New Books Publishing Today
This Tuesday we are pleased to announce several new amazing books. Adding these local histories to our catalog every week is how we keep history alive.
So let's dive in.
West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle holds a rich legacy of folklore and ghostly legends firmly rooted in the region’s history. In Harpers Ferry, rumor has it that fiery abolitionist John Brown still haunts the scene of his notorious siege, and reports of otherworldly encounters in Harpers Cemetery abound. Shepherdstown, the oldest town in West Virginia, draws in those fascinated by the paranormal with tales of haunted crime scenes and even an infamous exorcism. The historic Apollo Theater in Martinsburg hosts the town’s famous cigar-smoking ghost, George, and the little village of Middleway overflows with bewitching tales of specters and odd happenings.
Author Justin Stevens explores the haunted side of historic landmarks in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Acequias of Albuquerque by Joyce Salisbury and Kim Hafermalz
Acequias, the ancient irrigation ditches first carved into the soil of New Mexico hundreds of years ago, are the lifeblood of Albuquerque. From the Native Americans who first cultivated the soil to the Spanish invaders who expanded on their efforts, these waterways reflect the history and impact of settlers on the natural landscape. They also provide the perfect place for a quiet walk. Protected since 1986, the acequia system provides a refuge for native plants and animals like cottonwood trees, coyotes and porcupines, while Spanish imports like vineyards, sheep and horses have found their place along them.
Join historian Joyce Salisbury and trail guide Kim Hafermalz as they share the wonders of the acequias that shape and sustain the city of Albuquerque.
Crime in Colonial New Orleans by David Michael Schneider
The French colonial empire was a brutal money-making machine. And French society, which was carefully organized by the Church and the Crown, broke down in the environment of the Gulf Coast, from New Orleans to Biloxi. The Catholic church lost control of social morals. The colonial regime was unable, or altogether disinterested, to provide for the basic needs of colonists. In this environment, things were very tense, and very wild, but the stories are fascinating, invigorating tales of life on the edge of empire.
Kate's Choice by Louisa May Alcott
Kate is a young English girl tragically orphaned and left with a large inheritance. Sent to America to live with her extended family, Kate must choose between various uncles and their families to join. Though each is eager for her to choose them, Kate’s choice comes to fruition at Christmas, when Kate surprises everyone with her decision. In his classic tale, Kate embraces the spirit of Christmas to reveal the true meaning of family.
The Applewood Holiday Classics series presents some of the most beloved holiday short stories in a warm, elegant hardback edition with attractive illustrations. Perfect as a cherished seasonal book or a holiday gift for any occasion.
The Tabor Opera House once hosted séances that filled every seat, and rumor has it that the Delaware Hotel hosts ghostly guests that never checked out. The first city graveyard was later abandoned for Evergreen Cemetery, but not all the residents were moved before the railroad was built over top of them. And in a shack near the Matchless Mine, the shade of the infamous Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor waits for good fortune to come again. The mine she bet her life on never produced more silver.
Author Erin Taylor brings to life the history behind the supernatural stories of Leadville.
The Murder of Debbie Gama by Justin Dombrowski
On the morning of August 8, 1975, sixteen-year-old Debbie Gama disappeared after leaving her home in Erie, only to be found dead days later in a creek nearly thirty miles from her home. What followed was an investigation that lacked suspects or even evidence pointing to a viable suspect. That is, until a private investigator named Dan Barber uncovered evidence leading directly to her killer: her English teacher, Raymond Payne. After Payne’s arrest, Debbie’s mother, Betty Ferguson, embarked on her own quest for justice, which unexpectedly led her on an incredible journey of forgiveness.
Utilizing newspaper articles, court documents and investigative files never before revealed, Justin Dombrowski presents a gripping narrative of one investigator’s pursuit of justice and a mother’s search for the truth.
Ghosts of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Beyond by Rita Cook
Five adjacent Texas counties—Jefferson, Orange, Liberty, Hardin and Chambers—share more than borders and proximity to the Gulf. Their local lore tells of haunted hotels, schools, parks and more. Haunted Hotel Beaumont, the John Jay French Museum, the Julie Rogers Theatre and the Tyrrell Historical Library all dot Beaumont’s landscape. Port Arthur’s haunts included the Sabine Hotel, the Model Prison, the Island of the Dead and the Sabine Pass Lighthouse. The Ott Hotel, the Chambers Plantation Mansion in Anahuac and the historic town of Wallisville possess paranormal activity. Near Lumberton, spirits haunt the Old Kountze Jail and Village Creek State Park. Cemeteries throughout the area house restless souls, including Magnolia Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery, as well as Port Neches’ Abandoned Cemetery and Silsbee’s Knupple Cemetery. Join author Rita Cook on a ghost hunt in the land of oil and sea.
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