Grit and grace are featured in this collection of Texas stories, making it a feast for readers who love old- world kinds of stories set in the west—in this case, the Texas hill county. Several eras are represented, all in an historical sense. Lynn Dean has long been one of my favorite western historical writers, and this grouping of short stories gave me an opportunity to read several others who I enjoyed as well. It came as no surprise to me that the collection has since become both a Selah and Will Rogers medallion finalist! If you’re looking for fresh voices in western fiction and appreciate a well-told short story, you’ll love a Hardscrabble Christmas.
