Renowned Cowboy Poet Baxter Black Praises New Rodeo Novel

Rodeo bullfighter Steve From's first cowboy novel, THE REINCARNATION OF BENNETT McKINNEY stops bestselling cowboy and Western poet 'in his tracks'.

CONTACT Marcia Schutte, Nonetheless Press, Phone 913.254.7266, Fax 913.393-3245, mschutte@nonethelesspress.com

In a glowing review by bestselling cowboy poet Baxter Black, "The Reincarnation of Bennett McKinney" by Steve From is praised as a clear and accurate depiction of life on the rodeo circuit.

Black, author of such popular works as "Horseshoes, Cowsocks & Duckfeet" and "A Cowful of Cowboy Poetry," credits From with describing "the turbulence and tension of an eight-second ride with the clarity of a stomach's eye view of a sea sick man!"

As true-to-life about the rodeo circuit as any novel on the market, the famous cowboy poet also writes that portions of From's triumphant first novel "stopped me in my tracks" and referred to From as a "good writer."

"The Reincarnation of Bennett McKinney" draws upon From's personal experiences as a bullrider and bullfighter, or "rodeo clown," in his story of five young cowboys hitting the professional rodeo circuit, competing in shows spanning Oklahoma to California. The book depicts the rodeo life's highs and lows as the five characters experience an adrenaline-rush of excitement, violence and pain while on the road. Their journey leads them on a search for truth and enlightenment.

"All of the characters in this book are based, at least partly, on people I know or have known," From says. "Bennett is based on my cousin, Kent From. He was a champion bullrider in the '70s."

Particularly impressive to Black was the book's fourth chapter, which tells of Bennett's tragic confrontation with a bull after he is bucked off in a rodeo stunt. Two of Bennett's friends feel helpless as they try to save the fallen bullrider.

"The violence in this book is real," says From. "And the pain is real and the repercussions and the emotions and the healing is real. Even the humor is real."

From began riding bulls at age 15 in Ogallala, Neb. After 22 years of bullriding, he began bullfighting with a friend in Australia. From received the Nebraska 2002 Bullfighter of the Year award.

To arrange interviews with Steve From or for more information about "The Reincarnation of Bennett McKinney," please contact Marcia Schutte at Nonetheless Press, 913.254.726 (toll-free 1/877.250.2665) or mschutte@nonethelesspress.com or visit www.nonethelesspress.com.