Tales from the Texas Timberlands: Texas Porch Short Stories

by J. Andrew Rice

During the day when there is a break in the day’s labor or in the evenings when the sunlight is waning, stories are told from Texas porches.

Although these are usually short stories, they can be long, and thus continued at the next porch sitting. They contain humor, sadness, suspense, mystery, philosophy, and instruction about the human condition and, in general, the journey of living. The storytellers find the rhythm of life for themselves, and the listeners hear valuable lessons and truth. Tales from the Texas Timberlands, Volume 1 celebrates this storytelling about East Texans with five unique and descriptive short stories. They are tales to soak up and remember.



J. Andrew Rice is also the author of the novel Seeds of Bliss and What is Unseen.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2024

About the author

J. Andrew Rice was the founder of Public Management, Inc. and was its CEO for thirty-three years. He also has other business interests. He has a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from the University of Houston at Clear Lake City. He serves as a deacon of Rural Shade Baptist Church and was its Minister of Music for thirty years.

He has four children, four grandchildren, and lives in Tarkington, Texas, with his wife. His hobbies include music, reading and farming.

Author of the Gold Award Winner in Readers' Favorite Fiction Anthology Genre 2025 for Tales from the Texas Timberlands

Reviews

[Melissa Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming Stories

I loved how I could immerse myself in the memorable characters and feel the rhythm of East Texas. I appreciated the profound truths that can be found in these seemingly simple tales. A must-read for anyone who wants to enjoy some humor, sadness, suspense and wisdom.

[R.M. Alwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to have found this Book.


What a delightful collection of short stories that captures the essence of storytelling. With humor, suspense, and profound reflections on life, each tale offers valuable lessons and vivid characters. While some stories may feel a bit lengthy, the overall experience is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read. I was transported through the pages into the heart of East Texas.

[Karen Brough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a step back in time

What I enjoyed about this collection was the travel back in time element. Being from Aus, cowboys aren't a huge part of our culture or experience.
As such, some of the cowboy ways and language didn't always translate, BUT...its a read that allows a beautiful escape.
Rich characters.
Detailed settings.
And the shorter stories were a little easier for me to follow.
It's not a genre I have read much at all in...but I enjoyed this.

[Elaine Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for those of us who grew up in small towns in Texas

I related to the stories and people that made up the characters of this book. I lived in some of the smallest towns that Texas has to offer. The people are down to earth, generous and proud. I wouldn’t trade a day of that life because it was rich even though I wasn’t.

[T Friendly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small collection of short stories was a pleasure to read. The author presents a varied cast of characters from diverse eras, economic, cultural, and social status.. Each story presents moral truths and dilemmas that I'm sure many of us have faced. From the proud perspective of an elderly gentleman passing hope forward to his community through a younger person, we learn the slow march to progress and improvement. Then there is the juvenile's close call with a stranger along a roadside, which had me hooked about the outcome of his well-being. As with some of the other reviews, I did find the title slightly misleading, but I am certainly looking forward to reading his other works.

[Jessica Piro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much happens in this collection of short stories. Some were much longer than others, and I think the shorter ones were better. Less meandering. But if you like somewhat short stories with lots of detail, a slow pace, and tales of the easy-going life of some in Texas, give this a read.