RIPTIDE

Nothing below the surface is what it seems.

Currents

Oh Christmas Tree

Like millions of families, we decorate our Christmas tree each holiday season. What began as an annual event became a vast, breakable...

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Reality Home Schooling

Like many home enthusiasts, I’m a fan of HGTV and now Magnolia Network. For those interested in home remodeling, decorating, or interior...

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The Invincible Miss Cust

The Invincible Miss Cust, based on the real-life of Aleen Isabel Cust, might be historical fiction, but it’s a story destined to make...

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First Blood

On the first day of her new assignment, Detective Inspector Kim Stone makes her way to her new Detective Chief Inspector’s office with no...

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The Woman Underwater

That morning was like any other. Victoria Sands rushed her two boys through breakfast and out the door to school and blew a kiss to her...

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A Jar of Pennies

Jesse Grinder was born with few options, and life went south from there. He’s from country stock who toil in forestry, eat, sleep, go to...

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Hog Wild

The growing tribes of feral hogs spreading across the 450-square-mile Texas Cross Barr cattle ranch are about to get a snout full of...

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The Floating Girls

Twelve-year-old Kay Whitaker has a severe case of boredom and loneliness. Growing up at the end of a dirt road in Bledsoe, Georgia,...

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For Those Who Are Lost

With the Nazi invasion of Guernsey immanent, residents scramble to get their children off the island and to the safety of mainland...

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How to Train Your Husband

Little Lessons Every New Bride Needs to Learn My husband often jokes with friends that he wants to return as one of our dogs when he...

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Five Books to Pull from the TBR file For Your Vacation

Summer is the perfect time to delve into your To Be Read pile, and I have five superb books to share with you from mine. From a royally...

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Well-Dressed Husbands

Let’s be honest. There is nothing sexier than a husband who has just mowed the lawn. Or cleaned out the garage. Or rearranged the...

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The Physicists’ Daughter

It’s 1944, and Justine Byrne is thrilled by the opportunity to step away from her mind-numbing war-time assembly line job and use her...

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The Romance of Packing

Planning what to pack for our upcoming summer trip to England would be easier if I knew all my careful, neat folding wouldn’t end up a...

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Two Little Girls

One Heart-Wrenching Choice Choose which one dies—a horrific nightmare for any mother of more than one child. In Two Little Girls, the...

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The Distant Dead

I discovered bestselling author Lesley Thomson’s remarkable Detective’s Daughter series a few years ago by chance. I should have also...

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The Windsor Knot

As celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth’s platinum anniversary as monarch begin, it’s the perfect time to discover S.J. Bennett’s new...

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Hattie Rose Has Earned Her Wings

Preparing for our first Christmas together 30 years ago, I asked my husband what kind of topper he’d like for our tree. His response told...

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Salute to My Neighborhood Heros - Dallas Fire Station 17

I was delighted when asked to write a small profile of Lakewood's neighborhood fire station. In part, of course, because it's my...

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First Impressions

After A Gloomy 2020, Refreshing Our Home’s Entry Is A Step In The Right Direction To Welcome Back Guests Our neighborhood, considered the...

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Riptide Galveston

Celebrating My Love Affair With Galveston Island . . . The United States Coast Guard Station With Guardsman Joseph Ayotte, CS1 While in...

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Riptide Galveston

Celebrating My Love Affair With Galveston Island. . . Waterman's Restaurant - Dinner, Cocktails And A Killer View Waterman's Restaurant...

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Riptide Galveston

Celebrating My Love Affair With Galveston Island . . . Christmas on The Strand - Where It's Always Christmas I began collecting Christmas...

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Riptide Galveston

Celebrating My Love Affair With Galveston Island . . . Star Drug Store – The First Drug Store in Texas A brass plaque marks the height of...

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Riptide Galveston

Celebrating My Love Affair With Galveston Island . . . The Stewart’s Mansion - Home to Pirates and Philanthropists - With Shirley Roane,...

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Summer Chills

As summer temperatures heat up, it’s the perfect time to kick back with chilling mysteries from some of crime fiction’s best: Julia...

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The Missing Piece...

The time we spent homebound with our families during the pandemic gave us an unexpected puzzle to solve: a newfound love of jigsaws. And...

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Where Does the Time Go?

We look at our grandchildren and ask, “Where does the time go?” I think I may have found it. Rose Kennedy, matriarch of the Kennedy...

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Of Mutts and Men by Spencer Quinn

Since the Chet and Bernie mysteries are told in Chet’s point of view, my mom’s letting me, Miss Lizzie, take over the keyboard for this...

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The Finders by Jeffrey B. Burton

There’s something unusual about Vira. The young golden retriever, rescued from a near-death experience, isn’t your average lucky dog. The...

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When Should Outdoor Decorations Come Down?

Every neighborhood has one of those, the neighbor who leaves their outdoor Christmas holiday decorations up until after Valentine’s...

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Q&A: Roberta Isleib/Lucy Burdette

Have months of isolation and the prospect of hibernation season left you longing for a winter escape that includes suntan lotion, frosty...

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Silent Bite by David Rosenfelt

All semi-retired defense attorney Andy Carpenter wants is the holiday family cruise he’s on to be over–that and to stay retired. While he...

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Q&A: Lisa Black

Any mystery fan has to love an author who announces, “Murder is my day job.” In the case of New York Times bestselling author Lisa Black,...

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Q&A: Jenny Milchman

The Second Mother is the newest offering from Jenny Milchman, USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers. With her first...

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Q&A: Rhys Bowen

When newlywed Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself at loose ends, that can only mean trouble for the star of author Rhys Bowen’s Royal...

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Q&A: Craig Johnson

There’s great nostalgia associated with the lawmen of the Old West. Today, whether they’re riding into town on horseback or, say,...

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Firewatching by Russ Thomas

Firewatching had three things to recommend it before I’d reached page one. First: it’s a murder mystery set in a bucolic English village,...

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Fair Warning by Michael Connelly

Being a career journalist, I’m usually leery of novels about reporters. I’ve picked up too many written by someone who’s never been on...

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Q&A: S.C. Perkins

When the 900-page family saga, Roots, was published in 1976 by Alex Haley, a nationwide fascination with discovering one’s ancestors...

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Muzzled By David Rosenfelt

I hit the jackpot when I picked up David Rosenfelt’s new book Muzzled. The fast-paced page turner has all the ingredients for a perfect...

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Q&A: Karen Dionne

We think of nature as beautiful, life affirming, and inspiring. However, Karen Dionne, author of the No. 1 international bestseller, The...

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Q&A: Peter James

When the Charterhouse school poetry prize was won in 1967 by teenager named Peter James, the real winner was the reading public. Today,...

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Author Q&A: Liv Constantine

One of the scariest lines ever seen on a book jacket comes courtesy of Liv Constantine’s The Wife Stalker: It says, “All She Wants is the...

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The Librarian Did It

Librarians have a lot to answer for. It’s because of them I embarked on a life of crime. Growing up in a tiny, rural South Texas farming...

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Q&A: Steven James

How does a former children’s entertainer and professional storyteller become a bestselling author of adult suspense? Being a “natural...

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Summer Staycation Reads

Great stories from Catriona McPherson, Charles Finch, Jess Montgomery and Anne Perry Although we’re all trying to stay at home as much as...

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Q&A: Allison Brennan

A chat with thriller author Allison Brennan obliterates writers’ excuses about not having time to exercise their craft. The New York...

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Life’s a Shell Game

We live in a world that strives for perfection. The fashion, business and technology, cosmetics, lifestyles and, of course, sports...

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The Gift of Kindness

We spend our lives accumulating. This collecting is an essential part of our memory-building process. There are items from school...

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In My Dallas Kitchen

Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake

This simple blueberry coffee cake is one of my favorites to serve guests for a mid-morning coffee or tea visit. It’s simple, quick, and...

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Who Was Bloody Mary?

The popular brunch cocktail often proffered as a hangover cure continues to delight—or relieve—after more than 100 years. Bartender...

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Wrangler Shaved Beef Sandwiches

Wrangler Shaved Beef Sandwiches are the ideal solution for busy work and school nights. The hearty sandwiches are not only filling, but...

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Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits

There’s something intrinsically southern about biscuits baked in a cast-iron skillet. Whether served with jam and scrambled eggs at...

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Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

Weekend family movie nights are even more fun when pizza is involved—homemade pizza. This recipe is easy and perfect for when you have...

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Rodeo Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are childhood favorites. These treats have a little bit of everything for the child in all of us: oatmeal, raisins,...

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Lemon Sponge Cake

A Tribute For Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebration Sponge cake is a lovely alternative to the sweetness of frosted cakes and...

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Oatmeal Brulée

Our Childhood Staple Grows Up — Oatmeal is one of those simple, wonderful foods we never outgrow. It’s one of the first solid foods most...

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Apple Pancake

I'm a huge fan of egg bread recipes. I found this recipe on social media, and I don’t know its origins. However, it’s delicious. It’s...

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Homestyle Chili

Chili has long been a Texas staple, from chuckwagons on the prairie to tailgate parties at the stadium or arena. It’s an easy dish to...

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Homestyle Chicken Tetrazzini

Chilly weather always makes me crave chicken tetrazzini. It’s a hearty, flavorful chicken pasta dish that has been around seemingly...

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Boozy Buttermint White Hot Chocolate

PHOTO: Carolyn Tillery A pretty cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace is the perfect remedy for all the frigid weather we’ve had...

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Highclere Castle Christmas Cocktail

With many forgoing large parties for more intimate gatherings, this holiday may be the rebirth of the cocktail party. According to a 1917...

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Cornbread

Cornbread is one of the few foods documented as served at the first Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, the essential ingredient in the...

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Fresh Apple Cake

Fall brings with it so many traditions. It’s the time of school carnivals, pumpkin patches, Friday night football, and, of course,...

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Licensed to Chill

When hearing “shaken not stirred,” one immediately envisions MI6’s super spy 007, James Bond. Always suave as he orders his signature...

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Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

I’m a huge fan of vanilla buttercream, so much so, it’s become a family joke. A few years ago, our daughter-in-law sent me a refrigerator...

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Lemon Meringue Pie

Whether pies, tarts, cakes or cookies, citrus treats–tart or sweet–conjure relaxing spring and summertime images of picnics and porch...

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Apple Pecan Fritters

Although apple pie is a delicious July 4th dessert that most of us grew up enjoying as part of our holiday celebrations, this year, I...

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Lafitte’s Best

America's Independence Saved by a Cunning Pirate ... A decorated American general and a Louisiana French pirate seem unlikely partners in...

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Devil's Food Cake

Creating a Wickedly Good Dessert How some versions of deep chocolate cake picked up the ominous moniker of “Devil’s Food” isn’t clear....

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Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Probably no vintage dessert speaks to a bygone era more than the pineapple upside cake. Growing up in South Texas, the sweet, moist...

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Chocolate Almond Bundt Cake

Bundt cakes became popular in this country in the 1950s, and it’s reported that one in three American homes where folks bake has at least...

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Banana Pudding Pie

I recently saw banana cream pie referred to as a retro dessert. Thankfully, there are some things that never go out of style, like this...

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Amaretto Cream Brule

Cream Brule is a dessert that always impresses. The best part of this recipe, given to me by our daughter-in-law, isn’t the crispy sugar...

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Basic Yorkshire Pudding

I love egg breads, and this is one of my favorites. Yorkshire pudding is a great alternative to expected dinner breads with rib roast,...

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Hoppin’ John

Every New Year’s we engage in the tradition of eating black-eyed peas and cabbage for luck and prosperity in the coming year. We all know...

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Tenderloins with Cognac-Cream Sauce

We love to grill out on our deck but, let’s face it, some Texas evenings are simply too hot to make standing in front of a barbecue much...

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Cherry Cream Puffs

Cream puffs are one of those dishes I call workhorses–my kitchen staples. They’re a versatile treat that enable you to create any number...

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Not-So-Plain Vanilla Cupcake Desserts

Looking for a quick, simple, and cool dessert that gives you many options at a moment’s notice? Simple vanilla cupcakes are one of my...

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Roasted Red Bell Pepper Alfredo Sauce

This sauce is one of my favorites, and a nice take on traditional Alfredo sauce. Although here I’ve used prepared red bell peppers,...

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Rio Enchilada Sauce

Living in Texas, Mexican food–technically “TexMex” after we put our Tejas spin on it–is a staple in our family’s diet. Enchiladas are...

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Rosemary Havarti Bread

Havarti is one of my favorite cheeses, delicious in recipes or sliced to snack on. I was delighted when I found this recipe. It’s easy,...

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Pear Upside Down Cake

This recipe is sure to impress your family and friends. However, don't be fooled - it's actually very easy. And delicious. 1 ½ cup...

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The Sweetest Myth

As urban legends go, this one must be the sweetest. Years ago, storied Dallas upscale retailer Neiman Marcus earned itself a place among...

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Spicy-Sweet Pecans

With three large pecan trees in our yard, this recipe is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect thank you treat, as a hostess gift and, of...

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Farmhouse Buttermilk Biscuits

These biscuits are a breakfast favorite in our home. I also like to cut them larger and use them like a bun when making fried chicken...

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Apple Almond Turnovers

There's something irresistible about the combination of cinnamon and apples. This simple recipe is an easy solution when the cravings...

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Carolyn Tillery

Lover of Mysteries, Writing, Cooking, and Dogs

I’ve been passionate about reading mysteries and writing since I held my first Nancy Drew novel. I became a reporter while I was in college and my entire career has involved journalism. My home is filled with books and dog toys, and there’s almost always something coming out of the oven.

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“Do not open your heart to evil… If you do–evil will come…”

– Agatha Christie