Lionel GarcтАЩa is the author of four award-winning novels, Leaving Home (Arte P┼Уblico Press, 1994), A Shroud in the Family (Arte P┼Уblico Press, 1994) , Hardscrub (Arte P┼Уblico Press, 1994) and To a Widow with Children (Arte P┼Уblico Press, 1994), and a collection of autobiographical sketches, I Can Hear the Cow Bells Ring (Arte P┼Уblico Press, 1994). He is the recipient of the Texas Institute of Letters Best Novel Award and the Southwestern Booksellers Association├Хs Texas Literary Award. His work has received considerable critical praise, including comparisons by the Los Angeles Times to Gabriel GarcтАЩa MтАбrquez. Born and raised in San Diego, Texas, he currently practices veterinary medicine in Seabrook, Texas.