The Sam Hotel, Setting of New Thriller, Hosts Local Author for Q&A

The Sam Hotel, Setting of New Thriller, Hosts Local Author for Q&A

HOUSTON'S OLDEST OPERATING hotel, The Sam Houston, was originally built in 1924, and sat vacant during the oil bust of the 1980s. While it has since been restored — and is now a few blocks from other reestablished Downtown hot spots like Market Square Park and the Theater District — the then-abandoned (and haunted?!) hotel of the '80s is the setting of a new thriller, Payback Jack, by local author Timothy Gene Sojka. Sojka will be at the hotel tomorrow for a book signing and Q&A beginning at 11am.


The suspenseful novel, published last month, kicks off with a politically charged assassination committed on The Sam's fourth floor. The main character, widow and estranged father Smith Driskell, kills child molester and murderer Rodney William Markum. Sojka, who is also an area real estate agent, first had the idea for the book after reading an article in the Houston Chronicle about a death-row inmate more than two decades ago, and has been working on it since.

Tomorrow's event includes a meet-and-greet and signing, followed by a hotel tour at 1pm, and a Q&A at 2pm; Texas-themed snacks and drinks will be provided. And The Sam is offering a package tonight and tomorrow night that includes a bottle of wine and complimentary valet parking.

People + Places
Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

Keep Reading Show less

Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle (photo from @alix_earle on Instagram)

WHILE HOUSTON IS still mourning the loss of Alex and Reagan Bregman’s move to Boston, a new power couple is about to touch down in H-Town. Influencer Alix Earle’s boyfriend Braxton Berrios was drafted to the Texans this week.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Marla Hurley, Ben Berg, and Laura Goodson

NEVER TURNING DOWN an excuse to dress up and get down, Houston VIPs descended upon Ben Berg's The Ranch Saloon & Steakhouse to celebrate the opening of the Rodeo's only sit-down restaurant, now back for a fourth year running.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties