barton. Most of Gibb's law enforcement associates mourn his death, but Ranger Captain Jace Riley obsesses on bringing the murderers to justice as he lost a close friend. Clues lead Jace to go undercover in the Cloud Rim vicinity of the Texas' Davis Mountains.

In Cloud Rim, Jace wonders if female astronomer Dana Turner, recently released from prison when a California judge vacated a murder conviction, is involved with the killers. He plans to interrogate her, but to the shock of Jace and Dana, they are very attracted to one another. However, she does not trust males except for her famous father because of her murder rap and a graduate student stealing her scientific work while she lingered in prison. He does not trust her because he feels she must be a cohort of the killers. Though this couple falls in love, an infinite future together seems darker than the night sky over the Davis Mountains.

BENEATH A TEXAS SKY is an engaging police procedural romance that stars two delightful but wary lead protagonists. The hunt for the killers engages the audience on two levels: that of the actual investigation and the growing romantic feelings between Jace and Dana. The astronomical tidbits interwoven into the enjoyable story line provides fascinating starry references. All this leads to the fact that Rebecca Winters remains a writer for all seasons.

Harriet Klausner

This is a great book for preschoolers! There are boy bears and girl bears doing all kinds of jobs--a gender-neutral representation of professions. The words rhyme and could be a good read for beginning readers--this is one of the Berenstains' easier books with no more than two stanzas on each page. And it is interesting for the kids to read and look at.

My son loved seeing the world around him through his favorite bears eyes. I had to read this one over and over to him!