By PRESTON LEWIS Categories: Western / Historical Fiction Publisher: Five Star Publishing Pub Date: August 18, 2021
Pages: 336 pages
Scroll for the Giveaway!
With Lincoln County teetering on the edge of lawless
turmoil, small rancher Wes Bracken avoids taking sides, but his goal is
complicated by his devotion to what he sees as justice and by his friendship
with William H. Bonney, who’s developing a reputation as Billy the Kid. As Lincoln County devolves into explosive violence, Bracken
must skirt the edge of the law to guarantee the survival of his family, his
spread, and his dream. But dangers abound from both factions for a man refusing
to take sides. Before the Lincoln County War culminates on the banks of the Rio
Bonito during a five-day shootout in Lincoln, Bracken is accused of being both
a vigilante and a rustler. As the law stands idly by, Bracken’s ranch is
torched, and his wife is assaulted by the notorious outlaw Jesse Evans.
Survival trumps vengeance, though, as Bracken tries to outlast the dueling
factions aimed at destroying him. At every turn Bracken must counter the devious ploys of
both factions and fight against lawmen and a court system skewed to protect the
powerful and politically connected. Against overwhelming odds, Bracken
challenges the wicked forces arrayed against him in hopes of a better life for
himself, for his family, and for New Mexico Territory. And throughout it all,
Bracken stands in the growing shadow of his sometime pal, Billy the Kid.
Preston Lewis is the Spur Award-winning author of 40
westerns, historical novels, juvenile books and memoirs. He has received
national awards for his novels, articles, short stories and humor.
In 2021 he was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters
for his literary accomplishments. Lewis is past president of Western
Writers of America and the West Texas Historical Association.
His historical novel Blood of Texas on the
Texas Revolution earned a Spur Award as did his True West article on the Battle
of Yellow House Canyon. He developed the Memoirs of H.H. Lomax series,
which includes two Spur finalists and a Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award for
western humor for his novel Bluster’s Last Stand on the battle
of Little Big Horn. His comic western The Fleecing of Fort
Griffin and two of his YA novels have won Elmer Kelton Awards for best
creative work on West Texas from the West Texas Historical Association.
He began his writing career working for Texas daily
newspapers in Abilene, Waco, Orange and Lubbock before going into university
administration. During his 35-year career in higher education, he
directed communications and marketing offices at Texas Tech University, Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center and Angelo State University.
Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor
University and master’s degrees from Ohio State in journalism and Angelo State
in history. He lives in San Angelo with his wife, Harriet.
From the author of the award-winning book A Delightful Little Book on Aging comes a new self-help memoir Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women. In her new book, Stephanie Raffelock liberates mold-defying midlife women, tired of the oft-inaccurate characterization of the “old crone,” to amplify the resounding strength within. Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability. None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.
In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.
Author Stephanie Raffelock reads an excerpt from Creatrix Rising
PRAISE FOR CREATRIX RISING:
“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.” -Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul
“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.”
-Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country
“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.”
-Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author
"We weave together tales of our past and present, helping us make sense of the ideal we strive for: the freedom to do life on our own terms."
Reading Stephanie Raffelock's book -- part memoir, part call to action -- was so powerful and empowering. Her fascinating life stories, and how she learned and grew from them, force the reader to reflect upon her own life stories and the people who helped mold her into what she is today. Raffelock reminds us that we can break those molds at any time or stretch them to fit who we want to be. But more importantly, Raffelock shows how women all have the potential to evolve and take their rightful places in the world by throwing out the horrible accepted norms and definitions of mid-life women.
I'm past the mid-life point, and Raffelock's pointed (and more subtle) questions she poses for self-reflection are ones I will keep revisiting as I continue to reinvent myself and grow.
Highly recommend CREATRIX RISING for ages 40+ women -- and for the men who are in their lives.
Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press – August, 2021). She also penned the award winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.
A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.
A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story. Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.
A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.
