Patrick James O'Connor was born and raised in farming country south of Buffalo, New York, where he worked variously as horse trainer, farmhand, park ranger, waiter, septic tank cleaner, and social worker. In 1993, he worked as a congressional aide in the Washington, DC offices of New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. After studying English Literature at the University of Richmond, he spent a season hiking the Appalachian Trail before pursuing a degree in law. Then, while studying at Georgetown University Law Center, he joined a fact-finding expedition to Guatemala, where he spent several years climbing volcanoes with his dog, Jonah, and working on indigenous rights and environmental issues. He is currently a partner in the Miami law firm, Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O'Connor Albert & Dribin LLP, where he practices international law alongside his wife, Patricia, and, among other projects, works to procure the return of stolen Maya artifacts to Guatemala. The Last Will and Testament of Lemuel Higgins is his first novel.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOK LAUNCH/reception FOR TRISH DUDEK'S DEBUT NOVEL
TAIMA'S WOMAN

April 20th from 6pm-8pm

COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR TRISH!!
Margaret is not a conventional woman of the early-nineteenth century. She's not interested in pretty dresses and tea parties, but instead longs for adventure in the great outdoors. Margaret convinces her father, William, to seek opportunity in the fur trade business.

They embark on a journey that follows the Louis and Clark route along the Missouri River into Blackfoot country to trade for beaver skins. As she gains freedom from the social structures that bind her in the East, she doesn't anticipate the changes this new life brings. The travelers face an array of challenges from the weather, wild animals, and the native Indian tribes.

Margaret thrives in this wild country, where she catches sight of Taima, the Thunder Horse, who refuses to be caught. Together with Night Hawk, a warrior in the Black Horse Band of the Kainah Blackfoot, they both seek to capture this beautiful, wild horse. Night Hawk believes the elusive Taima will fulfill his dreams. He doesn't expect his plans-or his life-to be complicated by a Long Knife woman with similar dreams.

Margaret, Night Hawk, and Taima gain honor and strength from each other-a strength that is shared with the Black Horse Band-providing a link to the future that could have been.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Trish Dudek loves horses, books, and Native American history. This combination led her to write after she retired from teaching. She has published several children’s stories. On their farm, in her husband’s memory, Trish continues to operate Rivendell ReCreation Center, a not-for-profit therapeutic riding facility for children and adults in South Wales, New York. A portion of book sales will be donated to Rivendell. Contact Trish through www.rivendellrec.org.