Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,
Contributing Editor
NATURE & ECOLOGY
Patrick Dearen
Bitter Waters: The Struggles of the Pecos River
University of Oklahoma Press
Hardcover 978-0-8061-5201-1 (also available as an ebook), 256 pgs., $29.95
March 2016
WINNER, 2016 NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARD
The headwaters of the Pecos originate 13,000 feet up in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of New Mexico. “Fed by snowmelt, springs, and monsoon rains,” writes author Patrick Dearen, “the Pecos plunges over dramatic Pecos Falls within its first four miles and tumbles on down out of the Sangre de Cristos’ elongated horseshoe of thrusting peaks and massive ridges.” The Pecos proceeds on its way to the Amistad Reservoir where it mingles with other tributaries on their way to the Gulf of Mexico.
The first historical record we have of the character of the Pecos River is from a Spanish expedition in 1583. Antonio de Espejo christened the stream El Salado (salty). >>READ MORE
Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole
>> archive
Two new novels are set in Abilene
Two new novels set in Abilene — one for adults, one for younger readers — have hit bookshelves this fall.
Carol O. Riordan, who grew up in Abilene and now lives in New York, is the author of The Unseen (Westbow Press, $24.95 paperback). When Henry Pike left his hometown of Abilene, he vowed never to return. But, as a magazine writer, he is assigned to go to Abilene to cover a story about ten individuals who have mysteriously vanished in recent months.
He soon butts heads with an old adversary, the former high school bully who now heads the investigation into the missing people. Sergeant Bardon remembers Pike as the wimp that he and his friends could push around in high school, and he is less than cooperative when Pike starts asking questions. Meanwhile, Pike begins to have dreams and see visions that cause him to believe the missing people are still alive but in some kind of “unseen world.” Soon Pike becomes a major part of the story himself and is in a fight for his life as he seeks the truth about these strange spiritual phenomena.
Westbow Press is a Christian publishing house, so the book has a religious, as well as a fantasy and mystery, element. Riordan, who graduated from Abilene High and ACU (maiden name: Oden), will be in Abilene for a book signing on Saturday (Dec. 3) from 2-4 p.m. at Texas Star Trading Company in downtown Abilene.
Abrakapow is a middle-grade novel by Isaiah Campbell set in Abilene during World War II (Simon & Schuster, $16.99 hardcover). Campbell, a native Texan who lived in Sweetwater for seven years, now calls Philadelphia home. But his new novel is based on a true story from Camp Barkeley in Abilene.
Much against her will, eleven-year-old amateur magician Maxine Larousse — or Max — has moved from New York to Abilene, where her father is in charge of a Nazi prisoner of war camp. Max gets a gig to entertain the prisoners with a magic act and recruits her new friends to help with the show. Meanwhile, some of the prisoners are plotting an escape.
Truth and fiction: On March 28, 1944, 11 German prisoners actually escaped from Camp Barkeley through a tunnel they dug with broken plates and mugs. However, Max and her friends are fictional characters.
Abrakapow is a fast-paced 390-page romp for readers 8–12.
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
11.27.2016 Texas culinary-travel writer Tiffany Harelik on food trucks, holiday meals, and a recipe from her newest book
In a week when many spent hours procuring and preparing dishes to honor a holiday and heritage, it seemed only appropriate to feature a Texas author known for stories, books, and recipes that commemorate our culinary culture. Tiffany Harelik has captured Texas readers’ hearts with her books that take you from the food trailers of the metros to the chili cook-offs in the Big Bend to church casseroles in Abilene. She took time with us on the day after Thanksgiving to talk with us via email about how it all came together and where she goes from here.
LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE: As I sit here on Thanksgiving eve, typing out these interview questions, I wonder what your Thanksgiving dinner will be like? What will be served, and how will it come together? Do you have some family favorites or new inventions you’ve picked up along the way?
TIFFANY HARELIK: You know, every year is different. Some years I eagerly scroll through all my favorite cooking feeds to see what twist I can make on a Southern classic, other years I crave the Thanksgiving menus from my youth. This year I was very grateful to spend Thanksgiving morning preparing food with my parents and daughter. My uncle drove over to join us for a late lunch and some football.
We started prep by making cornbread for the dressing. We use a traditional dressing (not stuffing) recipe that contains celery, onions, sage, eggs, and chicken broth. >>READ MORE
Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events
Bookish Texas event highlights 11.27.2016
>> GO this week Michelle Newby, Contributing Editor
News Briefs 11.27.16
Bookstores promote Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26
Many of Texas’s top indie bookstores hosted special events and promotions Sat., Nov. 26, to support local authors and drive business on Small Business Saturday.
Among them were Houston’s Brazos Bookstore (left) and Texas Star Trading Company (Abilene), where booksellers Glenn and Carol Dromgoole held a signing with cookbook authors Angelina LaRue (below, left) and Tiffany Harelik (right). >>READ MORE
Deep Vellum Books of Dallas celebrated the musical heritage of its historic Deep Ellum district with a live performance. Continue to shop local all month long, and remember that Texas books make great gifts!
Humanities Texas hosts annual Holiday Book Fair, Austin, Dec. 3
AUSTIN — Humanities Texas will host its eighth annual Holiday Book Fair at the historic Byrne-Reed House on Sat., Dec. 3, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A number of noteworthy authors—including Lawrence Wright, David Oshinksy, Sarah Bird, H. W. Brands, Stephen Harrigan, Andrea Valdez, S. C. Gwynne, Carlotta Eike Stankiewicz, John C. Kerr, Cecilia García Akers, Chase Untermeyer, Frances Brannen Vick, Chad S. Conine, Jesús F. de la Teja, Katherine Catmull, John T. Montford, Sarah Cortez, Bill Wittliff, John Pipkin, ire’ne lara silva, and Homer Ross Tomlin—will visit with the public and sign copies of their latest books, which Humanities Texas will offer for purchase at a discounted price. Available titles include works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with selections for both adult and youth readers. Proceeds will benefit Texas libraries. >>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!
WHERE IN TEXAS?
Don’t miss a reading or a good read! Sign up for our FREE weekly
e-newsletter
COMING UP ON TOUR: FICTION
FOR THE RECORD by Regina Jennings
Visit with Regina from December 1–10
12/1 Excerpt 1 Country Girl Bookaholic
12/2 Review Momma On The Rocks
12/3 Author Interview 1 Missus Gonzo
12/4 Promo Kara The Redhead
12/5 Review The Page Unbound
12/6 Guest Post Margie’s Must Reads
12/7 Author Interview 2 StoreyBook Reviews
12/8 Review Byers Editing Reviews & Blog
12/9 Excerpt 2 Reading By Moonlight
12/10 Review Chapter Break Book Blog
COMING UP ON TOUR: FICTION
MOVED, LEFT NO ADDRESS
by Vickie Phelps
Visit with Vickie from November 28 to December 7
11/28 Hall Ways Blog
11/29 Forgotten Winds
11/30 Books and Broomsticks
12/1 It’s a Jenn World
12/2 A Novel Reality
12/3 Reading By Moonlight
12/4 Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books
12/5 Country Girl Bookaholic
12/6 Missus Gonzo
12/7 The Page Unbound
RECENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
SLEIGH BELLS RING
by Sandra Bricker, Barbara Scott, Lynette Sowell, Lenora Worth
Lone Star Literary received word last week of the passing of author Sandie Bricker, who died after a battle with cancer. Her obituary appears here on legacy.com, where readers may share their memories and condolences.
Lone Star Literary Life Facts and FAQs
• Event and resource list policies
Lone Star Literary Archives
• Lone Star Listens Interviews
Leave a Reply