As the author of "Offbeat Houston", I'm always looking for interesting and fun places to see in Houston. "Exploring Houston with Children" is packed with lots of great places to go and fascinating things to see. If you're looking for ways to entertain and educate the kids, you'll find lots of great ideas here. There are many suggestions on integrating the featured attractions into lesson plans, and the resources, photos and web listings provide plenty of additional information. The kids will have fun while learning and, who knows, you just might learn a thing or two yourself!

This is a wonderful resource to have for showing Houston to out of town guests. Visitors can tell you what they would like to see,and there is no guess work left for the host. It is a great book to have on hand for young or old visitors. I have also given the book to families with children and grandchildren.

This is Deborah Frontiera, Jasper Frontiera's wife speaking in this review. As a kindergarten teacher in Houston, ISD, who is in charge of planning field trips for the grade level, I am always on the look out for good resources. Elaine Galit and Vikk Simmon's book, Exploring Houston With Children, is one of the best, most complete, easy to use resources I have seen in a long time. Everything I need is right there all in one place and neatly organized.

A well-researched collection of ghost stories, ranging from the
beginning of Texas history through the late 1880s-early 1990s. Unlike a lot of writers on this topic, Docia Shultz Williams makes the effort to conduct interviews, and do research, rather than (for the most part) rely on "this happened to a friend of a friend of a friend"-type recollections. Most of the recent stories claim to be first-hand accounts, and the rather substantive bibliography at the back shows actual research and investigation was done. Further, the author shows admirable restraint in not embellishing the stories told her with extra "spooky" details to punch them up, which makes the stories themselves more believable. Very entertaining, especially if you are familiar with this part of Texas.

Ghosts along the Texas Coast is a fun and mystical tribute to unexplained phenomenon in Texas. As a native Texan, I heard many of these stories growing up, and to read the book brought back those eerie feelings I had as a child, at the same time decreasing my skepticism and leaving me wondering."How do you explain that?!"

Docia does a great job of recreating old Texas ghost stories as well as modern ones. Informative as well as entertaining.

These are two chicks you'd wanna hang with, but we can leave the reds behind. All the talk of the dancers at Antone's, how a midnight run to Gardenridge and the yearly Marie Calendar's pie special is my Austin too. To hear a newcomer's view of our bugs, the heat, the twang and the rodeo made my laugh alot. I think most Texans would get a kick outta Heidi and the Reds.

I truly enjoyed this book of short stories. The chapter about Georgia's sister was very endearing. I loved that each story was independent of one another and yet they all seemed to fit together because of the city's backdrop. You really get to know the two main characters, Georgia and Vivian as they go through their everyday lives, from minimum wage jobs they love, to their friends that visit and give life to their adventures. The chapter about Georgia's Uncle relating back to the songs of Tom Waits reminded me about how different songs and movies can jog someone back to the memories of loved ones. I highly recommend this book.

As a long time Austin local, I must say that I approve. I'm not one to want to encourage Californians to move on out here, but Heidi & the Reds doesn't lie. We got the bugs, we got the slackers, the singers, the blues, Stevie, Antone's, you name it and Heidi's got it. The book's more about family and friends and dreams then about any city or state, but I think that's why everyone will like it. And if you ever was curious about rodeos, carnivals, the blues and the Southwest you won't be disappointed either. I'd recommend it to all my buds.

My father was born in Fannin County, Texas in 1910, the birthplace of John Wesley Hardin. I grew up listening to stories of Hardin's exploits and was pleasantly surprised to run across Steppen Wirth's book, John Wesley Hardin: Suppressed Memories. Many of my father's stories of Hardin came to life and old memories resurfaced.

The various biographies about Wes Hardin are little more than a retelling of his autobiography. Some authors go on to vilify, and some glorify Hardin but none really gives any insight into Hardin's personality. There isn't any reason for anyone to write
another biography on Wes Hardin unless new information is uncovered and that is doubtful. That's why a book like Steppen Wirth's is refreshing. He is not limited to rehashing Hardin's autobiography. Like one Reviewer put it: "The line between what is real and what the author has crafted from imagination is difficult to see." In Steppen's book Hardin steps from the pages, you can feel him breathe. You can almost touch him. The softer side of Wes Hardin, his deep love for his wife and close bond with family and friends moved me. Just when I started to feel empathy for Hardin the author reminded me of Hardin's willingness to kill. I admit there are parts of this book I think are too graphic for my taste. I wonder about the necessity of such violent detail. I have never understood why men have to kill each other but I've never understood war either. Most women don't. I realize Hardin's world was a different world, a world where you had to stay alive during that horrible period after the Civil War. I know anti-Union sentiments were still strong in my father's youth.

This title is a welcome addition to the Hardin list of books. Steppen's prose is vivid and strong. I became so engrossed I read the whole thing in one sitting. I will read this book again and look forward to more books by Steppen Wirth.

This book tells the story of the meteoric rise of master gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, a legend by the age of eighteen, who dazzled outlaws and lawmen alike with his extreme daring and phenomenal skill with firearms. The author, Steppen Wirth manages cleverly to interweave crystalline paragraphs, reminiscences, letters, journals, and newspaper accounts to recreate this intensely human story. Eminently fascinating...a colorful, and inventive book, but not one for the queasy.

As a Hardin fan I read this book with great curiosity. In fact I read it four times and each time I found something else to like about it. Steppen Wirth effectively conveys the many sides of John Wesley Hardin's complex personality. It is truly a work of art. I highly recommend it.

In his own time, gunfighter John Wesley Hardin was one of the most feared men in Texas and the Southwest. Author Steppen Wirth has created an unusual yet enteraining book about Hardin by combining fiction with facts, eyewitness accounts, and old photographs from the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s. The line between what is real and what the author has crafted from imagination is difficult to see. And that is a key factor in the charm of this work, now in its second printing. Mr. Wirth, a Texas native, lives and writes in Montana.

Imagine being in prison for something you know you didn't do, this is what happened to Joyce Brown. Joyce had witnesses, was at work the time the crime was committed, but was still found guilty for the murder of a store owner, who's wife pointed her out as being the guilty party. If this can happen to Joyce Brown it can happen to anyone. I think GOd for those gentlemen who came to her aid in the book. If you think there is now way that you could end up in prison, read this book, and you will see that you very well could even if you are innocent with lots of evidence.

I must give a rating of 10 stars!!~ This book was so well written. It placed you in Ms.Browns shoes before, during & after. This author may you feel as though You were a apart of her awful journey through this ill-fated justice system of ours. Reading her story, (if you have any compassion) at all........It will indeed make you so damn Angry at these men in Suits (lawyers)& Robes (judges), that we so often call "Justice Seekers" in America. Too many times we read about 'innocent' people, being thrown into prison, & finding out Years Later that a BIG Mistake had be made. How do OUR System compensate these individuals? With an out-landish simple Apology??? How can anyone 'accept' what has happened to them? It's time to wake up America! It's time for these Paid, & Court appointed Attorney's to represent each & every case with every piece of skill they possilbly can, to make Damn Sure about "WHO" they are really sending to the depths of Hell!

All the facts in Ms. Brown's case were right before their eyes, yet Justice did not prevail. I searched high & low for a copy of this book for my very own, after asking a co-worker if I could read hers. Locating a copy in good condition was a feat, because it was no longer in print. Finally I located one & it had Joyce's autograph, I treasure it today still as a Great Read.

I cried many tears, I walked every inch of this sentence with Ms. Brown. Through all of what she indured, she still remained Strong in the Lord, (this was her Only Hope), as for as I could see. I say now: If the judge who sentenced this young lady is still practicing law, holding his gavel, & wearing that black robe, he should be made to do the Years that Ms. Brown served!

Even it was so done, It still would Not serve Ms. Brown any satisfaction, nor her family members for ripping their lives apart. The Most heart breaking part of this book, that wrenched my soul was when her child was shot/hurt, later died, & Ms.Brown was not granted the opportunity to go attend the funeral services! I fell into pieces after reading it.

Becoming a grandmother & not being able to have that daily/weekly interactions with her grandkid, or to have any great memories of her grandchild's was also a traumatic issue for Ms. Brown. This book will indeed touch your soul~

I'd love to meet Ms. Brown & J.Gaines, so we can share notes on what the 'System' did to my family, on the (4th of July) "What an Independence Day that was"! Good Luck Joyce on your upcoming Movie, & May God Always Be On Your Side. I know of a star who will portray your role Very Well, & Capture Every Emotion, her name is: Kimberly Elise, her role was Tee-Tee, from 'Set it Off'..........she looks like you somewhat, & I do believe she will carry your story to THE TOP of the Movie Charts!

Thanks For Never Giving Up Hope Joyce. What You & Jay wrote in your book, it Speaks for a large number of Americans. I know that you & Jay are friends for life now, & rightfully so. Everyone deserves a friend like Jay, his love says it all, it's (unconditional)~ Again, Good Luck On Your Upcoming Movie, Let me hear from you soon Sista~ 2 Sista~

From the moment I opened this book I could not put it down. I started it one afternoon and was up most of the night because I could not quit reading. I wanted to see what happen in the next chapter. I laughed, I cried, my heart ached as I lived along with Miss Brown as she suffered and fought against the unfair justice system we now have.
I cried when I read where they would not release her even after it was proven that she was innocence.
Since reading the book I have had the opportunity to meet Miss Brown in person in the home of my niece who now work on her Board of Directors. I could only sit and stare at her. She is warm and friendly and looking at her you would never believe that she endured such a hard time in her life. I wanted to ask so many questions....but I did not want to dampen that beautiful spirit that shown so brightly before my eyes.
Her story is being made into a movie and I hope everyone will watch it and tell evreryone they know to watch it. It will be on Life Time. Justice Denied coming up soon.
Citystar

Cameron Malloy's life has been one of constant ease. His great looks have allotted him a revolving door policy where women are concerned and he has made a success of his advertising company, on the surface. In truth, his concern with the image of his company has marred the perfection of his life and now he must pay the price, in more ways than one.

Elizabeth, Cameron's partner and longtime friend, has loved him for years. So when Cameron verbally explodes in her face and reveals painfully pent up truths about her inability to handle reality, Elizabeth hands him the reality of her resignation. Now Cameron must hurry to regain what was overlooked and underappreciated in order to save a friendship he has come to count on implicitly.

This is the first novel I've ever read by Jan Freed and I enjoyed it tremendously. Cameron Malloy commits plenty of blunders throughout this novel but it is clear that Elizabeth is ready to give as good as she gets where he is concerned. I enjoyed the fact that her resignation from his company liberated her in many ways even though a deal is in place that ties her temporarily to it. Her subsequent actions reflect that she can no longer stand back and watch life unfold in front of her and Cameron is at his wit's end trying to reconcile the Elizabeth he's known with the Elizabeth he is discovering. This is a fantastic story about a man who learns what the consequences are for taking things for granted the hard way.

Jan Freed once again provides all her readers with a light hearted look at relationships between men and women. This title proves to be just as hysterical as the last one in The Malloy Men series. We were treated to the second brother, Cameron, in this latest book.

I always enjoy the interactions between her characters, and the dialogue is always excellent. This story's focus is on two partners in an Ad Agency. They've known one another since college, and have worked together since. With a little plan and a nudge from Elizabeth, Cameron begins to see that partners at work isn't all they could be.

I always head right out to check the shelves when one of Ms. Freed's books is due out. Once found, I read them in one sitting. And they're well worth the wait! I recommend this title, as well as any of her others! Enjoy!

Once again Jan Freed has given us a book that is truly a pleasure to read. I always head out early looking for her titles to hit the shelves. This latest book is the second in The Malloy Men series. The last one was hysterical and this one proves to be the same. The dialogue between Cameron and Elizabeth is funny, without feeling forced or stilted. I love her characters, and the interaction between them. She has a set of more minor characters that you get to know in this book as well. Her hero and heroine have known each other for years....and it just takes a little plan and a nudge for her to have him reconsidering their relationship. I loved this one, as I love all of Ms. Freed's titles. Enjoy!

When E.J. Pugh discovers the bodies of her next door neighbors and the four-year-old who witnessed it she is horrified. After she finds out that she has been named Bessie's guardian, she worries that the child could be the next target of the killer. When she also finds out that the police think that Mr. Lester killed his wife, child and himself she becomes determined to clear his name and protect Bessie. I couldn't put down this fast paced and high intensity start to the E. J. Pugh series.

I am glad I am not her neighbor!! This was the first book I read from Cooper, and the friends/neighbors deaths were shocking to me. Cooper managed to pull it out and the book was a good read. Can't wait to read more to see how the family is coping and what danger is lurking around the corner for the Pugh's.

I started this book and was hooked from the very beginning. I cried with E.J. Pugh, the protagonist, at the death of her friends and neighbors--the whole family except for one little girl. I could feel for E.J. and her family dealing with: inability to believe and cope with the idea that a beloved friend could committ a brutal murder like this, the difficulty in taking a child so emotionally injured by this incident and trying to adapt her into a new family, with E.J. trying to solve this murder. One of the very best mysteries I have read. I already love and reccommend Susan Rogers Coopers series about Sheriff Milt Kovack, an Oklahoma lawman, as a superior series. But I wonder, after this book, how will she ever be able to keep the suspense this high again. I hope E.J. Pugh and her family are around for a long time.

This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn more about the safe use and enjoyment of personal watercraft. It is especially handy for Texas watercraft enthusiasts because it contains so much useful information on places to go in the state and what to expect when you get there. The author also does an excellent job in the areas of preparation and planning, equipment, maintenance, and rules and regulations.

I bought the book three weeks ago and have already been on three of the author's recommended adventures. They were terrific! This book will add a whole new dimension to your personal watercraft experience.

I hope that Thom Bell will follow this guidebook with another one full of even more fun trips and adventures!

Today I read your book ont he plane while returning from Portland, Oregon. I cannot tell you how long it has been since I read something so pleasurable as your book. I found your advice so valuable. You grought up things that i haven't even begun to think of. What a great resource. My greatest challenge is deciding which trip to do first! Thank for all the research, time and effort you must of put into this fine book.

Patrick Fitzgerald Genreal Sales Manager Federal Signal Corporation

This is a great book for anyone who loves to ride PWCs and a must-have for anyone new to the sport. The detailed information on specific locations tells what to expect there, as well as hotel and campsight names and phone numbers. I found the chapters on Equipment and Planning and Preparation especially helpful in evaluating how ready we are for a trip. The whole book is packed with useful information. We refer to it often.

The story starts on the night of a fire that destroys the chicken house of 17 year old Asia. The fire also destroys Asia's beloved baby jackrabbit Straw Bit. Afterwards she sees a camara in the window of a store and decides that one way, or another, she'll get that camara. If only she had had it before, she would have had a picture of Straw Bit, and one of the figure she saw running away from the burning building.The book explores Asia's confusion as two boys compete for her affection: Nick, the boy she has known all her life, and the other,Nick's cousin, a stranger from out of town. While she struggles express her feelings with photography,other fires rage across her small town, and she watches as the lifestyle she has known forever threatens to blow away like ashes in the wind.

This is a really great book!!! It shows how you don't have to have a camera to have memories, but they also help to see how some people really are. Her grandmother, her neighbor and friend, Nick, and his cousin, Boy, teach her a lot about herself. She learns about different sides of people and a lot about photography.

I think that it was a pretty good book and I would recomand it to anyone who loves reading and photography

I am one on those people who is trying to get to TX as fast as I can, but I am stuck here in Tennessee until my son turns 18. This book offers a humorous look at life--Texas Style!! My favorite chapters are about food and pick-up trucks!! And there is a fun quiz at the end of the book!! It keeps thoughts of the LONESTAR state close to my heart and makes me want to head out West!! I recommend this book for anyone who loves the state of TEXAS!!

We gave this book to our friend from Germany to help better understand this "big ol'" state and the language while she was visiting. We found ourselves reading it and agreed with everything we read. Being Native Texans, we found this book the best book about Texas that we have ever read...and I have read a "mess of" books. Plus it has one of the best Texas jokes I've ever seen about why the chicken crossed the road. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about Texas and the people smart enough to live there.. or crazy enough.

I'm fixin to buy me my own copy of the book.

This book is truly hilarious-being a Texan myself for 6 years i can totally relate to what the aiuthor is saying. the entire book is like one big joke and will keep you laughing the whole way through.