Jane Long of Texas: 1798-1880 - Paperback

by Neila Petrick (Author)

A novel based on the true-life story of a woman who shaped Texas history by playing an instrumental role in the Texas Revolution.

Regarded by many as the "Mother of Texas," Jane Wilkinson Long is curiously absent from most history books. Now, this painstakingly researched novelization reveals the fascinating life of the little girl who would grow up to become both a spy and revolutionary in Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.

Against her family's wishes, the wealthy and headstrong Jane, at the age of sixteen, married Dr. James Long, a veteran of the War of 1812, who hoped to use his wife's fortune to build an army to conquer "Tejas." In fighting for his lost cause, Long lost his life in Mexico City. His wife, extremely suspicious of the circumstances surrounding his death, set out on a quest to solve the mystery. Her mission would soon lead her into Texas . . . and into the annals of history.

Back Jacket

Rarely mentioned in history books, Jane Wilkinson Long is nevertheless regarded by many as the "Mother of Texas." As such, her exciting life has become the stuff of legend--and now, of this fascinating historical novel.

To the manor born was Jane Wilkinson, and with her family name came powerful political connections, money, a spirit of adventure . . . and an amazingly strong will. When Jane fell in love with the dashing doctor James Long, her loyalty was total. Against her family's wishes, they married when she was but sixteen.

Doctor Long, a veteran of the War of 1812, used Jane's fortune to build an army to conquer "Tejas." Jane was left behind, but she would soon follow.

Before Jane was twenty-two, her life changed forever.

Long's cause was doomed, and his death in Mexico City was a mystery that Jane was compelled to solve. Her bold quest swept her into Texas, and there she stayed--playing an unexpected role as spy and revolutionary in the fight for independence from Mexico.

Her quest also carried her into the folds of history as a patriot and role model who even today should be revered and emulated.

Author Neila Skinner Petrick has loved the Southwest since childhood, when she heard marvelous stories of early Texas settlers. A video writer and producer, Mrs. Petrick has won national and regional awards for her work. She lives in Dallas with her husband Tom, who helped her greatly in creating Jane Long of Texas. This is her first novel.

Author Biography

When she was a young girl, Neila Skinner Petrick enjoyed hearing stories about heroes, particularly those early Texas settlers and North American pioneers who took adventurous strides to shape our nation. Now she presents the stories she loved to hear as a child in Jane Wilkinson Long: Texas Pioneer, a story about the Mother of Texas, a rebel who fought for liberty against the unpredictable Mexican government. In her newest book, Katherine Stinson Otero: High Flyer, she captures the spirit of the fourth American woman licensed to fly. Appealing to the child in all of us, Petrickís heroines inspire us with their resilient courage as they fight against insurmountable odds to reach their goals. Petrick's writing career began when she served as writer and photographer for the Corsicana (Texas) Daily Sun. She also held the position of editor for the Italy (Texas) News-Herald and worked for the Dallas Morning News, where she started off as an editorial assistant and moved on to become writer-editor. In addition, she served as lead publication information officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), providing information for the media in times of crisis. An accomplished author, video writer, and producer, Petrick has won national and regional awards for her work, including the silver medal at the New York Film &Video Festival, the Associated Press Managing Editors Award for writing, and two Matrix awards. Petrick received her bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her master of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Texas in Dallas. Since the 1990s, Petrick has served as a writer-producer for the news media, entertainment field, and numerous corporations. She lives in McKinney, Texas, with her husband, Tom.