Black Gold, Brazen Greed, and Hidden Abuse Drive UTOPIA TEXAS, Published by Outskirts Press
Award winning author Betty Byrd’s newest novel follows the ascent of hard-charging beauty Brya Harrison through the male dominated west Texas oil industry while her daughter Olivia steadily descends into the harrowing labyrinth of schizophrenia.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA, February 09, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Veteran author Betty Byrd today announced the release of her newest fiction, UTOPIA TEXAS, published by Outskirts Press. Byrd’s fast paced new narrative takes her readers through three generations of a family beset by schizophrenia, religious fanaticism, the power of oil and money and one back room deal that destroys the soul of a young woman.
UTOPIA TEXAS took the first place award in fiction writing at the prestigious Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. The novel also earned an EVVY Merit Award from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.
In 1945, after years of separation, Brya Harrison is reunited with her brother Brock after her oil well in Caracas, Venezuela has burned out of control. As Brock becomes involved with the family again, he realizes there is something terribly wrong with his niece, Olivia, but Brya, her mother, has her attention only on pursuit of the black gold that will bring her wealth and status. Her daughter, she insists, is fine.
Olivia then gives birth to a daughter, Maggie, who sees she too is growing up under a reign of terror, but when she turns to her grandmother for help, Brya refuses to take sides. Brock and the family chauffeur then begin to uncover a long history of grim abuse from the girl’s own increasingly unstable mother, Olivia.
UTOPIA TEXAS takes readers into a world of greed and vice where rich black oil provides promise for a mother, but only peril for her daughter. Byrd’s tale is one of greed, love and the pursuit of power and just how far one woman will go and how large a price she will pay – including her own daughter’s well being – for social status and wealth.
“Both a rich portrait of mid-century oil speculation and a classic tale of mother-daughter conflict, ‘Utopia Texas’ is no paradise, but it’s a satisfying – and sometimes frightening – trip through purgatory.” - Kirkus Review, New York, NY
UTOPIA TEXAS is available on-line in paperback through Amazon and Barnes and Noble and at www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore for a maximum trade discount in quantities of ten or more.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-1752-0 Format: 5.5 x 8.5 paperback SRP: $15.95
978-1-4327-1874-9 5.5 x 8.5 hardback with jacket $26.95
Genre: Fiction/sagas
About the author:
Betty Byrd started life as a competitive swimmer, field hockey player and cheerleader and then, after obtaining a degree in Creative Writing and doing graduate work, she became an editor for The Spectator, Ohio’s largest weekly newspaper, and freelanced for a national men’s magazine. Following that incarnation, she traveled to Southern California and worked as an actress in the television series Gunsmoke as well as in other films, mini-series and commercials. Her next “life” was that of a mother and, once her daughter was raised, she returned to her roots, writing. Her first novel, Trinity’s Daughter, has now been followed by the award winning UTOPIA TEXAS. The author’s website is www.bettybyrd.com.
For more information or to contact the author, also visit www.outskirtspress.com/utopiatexas.
Outskirts Press offers high-quality, full-service self-publishing and book marketing services for writers and professionals who are seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining 100% of their rights, 100% of their profits, and 100% of the creative control. www.outskirtspress.com.
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Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com 1-888-OP-BOOKS
UTOPIA TEXAS took the first place award in fiction writing at the prestigious Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference. The novel also earned an EVVY Merit Award from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.
In 1945, after years of separation, Brya Harrison is reunited with her brother Brock after her oil well in Caracas, Venezuela has burned out of control. As Brock becomes involved with the family again, he realizes there is something terribly wrong with his niece, Olivia, but Brya, her mother, has her attention only on pursuit of the black gold that will bring her wealth and status. Her daughter, she insists, is fine.
Olivia then gives birth to a daughter, Maggie, who sees she too is growing up under a reign of terror, but when she turns to her grandmother for help, Brya refuses to take sides. Brock and the family chauffeur then begin to uncover a long history of grim abuse from the girl’s own increasingly unstable mother, Olivia.
UTOPIA TEXAS takes readers into a world of greed and vice where rich black oil provides promise for a mother, but only peril for her daughter. Byrd’s tale is one of greed, love and the pursuit of power and just how far one woman will go and how large a price she will pay – including her own daughter’s well being – for social status and wealth.
“Both a rich portrait of mid-century oil speculation and a classic tale of mother-daughter conflict, ‘Utopia Texas’ is no paradise, but it’s a satisfying – and sometimes frightening – trip through purgatory.” - Kirkus Review, New York, NY
UTOPIA TEXAS is available on-line in paperback through Amazon and Barnes and Noble and at www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore for a maximum trade discount in quantities of ten or more.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-1752-0 Format: 5.5 x 8.5 paperback SRP: $15.95
978-1-4327-1874-9 5.5 x 8.5 hardback with jacket $26.95
Genre: Fiction/sagas
About the author:
Betty Byrd started life as a competitive swimmer, field hockey player and cheerleader and then, after obtaining a degree in Creative Writing and doing graduate work, she became an editor for The Spectator, Ohio’s largest weekly newspaper, and freelanced for a national men’s magazine. Following that incarnation, she traveled to Southern California and worked as an actress in the television series Gunsmoke as well as in other films, mini-series and commercials. Her next “life” was that of a mother and, once her daughter was raised, she returned to her roots, writing. Her first novel, Trinity’s Daughter, has now been followed by the award winning UTOPIA TEXAS. The author’s website is www.bettybyrd.com.
For more information or to contact the author, also visit www.outskirtspress.com/utopiatexas.
Outskirts Press offers high-quality, full-service self-publishing and book marketing services for writers and professionals who are seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining 100% of their rights, 100% of their profits, and 100% of the creative control. www.outskirtspress.com.
###
Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com 1-888-OP-BOOKS
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Outskirts Press
Kelly Schuknecht
888.672.6657
www.outskirtspress.com
Kelly Schuknecht
888.672.6657
www.outskirtspress.com
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