In Texas, from the windswept High Plains to the legendary ranching empires of the Gulf Coast, from Hill Country family farms to the urban canyons of Dallas and Houston, cowgirl has evolved as a style, an attitude and a state of mind. And Lone Star cowgirls know how to party. Making it easy, and in good taste (in every sense) is a pocket-sized, new book. Texas native Christine Gardner, event planner, caterer, food writer and TV cook, has rounded up 11 menus for festive Texas-style occasions from casual to luxe, along with blueprints for presentation and planning. From a Fourth of July Fish Fry to a Yellow Rose Garden Party, a Boots & Bling Barbecue or an haute-Texas Cattleman's Cocktail Party, Gardner offers cowgirl entertaining with ease and style. More than 80 recipes for contemporary Texas temptations like Watermelon-Lime Rickey, Big Bold BBQ Layered Dip, Crawfish-and-Cornbread-Stuffed Mushrooms, Shrimp Tostadas With Grapefruit Salsa, Bourbon-Braised Short Ribs, Grilled Green-Tomato Caprese Salad, Banana Bread Trifle and Dark Chocolate Sheet Cake offer plenty of ways to express your inner cowgirl. An entertaining and enticing cookbook. Chef, caterer and cooking show host Christine Gardner of Palestine, Texas, is the author of this pocket-size recipe collection. More than 80 recipes are included in the menus for 11 Texas-themed parties, such as a vintage bridal brunch, a Sunday church potluck, a Fourth of July fish fry, a wild game gathering, and a cattleman's cocktail party. Each party event includes an introduction setting the scene and six to eight menu items. Of course, readers are welcome to simply pick out their favorite items and create their own party menu. -- Glenn Dromgoole --San Angelo Standard-Times Awesome! Gardner's recipes also reflect an eclectic sensibility --AAA Texas Journey Magazine Christine Gardner, who grew up a city cowgirl in Dallas, Tyler and Houston and now lives in Palestine, earned a journalism degree at Texas A&M University, then graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts after apprenticing in Sorrento, Italy. Food editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph for four years. When she s not looking after two horses, three Longhorn on 25 acres of Piney Woods, she does a weekly cooking show on Tyler s CBS affiliate TV station.