Simiakia by Lori Windows
Simiakia by Lori Windows, a champion endurance rider, is a modern western that combines adventure, romance, and the search for pride in oneself
Simikia, the first novel by champion endurance rider Lori Windows, now available from Endless Sky Books, is a modern western (set in the 1980s in Idaho) that combines a deep love and understanding of horses (specifically Appaloosas) with adventure, Native American identity, the search for pride in oneself and one’s heritage, and a touch of romance.
“After fifty years of newspaper articles, magazine articles, and short stories, seeing my name in print attached to a work of my heart, a full novel, thrills me beyond belief. My friends say it is autobiographical,” says Lori Windows. “That may be true, but I am more related to the coydog in the story than I am the heroine.”
“I’m delighted to be able to publish this exciting and ultimately life-affirming modern-day western,” says Edward Willett, editor and publisher of Endless Sky Books. “I can’t wait for readers to discover it. I hope they enjoy reading it as much as I did.”
Simiakia can be ordered through most bookstores, online or off. It can also be purchased directly from Endless Sky Books at www.endless-sky-books.com.
More about the book
It was not whimsy that had brought him together with this red horse to run this race. It was the justice of time.
Raised without hope or pride in his heritage to what promises to be a short life of crime, alcohol, and drugs, Nez Perce teenager Al George gets an unexpected second chance. A heist gone wrong ends up with him working on probation at the very Idaho ranch he and his “friends” tried to rob, owned by Celia Bolt, who left her own rich-but-dysfunctional family to move West many years ago, and the taciturn Morgan Kyles, who has his own checkered past.
Over the course of the summer of 1986, Celia and Morgan work out the thorny details of their relationship, while Al regains his pride and his sense of self as he works with the ranch’s signature Appaloosas, finds love—and finally, through a deep bond with one very special horse, reconnects with his Nez Perce heritage and discovers the truth of his strange, recurring dreams of an Indian brave on a very special horse, striving to protect his people from the soldiers pursuing them.
For everyone involved, one summer changes everything.
Praise for Simiakia
“Lori Windows brings horses and the special coy dog, Cantar, to life in her writing . . . as the plot develops, the growing self-confidence of the young and displaced Nez Perce character, Alicut George, is revealed. He learns to endurance ride on Folly and care for an orphan foal named Gambler’s Hand. Interspersed throughout are Alicut’s flashback dreams about his Nez Perce ancestors as they attempted to escape the US Calvary . . . The strength and endurance of the Appaloosa horse were instrumental in their arduous journey and connect Alicut to his past and his identity. Female characters are dynamic and strong . . . romance is sprinkled throughout, and the ending is satisfying. I love reading about horses, especially where animals are not just props, but are characters in the story!” – Gayle M. Smith, Award-Nominated Author of Thickwood
“Simiakia is a very good read. The character development is excellent. You really become invested in the outcome for each character. It even brings in some telling issues about prejudice among people rich and poor, dogs, and horses. All in all, it keeps your attention to the final words.” – Roberta Harms, champion endurance rider
About the Author
Lori Windows grew up enamoured of the writings of Grey, Brand, Terhune, London, Burroughs, and Farley. Her father set her on a horse when she was two years old, and she has now ridden horses on six continents.
In 1982, she discovered the sport of distance racing. She and her variety of horses and mules have amassed multiple national titles and more than 63,000 sanctioned race miles.
