Celia Yeary-Welcome to Texas

I am an author and all of my stories, whether historical or contemporary, take place in Texas. Why? Because I am a native Texan and I have ancestors that go back to the Alamo and the war with Mexico to win our independence from that country. So I stick with what I know.

In the early days of Texas settling, the Comanche literally owned half the state. The Spanish had come and gone, leaving their mark, yes, but they never found real success in Texas. Thus, they moved on to California leaving the horse behind, which the Comanche embraced as no other native tribe did. With the Spanish gone, the Comanche dominated and spread over a huge area...just as does any conquering peoples.

When white settlers began to pour into Texas, the Comanche ‘greeted’ them. Other tribes lived here, too, but the Comanche were the Lords of the Plains, and that included half of Texas and much of the Great Plains to the north. Settling soon proved to be extremely arduous and deadly, but instead of running away or moving on, most pioneers stayed, staking their own claim in Comanche territory.

These settlers are my ancestors. I feel a kinship with them, knowing what they endured makes me proud. These same pioneers also fought the Mexicans to take what they saw as rightfully theirs--Texas.

I live in San Marcos which is the county seat of Hays County. Texas Ranger Jack C. Hays was one of the founders of our city by the river. As a very young man, he fought in the revolution against Mexico and was one of the first Texas Rangers. He came and went to some degree, and when the area settled down, he moved to California and made his mark there, too.

How could I not be inspired? Many other authors, not from Texas, use the state for a setting, too. Maybe they don’t feel as deeply as I, but I do believe they understand the power and the mystique of Texas, as well.    

Here are a few lesser known bits of interest about Texas.

*Texas was once called New Philippines, named by a Franciscan missionary who hoped to gain favor from King Philip V. This was in 1719 when the Spanish had colonized the Philippines. The name was used for forty years. 

*The Red River boundary, which forms the state line between Texas and Oklahoma, was not determined legally until the year 2000. 

*In 1836, a young woman in Georgia actually created the Lone Star flag, designed for the Macon Volunteers who were going to Texas to help the "Texians" win their independence from Mexico. 

*In the mid-1800s, an English gentleman, the Earl of Aylesford, moved to Big Spring in West Texas and built himself a castle. He also bought a meat market when he could not get the right cut of steak, he bought a hotel when he could not get a room, and he bought a saloon in order to always have the right amount and the right brand of whiskey on hand. 

*Women have always played a major role in the settling and development of Texas. I would need a two-book volume to write only a portion of their accomplishments. From the first lady governor, to the first wife and mother who made a home in a dugout on a lonely plain, the women of Texas have stood, not behind their men, but beside them.

THE PROS AND CONS OF BEING A WRITER: I'm often asked about my life as a writer, such as: How do you think up all these stories? Did you always write?

No. Sometimes I forget I actually taught biology to teenagers in a private military boarding school in San Marcos, Texas. Teaching means being surrounded by other humans all day, and often in the evening at ball games and plays, and sometimes on the weekends.

Writing is a solitary task.

Of the two, I could not choose one over the other, because both jobs brought unique accomplishments and enriched my life.

Writing fulfills some need I knew nothing about. But with my first contract, I realized this was a form of self-gratification—not particularly a form of public recognition. Oh, yes, I love the attention, but in the end, I’m doing all this for myself.

I've written twelve full-length novels, nine novella length stories in three series, several short stories, and a few articles for a Texas magazine. I feel as though I'm just getting started.

I would love for you to visit my Amazon author page   or my Barnes and Noble On-line author page, and take a look at my books.

This might be your lucky day! Leave a comment and we'll choose a winner to receive a copy of one of my books.

My newest release is set in a North Texas farming community at the close of WWI. It is titled BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

BLURB-Beyond the Blue Mountains.

Guymon Reynolds arrives home to Grove's Point, Texas in February 1919, the end of WWI.  Knowing he's lost his parents and two young brothers to the Spanish flu, he's anxious to see his grandpa at the family farm. But nothing is right upon his arrival. He faces more death and destruction that resembles the battlefields where he fought in France.

Young widow Teresa Logan lives near the depot. She, too, grieves for her husband who died from the flu. Alone on a farm with two baby girls, she struggles with loneliness, back-breaking work, and sometimes, fear. But Teresa is strong and determines to care for her family and her farm alone. 

Guy and Teresa meet and they easily bond, sharing grief and sorrow.

Both dream of a better life in Grove's Point, or perhaps a new beginning beyond the Blue Mountains.

LINK to Beyond the Blue Mountains on Amazon.

http://tinyurl.com/q2psoq6   

The winner of this book may have an ebook gift for the Kindle, or if you live in the US, I will mail a paperback copy to you. Leave a comment and your contact info for your chance to win.

Thank you so much for visiting!

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas

My Website: http://celiayeary.com

My Blog:  http://celiayeary.blogspot.com

Sweethearts of the West Blog: http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com

My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971