LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS?

The latest book I have to review is by an author familiar to this blog, Anita Higman. I have only read four books by Anita; an offering in a novella collection, The Volstead Manor Series including, ANOTHER STAB AT LIFE, and ANOTHER HOUR TO KILL, (love these!) and her latest novel, LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS.

This most recent book is set in a town very near and dear to my heart, Humble, Texas. You see, I live about five miles from Humble. It is also the social hub of east Montgomery County. Heck, you can’t even see a picture show unless you go to Humble.

Main character, Trudie Abernathy agrees to a blind date set up by her sister, Lane. The date turns into a romance, just in time for Lane to decide she’s in love with the man, Mason. Trudie backs off from the relationship even though Mason is obviously falling in love with her.

One particular scene has Mason wooing Trudie at the boutique where she works. He figures out that he is being shunned by the woman of his dreams and vows to find out what has happened.

“So, something happened between the time I dropped you off last night and the time you arrived here this morning. And being a great lover of mysteries, I intend to find out what it is.” He turned and strode to the door. “And in the meantime, prepare yourself, Miss Abernathy.”

She blinked. “For what?”

Mason cocked an eyebrow. “To be romanced.”

Trudie picked up a sheet of paper off the counter and fanned her face.

“Are your cheeks tingling again?” He opened the front door.

“Yes.”

“Good.” And on that note, Mason grinned and walked out the front door of Bloomers Boutique.


LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS made me finally realize what it is I love so much about Anita Higman’s writing. Her books remind me of my two favorite Larry McMurtry novels, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and THE EVENING STAR!

Perhaps it’s because all the books I’ve mentioned, including these two McMurtry novels are set in places very close to my heart. And after all, who wouldn’t adore walking the streets of Humble or Houston in another person’s skin and mind. Maybe I just love Higman and McMurtry’s strong female main characters and the self-made male characters who try to tame them. Hmm, interesting thought. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read and a very satisfying happily ever after.

Swine Flu Hits Porter, Texas!

But seriously folks, Swine Flu has really put a cramp in everyone’s style here in southeast Texas. I felt it safe to post my “piggy flu dog” pic since the pandemic scare seems to be over, for now at least.

I tell you though, things got pretty touchy around here for a while. When my eight year old son learned on the news that the pig-demic started in Mexico, he openly blamed everyone of Hispanic descent for his field trip cancellation.

My little boy isn’t the only one suffering because of overreaction to the pork product plague. I’ve had two different writer’s groups cancel events due to the pig bug, and my older two children had their school trip cancelled in honor of the Porky Pig virus too.

So what does the Bible say about over-reacting? Here’s a good one: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 Wow! It’s really true; God does know how to handle everything!

I’m relatively sure there is no Swine Flu Avenger coming to eradicate hog hay fever. There’s likewise as much chance the human race will unexpectedly give up worrying about things like soo-ey sickness. We can, however, listen to the One who holds our future in His hands and turn to Him when things like the boars head bug rears its ugly snout!

I Was Visited By A Demon!

If ever I’ve read a book I think will stay with me for days to come, it’s DEMON A MEMOIR. The author brilliantly weaves a mesmerizing tale of a man, lost in his own failed life and a demon (a fallen angel) intent on having his story published by that man.

Clay is an editor in Boston, trying to recover from a devastating divorce. The demon, Lucian, gives a beautiful account of the Biblical story from his own point of view. Lucian’s story begins at pre-creation and ends at the resurrection. The fantastic thing about hearing the story as the demon saw it unfold is how passionate he is to relate it to clueless Clay who thinks the Bible stories from his youth were just that—stories.

There are so many incredible aspects of this book that it’s hard to know which part to talk about. But one thing that struck me was when Clay asked the demon whether or not he was going to hell. One scene in particular has Lucian explaining the outcome of a works based life. Lucian says.

“If you insist on being judged by the merit of your works, El will honor that. I’ve seen it many times. But what I haven’t seen is anyone who measured up. Maybe you’ll be the first, hmm?”

Wow! Demon is a MUST read for sinner and saint alike. But you have to ask yourself, is it worth spending twelve, fifteen bucks for a book you’re going to finish in one maybe two days because you can’t put it down! Just kidding, Demon is well worth the money.

DEMON A MEMOIR is the first novel by Tosca Lee, a former Mrs. Nebraska and Smith College graduate. I briefly met Tosca at a book signing on my recent trip to Mount Hermon, CA. I asked her to autograph the book for my husband, Dan. She signed the book then told me, “Since the book is about a man who becomes obsessed with a demon, I wrote, Dan how does your story end?” Oooooh! This FIRST book was so very well written, (a Christy Award Nominee) I will surely buy Tosca’s second novel, “Havah, The Story of Eve.”