What’s
in a Setting?
“Out in
the West town of El Paso . . .”
Does
that ring a bell?—a musical bell, that is. It should. That’s the opening line
to Marty Robbins famous song. But outside of that, what do you know about El
Paso? Most think of El Paso as a dusty city along the border, which is plagued
with immigration problems and drugs.
Yet I
chose to set my latest thriller, Secrets
of the Tunnels, in El Paso. Why would I ever do that? True, it’s my
hometown, and if that’s not reason enough, then it’s because the city really
shines for me.
For one,
it’s very historical. The Spaniards arrived in the area in 1581. Seventeen
years later, Juan de Oñate claimed the land for Spain, then gave thanks and
held the first Thanksgiving feast in what is now the United States.
In
addition, Scenic Socorro Road connects three of the oldest Spanish-era missions
in the nation. The missions, Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario are all listed
in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1846
the humble adobe-buildings and dirt streets marked the beginning of Ft. Bliss.
Back then, mules were the norm. Now Ft. Bliss is the nation’s second-largest
military reservation where the latest military technology is developed.
But El
Paso isn’t just about history. This sun-kissed city displays the most breathtaking
sunsets and offers some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.
Within
driving distance you’ll find White Sands National Monument, the Gila Cliff
Dwellings National Monument, Three Rivers National Petroglyph Recreation Area,
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Roswell, with its International UFO Museum
and Research Center. Beautiful Ruidoso is a favorite mountain getaway for El
Paso visitors and locals.
Interested
in architecture? Downtown El Paso offers the eye some candy with its elegant
early 1900’s dwellings. Close by is the University of Texas at El Paso with its
magnificent Bhutan style architecture.
Like to
eat? You can enjoy the world-famous Southwestern cuisine El Paso has to offer.
You can even do so while sipping a margarita under a spectacular sunset.
Remember Rosa’s Cantina from the Robbins’ song? It’s still here.
In
addition, museums, concerts, a newly built mega stadium, home of the famous El
Paso Chihuahuas baseball team, movies under the stars, and much more attract
people to El Paso.
El Paso
is the 19th largest city in the United States and has been ranked by
the CQ Press (based on FBI crime statistics) as the safest large city in our
country. In addition, the city has been ranked among the top three safest
cities since 1997.
But with
all of these points of interest, El Paso offers one very unique item that was
essential for my book: the tunnels. The tunnels, a labyrinth of underground
passages, where built by the Chinese, who migrated from California and used the
tunnels to enter the United States through Mexico. Later, the tunnels served as
opium dens, which expanded to become houses of prostitution.
It is
this intricate web of passages that play an important part in Secrets of the Tunnels. A stolen Chinese
treasure, corruption, a fight for power, murder, and betrayal—all play a part
in this novel set in El Paso.
Connie de la Fuente’s ex
stripped her of everything she held dear—her family, her friends, her pride,
and even her son. The only way to fight back is to stand up to her ex and his
evil father. While the residents of El Paso hail them as heroes, Connie knows
that the secret of their power and source of wealth has been founded on
corruption. Connie sets a trap to expose the de la Fuente men—a trap that will
lead her in a razor-edge hunt for a hidden treasure concealed deep in El Paso’s
tunnels.
Secrets of the Tunnels is currently in the Kindle Scout program. You can
read the first five chapters here and vote to nominate it for publication.
14 comments:
I was born in a West Texas town (Brady) but have been to El Paso only once...and that was on business when I was in my 40s. My son, however, played for the El Paso Diablos... it was the NY Yankee farm club in the 80's I think. Your post was interesting, and the story about the tunnels sounds just as intriguing, if not more so. I think of the tunnels as an omnipresent and ominous presence in the city.
El Paso sure has changed since the 40's. If you're ever here, give me a call. That's cool that your son played for the Diablos. Used to watch all those games all of the time. The tunnels are intriguing. You can read the first 5 chapters at the Kindle Scout site where they are currently considering publishing my story. Here's the link and please hit the nomination button: https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/1KWVR6TM5F0W6 Thanks for the comment!
Gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing...
Love, love, love the song El Paso City!
Good luck & God's blessings with your book(s).
PamT
Angela,
Glad you enjoyed the pixs. Thanks for taking the time to read the blog.
L. C.
Pamela,
I love that song too. It's got a real catchy tune! Thanks for the good luck wishes.
L.C. I can't believe you didn't mention El Paso is in driving distance to Las Cruces, New Mexico! The book on tunnels sounds fascinating. I'll be sure to pick it up, and best wishes in the Kindle Scout program!
Hi Debbie!
Ooops! How can I forget? Las Cruces, only 45 minutes from El Paso.
Thanks for the good wishes in the scout program. Hope they accept it.
It was fun writing the tunnels book.
L. C.
Aye, ya, yay. Where's my mind now a days? Donnell, I called you Debbie--but I know better! I will go to the blackboard right now and write a thousand times, I will not call you Debbie. I will not call you Debbie. I will not . . .
L.C., you've got me wanting to visit El Paso and also wanting to read your book. Best wishes and good luck in the Scout program and don't call me Debbie.
Great post. I grew up in El Paso and share L. C.'s enthusiasm fr the place. The view from Scenic Drive on a cool clear desert night is as good as it gets. And no Mexican food anywhere - even in Mexico - is as good as what you can get a scores of places in El Paso. When I was a teenager, one of our weekend activities was trying to find the tunnels. L. C., do you know the legend about them being marked with turtles in bas relief?
Of course one of my favorite things about my home town is how many wonderful authors come from there, LOL.
Earl,
I love your wants! If you do come to El Paso, please stop for a visit.
And thanks a million for wanting to read my book.
I'll know the results of the Scout Program and just a few days (3, I believe.) I'm as nervous as a kitten in a dog's den! Thanks for the good luck wishes.
Darn it. I wanted so much to call you Debbie, but at your request, I won't do that.
Thanks for reading the blog!
L. C.
Hi Mike!
I never knew you grew up in El Paso. What a small world!
I didn't mention scenic drive in my blog, but you're right. The view is breathtaking.
No, I never heard the legend about the tunnels, but I'd love the details. Can you e-mail me and tell it to me? If you don't have my addy, you can always contact me through my website. Thanks for bringing this up!
I agree with you. Since you're from El Paso, wonderful authors do come from EP!
L. C.
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