What an unforgettable evening celebrating Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women at Book Soup.
The launch was a tremendous success, filled with friends, film lovers, and champions of Western history. I was honored to be joined by the brilliant film historian and award-winning writer Courtney Joyner, the extraordinary Western filmmaker and historian Rob Word, and legendary Academy Award–nominated executive producer Howard Kazanjian. Having Howard in the audience was especially meaningful. We have penned several books together over the years, beginning with our first collaboration about Roy Rogers and Dale Evans—the King of Cowboys and Queen of the West.
Howard famously produced Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of my all-time favorite films. I first saw it in 1982 during one of the most difficult seasons of my life, while going through a painful divorce. That film lifted me out of a deep depression. I saw it fifteen times in the theater. It reminded me of adventure, courage, and hope. Fast forward twenty years: after I was blessed to win the Nicholl Fellowship with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—with Howard serving as one of the judges—he phoned and asked me to write a book about Roy and Dale. And so it began. It is remarkable how God weaves our stories together in ways we could never have imagined.
The staff at Book Soup were gracious and welcoming, and the technical crew with Book TV made the evening even more special. I’m thrilled to share that Daughters of Daring will be featured throughout the month of March on Book TV.
One of the most touching moments of the night, however, had nothing to do with Hollywood history. Among the attendees was one of my former Bible study students, Morgan Fowler. I didn’t recognize her at first—no longer the little girl who once sat on my lap singing songs about Jesus, but a poised and lovely grown woman. Seeing her filled my heart in a way that no professional accomplishment ever could. I’ve had the joy of teaching Bible study for many years, and moments like that are the true treasures of a lifetime.
“Children are a gift from the Lord.” — Psalm 127:3
Of all the things I have been blessed to do, nothing will ever match the privilege of telling sweet children about Jesus.
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate these fearless cowgirl stuntwomen and the legacy they left behind. What a beautiful night of stories—on screen, on the page, and in life.
