THE EL PASO RED FLAME GAS STATION

AND OTHER STORIES

by

J. Reeder Archuleta

Genre: Fiction /Short Stories / Coming of Age

Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing, LLC

Date of Publication: December 8, 2017

Number of Pages: 132

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These short stories are about coming of age in rural far West Texas.  The stories are about the people who have come to stay in a remote part of Texas with a climate that can be harsh and unpredictable and that is demanding and unforgiving.  The stories are told through the eyes of Josh, a young boy, who finds himself alone in a small farm and ranch community and who realizes that he will have to make his own way in this place.  Along the way, he meets a group of characters with different takes on life.  Some try to help shield him from the chaos of the world, some try to add more chaos. But all of them, in their own distinct way, through jobs, advice, or actions, play a part in his life.

Praise

“Punchy, plainspoken dialogue…colorful and charismatic characters…The result is an atmospheric Texas…reminiscent of Larry McMurtry’s “The Last Picture Show.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The universality of Josh’s journey gives it a timeless quality…a rich tapestry…The stories are conveyed in lean, elegant prose reminiscent of Annie Proulx and Cormac McCarthy” — Blue Ink Review

“Archuleta’s collection offers poignant and hopeful stories of determination in the face of need. Thoroughly engaging…narrated with passion and eloquence…” — The Clarion Review

These may be short stories, but they are chock full of life in a small Texas town and actually, all the stories center around one character, Josh. He is various ages in the stories and while he may not always be the main focus, he is in each story.

I think Josh’s presence is pivotal to the stories, even if he is not the main focus. We follow his life as he goes through his teens and what it was like to be homeless and without a family other than the townsfolk that watched over him. I think that everyone could relate to Josh’s experiences in one way or another, from personal experience or of someone they know.

I’m not sure if I could choose a favorite out of all the short stories. Each brings a different viewpoint of what was happening in the world at that time, or when a character is reminiscing. We get a peek into what it might have been like to fight in a war, the mental instability from PTSD, the kindness of the townsfolk for each other, and young love.

Each story is well written and sometimes left me wanting more because I thought that the story shouldn’t have ended and I wanted to know what happened next. I hope that there might be another book because Josh’s story is not finished.

We give this 5 paws up.

The author was raised in far West Texas and five generations of his family are in their final resting place there.  His great-grandfather is buried in Concordia Cemetery in El Paso within spitting distance of the grave of John Wesley Hardin.

║Website ║ Amazon Author Page ║

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

READ & SIP! TWO WINNERS EACH WIN A SIGNED COPY OF

THE EL PASO RED FLAME GAS STATION +

A $5 STARBUCKS GIFT CARD

APRIL 17-26, 2018

(US ONLY)

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