Coming of the Storm: Book One of Contact: The Battle for America begins in the company of an exiled trader and his pack of dogs during their travels. Black Shell, the trader, is able to move through the lands of various Indian groups under the Power of Trade. His dogs are his family, his protection, and his pack animals. Other than his dogs, he is alone. He is trading through Florida as usual, until he meets a beautiful woman named Pearl Hand and until he hears about the Kristiano visitors; whom he is literally dying to see.
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Black Shell is of the Chicaza clan but he was banished after telling others he heard the voice of a Spirit Being named Horned Serpent. His people were sure he had lied. After being banished from a people who are known to be superior warriors he could only support himself through trade and gambling. Being a trader, he was able to travel onto the lands of all Clans; even those who war with the Chicaza.
Black Shell desires Pearl Hand the moment he sees her. His desire is unlike the desire of men who wish to own her. But she is a possession of the Irriparacoxi leader of the village he has just entered. She has been the possession of a variety of different groups of people. The only way Black Shell can be with Pearl Hand is to win her in gambling.
Pearl Hand is an exquisitely beautiful woman. Her beauty makes her the target of all men who wish to own her. She wishes to leave the Timucua Irriparacoxi and the village. She wants to be free.
Even if Pearl Hand is freed from her Irriparacoxi owner will she able to be free while De Soto is alive and pillaging the area?
Read more reviews for The Battle for America; Book One on Amazon here.
Why I Enjoy Historical Fiction Novels
My knowledge of history is limited. Native Americans in North America and Europeans did not make first contact when settlers came around the time of the Mayflower landing, as I had thought. They made first contact long before that. One of those times was when the Kristianos led by Hernando de Soto, Spain, came into Florida in 1539. That information surprised me.
De Soto led a brutal expedition from southern Florida into Arkansas. His military was considered the most advanced at that time. He arrived in Florida via ships and traveled across the region with a huge number of soldiers and staff. He took slaves, which he considered temporary and easily replaceable. They labored in metal collars and chains until the couldn't then they were brutally killed. His army with guns, metal swords, lances and other tools of war easily cut through the Indian warriors village after village. De Soto decimated village after village. He was, in large part, looking for gold.
Part love story, part epic tale of survival against the odds, part mythical miracles, and part historical lesson, this book kept me engrossed. And I learned just how little I truly know about the beginnings of the country in which I was born.
Authors W Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
I was introduced to author W Michael Gear when I read his western series Saga of the Mountain Sage. I highly recommend that story. I enjoyed it so much that I recommended that series to a co-worker who is extremely knowledgeable about history and enjoys reading. He read it and loved W Michael Gear's writing and knowledge. My co-worker then read The Battle for America series by Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear and told me that it is a must-read.
That was a lot of rambling to try to say that these books are written for both people like me, who know little about history but would like to know more, as well as people who are history buffs.
These books sound fascinating. I have always had an interest in this country's Native Americans, having grown up in an area surrounded by Indian names. I have also lived in Florida, so the setting of this book appeals to me as well. Thanks so much for your review and recommendation, Dawn Rae.
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I love history. Funny how I didn't like history class in school (all the dates, name memorization and stuff was boring to me). Traveling, visiting sites and museums, gave me a greater appreciation for world history, as well as American history. While this book would most likely sicken me to the depths of my soul due to the horrific treatment, I am sure I would love the fiction story wrapped around the very real historical facts. Thank you for the review and recommendation!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really engrossing and a very fascinating read. Thank you for your review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an extremely compelling series, although like Sylvestermouse the horrific treatment and slaughter perpetrated by do Soto and his staff and soldiers would absolutely sicken me. Like her, I disliked history as an academic subject (mostly because of the emphasis on wars), but love learning about history outside the classroom. Thanks for the excellent recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI love any book that expands what I thought I knew! There is so much to learn about and this series sounds really interesting! Thanks Dawn Rae!
ReplyDeleteWhoah, this sounds so good. There are so many little facts you outlined in the review I wasn't aware of - I often, try to imagine life hundreds of years ago, and how hard it had to be - and wonder how people could endure.
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