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

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.

I actually got this book because of the jambalaya recipe that I tasted at a party. As it was cooking, I read the accompanying writeup on the fireman who gave the recipe and ended up reading the entire book. I thought the stories of the fireman added a nice touch. Recently I gave a copy to a firefighter friend of mine and he was delighted (which was definitely a first). There needs to be a "More Firehouse Cooks", so I'll have a Christmas present for him next year.

I stole the above title because it's perfect. I've only had time to try a few recipes, but so far, so good (agree with the above recommendation for the Jambalaya on page 150). It's the stories of the firemen that make this book so special-like the stories about the chefs in Top Texas Chefs: Favorite Recipes. Great gift idea!

This is a great cookbook but a lot more. The stories of the firefighters, their families, how they feel about their jobs, were funny, moving, inspirational, and more. Get this one even if you never intend to enter another kitchen. (The receipes are great, too. Check out page 150, for sure.

Every story in this book contains hallowed and hilarious moments. "Growing Up Simple..." takes you back, even if you've never been there. Case in point: while riding in the car with two friends (one 53 and one 13), I read aloud from George Arnold's book. We all laughed out loud, and often. But at the end of each chapter, it was the 13-year-old who chanted "read another one!!" That should tell you something of the timelessness of these charmingly told tales.

This has to be one of more entertaining books I have read lately, and I happen to be an "in betweener".Talk about deja vu,when George was relating his experiences in San Antonio, I could have just inserted my self right then and there and gone back to 1955 and I was a 10yr.old kid riding my bicycle through the streets of ole San Antonio.There was the Aztec and Majestic Theaters,Breckinridge Park, the same places I would haunt as I'm sure did thousands of other 10 year olds did with the same amazement that obviously George Arnold and myself experienced.As I read the tale about Mr.Lippy and the Red Coats, that's when our bed began to shake from my laughter and I was then invited to finish "that damn book downstairs".Well now it's my turn to tell my wife "Honey I have already read this book and you don't have to tell me about it OK"!
My real hope is that this will be picked up by Hollywood and made into a film,much in the style of Steel Magnolias or The Ya Ya Sisterhood.After all that has gone on these last two years of tragedy I'm ready for a "heartwarm bellylaugh".
Good work George from one "in betweener to another".

Warmest regards,
Pat Heffernan

For anyone between 12 and 102, but especially for those over 40, this book is hilarious. The comment on the book cover from the author's mother says it all: "Itis my fervent prayer that Billy Graham never reads this book!"

Check it out.

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.

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.

I liked Marco and Polo. They reminded me of my brother and me. I think the other cats were cool but I didn't like Jake very well. I think he was selfish and mean. I liked the steaknife game and how you sometimes can't trust what people say.

I loved this book! Marco and Polo bring you right into the story. If you love cats and adventure, this book is for you.

If you have read The Grand Escape, you will love The Healing of Texas Jake. It's exciting and you won't be able to put it down.

'The House Of Breath' reads like a sacred text, as they turn the pages the reader feels like they are blowing the dust from a casket of long hidden jewels.

Narrated by a man returning after a prolonged absence to his long abandoned family home in Charity (a small, river-bound Texas town) the book invokes the ghosts of the past to tell the tales of desire, loss & melancholy that make up the (largely secret) history of that family.

Weaving a dizzy spell over all is the richly evoked river delta landscape. Goyen uses the most mesmerizing, lush descriptive prose to magically and brilliantly conjour up a sense of time and place. The overall effect is like living through a waking dream. You choose to read slowly to soak up the atmosphere and prolong the poetic experience:

"(the river) was ornamented with big drowsy snapturtles sitting like figurines on rocks; had little jeweled perch in it and sliding cottenmouth water moccasins. It crawled, croaking with bullfrogs and ticking and sucking and clucking and shining..."

Comparable to Cormac McCarthy at his most lyrical, readers of Calvino, Banville, Flannery O'Connor & Faulkner amongst others, will swoon over this southern masterpiece.

I'm ecstatic to find this book by one of my favorite Southern writers reprinted in a more definitive form. I had no idea that there were passages removed in all editions besides this one and the very first.

"The House of Breath" is less a novel than a stunning poem in prose, and it's beauty brought me many tears and shivers. The book's drifting and echoing voices will continue to call you back to them after a first reading. I go back to the book every time I feel abandoned by the universe and in need of a rapid, rejuvenating catharsis. It seems I use it as a holy text now that I think about it!

Maybe this novel has been so sadly forgotten because it was eclipsed by Truman Capote's similar "Other Voices, Other Rooms", which came out around the same time. Goyen did not possess his fellow-Southern writer's flair for self-promotion, and perhaps the better writer went unnoticed because of it. Please don't let this wonderful writer slip by another decade without the readers he deserves.

A simple story of reflection and rememberance, The House of Breath is a remarkable, evocative and poignant recollection of a youth's life in the house where the tumult of childhood is remembered. The narrative has passages that are as beautiful as any ever written. Numerous readings can only make these passages more stirring to your soul.

I loved all of these stories and can't wait for the full length stories that will come out soon. Even though each story is not very long they have lots of depth and feeling. If you want stories of healing emotionally bruised women so they can love again. These stories are for you. Also these stories are not for the faint of heart.

If you like seductive vampire heroes, you're going to love this book, because it's full of them. There's Don Raphael, once a medieval Spanish knight, now the leader of a band of vampires; Ethan Templeton, his handsome protegee who falls in love with a modern female cop; Jean Marie, a gorgeous Frenchman; and all the other wonderful heroes who populate these stories.

If you're a little wary of gore, don't be. Diane's vampires are lovers, not killers. I, personally, would hapily trade a pint of AB positive for a little of the Don's time! -- Angela Knight

Diane Whiteside has written a wonderfully erotic collection of stories about 3 vampires. I love Vampire stories anyway, but these were so well written and the stories flowed very well. These are very erotic, steamy & hot stories. I couldn't get enough! I loved the story of Don Rafael and Ethan (two of the vamps) and their first encounter with a young maiden. Lets just say they had their way with her and she wanted more! LOL I won't give away the story lines, but I do highly recommend this ebook. It is a wonderful read and one that you will pull out again and again. Ms Whiteside, if you read this, when is the next book coming out? I want more of these fine, sexy, erotic vamps!!