10.30.16    Texas author tells Chicken Ranch story

Several years ago Jayme Blaschke presented a paper to the East Texas Historical Association on “The Last Madam: The Unexpected Life of the Chicken Ranch’s Edna Milton (1928–2012)”, based on extensive interviews he had with her. Now he has turned his research and knowledge into a book, Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse (The History Press, $24.99 paperback).

“The Chicken Ranch was a brothel, pure and simple,” Blaschke writes. “Not so pure, and nowhere near as simple, were the motives of those who closed it down. Therein hangs this tale.” And quite a story it is, told in 335 pages, including notes, index, numerous photos, and an appendix giving “Miss Edna’s Chicken Ranch rules of conduct” for her girls, or “boarders,” as she called them.

Texas stories: A writer with a great Texas name, Sam Houston, is the author of Texas Chili for the Soul ($15.95 paperback), subtitled “Who the heck needs chicken soup?” and further described as “A collection of short stories which illustrate unique Texas expressions.”

The stories, Houston writes, “are for the most part true,” although admitting that “in Texas we never let the truth interfere with the telling of a good story!”

 The expressions which are illustrated by more-or-less true stories include:

 “Remember to load your brain before you shoot off your mouth.”

 “Nobody has ever drowned in his own sweat.”

 And, “You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken manure no matter how much mayonnaise you add.”

Second in series: In her second inspirational novel set in pre-revolutionary Charles Town, S.C., Abilene author Marguerite Gray explores the mounting political tensions in 1773–74 surrounding a young couple who are seeking to build a life together.

Surround Me (Westbow Press, $19.95), which focuses on the relationship of Louis Lestarjette and Elizabeth Elliott, is the sequel to Hold Me Close, published last year. A third novel in her Revolutionary Faith series is expected next year.

Award winner: Texas author Karen Witemeyer’s novel A Worthy Pursuit won the Carol Award in the historical romance category, presented by the American Christian Fiction Writers. A previous novel, To Win Her Heart, won the Carol Award in 2012. Witemeyer’s eighth full-length novel is No Other Will Do, also a Christian historical romance published by Bethany House this summer. Her next novel, Heart on the Line, is scheduled for release in June 2017.

Glenn Dromgoole’s latest book is West Texas StoriesContact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.

>> Read his past Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Literary Life here.