A New Beginning: The Smoke of One Thousand Lodge Fires

by Steven G. Hightower

NOW AN AMAZON #1 BEST SELLER!A New Beginning/The Smoke of One Thousand Lodge Fires, Little Creek Publishing Co. All rights reserved To My Readers, Our Heroine, Topusana (Prairie Flower) awakens in a hidden cavern in the Texas Hill Country after having survived an attack on her Home Camp. During that battle Topusana is herself rescued from captivity by her husband Tabbananica (Voice of the Sun). The year is 1844. The Native American couple, along with a handful of survivors, escapes not into hiding, or a secret land, but into the “Dream Time.” Topusana, after seemingly sleeping in the hidden cavern only a few days, awakens to a world she has never seen or known. A beautiful story of survival and triumph unfolds as Topusana (Sana) adapts to the incredible obstacles to which she has awakened. She will move from the stone-age, into the modern world over a period of a few short months. With the help of a handful of characters whose lives are filled with integrity, grace, and kindness, a new world and time begin. Narratives of actual events and battles are intertwined throughout the book. The historical record that is brought will transport readers into the fascinating history, and heartbreaking destruction of the Comanche Nation in Texas. (Think Dances with Wolves) What is fresh and different about the work, is the creative mystic twist of what I call “The Dream Time.” Here is a powerful story of a Native American people possessing the faith, gifting, knowledge, or “Powerful Medicine,“ to transport Comanche survivors into a different time, thus enabling a decided alteration to our history. Will that history repeat itself? This is a story, an epic Native American Tale encompassing romance, mystery, suspense, tragedy, and the universal human struggle to simply survive. The story takes place within a modern western setting, (Think Yellowstone) providing a unique and entertaining read. The novel will in fact allow the reader to escape, the focal point I believe in our endeavor as storytellers. Steven G. Hightower

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2020

Reviews

[Gary Gallucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface, the premise of this book sounds a bit far-fetched. It's 1844 and some members of a Comanche tribe that is being slaughtered by Texas rangers takes refuge in a hidden canyon. There, the medicine man from that tribe uses strange powers to place all of them into a deep sleep. They awake in the present day on property owned by David Ross and his wife Abby. The first to awaken is a young woman named Topusana (Sana). She is astounded by her new surroundings, but eventually works up the courage to approach the house owned by the "white settlers." Abby readily befriends Sana and teaches her the English language. The story then focuses on the injustices of the past, with Abby and David trying their best to right many of the wrongs done to the Native Americans. This is the kind of story that tugs at the reader's emotions and sympathies for the plight of people who just wanted to be left alone by greedy interlopers so they could live off the land and enjoy its natural bounty.

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is well written with very good character development. There are some good insights into Comanche traditions. The book is set in West Texas Hill and the story line moves from the 1840's to present day via "Dream Time". I was a little dubious at first but the plot moves along well and keeps one's interest. There is some sadness and violence with a good mix of story telling intertwined with actual historical events. I recommend this volume and I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.

[Texanita S. Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steven G. Hightower's book "A New Beginning: The Smoke of a Thousand Lodge Fires" is a very good read. His characters are very believable and the plot has enough 'twists and they'd to keep your interest high. I got sucked into the book in about chapter 3. And there is quite a bit of history that is true. I enjoyed this book. I give it two thumbs up.

I chose 5 stars because of how well the book held my interest. And I really liked the main characters. They were believable.

[Anita DiMatteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story!

I truly enjoyed reading this book! Had a hard time putting it down for sleeping and or doing anything else. So well written! Thank you for writing this beautiful story.
Ps, I rarely write reviews of felt the need after finishing this book.

[Jenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting concept but weakly executed... poorly written, badly edited, predictable outcomes, and flat characters. Plus a little heavy on the old, white guy vibes with subtle anti-environmental digs.

[Debi Whitmire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Thanks so much for this book. I felt like I escaped into a long journey. Take out time for this one!

[Ralta Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading reading

This book was a very thought provoking read, I definitely recommend it. Great story! Great reading for anyone interested in Native American lore and culture.

[Sherryl Sants · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story teller!

The story elegantly unravels the story and history of a great people. It clearly connects the generations and makes the reader believe of the possibilities.

[John Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire trilogy. Nicely told, nicely interwoven stories. Yes, it's a fanciful premise, but it's nicely told and features characters, both good and bad, as they most certainly would be today.

[Karen Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating tale of the history and the future of the San Saba Comanche tribe told from a different perspective that will keep the reader interested and entertained.

At first, I was confused about the story line and where it was leading, but the further I read, the more interested I became with the characters and their lives on the West Texas plains. As with any historical story involving Native Americans and the white man, there are battles and wars causing sadness and death, but the author has created a fascinating twist that adds to the mystery and eventual resolution of the tribe’s situation in modern times. Patience is required throughout to keep up with the different interwoven roads the plot takes, but it is very much worthwhile. Even when you think all is lost, it turns out for the best. As in life, nothing is perfect, but things resolve for the best.