Senior News--August 2012 Column

For some time now I have been writing a monthly book review column for the Senior News newspaper. The Senior News is aimed to the 50 and over crowd with news relevant to seniors regarding various issues, humor pieces, and my review column among other things. The newspaper is a giveaway at doctor offices, stores, etc. and can be received by via a paid subscription. There are multiple editions across the state of Texas and therefore there is some fluctuation in content in each edition.

My column every month focuses on books of interest to the Texas audience. Therefore books selected for the column, fiction or non-fiction, are written by Texas residents, feature Texans in some way, or would have some other connection to the Texas based readership. At least two books are covered each month in the short space I am given.

Below is/was my August 2012 column with the addition here of the relevant book covers……

Longnecks & Twisted Hearts: A Bill Travis Mystery

George Wier

Flagstone Books

Kindle E-book

Austin, Texas resident Bill Travis has a lot on his mind as this novel the third in the series opens. Then he gets word that his best friend since second grade, Brad, is dead. According to his wife, Mary Jo, he was murdered and she knows exactly who did it. Obviously, Bill is going to head back home to Bryan to see Mary Jo and help any way he can. It is clear before the makes it back home to Bryan that his presence is not wanted in his old hometown.  As if not wanted and threatened would stop him in this tale of murder, greed, and a quest for treasure dating back to the 1600’s.

Longnecks & Twisted Hearts: A Bill Travis Mystery is another good one in the series. Bill Travis is a solid good guy who does not back down and as a result consistently gets himself in the middle of things. We learn little new about the character here as he was already fleshed out well in the proceeding books starting with The Last Call. An adventure/thriller type novel with some mystery, the read is a good one featuring crime, history and greed in deep South Texas.

THE MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK COOKBOOK: Haute Cuisine, Texas Style

Helen Thompson

Photographs by Robert M. Peacock

Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.

ISBN# 978-0-8478-3653-6

Hardback

256 Pages

In Dallas, if not the state, the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek sets the standard of taste and class. So much so that when authors such as Richardson’s Dee Stuart use the location in her books it needs no explanation. A must see and be seen place for any dignitary or celebrity the restaurant is a classic that continues to evolve while carrying forward tradition and Texas charm.

The cookbook features the recipes that made the restaurant famous. The recipes are complex and varied and feature no nutritional information at all. Beyond its use as a cookbook, this tome published by Rizzoli International Publications and printed in China depicts a historic style and elegance for 256 pages that many will envy.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2012