A Post Falls author and producer with a passion and flair for Western culture has released a new book and will soon co-host a new show on iHeart Radio.

Anita Waggoner's new novel, "Dakota Wells," follows protagonist Dakota, a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery in the wake of personal tragedy. As Dakota finds herself in the heart of a small Western town, she confronts her past, rebuilds her life and discovers a new purpose along the way. 

Waggoner also penned such novels as "Charleston Cheat," "Myrtle's Story: Strong Western Women of the 1800s and early 1900s," "The Ranch at Huckleberry Ridge: Time Changes Old Friends When They Meet at a Montana Guest Ranch" and several more, which can all be found on amazon.com. "Dakota Wells" will also soon be available at the Well-Read Moose.

Her Western fiction works feature vivid descriptions of the American landscape and draw on themes of independence and survival. She described "Dakota Wells" as a celebration of life’s challenges and the power of determination.

“I wanted to create a story that inspires readers to believe in second chances and the possibility of new beginnings, no matter the hardships they face,” Waggoner said in a Sept. 9 news release. “'Dakota Wells' is a reflection of the struggles and triumphs that define us as individuals."

Wagonner, who has lived in North Idaho since 2019, told The Press her motivation for writing Western tales stems from being brought up around rodeo, cowboys and the Western way of life. Her grandfather was one of the original founders of the Omak Stampede and Suicide Race in her hometown of Omak, Wash. After leaving Omak in the late 1960s she lived in the Seattle area for many years.

"After a long-term marriage and divorce, I met an Oklahoma cowboy at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas, who invited me to visit him on his Freedom, Okla. ranch," she said. "I went for a visit and stayed 13 years, where I owned a 3,400-acre ranch, raised rodeo bulls that performed for the Professional Bull Riders and at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos from Madison Square Garden in NYC to Anaheim, Calif."

She was a PBR stock contractor for nine years.

"My greatest influence was my grandfather, Leo Moomaw; and my personal life experiences on my Freedom ranch and in the man's world of rodeo," Waggoner said. "I have many favorite stories of life on the ranch. Most all of them are expressed in my books."

Waggoner is also working on a film project, "Freedom," a Western drama/romance that draws inspiration from her personal experiences and life story.

Waggoner will begin co-hosting a new radio show with Russ Stevenson, "Russ on the Radio," from 6 to 6:30 a.m. on Tucson’s iHeart Radio KNST AM 790. She will be introduced by Stevenson during her debut episode Saturday. The show will be accessible to North Idaho audiences.

"We’ll dive right into a discussion on Freedom — one of the core themes of our show," Waggoner said.  

The new show will celebrate not only the concept of freedom but also the Western way of life, with guests including actors, singers, cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo and bull-riding celebrities and anyone with a compelling story or innovative idea to share, Waggoner said.

"I'm looking forward to this challenging and exciting opportunity to spread the word about my film 'Freedom,' my books and the Western lifestyle that I love," she said.

    The cover of Anita Waggoner's latest book, "Dakota Wells," available online in paperback and eBook format at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.