NEW SERIES

Texas in 1860 was home for some 600,000 hardy, adventuresome souls; not counting, of course, the first Americans who had called it home since long before anyone could remember. That number was up from the 130,000 estimated population in 1845, when Henry Briden first came to the New World.

And they kept coming…and coming…and coming…from Europe…from Mexico…from the eastern states…from the southern states…from all over…pushing the frontier farther and farther west…looking for freedom…looking for opportunity…looking for a fresh start. And driving the natives deeper…and deeper…and deeper into what looked like extinction.

But what about the other side of the coin—the battle between “free” states and “slave” states? Could Henry remain neutral? He didn’t own any slaves and didn’t believe a person should own slaves, so could he just remain neutral? He had no reason to get involved, or did he?

Storm clouds were gathering, and it didn’t look pleasant.

The first book in a new trilogy about the Civil War years in the Southwest.

MORE READERS' COMMENTS

Ken, first let me say that I am especially grateful to Harris Wood for sharing and introducing you and your novel series to me. Secondly, I Love your first novel ~ it's a DElightful read~ and now, I'm addicted!

I've begun to read the second novel in your series! You beautifully orchestrated that 1st novel. You Very masterfully & sympathetically intertwined the multicultural, Americana historical events of Texas in that era ~ doing it in a fictional, entertaining manner; and then brilliantly portrayed the characters & tenacity of men such as your great-great grandfather who bravely & courageously made the voyage to America in the pursuit of freedom.

Your characters realistically showcased an action packed life of overcoming & conquering language barriers, a new culture with monumental hardships and challenges for survival in the pioneer life days ~ and doing all that successfully with grit & determination and 'by the help of God who bestowed many blessings on him' each new day!

The lessons of life that Heinrich (Henry) learned along the way, from Martin to Zeke to Virgil, to the "Injun" Chief ~ Priceless! I Love IT! And rest assured, I will be sharing your novels with some of my friends from Texas and living here in Anchorage.

In closing on the subject, I particularly take heart & think We of ALL ages and eras in history can relate to the following paragraph ~ when you wrote:

"Henry again studied the beautiful night sky. 'There must be well over a billion stars up there. Maybe even a Kazellion if there is such a thing, God, I am only a human being; I can't fully understand you or your might, but You are an awesome God. That I know. I am in awe of You and Your creation. Your Ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are not my thoughts,
and I can only go by what I know and what I understand ~and I know that I choose to worship You, for You Alone are worthy.' "

Anna(Lane)Dropik, Anchorage,Alaska

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Read the first two books and look forward to the ongoing saga in book 3. Ken, you have tapped into something that is uniquely Texan. Every native-born Texan would like to believe their ancestors were involved with the Texas Rangers. Non-Texans cannot grasp this concept. Please give me your address again so I can send you a check for $16. Thanking you in advance. . -- W. Bates Churchill

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Ken:

Almost through book 1, and have found it so far to be great! A lot of history about Texas, I didn't know. Your Henry is informative and funny in his dry way! We stayed down at New Braunfels in '06, and remember some of the historical aspects of it.

I am very impressed with your writing ability!

Richard Engle

A PLACE CALLED TEXAS

A PLACE CALLED TEXAS is a historical novel based on a young German immigrant’s odyssey as a stow-away in 1845. He left his German home on his 20th birthday and arrived shortly thereafter in “a place called Texas”. Though he really wanted to go to New York, America, he arrived in the harbor of Galveston just a few weeks before Texas was admitted to the United States. This novel details his journey and experiences. An action packed novel where good triumphs over evil. A Place Called Texas is Book 1 in a three-part series entitled IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM.

UNDER A TEXAS SKY

Under a Texas Sky is Book 2 of the IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series. This novel details the continuing adventures of the hero as he falls in love with his adopted state and as he falls in love “under a Texas sky”. It peeks into the lives of the brave pioneers who settled this wild land. However, the author takes no sides. He is sympathetic to the plight of the white settler, but also understands the fears and frustrations of the natives who have lived and honored this land for longer than anyone can remember. Through his characters, the author urges us to be tolerant of others, to respect their choices and culture.

TALL IN THE SADDLE

This is the concluding book of the IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series. There are more exciting adventures while escorting a wagon train to Santa Fe as well as other events centering around the Mexican-American war. Though the plot is fictional, the author tried to be historically accurate when writing about the settling of Texas and New Mexico. The final chapter leaves the door open for the next series A HOUSE DIVIDED about the Civil War era.

READERS' COMMENTS

More Readers' Comments (used by permission) received by e-mail:

“Ken Briden has captured the essence of Texas history in the first two of his historical-novel series, In Search of Freedom, and he has done so in a very readable style. His characters ring true; his relating of the events in which they were involved shows a depth and appreciation for the drama and romance of the history of that place called Texas. I look forward to the next in the series, and heartily recommend this series to any and all, expert or novice in the field of Southwestern Life & Literature, who love the stories and romance of the genre.” – Harris Wood, Alexandria,Virginia

A fictional story....or is it? A tale about real people (the author's ancestors) set against a backdrop of true, early Texas history. The events and some characters may be fictional but could have happened and probably did. Jim Montgomery, Alpharetta, Georgia

“Being born and bred in Texas, I really enjoyed reading Ken Briden’s first two installments in his In Search of Freedom series. Since so many of the places were familiar, it was interesting watching and listening to the rangers as they traveled across Texas and saw the beautiful sites of our state, while working to make our state safe for the pioneers. Both A Place Called Texas and Under a Texas Sky were good reads. I look forward to the next book when it comes out. It amazes me that the Texas Rangers did so much to settle our state, with little or no money received for their efforts.” Daury (Garrison) Cockrell, Big Spring, Texas

READERS' COMMENTS

More Readers' Comments (used by permission) received by e-mail:

READERS' COMMENTS

More Readers' Comments (used by permission) received by e-mail:

"I have read hundreds of best seller historical fiction books, plus a number of scholarly works on the Texas Rangers. I value Briden's easy to read stories as much as I do Louis L'Amour and some of the notable Ranger historians". James R. Porter, Porter Capital Partners, Abilene, Texas

“As a reader of the IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series, I found the stories to contain history, drama, love, and action during the frontier days of Texas, which is the foundation Texas was built on.” Lester Harris, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"As a history buff, I enjoyed reading about the life of a Texas Ranger. I could feel the hard times and joys of the pioneers." Fred Evans, Los Altos, California

IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series, Book 3

Hi all,

I just received this cover design for the next book in the e-mail today. I think it looks pretty good. What do you think?

The book should be ready by sometime next month -- hopefully. This is the continuation of a story about the life and times of a Texas Ranger company, a group of men who loved life, who loved adventure, and found it all from West Texas to Eastern New Mexico.

Being a Texas Ranger was not a job. Being a Texas Ranger was a way of life. Being a Texas Ranger meant that you were part of a big family—a family that lived together, ate together, sweated together, groused together, and fought together.

The United States went to war with Mexico, and the settlers went to war with the Indians, everyone trying to get more real estate. This is also a story about the noble natives who were chased off their land in the name of “progress” and “manifest destiny”. Whose progress and whose destiny?

Sample readers comments (used by permission) sent by e-mail:

"The best read presently is Ken Briden's books on Texas. Ken's keen sense of humor is mixed in gently with marvelous history of Texas and a good story line. I liked it as well as James Michener's TEXAS. Ken’s book is better written, easier reading, more fun, and probably more factual." Jan Minter, Richardson, Texas

“Any student of history or genealogy will devour this trilogy just as I have the first two books by Ken Briden. He clearly, deftly, and without apology represents both the ‘good’, the ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’ of being an immigrant, an American, and a Texan during this period.”. Col D.J. Paul, USAFR (ret), Fremont, California

More info to follow.

God bless,

Ken

IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series, Book 2

For more of Henry Briden's adventures and the development of the Southwest, this is the 2nd book in the series.

Book 3 and the concluding book of the series, Tall In the Saddle is being sent to the publisher in a few days and should be available soon.

If you have read either of the two books, I invite you to write a comment that can be shared with others who may be interested.

More info to follow.

HOW DID I GET TO BLOGGERLAND?

How did I get into writing? I don't really know. Before I even learned how to spell "author", I was one.

Actually, I have written vacation, travel, and jury duty journals for several years. I have written extensively about "real life" experiences and adventures, but never anything fictional.

Then one day my sister-in-law, Rayetta Riggs, challenged me to write a novel. "Say what? You've got to be kidding," was my first reaction.

"I'm not imaginative enough to do something like that," I commented to my wife. "I can't just invent a story."

"Well, don't invent it. Write about something you know," she encouraged.

"How can I do that?" I countered. "I don't know anything about anything."

Well, one thing led to another. "Now that I'm retired," I thought, "I suppose it beats stealing hubcaps. I guess I'll give it a shot."

I sat down at the computer, inspired by what little I knew of my Great, Great Grandfather, the first American Briden, and about 9 months later a story was conceived, printed, and published. Now there is no coincidence to the fact that it took 9 months--the same amount of time it takes to make a baby--for some days were better than others and the labor pains were great, sometimes even excruciating. But when that sweet little thing is born, you love it and you're kind of proud of it. That's the way I feel about A Place Called Texas, the first book of the IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series. After it was finally born, I even forgot most of the labor pains.

I want to downplay the fact that the central characted in this novel is my Great, Great Granddad, for this isn't just another geneological treatise. Geneology, to some people, redefines the word "boring". The IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series is a fictional account, based on known historical facts, of the brave men and women who settled in the Southwest and the noble men and women who had lived here for years and had to move on.

I take no sides. It is not a part of our history that makes me particularly proud, but it IS a part of our history. Nothing will change that.

As I continue with this blog, I plan to give updates on this'n'that. I hope you will be a regular part of my blogging family. I also encourage you, if you have read either one of my first two books, to write a comment. Your comment might encourage others to purchase a copy.

The total cost of each book is $16 which includes postage, tax, and insurance and may be ordered through my e-mail: kenandvera2@msn.com

I'll chat with you again later. Have a great day. Ken

IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM series, Book 1