Book Signing

        Barnes and Noble at San Pedro Crossing in San Antonio, Texas, will host the discussion and signing of Daughters of Two Nations on Saturday, January 22, 2014, at 1 p.m. After a panel discussion led by bilingual author Lupe Ruiz-Flores, author Peggy Caravantes and illustrator Carolyn Dee Flores will sign books.

Daughters of Two Nations

Midwest Book Review

"Daughters of Two Nations" is a compressed, illustrated collection of excellent thumbnail biographies of nine historically notable women of Native American descent who changed North American history from the 18th century to the present. A great deal of colonial and pre-colonial history of North American tribal cultures is revealed in these condensed biographies. . . Each chapter biography is adorned with a carefully researched, captivating color painting of the subject by noted artist Carolyn Dee Flores. Narratives of these amazing women read like exciting adventure stories, with real blood, tears and hardship embroidering the pages . . . "Daughters of Two Nations" is both an entertaining reading experience and an eye-opening education in Native American history.

GREG PINCUS, SOCIAL MEDIA GURU, SPEAKS IN SAN ANTONIO

On Saturday, June 16, I had the pleasure of hearing social media guru, poet, and workshop speaker, Greg Pincus, speak to the Southwest Texas Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. In a captivating and entertaining style, he removed many of the fears that some of his had about getting involved in social media. His advice was not to feel forced to become active in the various social media realms but to jump in only if you want to do so. If you are interested in testing the waters, take small steps. He assured us that we would love the contacts we would make through our efforts. Sounds like good advice which I plan to follow. For those who want to know more about Greg, please see his blog (www.gottabook.blogspot.com) about children's literature and his web site (www.thehappyaccident.net) about social media.

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCES

In grateful appreciation for all those who served or are serving in the military and especially for those who paid the ultimate price--their lives.

If you served in World War II, have a family member who did, or just have an interest in our country's history, please consider reading my book, American Hero: The Audie Murphy Story.

Speaking to Daughters of War of 1812

On Tuesday, May 8, I had the privilege of reviewing A Great and Sublime Fool, my book about Mark Twain, for members of the San Antonio chapter of the Daughters of the War of 1812.

Although Twain is not directly connected to the War of 1812, the chapter members enjoy hearing about other periods of history as well. After a wonderful buffet lunch on the 7th floor Petroleum Club, I emphaiszed the "humanness" of Twain by telling stories from his childhood--eight near drownings before he learned to swim, deliberately exposing himself to the measles--an act which almost killed him, and pushing a huge boulder from the top of a mountain are just a few of the anecdotes I shared. I gratefully accepted the book presented to me--a bicentennial production of the Daughters of theAmerican Revolution: The Alamo Heroes and Their Revolutionary Ancestors.

Happy Birthday, Charles John Huffam Dickens!

Tuesday, February 7,2012, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of noted English writer Charles Dickens. To review the life and writings of this remarkable man, please read Best of Times: The Story of Charles Dickens by Peggy Caravantes.