The Rancher Before Stilettos

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By SB Borcy

Marcia Williams Cromer presents The Rancher Before Stilettos as a celebratory origin story that celebrates resilience, identity, and sisterhood, with heartfelt elegance and vibrant insight. This prequel is a rich tapestry of growth and connection that illuminates the journey that shapes its captivating protagonist, Zaide Grace.

Cromer's writing is characterized by a profound sense of warmth and authenticity. Her narrative seamlessly transitions between the vibrant energy of New York City and the quaint charm of small-town Texas, evoking the emotional significance of each location. She creates a narrative that is both intimate and expansive by utilizing crisp, evocative imagery and grounding dialogue to reveal character through daily rituals and meaningful interactions.

The novel delves into the core themes of self-discovery, friendship, and transformation. We observe Zaide's courageous transition from the ranch to the city and the development of her relationship with Sasha Rollins, which is founded on mutual understanding and shared aspirations. The narrative explores the power of a chosen family, the tension that arises when one enters unfamiliar territory, and the awakening that occurs as a result of accepting one's potential. These themes are both timeless and contemporary, as they are pertinent to the universal experiences of evolution and belonging.

Empathy and occasional joy are employed to guide readers through Zaide's internal struggles and external challenges. From an emotional perspective, the book provides a satisfying combination of introspection and hope. It is intellectually significant because it illustrates the subtle courage necessary to redefine one's path and the complexity of reinvention. It is a narrative that lingers, encouraging us to contemplate our own turning points and the friendships that sustain us.

The significance of The Rancher Before Stilettos lies in its exploration of personal authenticity and interpersonal connection, which transcend the boundaries of romance. It is not merely a prequel; it is a declaration that each friendship has its own power and that each beginning has its own value. Cromer urges readers to commemorate the minor yet significant changes that have a profound impact on their lives.

About the Author

Marcia Williams Cromer

Marcia Williams Cromer is a native of Huntsville, TX, and began writing early in life. "Everyone has a story to tell," Marcia says. "They only need to be asked. Even the shyest person will open up." People are a constant fascination for her… their successes, trials, joys and sorrows have always fascinated this self-confessed "addicted people watcher."

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in English, her professional career includes corporate marketing, communications and project management for employers including NYNEX Mobile Communications, Verizon Wireless, Citigroup as well as Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Marcia is an expert in visual communication and rhetoric, design of print and online documents, and cultural implications in technical and business writing. She has published corporate communications for wireless telecom, financial and health care industries. In 2007, Marcia took her corporate skills and launched her own marketing firm, Virgo Events & Productions.

Her latest book, The Rancher in Stilettos, is a romantic novel based on a group of six black women whose relationship spans their entire lives. They met as children in the small Texas town where they grew up and forged a bond that would last a lifetime. Though not biological, "The Dreamers" are sisters in every sense of the word, and when life struggles present themselves, the women form their "Dreamers Circle" of protection against outside forces. You can't stereotype Zaide Grace and her friends. Try to put "The Dreamers" in a box and they will decorate it with every color and invite the world in for a tour.

When she has time outside of her work commitments, she loves to travel the world, meeting new people and hearing about their experiences. An important aspect of her life is family and friends. Marcia refers to herself as the "crazy glue that holds us all together." Her first book of poetry, "Go… And Find Yourself Some Happiness," is a tribute to her late paternal grandmother, Maggie Williams, a role model from whom Marcia continues to draw strength. Marcia also serves as president of The Cecil and Bernice Williams Scholarship Fund which offers annual support to deserving students in honor of her parents who were life-long educators.