Lone Star Lit is ringing in the new year with Texas-connected titles for all your bookish resolutions. From ballet and native bees to border stories and birds of the Texas coast, we have something for everyone. Explore the latest fiction, young reader, poetry, nonfiction, and romance titles in our January Texas Books Preview. Start the new year right—curled up in a comfy chair with a new bookish adventure.
Ally Katz
January 1, 2025
Mandy Grayson had her future planned out—until one impulsive mistake upends her life and her career. Now, back in her small hometown of Tin Top, she’s struggling to rebuild, knowing her reputation may never recover. But the last person she expected to help her pick up the pieces is Grant Tucker, the man she once called her best friend...and the one who broke her heart.
Grant returns to Tin Top carrying his own set of regrets and a determination to keep his distance. But when he sees Mandy, he realizes he can’t turn away from her struggle.
As Mandy and Grant work side by side, old feelings and buried dreams come rushing back. But they’ll need more than shared history to overcome the misunderstandings and past mistakes that still linger between them.
A Chance in Destiny: Dark Suspicions
Janet K. Shawgo
January 9, 2025
FBI Agent Brian Deeds finds himself at a deadlock in a high-stakes fraud case unfolding in Houston, Texas. The disappearance of his prime suspect, Jonathan Edwards III, combined with the tragic demise of a key witness, has left him grappling for leads. His focus squarely rests on Edwards's wife, Charlie.
Charlie is not alone in the spotlight-her mirror-image twin, Dani, adds complexity to the case as a potential accomplice. Brian is forced to conceive a risky strategy to uncover a more profound layer of criminal activity. He will deceive those closest to him to discover the truth.
His relentless pursuit of justice teeters on the brink of an all-consuming obsession. Will his dark suspicions lead to dark consequences?
Stone of Hope (Stones of Iona, Book Four)
Margaret Izard
January 13, 2025
Only through hope can one find true love.
In a twist of fate, he’s shown her beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.
She fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts? He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She’d do anything for his love.
Court of the Seven Dances (Legends of Ilbeor, Book Two)
T.J. Klapprodt
January 14, 2025
Armored in heritage and destiny, Alanda and Tostig remain trapped on divergent paths. Confident their newfound power will save those dearest to them neither forget the undeniable lure.
Fated to rock the foundations of Ilbeor, the two former messengers each discover the malice simmering in the veins of the very land itself. Alanda surrenders herself to the privileged fetters of the royal family in hopes the king’s mighty army will rescue her brother Kitz from the clutches of the elven overlord Altoneir. Trying vainly to race to her side, Tostig becomes a pawn in the unknowable plans of the gods he serves.
Can two ordinary people brought into great power use it to heal long-held wounds? Or will they simply become two more casualties in the eternal maneuverings of those used to power?
Austin Music is a Scene Not a Sound: An Illustrated History of the First 100 Years
Michael Corcoran
January 31, 2025
Michael Corcoran culminates 40 years of writing about Austin music with a history of the scene, going back to the German singing societies of the late 1800s and ending with the ascent of South by Southwest, whose registration line would become the Ellis Island of new Austin. Over 50 legendary Austin live music venues, starting with the Skyline and Victory Grill in the wake of WWII, are profiled in a rolling “Clubland Paradise” section. Austin Music Is a Scene Not a Sound includes the stories of Willie Nelson and the Armadillo, nascent Black radio DJs Lavada Durst and Tony Von, the making of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the significance of Sixth and Red River Streets, and how Aquafest went from Austin’s biggest annual event to belly-up in five years.
Thomas W. Cutrer
January 31, 2025
Female perspectives often get overlooked when discussing the American Civil War and the effects of distant events often had catastrophic implications on the folks back home. Rachel Moores’s diary provides a priceless window into the changing realities of Texans who once bet their futures on the value of cotton.
This diary and journal will be an important addition to the scholarship about elite white women and their lives in the antebellum south. This manuscript is unique in that it is an extensive and detailed look into the life of a woman of the slave-owning class in frontier Texas, offering not only her vivid view of the slave system but of the daily life of a plantation mistress and of an invalid seeking a cure for her disease.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
There are so many Texas-connected books publishing this month that we couldn’t feature all of them. The following books also publish in January:
CHILDREN'S, MIDDLE GRADE, & YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
100th Day of School With Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
Ali the Great Never Gives Up! by Saadia Faruqi
The Ancient Catalyst by Sarah Noffke & Michael Anderle
Apple Black 2: Instruments of Vengeance by Odunze Oguguo
Apple Black 3: Instruments of Vengeance by Odunze Oguguo
Apple Black 4: Instruments of Vengeance by Odunze Oguguo
Bibsy Cross and the Creepy-Crawlies by Liz Garton Scanlon
Biology Lessons by Melissa Kantor
Captive Dance by Kendra E. Ardnek
Eid Al-adha With Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
Happy Passover, Edie Rose! by Joy Preble
Hey Little Birdie, What's Your Name? by Shannon L. Mokry
Indigenous Peoples' Day With Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 2: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Juneteenth With Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi
No Metal No Magic Element 29 by Sybrina Durant
Reunion Crossing by Terry Overton
The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby
A Traitorous Heart by Erin Cotter
Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines
MYSTERY / HORROR
A Golden Guilt Trip by M. Alfano
Holly Jolly Homicide by Amy Briggs
The Lady and the Poisoned Waters by Brittany E. Brinegar
The Murder Accrual by Leslie A. Piggott
Sabotage at Cedar Creek by Janice Thompson
Spells like Poltergeist Spirit by Leanne Leeds
The Texas Murders: Everything Is Bigger in Texas—Especially the Murder Cases by James Patterson & Andrew Bourelle
Ventures, Vengeance & Murder by Christa Nardi
Whispered Word by Alec Klein
The Wild Wilder Mystery by C.H. Sessums
NONFICTION
Applied Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology by Eric J. Fritsch, Chad R. Trulson and Ashley G. Blackburn
Austin, Texas: Music City, New Money, Lost Dreams by Edgar T. Mosely
The Battles of Texas by Nate Kreuter and Mark Garrett Longaker
Birds of the Texas Coast by Ron Grimes
Country Vet: More Tall Tails by Randy L. Skaggs
Fighting for Control by Lina-Maria Murillo
The Galveston Dispatches: A Swiss Missionary's Account of Nineteenth-Century Texas by Clay Rogers
Kailin Gow's Go Girl Guide to The Perfect Cup by Kailin Gow
Native Bees of the Lower Rio Grande Valley by Paula Sharp
A Resurrection of Springs by Thad Sitton, Adrian F. van Dellen and Cynthia Nesser
The Sinners All Bow: Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne by Kate Winkler Dawson
Storyteller: A Handbook of Helpful Hints and Tall Tales from the Writing Life by Carlton Stowers
Strength Training for a Fit Church: Five Muscles for Adaptive Ministry by Lisa Greenwood and Blair Thompson
Tales from the Gainesville Daily Hesperian by Ron Melugin
Texian Exodus by Stephen L. Hardin
Tomball by Kyla Bayang and Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library
Wishbone: An American Odyssey in Asia by Carol Wright Folbre
OTHER FICTION
Babylonia by Constanza Casati
Bane of Prejudice by Isabel Campbell & Michael Anderle
Chroma by Tim Frankovich
Codename: Deathwish by TR Cameron and Michael Anderle
Cupid's Sweet Revenge by Lila Sparks & Michael Anderle
The Dark Artifact by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle
Darkness Rising by Chris Mullen
Five Manifestos for the Beautiful World (Anthology including Cristina Rivera Garza)
Frostfire by D.S. Bailey & Michael Anderle
A Gnome's Wisdom by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle
Haunted Tales from the Hospital by Darrell Bartell
A Hunt No More by Renée Jaggér & Michael Anderle
Lost in the Mirage by Bradford Bates & Michael Anderle
The Minuteman's Curse by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle
The Murderbot Diaries Vol 1,: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Vol 2: Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Vol 3: Fugitive Telemetry, System Collapse by Martha Wells
Neon Sky by Chris Miller & M. Ennenbach
Prepper Nation: Freedom is Slavery by Tom Abrahams
Shadows of Truth by Theophilus Monroe and Michael Anderle
Terror and Hope by Michael Anderle
Tibet's Spiritual Storm by Michael Todd and Michael Anderle
The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf by Isa Arsen
POETRY
Austin Relativity by David Parsons
Don't Do It, We Love You, My Heart by Jonathan Fink
Everything in Life is Resurrection by Cyrus Cassells
Mother by Branson Smith
no title yet by Martyna Dearing
The Scrapbook of Poems by Sabina N. Cardenas
ROMANCE
All for You by Anne Lange
All's Fair in Love by Katherine L. Evans
Allison by Kirsten Osbourne
Best for You by Beth A. Freely
Buried Secrets by Denise Diana Huddle
Burn for You by Audrey Bell
Charming Crosschecks by Ginny Sterling
Chasing Headlines by J. Rose Black
Child in Jeopardy by Delores Fossen
The Cowboy Who Called Back by Liz Isaacson
The Cowgirl's Football Star by Bonnie Fields
Crossroads at Sagebrush by Hope August
Dangerous Lies by Lynn Shannon
Deserving Ryleigh by Susan Stoker
Destined for the Cowboy by Justine Davis
Devoted Enough by Kelly Elliott
The Distance Between Us by Karen Kelley
Exiled Concubine's Match by Tigris Eden
Faking it with a Fortune by Michelle Major
Fall for You by PG Forte
Fight for You by Ashley Zakrzewski
Five Hundred Miles in a Different Direction by Kellye Hefner
Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar
Forever Foxy by Ginny Sterling
Gram's Match for T.J. by Caryl McAdoo
Guarding Lauren by Barb Han
Heart and Fire by Lily R. Steele
Her Cowboy Cupid by Sasha Summers
Herd the Heavens by Jovie Grace
Home to the Cowboy's Arms by Debra Holt
Jack of Hearts by Kat Baxter
Last Resort by Janie Crouch
Lie for a Million by Janet Daily
The Lodge by Kayla Olson
Love for You by Beth A. Freely
The Magical Tea Shop by Aimee O'Brian
Mr. McHunky by Kat Baxter
Only One Bed by Kati Wilde
Outlaw Ridge: Hayes by Delores Fossen
Pitch for You by Ashley Zakrzewski
Recipe for Rivals by Kasey Stockton
Roman by Kirby Ann
Rust and Stardust by Atreus Rosewood
Shiny Things by Kelly Fox
Stay for You by Barb Shuler
Stolen by Her Alien Mate by Kat Baxter & Emma Lee Jayne
Stolen Chances by Clio Evans
Texas Pride by Diana Palmer
Under the Texas Sky by Tatum Bailey
The Vendetti Soldier by Sapphire Knight
Wait for You by Blye Donovan
Where is Tornado Alley? by Wes Locher
Wild for You by Ashley Zakrzewski
Want to make sure your forthcoming Texas-connected titles are included in our feature? Email us at Publicity@LoneStarLiterary.
