Statehood of Affairs

2012 NEW MEXICO/ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS FINALIST<p>In 1911 New Mexico found itself at the center of a vicious international conspiracy that threatened its proposed statehood. The unjust commitment of a woman to an insane asylum reveals a plot to nd a missing document Article X of the Treaty of Mesilla-the Revert Document. Tensions rise as two nations position for legal control over the territory and soon the United States and Mexico are on a collision course toward war. If the document emerges before Arizona and New Mexico can attain statehood Mexico could legally recover those lost territories-thereby changing history.</p><p>On a more human scale the sibling rivalry between two sisters descends into criminal behavior with murder and mayhem and traitorous extremes. Adobe Centori a hero of the Spanish-American War arrives in New Mexico and becomes a statehood delegate. Aairs of the heart complicate aairs of state as women representing a range of political views compound Centori's challenges. His strongest opponent is Gabriella Zena-<i>La Guerillera</i>. They share true love but not the same side of the border as champions for New Mexico and Old Mexico.</p><p>History is made by people for people and <i>Statehood of Affairs</i> invites readers into the lives and struggles of these heroes-and villains-of the American Southwest's early days.</p>