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Rachel Wagner, a professor of religious studies at Ithaca College, delves into the American myth of the "vigilante messiah" in her book "Cowboy Apocalypse: Religion and the Myth of the Vigilante Messiah." Wagner examines how this myth, rooted in Christian apocalypticism and the frontier myth, glorifies cowboys who violently subdued Indigenous peoples as heroes who ushered in a purified society. She connects this myth to modern American culture, including mass shootings and the Capitol insurrection, suggesting a troubling legacy. Wagner's study offers a thought-provoking analysis of a foundational American narrative and its implications for society. [Extracted from the article]

Rachel Wagner, a religion and philosophy professor at Ithaca College, challenges the idea of the "good guy with a gun" in her upcoming book, Cowboy Apocalypse: Religion and the Myth of the Vigilante Messiah. She explores the intersections of Christianity, frontier pioneerism, masculinity, power, and gun culture, highlighting how the gun can symbolize rejection of diversity and express white power. Wagner's work aims to deconstruct the cowboy apocalypse myth and prompt a critical examination of America's history of violence and white supremacy. [Extracted from the article]

"A.J. Pine's novel, 'Finally Found My Cowboy,' is a heartwarming romance set in Meadow Valley, California. After a career-threatening injury, showgirl Beth Spence moves to Meadow Valley and takes a job at a local vet's office. There, she meets veterinarian Eli Murphy, who is still grieving the loss of his wife. As Beth and Eli spend more time together, they fall in love, but face challenges due to their different dreams and locations. Pine skillfully combines grief and humor in this story, and fans of cowboy romance will enjoy it." [Extracted from the article]

This article is a review of the biography "Citizen Cowboy: Will Rogers and the American People" by Steven Watts. The book explores the life of actor Will Rogers and his role in helping audiences navigate the changes of a modernizing world. Rogers, who grew up in Oklahoma, found inspiration in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and went on to join vaudeville. He became known for his ability to bridge the Victorian and modern ages, injecting nostalgia for the frontier into early western films. Rogers also maintained an everyman persona through a syndicated column that critiqued urbanization and the white-collar class. The review praises the book for its use of Rogers's personal letters and historical context to illustrate his charisma and impact on his audience. [Extracted from the article]

"Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses" is a lighthearted debut novel by Katrina Emmel that tells the story of Riley Thomas, a West Coast transplant who relocates to Nebraska. Riley's family embarks on an Oregon Trail tour, where she meets handsome cowboy Colton Walker. Initially at odds, Riley and Colton grow closer as they traverse the trail, facing perils and familial tumult along the way. The novel explores romance tropes and features snappy banter and a push-pull dynamic between the main characters. The Oregon Trail setting provides an evocative backdrop for the story. [Extracted from the article]

In "Dirty Real: Exile on Hollywood and Vine with the Gin Mill Cowboys," Peter Stanfield explores counterculture films of the late 1960s and early '70s. Stanfield argues that actors like Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson embraced grittier personas that reflected a shift in the perception of movies as a means of approaching societal issues rather than escapism. The book analyzes key films of the era, such as Fonda's The Hired Hand and Bob Rafelson's Five Easy Pieces, highlighting their exploration of themes like female empowerment and the skepticism towards the privileged seeking an "authentic" lifestyle. Stanfield also critiques the lack of representation of black lives in these predominantly white films. Overall, the book provides a thought-provoking examination of the contradictions within post-flower power cinema. [Extracted from the article]

My Daddy Is a Cowboy is a picture book written by Stephanie Seales and illustrated by C.G. Esperanza. The story follows a young narrator and their father as they embark on a morning ride to the ranch where their horses live. The book beautifully captures the early morning atmosphere and the special bond between the child and their father. The illustrations by Esperanza depict the landscape and the duo's journey, while the father reflects on the joy and sense of strength that riding brings him. The characters in the book are Afro-Latinx. This book is recommended for children aged 4-8. [Extracted from the article]

Single mom Jessica Cook drags her daughter, Chloe, to Colorado's Turn Around Ranch, a correctional ranch for troubled teens. Though the ranch is at capacity, the staff agrees to admit Chloe if Jessica will fill the long-vacant position of ranch cook. As Jessica's culinary skills improve and Chloe warms to the horses, Jessica spars with cowboy Wade Dawson, whose family owns the ranch. [Extracted from the article]

Veterinary technician Delaney Harper's con artist ex-husband left her with practically nothing, but she's determined to take back the California land he illegally sold without her consent. The buyer, cowboy Sam Callahan, just opened a dude ranch on the land, fulfilling a lifelong dream but barely breaking even. The pair bond while taking care of the horses, even though Sam is determined to keep Delaney at arm's length, considering himself a bad bet because he may inherit his father's early-onset dementia. [Extracted from the article]

An interview with author Rebekah Weatherspoon is presented. Topics include that she delivers a Black Cinderella romance between struggling screenwriter Amanda and cowboy turned movie star Sam. It mentions that her parents sparking her initial interest in cowboys. It also mentions that Amanda faces a significant amount of fat-shaming.

At 15, wolf shifter Jared Black was falsely accused of murder and exiled from the Grey Wolf Pack. Everyone in the Grey Wolf Pack believes Jared is dead, including his first love, Maeve, the sister of Grey Wolf's pack leader. Jared, meanwhile, is still in love with Maeve, yet knows his secret plan to get revenge against the Grey Wolf Pack will break her heart, so he tries to keep her at arm's length. [Extracted from the article]

Ten years after Darla Michaels's husband died of brain cancer, she's still avoiding relationships, save for the occasional hookup with bull rider Ty Forrester. When Topaz Falls, the beloved local café, burns to the ground, Darla suggests a "Cowboy Christmas Festival" to raise funds for its rebuilding and asks Ty to convince Rhett, his obnoxious NFL-star brother, to come to town to take part in a bachelor auction. Darla agrees to play the role to spare Ty the embarrassment of coming clean and to ensure the café gets the extra money Rhett will bring in at the auction. [Extracted from the article]

Alexandra "Lexi" Murphy, now a divorced single mom, is still hurt over Cody leaving her without a goodbye 15 years earlier, but his father has become important to her, and she agrees to bury the hatchet so their bickering doesn't ruin Christmas. The attraction between Lexi and Cody remains undeniable, and they agree to one night together with no strings attached. Readers hoping for a heartwarming reconciliation will be disappointed that Cody and Lexi's relationship is carried more by physical than emotional connection. [Extracted from the article]

Marts (Caught Up in a Cowboy) expertly tugs at the heartstrings with a holiday contemporary that's sure to garner a tear or two from any romance reader. Harper is broke and desperate, and thrilled to land a job with rancher and hockey coach Logan Rivers. The approaching holidays promise joy and closeness, but when Logan discovers that Harper is keeping two major secrets from him, she fears the Christmas miracle she's hoping for might be just a mirage. [Extracted from the article]

Kennedy (Cowboy Summer) brings sizzling romance to small-town Wyoming as a rodeo queen returns to her hometown. One of the first people she sees in town is Teague Treadwell, a childhood friend who became the town bad boy and left Jodi brokenhearted when he slept with her and then rejected her right before she left for college. Though Jodi's heart is still raw, she needs Teague's help in finding horses to use in her riding clinic and reluctantly accepts his assistance. [Extracted from the article]