47^th Star Blog

Excerpt from STATEHOOD OF AFFAIRS, an historical novel set in New Mexico

‘Statehood of Affairs’ is an historical novel set in New Mexico at the time of its struggle for statehood. Over the next two weeks we are publishing three excerpts from this newly released book by author Daniel R. Cillis, Ph.D. 

“Twenty-five hard riders enter Chaco Canyon heading toward Chaco Pueblo. The sky grows darker, and a ghostly strong wind creates a sense of peril. A mystical world unfolds, revealing strange, secluded ruins. The riders become increasingly aware of the canyon’s spiritual nature. Although hardened by war, they share glances of anxiety. The men are Mexican cavalry troops commanded by Colonel Jose Bautista Alvarado. Their colorful uniforms provide a stark contrast to the earthen tones of the desert. … It is the first time in Chaco Canyon for the men, but not for Colonel Alvarado. Resplendent in his uniform and officer’s saber, Colonel Alvarado is a tall, forty-four-year-old veteran soldier. Mounted straight and stoic on his stallion, there is nothing in the colonel’s bearing except a strong sense of purpose. Yet he has doubts about the number of men required to complete the mission. His force must be big enough for security yet small enough to avoid detection.

“The Mexican cavalry is a long way from home and is, in fact, an invader of the United States. If caught in the territory of New Mexico, the soldiers would cause embarrassment, at the least, for Old Mexico. Despite the risk, Alvarado, driven by duty and some sort of instinct, believes that the gravity of the mission outweighs the risk of the border-crossing. Ironically, his assignment is more about foreign policy than war. Alvarado carries an intergovernmental document that could exacerbate Mexico’s relationship with the United States and even change history.”

About the Author:

Dr. Daniel R. Cillis is a professor at Molloy College in New York where he teaches behavioral science for business. He has taught at the University of New Mexico as an adjunct instructor and was featured in Rio Rancho Magazine. Dr. Cillis has published academic articles on management and leadership, including Intel, New Mexico: Organizational Stakeholder Issues. He is a U.S. Army veteran and lives in New York City and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Book Reviews:

If you like mystery, romance, history, fiction or non-fiction, Statehood of Affairs has something for you. If you like all of the above, then you hit the jackpot! It even has a little comedy to enhance your reading. An excellent read! You will enjoy taking a journey back to New Mexico’s territorial days for a fascinating account of events leading to New Mexico statehood. New Mexico is celebrating its Centennial anniversary in 2012 and this book is a perfect read for a different view of what might have occurred during that time. A very clever premise by the author! (Statehood of Affairs review from Amazon.com)