Texas Books

The older generation of Chicano writers have mostly written about California, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. However, a little-known area of Texas, the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, has been virtually ignored. David Rice helps to fill this void. In his collection of short stories, Give the Pig a Chance & Other Stories, Rice breaks "el Valle" wide open. Like the Valley he writes about, these stories have such a wonderful variety. In "Lucía's Last Curse," my favorite of them all, the reformed bruja, witch-woman, Lucía tries to atone for her past of curses and evil by healing a young man from some mysterious ailment. The outcome is a complete surprise. While the magical realism in this story is reminiscent of the fiction of Gabriel García Márquez or Kathleen Alcalá, the setting of the Valley makes it wholly unique. Another story, "In the Canal," reads like Rodriguez's independent film, El Mariachi, not to be confused with Desperado, the outrageous follow-up starring Antonio Banderas. Both Rodriguez's film and Rice's story capture the border violence and senseless death that Mexican-Americans living along the border are so familiar with. However, Rice improves upon the theme by making his "drogistas," drug-dealers very human, and uncomfortably familiar. Like Raymond Carver or Dagoberto Gilb, this author's greatest strength is his ability to capture the profound in the mundane. In the ambiguously titled "Give the Pig a Chance," a character named Carlos accidentally runs over his cousin's pet pot-bellied pig. Carlos's effort to win his cousin's forgiveness takes on a deeper meaning as he pleads, "Just give me a chance." Thankfully, Bilingual Press gave this young Tejano writer a chance. This is the first book in what will be a long and brilliant literary career. I am glad I saw it happen, and eagerly await his next book.

If you want to get a real taste of the Rio Grande Valley, you must read this book. It would fit just as well in the cultural anthropology section of a bookstore. I, too, lived in the Valley (La Blanca, Texas to be exact - just 2 miles from Edcouch.) and I can relate to everything Mr. Rice writes. He captures the culturally laden thinking processes that we all learned so well early in our lives. He effectively exposes the innocent, yet seemingly bizarre world that many of us felt shame over or simply chose to push out of our identity. Rice courageously relives these experiences. Quite an achievement. His work will undoubtedly inspire more writings from the imaginative minds coming out of "el valle" and begin to uncover the untapped treasure that is the Rio Grande Valley. Much credit goes to the author for giving the reader a unique and rare glimpse into a place and culture that is much written about by non-Valleyites and often misrepresented or misunderstood. I could not help but think of Steinbeck's work as I read through this book. Rice has an exceptional ability to draw the reader into his world.

I read some of his work for my English 4 CP class, I enjoyed it. It depicted Valley life - its beauty and innocence. I liked this book alot because it described the home I have lived in for about 6 years. I also met this author after reading this book, he showed an eccentric side to him. a very open and intelligence person. I give this book 5 stars mainly because it is the only book that I've read that truly shows the Valley and all its splendors. From Sapos to Tortillas.

This book is very well written and should be of interest to everyone who enjoys a good biography full of adventure. Glenn Elliot was a great Texas Ranger and his story is certainly worth telling. A good man doing a great job for the citizens of Texas. Do yourself a big favor and put this book in your library.

Longview News-Journal - [Glenn] Elliott has seen his picture printed in Texas Monthly, the front page of The New York Times and countless smaller publisications. Dan Winters' photo of Elliott leaning against a post on a barbed wire fence recently was voted one of the all-time favorite photographs published in Texas Monthly.

Have you ever thought about what would be like to ride along with a Texas Highway Patrolman or Texas Ranger? Can you imagine the sights you see or the people you would meet? In Glenn Elliott's new book, "A Ranger's Ranger", the reader get a chance to "ride along" as this Texas lawman describes many of the adventures of his illustrious career.

[Glenn] has shaken the hand of every President from Harry Truman through George Bush (Sr). Governors, senators, representatives, nationally known celebrites and dozens of fellow law officers are proud to call Glenn their friend. But more important, to Glenn, hundreds of average law-abiding citizens from all over Texas proudly call Glenn their friend.

Treat yourself to a copy of this captivating book.

Fans who remember Dale Fry's feature stories in The Highlander will be delighted to rediscover their favorites in "Goddess of Mystery and Other Central Texas Stories," a collection of his works edited by Ralph Baber. New readers are in for a real treat.

During his years at The Highlander, Fry roamed the Texas Hill Country like a latter-day prospector, finding treasure among its people and its stories.

Digging meticulously into the background detail of his subjects, Fry manages to extract delightful nuggets to intrigue, entertain and sometimes mystify his readers. He often reintroduces familiar people and places, adding new facets to stories we thought we already knew.

This anthology is a gem, offering a delectable sample of an often-overlooked part of Texas--its history, its legends and its unique character that are often as rugged and enduring as its granite. It should be on every bookshelf in the Hill Country.

Sara Wartes, Editor, Marble Falls Picayune

Dale Fry loves Llano and the Central Texas Hill Country! His anthology of historical events and insights into the people and places of this land are compelling reading...And you can't read just one!

With the ability of a great storyteller Fry pulls his reader into the lives and times he writes about so beautifully. You'll see the Texas Hill Country through new eyes after spending a few hours absorbed in GODDESS OF MYSTERY AND OTHER CENTRAL TEXAS STORIES.

Diana Collins, Marble Falls City Librarian

It is very satisfying to researchers and history buffs to find Mr. Fry's writing compiled in book form. His many articles have been read, enjoyed, and probably clipped out and carefully filed or passed on to a friend. Now we can keep reading, with each story simply whetting the appetite for the next one!

Mr. Fry is akin to top-notch private eye. He is tenacious in his search for the facts and follows each clue to its depths. "Goddess of Mystery" is an example of this.

In addition to his "detective" skills, Mr. Fry also has that ability to spot those among us who seem like ordinary friends and neighbors and shows us just how extraordinary they really are. His insight and sincere love of people and the Hill Country glistens from each story.
Byrna Dean Moore, English Teacher, Member of Burnet County Historical Commission

Truely enjoyed it. Thank you.

These poems, from a professor at Emporia State University in Kansas, are from an astute observer of the Great Plains landscape. Using the landscape as a backdrop, Heldrich searches for meaning and revelation in our everyday lives. In his unforgettable poem "Momentum," while driving to Tulsa, he takes note of the cast off trash along the way and yet finds in such an everyday experience "...an unsung love to it, a love of the highway, a love of the country, a love of people and their wasteful bodies so deep the momentum drives me home." In poem after poem, forty-six in all, the reader is made aware of our surroundings and the sometimes taken-for-granted events in our everyday life and urged to celebrate life amidst all of it's uncertainities and limitations. For Heldrich, he shares some of his simple beliefs used to ward off the void in a wonderful poem "Good Friday:" ...the returning sun at breakfast, the beautiful coupling of our lake's geese, the rising green after prairie burnings, the silence of Sunday morning at home, or how my wife fills an empty room with light." For the reader looking for faith, hope, charity, and reconciliation without the usual touchy-feely verse, this is one of the best. An exceptional collection.

Good Friday contains some of the best poetry I have read since Carl Sandburg's Honey & Salt. Mr. Heldrich has drawn on his life experience to create both beautiful and moving images for the reader. My only regret is that the book wasn't long enough. More please!!!

I really enjoyed this book. It has the makings of a great western movie. I am beginning to read the other stories of the Baron's, stories of Matt's ancestors and i really enjoy them so far.

Wes Lukowsky could stand a lesson in good literary fiction and watch less TV. GRASS KINGDOM is a work of art and a literary masterpiece. If you understand the talent behind novels such as LONESOME DOVE or CALL OF THE WILD, then you'll see what makes Jory Sherman rank with the best. Read GRASS KINGDOM, you won't be disappointed.

Jory Sherman brings to this book a love of early Texas and the larger-than-life people who founded it. This is a novel of empire building, and written with such poetry and beauty that it will inspire delight in any reader. It is as if Sherman had borrowed from the history of the great King Ranch in Texas.

A reader cannot help but enjoy this book.

The book has many twist and turns. It is graphic in discribing the way people are killed. It is a great book ! Better than louis lamour. And i love lamours work

Hard Bounty is one of the best westerns to come down the pike. Bounty Hunter Asa Cain and Deputy Cemetery John set out to rescue Cain's mother and sister from the Dolven gang. They run into all kinds of trouble and interesting people. Humor and laughs are sprinkled along the way. The rappor between Asa and Cemetery is very well done. The friendship that developes between them warms the heart. Ken Hodgson is one terrific writer and never lets the reader down. Hard Bounty goes on my all-time favorite westerns shelf.

Asa Cain is called the Undertaker's Friend because he brings so many dead desperatos to town. Asa is credited with 10 fold more bountys than is true but he doesn't try to change the figure because it makes his adversaries just a little bit more nervous when they face each other. And if you're nervous you tend to make mistakes. The Dolven gang makes a big mistake by killing Asas' servants and kidnapping his mother and sister.

I just love Joan Johnston's books so each time a new one comes out I can't wait to get it. She really gets into her characters. What I really liked about this book is how the second story picks up pieces from the first story and continues on. Only took me 4 hours to read the book and I was wishing I had another one of hers to read.

I klove Joan Johnston's books. she has a real knack for bringing people to life and making you want to jump into the pages with them. In The Cowboy and the Priness, Faron's story is very interesting because he meets his heroione ina an unusual way, at least an unusual relationship, and both of them are too afraid to believe this could be real because of past experiences. But you cheer for them every step of the way and clap your hands when you get to the Happily Ever After. In The Wrangler and the Rich Girl once again the reader is pulled right into the story. Although you want to slap Garth upside the head at least a hundred times for being such a rigid fool. You will love Candy, the "Rich Girl", and her determination a grit and again, the happy ending is just what the doctor ordered. For all of us collecting Johnston's wonderful Whitelaw series, you can't afford to miss this book.

These two stories are part of the "Hawk's Way" series of romantic, modern day westerns and adventures by Joan Johnston.The core family, the Whitelaws(don't ya just love that name) are 3 brothers and 1 sister who have lost their parents, but have managed on their own and are a close knit group. The first 4 stories begin with them. If you havn't read them yet, the first in the series is "Honey and the Hired Man"(Middle brother Jessie's story)and "The Rancher and the Runaway Bride"(Tate, the beautiful little sister's story)

"The Cowboy and the Princess" is the 3rd in the Hawk's Way series. It is Faron's story the youngest of the brothers and quite the ladies man. Faron's story unfolds into a love like a fairy tale(but not for kids!).

Faron gets the news. A letter from a woman claiming to be his step-mother. Seems Mom Whitelaw had herself a little affair, and Faron was the result. This was the first he heard that he was not a full blooded Whitelaw. He is quite upset by the news, and takes off for Wyoming to confront his horrid stepmother who says he is in the will. He's not a happy camper. While scouting across the land he is to inherit, he runs into the most gorgeous creature he has ever seen. A beautiful blonde who looks like a princess.And By the way, Faron is no slouch in the looks department as well. Johnston doesn't make us wait too long for the first scene of passion. As these two find something in each other's arms they both needed. He calls her his Princess, she calls him "Cowboy". And of course, neither knew at the time, that he was the stepson of this young and beautiful princess(Belinda Prescott), but when they do find out, the friction between them only adds more heat to their passion. They try(really hard) to stay away from each other, but Faron is there to help his father's wife fix up the ranch for sale, and it's awfully hard to keep them apart.Other new and wonderful characters are introduced that we hope to see in some future stories. Faron's new grandmother, is some fun and feisty old lady!

The story of Belinda Prescott's marriage to Faron's father, and the description of the Wyoming Ranch,"King's Castle" and it surroundings adds greatly, but the romance is one of the best. These two were made for each other, and you know it. The passion heats up. There is even a ride on horseback(with both on the same horse), that is like no other ride. The book kept me turning the pages all the way through.

The Wrangler and The Rich Girl" is 4th in the Series(there are many more to follow). Oldest brother Garth finally finds love in this sizzling romance. Garth's story is the last of the core family, before the series moves on to more branches of this passionate family tree.

Garth has been raising up his brothers and sister, since the death of his parents. They are a close knit and raucous bunch, and their wildness only adds to their passionate and steamy relationships. Garth is very different than his younger siblings. He was old enough at the time it happened, to witness the demise of his parent's marriage due to his mother's infidelity, resulting in the birth of Faron, youngest of the brothers. Any woman would love to fall into the arms(and bed) of this rugged and gorgeous wrangler. But Garth has a problem with trust and commitment.He cannot get passed what his mother did, and the women he sees and beds are just there for his pleasure. And they are the type who don't ask for more then that. Enter Candy Baylor. A girl he had known through his business dealings with her very wealthy father. She was young,and spoiled when they first met, and practically threw herself at this hunk of a man, only to be violently kisses, then tossed aside by Garth. Three years later, she is a woman, but only in age. Her desire now is to breed and train cutting horses, that specialize in separating cows from the herd for the ranchers. She's always gotten her way with her rich father, and now she won't have less then the number one guy in the field, Garth, teach her.

Garth remembers(as does she), their little encounter, and plans to have his way with her now that she is a woman. But that's all he wants from this beautiful rich girl. As the lessons progress,he has his way often, something Candy enjoys for the first time in her life. But their feelings for each other are growing as well. They can hardly be in the same room without the sparks flying. Candy knows that Garth cannot express his feeling, in any other way then to make love to her quite demonstratively. The storyline parallels the lessons Garth is giving her on taming a stubborn, wild stallion to stud. Candy takes each step slowly, knowing that Garth has issues from his past, that prevent him from trusting a woman enough to marry her.

In the meantime, their passion sizzles in nearly every chapter(sometimes even a couple of times per chapter), and if you are thinking that it's a story where the man just has his way whenever he wants...think about how Rhett Butler forcefully carried Scarlett up to the bedroom one night, and how she was happily singing the next morning! The story will have you turning the pages, as there is much more substance to this romance then just the hot love scenes.

The story runs parallel to Faron's story, as this romance takes place, during the same timespan while Faron is in Wyoming having his own complications. There are a couple of scenes, near the end, that are the exact scenes from "The Cowboy and the Princess", but this time it is played out from Candy's view point.

It's probably a good idea but not necessary to read them in order.Each stands on it's own and Ms. Johnston gives a pretty good background of the other siblings and their stories, in each book. The series goes on to branch out to other family members and generations, and there are several that come 2 or 3 together in one book. "Hawks Way Rouges" and "Hawk"s Way Bachelors"(which includes these two plus The Runaway Bride(Tate) are a couple of the books that include 3 of the novellas together. So you may want to check before buying any of the individual books. It saves on shipping costs as well.

It's a great series, and you won't be able to stop at just one.

Enjoy...Laurie

Outstanding story line, keeps your interest with every turn of the page! Attention Hollywood! The screenplay of the year is in this book!

Stevens really holds the reader in anticipation from chapter to chapter. It has the horror of Stephen King, suspense of Hitchcock, twist of Serling with a little Harlequin romance thrown in for good measure. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Horror/Fantasy, Science fiction. Can't wait to read the sequel!!

Well written book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Wouldn't be surprised if this were to become a movie.

My husband & I just returned from a fantastic trip to Big Bend National Park. We used this excellent, handy, easy-to-use book as our primary resource for deciding what hikes we were capable of taking in the park. The book proved very useful in showing numerous shorter, easier hikes that older people like us with foot and back problems could take as well as longer, harder trails for those who want them and are able. It also gave very interesting, accurate, readable, and useful descriptions of such matters as how to drive to the trailhead and whether parking is available there, some things (mainly scenery & geological features) one is likely to see on the trail, trail length, elevation gain, trail traffic etc., to allow use to decide which trails would most interest us. Further, it contains some useful black and white photos. And it provides some information about neighboring Big Bend Ranch State Park which we also at least drove through. Thanks in large part to this book, we were able to enjoy some the best hiking of our lives despite our current physical limitations. I only wish we had visited the park a decade ago or more when we could have done some of the more strenuous trails described as well. I would recommend this book for virtually anyone planning a visit to Big Bend.

Gives a great synthesis of hikes of all levels in the park. Well-organized and thus very easy and quick to use.

It does the job it was purchased for, ie finding trails in Big Bend National Park

This story was well written and had some interesting twists to it. I felt like I knew the main characters Alex and Hannah. The love story starts out on an unusual twist but you feel compelled to keep reading to find out how the story ends. It leads in to the second book of the Texas Sheikhs series "His Arranged Marriage" by Tina Leonard. I highly recommend this book!

Kasey Michaels offers us another great read in this Harl. American series. Alex is a wonderful hero and his devotion to Hannah is well drawn out. The development of his character and the transformation of Hannah is enchanting. I read this book after reading the second in the series by Tina Leonard and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

If you like Texas books, a hunky prince in hiding, and a strong woman to tame him, you should definitely read this book! The first in a series of Texas Sheiks, Kasey's characters are magical and different--as usual! You will fall in love with Hannah-Banana . . . it's a very touching story. I picked this book up because I'd read other books of hers, and I was not disappointed.