Illinois Authors

Mabel Publishing 2023

At the onset of the first World War, E.G. Lewis wielded his outsized charm and entrepreneurial spirit to attract legions of women to move across the country to build a new American dream in Atascadero, California His new city, envisioned to rival Los Angeles and San Francisco, targeted the millions of subscribers to his national women's magazines who longed for a utopia designed for progressive women and their families. However, Atascadero's unrivaled success soon attracts conspirators from his past, threatening to destroy all he's built. With vultures circling, E.G. Lewis fights not only to keep Atascadero alive but also to preserve the one relationship he most cherishes -- his marriage. His only salvation comes from the smart, capable women in his circle, reminding the world never to underestimate a city of women.

Mabel Publishing 2022

Company of Women is based on the exploits of one of America’s most entrepreneurial minds at the time of the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. By promoting a woman’s right to vote, Edward Garner Lewis built a women’s magazine empire that spanned the country until a conspiracy – all the way up to President Teddy Roosevelt – threatened to destroy it all. We first meet Eddie as a young and charming door-to-door salesman who dreams of one day starting his own legit business and leaving his snake oil past behind. But when his beautiful new bride unexpectedly gets sick and hospitalized, Eddie has no choice but to risk the little savings they have to afford her care and go back to his cunning ways. With a flashy new idea, an abundance of smart women in his circle, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Eddie begins a transformation from desperately hustling potions on street corners to a wealthy, high-stakes entrepreneur. His appreciation and respect for women lead to a billion dollar idea – a precursor to today’s credit card – allowing rural women to finally enter the economy and shop securely via the mail. As his wealth, power, and success continue to grow, new temptations challenge his friendships, family, co-workers, and, most importantly, his marriage. Soon Eddie’s expansive power and progressive views threaten men at the highest levels of the country. But, no matter how powerful a traditional workforce, government, and society may be, Eddie’s story reminds the world of one thing… never underestimate the company of women.

Mabel Publishing 2024

One hundred years ago, Red Grange became more famous than Babe Ruth and sparked the original debate as to whether college athletes should be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. At the height of the Roaring Twenties, college football star Red Grange craved normalcy. He longed to finish his season, earn a degree, settle down, and start a business career. Ever modest and shy, Red was poised to achieve his quiet dreams until he scored four touchdowns in the first 12 minutes against undefeated Michigan (the reigning national champions), and sportswriters across the country anointed him the greatest football player of all time. Red’s extraordinary feat is still regarded by Sports Illustrated as the most unforgettable single-day performance by any athlete. Catapulted to a level of fame beyond even Babe Ruth, Red didn’t know where to turn. His girlfriend, coach, friends, family, boosters, and the fledgling NFL all craved a piece of him. With swaggering confidence and a silver tongue, C.C. Pyle, America's first sports agent, dangled before Red an alternate destiny. As the final game clock ticked down, Red struggled to appease those he loved without sacrificing his soul. All the while, his decision played out against the glittering, raucous backdrop of a decade of flappers, jazz, and speakeasies known as the Golden Age of Sports. ----- With appearances by Charlie Chaplin, Chicago Bears owner George Halas, New York Giants owner Tim Mara, and several other 1920s celebrities, including an eight-year-old JFK, whose father, Joe Kennedy, produced two movies starring Red Grange, The Golden Age of Red is a fast, entertaining work of immersive biographical historical fiction that will resonate with sports enthusiasts of all ages, and especially those following today’s almost daily changes regarding the compensation of student-athletes.