Texas Books

I first saw the author perform one of these stories at a festival, then I bought the book. I have truly enjoyed these stories, even though I am no longer a child, because I can see the original myth in between the puns and Texas twang. Adults, I think, would get a good laugh from these stories because these are the stories that they already know but transported to the twentieth century.

I got "hooked" on Barbara McBride-Smith's brilliant style of writing and storytelling when I met her the summer of 1998. She was leading a storytelling workshop at East TN State University. The study of Greek Mythology was never appealing to me until I met Barbara. I am a 6th grade Social Studies teacher, and when I introduce Barbara's work to my students, they fall in love with her. I highly recommend this book to ANYONE!

Great book! This book shows the Greek Gods in a whole new light. I recognized many of the characteristics of my neighbors in the book. Great way to introduce Mythology to Junior High or High School.

This book places humor in stories where humor is not usually found. Told in the Texan style, some passages just make you want to burst out laughing. It helps to have a general knowledge of Greek Mythology before reading, just so you can get the references and jokes. Great read, great laugh!!

Greenbelt brought back childhood memories of a Texas lake and the antics one can get away with as a young kid. It reminded me of times that I had not considered in ages. Times when I was invincible.

The stories in this book transcend a regional area, they could have occurred on a Texas Panhandle lake, a California beach or on a Iowa farm.

Read this book to remind you of your own childhood or to remind you of a childhood you wish you had lived!!

Released just in time for for summer reading, I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure. Jim Man's style is easygoing, and at the same time compelling. I kept reading "just one more chapter" to find out what would happen next to Jim, Dwight, and the other colorful characters. This book truly is a return to a simpler time in the not too distant past. A time when kids explored the outside world on their own, and a Mother's parting words were "Be home in time for supper".

I picked up the book on a Friday night. I was skeptical at best, but everybody leaves the bookstore with a book; and besides, the author was at the bookstore doing the dog and pony show trying to sell some of his books. Politely, I bought the book, came home and was mesmerized for the next four hours (I am a slow reader). I liked the size of the book, it wasn't real intimidating and I thought I would give it at least three chapters. That was all it took and I was hooked. A NOSTALGIC RETURN is exactly what I got. Mr. Man's book took me back to my own childhood and the amazement that I (and he)lived through it. Chapter after chapter was adventure, exploit, and just good ole' childhood mischief. I finished the book that night (to my wife's dislike). Several times she woke up and hit me with the pillow because the bed was shaking from my laughter. I honestly couldn't put the book down. Anyway, for what it is worth, I wish I had the book to look forward to. Write on Mr. Man, Bart boxwell

Here we have Jim Man's portrait of a summerful of visits to a lake house in north Texas of 1972 (age 12). The outstanding quality of Man's writing is its credibility: on a topic almost hand-crafted as a foundation for tall tales, I'm darned if I don't believe just about everything he says.

I too grew up in the 1970s in the West, and we did in fact use to shoot at one another with BB guns, dig through any half-ruined building available to us, and gad about on any wheeled vehicle we could scrounge up. While Jim's story is one of a lot of fun--some better and cleaner than others--it is a story of lessons learned about himself and others. Jim's friend Dwight is an especially compelling character, the kind you can't invent; they either are authentic or they are not. (His accent, by the way, is authentic. He sounds precisely like my very rural, very Texan father-in-law.) By the end of the book--which I wish had been longer--I really wanted to know what ever became of the boys in the book.

As a book for young people, I'd rate it PG-13: the author could have easily pushed it toward R-17, but a visible effort was made to take the edges off the language and content; this effort might not get the credit it deserves, but parents buying books for their children will appreciate it. If you're raising kids today, _Greenbelt_ will encourage you to pose the question: how come we turned out all right in spite of the fact that we behaved like Jim and his cohorts? It will appeal especially to anyone who likes motorcycles, fishing/boating, and modern-day Tom Sawyer hijinks. For anyone who grew up in rural Texas, naturally, the appeal will be even stronger. I came away liking the genuinely warm, adventuresome Man family, and I reckon a lot of readers will too.

Anyone who has read the long standing Executioner series of men' action/adventure books has heard of Michael Newton. But who knew he could write such engrossing and entertaining westerns?

With the character of Matt Price he has struck gold, expecially humanly showing Matt to tired and weary of burying in double figures, less fast gunmen. All he has to show for a lifetime of gunfighting is his horse and nowhere in particular to go. So up comes another young gunny trying to make a rep and also comes a telegram prior to the fight from an old friend 10-years back. 'Come to Texas, need help' is pretty much what Belle has written. True to friendship and more, Matt heads out to Texas, several week's ride away. Stepping full force into a hornet's nest of greed, killing, and a past that just hasn't gone away.

As this book weaves way to an ending we begin to like and approve of Matt Price more and more. He has a son, Jesse, now that he never knew about, that very fact will change his life in this book as well as the others that follow.

I'm a late comer to these books of Lyle Brandt (Michael Newton) but have now purchased all, and have even read his 1st book in the new series, LAWMAN, too. 2nd LAWMAN due out soon. As long as Lyle Brandt/Michael Newton continues to write 'em, I'll be reading them.

Semper Fi.

Terrific book! Who'd believe a new modern Western could be this good?

Matt Price is the fastest gun alive.But a good smart moral man,trapped by his own speed and knowing what's ahead. In a dusty town after a blazing-fast reputation-hunting kid draws a little too slowly against him, Price gets a telegram.The woman he loved ten years before --who left him because she saw him gun down two men who came against him in the night--is in trouble.

Most modern Westerns are terrible. Bad Westerns and bad pornography.Matt Price is a stand-up guy. Ethical,troubled,thoughtful, gentle in his own way. And the best there is at what he does, when forced to it. A rousing tale..

get this one and the sequel--justice gun, and finish them in one sitting. this writer is better than others who just got more hypes and better marketing strategies but would not surpass this new upcoming and very promising writer. so far, only louis la'mour and a few others are actually readable in this genre. mr brandt will be definitely among these few. tks very much.

When I first started reading this book, I thought I was galloping straight into cliche-land. What saved the book for me was the characters. They were likable and fleshed out pretty well, so I cared about what was going to happen. The bad guy was suitably bad, and there's plenty of gun-fighting action. Ought to be, based on the title. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

"A tremendously exciting read" Judge Sanford M. Brook

Patricia Williams, Acting Justice of N.Y. Supreme Court says about Gun Crazy: "I truly enjoyed Mr. Booker's writing. He knows the secret of making you want to actually visit the scenes he describes so well. . . Mr. Booker's book is different than others, because it deals with the many different aspects of a real trial. Hence, the characters are drawn with detail and care."

Warren Burnett said: "Superbly, writer Booker honors his craft in this story of a courtroom trimph made possible by the grit and grace of Kerrville's Scott Stehling, a true examply of the decent and talented lawyer."

Racehorse Haynes said: "A brutal senseless crime, a skilled trial lawyer's fight for Justice for a young man in the wrong place at the wrong time. A must read for all interested in trial by jury."

The story has plenty of twists and turns as do nearly all Elmer Kelton's novels do. I didn't like as much as some other books of his but it's a good story none the less. A lot of familiar Kelton characters are in this story. It's ending was not what you would expect. Read it...you will enjoy it.

Simply put, any author reading "Hard Trail To Follow" has a "Hard Act to Follow"!

"Hard Trail" is a remarkable achievment of character driven storytelling by a master wordsmith. Andy Pickard, ex Texas Ranger and young farmer, is faced with a dilemna. His future brother in law, Farley Brackett, fellow ex Texas Ranger and pain the butt, is both blessing and curse. Bethel, Andy's fiancé, wants nothing more than the two men to get along without fisttocuffs. Andy, wants nothing but Bethel, and to be left alone by Farleys' biting criticism.

Enter Tom Blessing, local Sheriff and friend to all. Facing retirement and a ruthless criminal Luther Cordell, circumstances lead to an escape by Cordell and in the effort, the lingering death of Blessing. A reluctant deputy, Andy and Farley lead up a small posse to bring Cordell in for his crime. Reaching county lines, Farley leaves Andy to track Cordell as an acting Texas Ranger with no county boundaries in the way of his jurisdiction. A long trail has just begun as Andy and Choctaw John, his half native tracker, snake their way through Texas only to land up in Griffin. Cordell, along the way, had lost one member, David Johnson. Milt Hayward, the murderer of Tom Blessing, broke rank with Luther and went south to Mexico.

The Hard Trail becomes his redemption trail as Cordell rediscovers his humanity, compassion, and his ability to love once more. Cordell `dies' as Hayward is taken back as the murderer of Blessing, and William Goodson remains to start anew.

Kelton writes an amazing story. More amazing is the depth of the characters. Throughout the book, Cordell grows on you as he changes page by page. The friendly banter between Choctaw John and Andy Pickard is a delightfully light touch to an otherwise intense book.

A true mark of a master storyteller is the anticipation between volumes. If that is the case, Kelton is a master, with his harp and lyre being pen and paper. His literative voice, soothing as a ballad of old, beckons you to settle down and listen attentively. Linger, while I tell a tale...

Www.tor-forge.com

Tim Lasiuta

Elmer Kelton is the greatest. The characters are real and believable. I love the historical settings.

Once again, Elmer Kelton has written another great western story. Andy Pickard and the other great characters of Mr. Kelton's Texas Rangers series return, in addition to many colorful and interesting new personalities. This time, Andy is in pursuit of outlaw Luther Cordell, for the death of Andy's friend, Sheriff Tom Blessing. Mr. Kelton has created another great character in Luther Cordell, a likable, aging outlaw, with his own code of honor. After many years on the wrong side of the law, Luther regrets the lonely life he's led and the effect it has had on others, and wishes that he could put it all behind him and settle down in peace. Mr. Kelton again shows his ability to create characters that you'll come to care about (both good & bad, to like & dislike) and a story to keep you engrossed and entertained. As with all his previous works, Mr. Kelton's knowledge of Texas history, geography and people always bring so much to his wonderful tales.

I was shaking like a leaf when Abecka woke up to see Judson at the end of her bed! Judson is Abecka's stepfather and had molested her all during her childhood. Now, after everything she had done to save Mayree and Julianna, here was Judson when she least expected it and there was no one to help her! This chapter ends with a big surprise, Judson get's his in a way I never suspected. In the end Abecka and Clayton find each other again but there is still suspense right up to the final page! I just had to buy this book after I read a chapter on Ms Gambrell's web site. ... I hope she will write another book with the same people, I'd like to know what happens to them later in their lives!

I love Nora Robert's type romantic suspense and Healer's Daughter is that kind of book. The characters are so real that I hope there will be a sequel! I didn't want the book to end--I loved it when Judson, the bad guy, got his! Wow, what a powerful ending!

Anne and Abecka, Clayton, Judson and Mayree! I just love these characters, I hope they'll all have a book of their own before long! Abecka, the step daughter of a traveling faith healer, overcomes an abusive childhood, a stalker, train wrecks and tent fires to find the life (and love) she's always dreamed of! If you like Southern romantic suspense you'll love Healer's Daughter!

La'Nelle Gambrell wraps strong characters and plot in a jewel of a setting creating a real page-turner. We'll be hearing more from her... and soon, I hope!

If you love the Christian message in steeplehill books...you'll love this one...Excellent message to those who have had a broken heart! loved it and shared it with my friends!

Hurting and hiding from her past, Tessa Stanridge enjoys teaching children in Hill Creek, Texas. Working with children is safe, a place she doesn't have to risk her feelings. Little does she realize that is about to change.

Sexy Single Rancher who was innjured when a bull did a two step on him, Drake Slater is working to recover from near death. Learning to walk and talk is only a small part of what he has to accomplish. He also has to re-learn to read.

With his newfound faith and his new teacher--Tessa, (who needs the money of a summer job and is coerced into teaching him), Drake has no idea the impact he's about to make in the teacher's life. Nor the impact she'll make in his.

This is a love story about faith and rediscovering your first love. The zany secondary characters are back along with Tessa's on fetish for animals--a veritable zoo in her home of lizards and a cat and puppy, Myrtle the turtle, a parrot and the list goes on. A touch of humor combined with the gentle developing relationship as both people heal--physically and emotionally--make this one of my favorite books so far.

Schoolteacher Tessa Stranridge needs a means of financial support in order to live in Hill Creek. A friend offers her the solution to her predicament of opening up her home to local accident victim, Drake Slater. Her responsibilities would include attending to his needs and teaching him how to read again. Upon meeting Drake, she is surprised to realize how handsome he is. Before her is a man capable of reeking havoc in her calm, ordinary world.

Drake Slater was gravely injured when he was thrown from his horse and savagely attacked by a raging bull. He relies upon the assistance of Tessa Stranridge in rebuilding his life. Tessa is able to feed his newly-found, spiritual hunger, with knowledge that has been foreign to him for so long. With her calm, tranquil nature, she is the type of medicine he finds himself craving in order to make a successful recovery.

Cheryl Wolverton seems to write with a higher power guiding her pen. Her extensive talent enables the reader to fully appreciate the story as it unfolds. I enjoyed the characters of Tessa and Drake. I found it very memorable that Tessa was able to look past the outward scars that Drake had and concentrate more on healing the inner ones. This book is for anyone that appreciates the treasure that love is capable of providing.

Hurting and hiding from her past, Tessa Stanridge enjoys teaching children in Hill Creek, Texas. Working with children is safe, a place she doesn't have to risk her feelings. Little does she realize that is about to change.

Sexy Single Rancher who was innjured when a bull did a two step on him, Drake Slater is working to recover from near death. Learning to walk and talk is only a small part of what he has to accomplish. He also has to re-learn to read.

With his newfound faith and his new teacher--Tessa, (who needs the money of a summer job and is coerced into teaching him), Drake has no idea the impact he's about to make in the teacher's life. Nor the impact she'll make in his.

This is a love story about faith and rediscovering your first love. The zany secondary characters are back along with Tessa's on fetish for animals--a veritable zoo in her home of lizards and a cat and puppy, Myrtle the turtle, a parrot and the list goes on. A touch of humor combined with the gentle developing relationship as both people heal--physically and emotionally--make this one of my favorite books so far.

I just need to know the number it is in the Crystal Creek series. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration and co-operation in this matter.

Robert White

I really liked this book because I liked the characters so much. The story was tender and sweet, but it was often funny, too. I loved the wacky housekeeper and her influence on the McKinney men. As a hero, Grady is definitely a keeper. And the little boy is just adorable.

Following the divorce, Tara Hastings sells her ranch knowing that she and her son Del will have to flee the Santa Clarita area because of her powerful disruptive father-in-law Burleigh who is making demands involving her boy. Tara expects little from her ex though he owes child support and it would be nice if Sis visited Del, but the immediate problem is Burleigh. Her brother persuades Tara to move to a spread they bought near Crystal Creek where Burleigh's influence would be minimal at best. She agrees.

Grady McKinney was born in Crystal Creek, but feels the road is his home. However, an injury has sent him to the last place he wants to be: his family home. While Tara works on turning the former dude ranch into a thriving equestrian school, Grady helps her. They fall in love and her son worships him, but Grady cannot commit to staying in one place though the temptation is great and Tara still tastes the bitter herbs of her last marriage.

Though the relationship between Grady and Tara seems too soon as she recovers from the nastiness of her divorce, fans will appreciate this Texas romance between a commitment phobia rover and a scarred marital victim. The story line is typical of the Crystal Creek tales as the lead couple seems an unlikely matches yet love ties them together. Del is a delightful child, perhaps a bit too precocious, but the audience will want to hug him as he turns to Grady for fatherly attention. HOME TO TEXAS is a delightful romantic soup with several tasty ingredients making for a fine entry that mini-series fans will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

"Home to Texas" is a terrific read - from the horse ranch setting in Crystal Creek, Texas to the thoroughly engaging relationship between foot-loose Grady and committment-shy Tara. And Tara's son Del adds a level of complication and charm that revs the story up even further. "Home to Texas" expertly juggles the growing passion of a developing romance and the gripping subplot of an ex-father-in-law putting Tara's son in jeopardy. I wholeheartedly recommend "Home to Texas."

I am new to Texas gardening, and I am more familiar with the Northwest, where we have the wonderful Sunset books to help us with our planting advice. Garrett's Plants for Texas comes close to the excellent format of those Sunset books that I have depended on for years. It covers nearly every plant I have researched for my difficult caliche-filled yard, and the advice is right on. It sometimes takes a few page jumps to find the information, as I am redirected from the common name to the more obscure Latin, but I eventually find the plant. At points, he seems a little over-the-top with organic gardening, and a few newer plants seem to be only briefly covered. The scant information on palms is disappointing. Still, I find myself using this book nearly every week. I recommend it. With this and Scott Ogden's Gardening Success with Difficult Soils: Limestone, Alkaline Clay, and Caliche Soils I have all my Austin gardening needs covered.

My significant other lives in Houston, and I, a Californian by birth, have lived in Philadelphia most of my life. An avid gardener at home here in PA, I felt uncharacteristically unsure about tackling the long-neglected flower beds in Houston.

Then I read the reviews for Howard Garrett's charming and fabulous "Plants for Texas," and ordered it immediately. It arrived yesterday and I could not put it down until I had read it cover to cover.

Every single question I have had is answered in this book in a format so clear, so concise, and so heartwarming to any gardener, that I found I was smiling ear to ear. From the beginning pages, where Garrett presents his no-nonsense advice on design, maintenance, and care of everything from trees to turf grasses to annuals, to his staunch anti-chemical point of view (YES!), I gained a wealth of information.

By the time I got to the alphabetical pages with the full-color pictures of everything a Texas gardener could ever want to plant, I was thoroughly and totally delighted. Already I have made a rudimentary list (way too ambitious, of course). Already, I have page after page bookmarked and highlighted. Already, I have planted perfect gardens in my mind's eye.

Perhaps my favorite part of the entire book is the page on hackberry (celtis), which nastily eats up a major portion of my friend's flower beds, and which I secretly, and guiltily, hate. Garrett's take: "Do not plant and cut down the ones that sprout up!" Gotta love a man who shares my views on hackberry. I love this book. Plain and simple. I recommend it to anybody who gardens, or who plans to garden, in the Great State of Texas!

This book has good pictures of plants and their flowers as well as good information on the many plants in all of Texas. It is alphabetized so that finding a plant is easy.
Also, included in the notes are some interesting comments about the plant and its use.

He lists almost all the plants that can grow in Texas and ones that don't-- The best part are the color photos of each plant along with details on mature height, distinguishing attributes and cultural requirements for each. An excellent reference for the Texas do it yourself home landscaper. His info on trees was invaluable to me

This book made me laugh and cry. I could'nt put this book down. Elaine Coffman describes things so vivdly it's like watching a movie when I read her books. This is the 4th one I've read and the best so far I would have to say.

I thought this was a wonderful book, I have read 3 of Coffman's books, and this is by far the best. It was one of those feel good books!!!

Characters names are a must - otherwise what are you talking about?

Charlotte Butterworth, 27 is a red-headed stubborn hard working woman with an inner beauty. She has also been traumitized when very young and has sworn that she'd never let a man touch her. She was afraid of men turning brutal.

She also has an overly-protective brother, Nehemiah Butterworth and his wife Hannah who love her dearly. Poor Nemi seems to be a day late and a dollar short, but he is a great brother. Even he doesn't know of Lottie's secret. He and Hannah have 4 kids.

A change starts in Miss Lottie's life when she steps out onto her porch to find some cowboys from the Triple K ranch anxious to hang a man from her tree. P.S. she has the only two trees in Two Trees, Texas, she is determined to protect her trees.
Apparently she is very good with her .44-caliber Winchester rifle.
She hollers for Jam to go get Sheriff Archer Bradley. He is sweet on Miss Charlotte.

Walker Reed, 35 looked like he had been dragged behind a horse. The bold blue-eyed stranger was grateful for having the lynching stopped. He was happy to be alive for another day. And would you believe Miss Lottie?
Of course he wondered if she would be as passionate in bed as on the porch protecting her trees.
He decided that the next order of business would be to seduce Miss Lottie to show his gratitude.

What a story of convoluted seduction. Walker and Charlotte always seemed to talking at cross-purposes. The dialogue is great. The characters wonderful even when Nemi brought in the wounded Jamie Granger.

Then there are the 3 young "ladies" on the prowl for husbands - Prissy Ledbetter, Mary Alice Tiplet and May Cartwright. Oh yes, that reminds me of the lunch auction, another great scene.

Walker has always told Charlotte that he is returning to California with his brother, Riley, who is 36 and just got married last year.
Walker has no plans of staying in Texas once Riley has identified him to the Sheriff. But he feels honor bound to seduce Charlotte without revealing his secret in order to save her from her trauma.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m -- definitely a keeper - humorous dialogue - exasperating, addlepated female - a male you wonder if he is licentious or truly in love. Just most Excellent.

One of those books that are hard to forget and a love story that is easy to believe. Elaine Coffman became one of my favorite authors with this beautiful novel. I am an avid fan of Judith Mcnaught, Jude Deveraux and Johanna Lindsey and I added Coffman to my list because of this book.