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