In this light-hearted novella, Cowboy Quigley, a quixotic roughneck steeped in the mythology of Texas, endeavors to redeem the mediocrity of his life and of the modern world at-large by liberating Mexico from an imaginary arch-villain. Inspired by a comical but recognizably American idealism, Cowboy wills his preconceived notions onto a world that - much to the embarrassment of his reluctant sidekick, Chucho - rarely conforms itself to his delusions. Cowboy had always hoped that when history called on him, he would acquit himself well and take his place in the pantheon of Texas heroes. But Cowboy's crusade soon draws the attention of certain unsavory characters who are not inclined to let a swaggering gringo make himself a "hero" at their expense.

Take one well-oiled effective killing machine, add a familiar hero on the ground, in the air, and on horseback; stir in a ghastly end that’s surely impossible to escape, add action, add passion, made on a shoestring budget at breakneck speed, and you’ve got the recipe for Republic Pictures. Who, after all, cannot forget The Atomic Kid, starring Mickey Rooney, or The Untamed Heiress, with an un-Oscar-worthy performance by ingénue Judy Canova? Exploding onto the movie scene in 1935, Republic Pictures brought the pop culture of the 30s and 40s to neighborhood movie houses. Week after week kids sank into their matinee seats to soak up the Golden Age of the Republic series, to ride off into the classic American West. And they gave us visions of the future. Visions that inspire film makers today. Republic was a studio that dollar for dollar packed more movie onto the screen than the majors could believe. From sunrise on into the night over grueling six day weeks, no matter how much mayhem movie makers were called upon to produce, at Republic Pictures it was all in a day’s work. Republic Pictures was the little studio in the San Fernando Valley where movies were made family style. A core of technicians, directors, and actors worked hard at their craft as Republic released a staggering total of more than a thousand films through the late 1950s. Republic Pictures was home to John Wayne for thirty-three films. Always inventing, Republic brought a song to the West. It featured the West’s first singing cowboy. Republic brought action, adventure, and escape to neighborhood movies houses across America. And they brought it with style. Scene from westerns such as The Three Mesquiteers and the Lawless Range gave screaming kids at the bijou a white-knuckle display of expert film making. Republic Pictures became a studio where major directors could bring their personal vision to the screen. Sometimes these were projects no other studio would touch such as The Quiet Man (which brought director John Ford an Oscar) and Macbeth. Killer Bs, Cowboys, Creatures and Classics: The Story of Republic Pictures is for anyone who likes B movies magic. It is the honest account of an extraordinary production house, one whose ability to turn out films quickly boded well for its transition into television production. Not only were its sets used for such shows as Leave it to Beaver and Gilligan’s Island, stock footage from Republic’s movies was used on such shows as Gunsmoke and The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.

Izzy Ames is a fierce young woman, living with her beloved boyfriend Cyrus Rivera and her three-legged tortoise, Yard, in a shack they built near the Salton Sea. One morning, Izzy wakes up to find Cyrus has vanished. After weeks of looking for him with no results, Izzy discovers a clue that Cyrus may have left her for another woman. She abandons her search, and, heartbroken, ends up at the House of Hearts retreat center that promises "Healing from Grief and Childhood Trauma". At the center, Izzy is paired with a Cyrus look-alike, the musician, Ever Fontana, and for a moment she forgets the pain of her past. But when new clues about Cyrus's disappearance surface, Izzy must go down into the dark to find the truth. Izzy's quest will take her into a world of sexuality, madness and violence, a world where she will discover secrets not only about Cyrus but also, ultimately, about herself.

A novel of the American West narrates the story of a dying man's attempts to make peace with his daughter, their struggle to rescue his granddaughter from renegades and slave traders, and his lifelong search for inner peace.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Issued also separately.

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