Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,

Contributing Editor

TEXAS SPORTS

Chad S. Conine

The Republic of Football: Legends of the Texas High School Game

University of Texas Press

Hardcover, 978-1477303719 (also available as an ebook), 288 pgs., $24.95

September 6, 2016

Reviewed by François Pointeau

A sportswriter since the late 1990s, Chad S. Conine has written a history of Texas high school football spanning seventy years, sharing stories of hard work, tough love, and Texas communities through interviews with famous coaches and players, as well as their families and fans. Walking us through each decisive winning and losing play, he recounts some of the most memorable games of the last few decades. >>READ MORE

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Robert Brescia

with foreword by Jeanine Pirro

Destination Greatness: Creating a New Americanism

Infinity Publishing

Politics and Social Sciences/Civics and Citizenship

978-1495812385 paperback, $15.95; also available as Kindle ebook, 248 pages; October 11, 2016

It is too late to drag the 2016 election out of its deep, dispiriting mud pit. But Robert Brescia’s Destination Greatness: Creating a New Americanism likely will rank high on many reading lists once citizens and leaders begin searching again for ways to bring civility and sanity back to the national political scene. >>READ MORE

TEXAS SPORTS

Mac Engel, with photographs by Ron Jenkins and foreword by Troy Aikman

Pigskin Rapture: Four Days in the Life of Texas Football

Lone Star Books

Hardcover, 978-1630762414, 240 pages; August 26, 2016

Reviewed by Carlton Stowers

For those non-fiction book authors who routinely endure the commitment of spending months, even years, researching their subject, the ambitious plan of writer Mac Engel and photographer Ron Jenkins might have seemed high-wire folly. Over a four-day span — a 96 hour marathon of fact- and photo-gathering — they set out to explore the deep-seated devotion Texans have for the game of football. >>READ MORE

Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole

>> archive

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.

>> Check out his previous Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Literary Life

LONE STAR LISTENS interviews >> archive

Kay Ellington, Editor and Publisher

10.30.2016 Prepare to be scared: E. R. Bills talks about bringing Texas authors together for horror collection

On Halloween Eve editor and author E.R. Bills talks with us about a new collection of horror stories from some of Texas’s best known writers in the genre. Road Kill: Texas Horror by Texas Writersoffers Lone Star readers a chance to be scared by their own. Bills shared with us via email how the project came together.

LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE: First of all, what a great idea! Coming out with a collection of Texas horror stories from Texas writers in October. What was the genesis of the project? How did it get started?

E. R. BILLS: Well, actually it sort of originated at the North Texas Book Festival in Denton. Bret McCormick and I met and spent a fair span of the day visiting, discussing books, film, sci-fi, horror, etc. Along the way putting together an anthology was brought up in passing, but I think the more we thought on it, the more it appealed to us. And we couldn’t find where anyone had really done it before. This was April of 2016, and the thing seemed half-baked at first- — but we put our shoulders to it and the project picked up steam. >>READ MORE

Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events

Bookish Texas event highlights 10.30.2016
>> GO this week Michelle Newby, Contributing Editor

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS IN TEXAS THIS WEEK: Austin, Houston, George West, El PasoDALLAS Tues., Nov. 1 Deep Vellum Books, Robin Myrick reads from and signs Election Poems with special guests Joe Milazzo, Lyle Brooks, and the Town Hall Town Criers, 7PMFRISCO Tues., Nov. 1 B&N – Stonebriar, Melissa Lenhardt signs The Fisher King and Reavis Wortham signs Unraveled, 7PMDALLAS Thurs., Nov. 3, UT Dallas, Distinguished Lecture Series: All’s Fair: Love, War and Politics with political operatives and authors Mary Matalin and James Carville, 8PMHOUSTON Thurs., Nov. 3, Brazos Bookstore, Robert Olen Butler reads and signs PERFUME RIVER, 7PMALPINE Fri., Nov. 4, Front Street Books, Tiffany Harelik discusses and signs The Terlingua Chili Cookbook: Chili’s Last Frontier, plus chili tasting!, 6PMHOUSTON Fri., Nov. 4 Inprint House, First Friday Reading Series: poet Michael Lieberman, 8:30PMOAKVILLE Fri. Nov. 4, Historic Oakville Jail, 6th annual Dobie Dichos: Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie, 6PMEL PASO Sat., Nov. 5, Ysleta Middle School, 2nd Annual Community Conference with author Sergio Troncoso, 9AMKATY Sat., Nov. 5, Cinco Ranch High School Performing Arts Center, Kelly Clarkson will discuss, read from, and sign her new picture book, RIVER ROSE AND THE MAGICAL LULLABY, 1PM [TICKET REQUIRED]

News Briefs 10.30.16

Texas Book Festival features more than 290 authors; First Editions Gala; Lit Crawl, Austin, Nov. 5–6

It’s Book Festival Week!

Lone Star Literary Life will be on hand to cover the 2016 Texas Book Festival. More than 290 authors will present at dozens of venues in and around the state capitol the weekend of Nov. 5 and 6, 2016. We’ll look forward to visiting with exhibitors, and taking photos that will appear in next Sunday’s edition. (If you have a booth and would like for us to stop by and say hi, email and let us know!) >>READ MORE

Texas Book Festival authors welcome fans at Kickoff Party Nov. 4

AUSTIN — Eat, drink and be bookishly merry at the 2016 TBF Kickoff Party! Join 2016 Festival authors and fellow book lovers as we celebrate what promises to be another unforgettable literary weekend in classic Austin style with appetizers from El Alma and specialty cocktails courtesy of Tito’s Vodka. All ticket holders will be automatically entered into our Book Bash Raffle, with a chance to win a Festival Friends Pass and other prizes. >>READ MORE

Texas Book Festival hosts Lit Crawl Nov. 5

Annual night of literary mayhem to Include trivia, Literary Death Match, Cards Against Humanity Spin-Off, karaoke, and more

AUSTIN – Lit Crawl Austin returns to the Texas Book Festival in East Austin on Sat., Nov. 5, starting at 7 p.m. The annual literary pub crawl, co-hosted by TBF and the Litquake Foundation, features some of the country’s best writers onstage at various East Austin venues in a series of offbeat readings, literary games, and performances, including appearances by R. L. Stine, Yuyi Morales, Sarah Bird, Eileen Myles, and more. >>READ MORE

Art House Dallas, Deep Vellum Team Up for Writers’ Workshop Nov. 12

DALLAS — Art House Dallas will host a Writer’s Workshop Sat., Nov. 12 at Deep Vellum Bookstore to provide an encouraging environment in a small group setting to explore strengths and potential areas of growth for writers. Speakers Andi Ashworth and Allison Fallon will be providing guidance, knowledge and encouragement during the workshop.

Andi Ashworth and her husband, Charlie Peacock, are co-founders/directors emeriti of Art House America. >>READ MORE

McAllen Book Festival slated for Nov. 12

McALLEN — The third annual McAllen Book Festival, a celebration of culture and imagination linking readers of all ages with authors, performers, and publishers, will be held at the main branch of the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd Street Sat., Nov. 12, from 10 am to 5 pm. >>READ MORE

Lone Star Lit editor’s favorite bookish destinations featured in Texas Highways November issue

Follow LSLL editor and publisher Kay Ellington’s literary journey across Texas, with images by Texas Highways photographers: read the article at texashighways.com/travel/item/8316-texas-bookish-destinations. And then email us at info@LoneStarLiterary.com to tell us about your best picks and hidden treasures!