Katherine West-Penkwitz: Mother, Author, Advocate and Patriot Speaks Truth to Power.

“If you only go for the money, money is all you will have.” — Katherine West-Penkwitz, Handcuffs in the Sand.

Handcuffs in the Sand is an explosive adventure through time and the life of one woman named Katherine.

In her 2019 book Handcuffs in the Sand Katherine West-Penkwitz wrote, “My journey though now eons away remains a part of me forever. This all began at dawn on July 2, 1991, when a SWAT team, armed with sledge hammers, masks, guns, cameras and dogs burst into our spacious waterfront home by Boca Grande, Florida. They were accompanied by the Marine Patrol, US Customs and the DEA [Drug Enforcement Agency]. Terrified, I rushed to protect my rottweilers, Draco and Magic leading them quickly into the master bathroom… Instantly, Vinnie and I knew this morning would change our destinies.”

Katherine continues, “My whole life was upside down. Would I ever see home again? What was everyone going to think about this side of my life? Nothing brought me relief, not even my tears.

Since the raid on her and Vinnie’s Boca Grand home in 1991 Katherine turned her life around and became an outspoken advocate for prison reform and equal justice under the law.

While in prison Katherine asked, “Was the United States creating more broken homes with so many prisoners with such long sentences, while not rehabilitating the greatest percentage of addicts? Most of these people do go home eventually. Why not equip the with tools to fight the temptation to repeat the cycle?

The video below shows how Katherine, now living in Sarasota has become a true American patriot and not afraid to speak truth to power.

She has found her way through her strong religious beliefs and this is what drives her to do good, each and every day.

Katherine ends her book Handcuffs in the Sand with this profound statement, “Trying to be happy isn’t that what we all are trying to do? Wasn’t that what I was trying to do before my personal Inferno? I think I know how to do that better now.”

I highly recommend that you purchase both of Katherine’s books Handcuffs in the Sand and Cross of Isabella.