Gumbo Life: A Journey Down the Roux Bayou,

Ken's much lauded social and cultural history of gumbo, is now available in a revised and updated  paperback edition from

Blair, a highly regarded independent publisher of Southern-centric novels, non-fiction and poetry.

"A mouthwatering culinary memoir"--Geraldine Brooks, mega-New York Times bestselling author of "Horse" and "People of the Book."

Order now! Amazon    B&N  Bookshop.org   Bookasamillion

Read the fabulous Economist review

 Also new, Ken's Christmas novella available on Amazon...    

                                                                                    A Christmas Tree Without a House

 The Tale of Sam and the Mysterious Joseph E.W. Pine

   (A Very Possibly True Story)

     Sam, a boy of seven who loves Christmas more than his own birthday, is slowly making his way through Albee’s Christmas Tree Farm searching for the best possible tree when he is diverted into the nearby forest by a very odd whistle. He is startled to meet Joseph E.W. Pine, a talking, 45-foot tall evergreen who has wistfully watched for years as Albee’s trees are chosen and taken home to be lovingly decorated. Sam and Joseph form an instant bond and Joseph confesses his lifelong wish: to be a Christmas tree himself even as he  admits the impossibility of such a thing given his size, puffy shape and the fact that he is rooted in the forest.

     But Sam, big of heart, thinks surely something can be done and crafts a plan on a snowy Christmas Eve to deliver a homemade aluminum-foil Christmas star and climb it to the very top of Joseph’s branches—thereby fulfilling Joseph’s dream. Wary at first for Sam’s safety, Jospeh gives in when Sam assures him he is a strong climber. But as Sam gains the top and attaches the star, a snowy day turns into a blizzard, threatening to trap him in Joseph’s branches.  Joseph is at wit’s end until Sam reminds him that a tree, once it becomes a Christmas tree, might have some magic in it.” Is that really true,?” Joseph wonders. “Am I really a Christmas tree?” Can Joseph summon some Christmas magic to save the day?

      “A Christmas Tree Without a House” mixes whimsy, wit and a dash of suspense to render a story that captures the spirit of Christmas; an uplifting tale of serendipity, generosity, friendship and the magical power of hope and belief to make dreams come true.  With ten beautiful illustrations,  the book will charm readers from five to 95.

What readers are saying…

“A precious story. Don’t change a word!” --Sally. C.

“Adorable. I couldn’t put it down.  A lovely chapter book to be read each Christmas.” –Chris K.

 "A delightful, whimsical, and heartwarming story that captures the essence of Christmas through the eyes of a curious and imaginative boy...This is a fantastic book if you like reading to kids or have children who want to be read to."--Teacher on Amazon

Buy it!!

Ken 's SwampDreams photopaintings.

Purchase these and others on my Etsy shop.

Narrative Non-Fiction and Anthologies...

Ken 's dad, Rex Wells', riveting biography of childhood and war...Buy on Amazon!