The first of my "Mission Mysteries" is out. Ask for it at your local bookstore "A Convenient Death at San Diego."

Don't have a local bookstore? (They are an endangered species) You can get it on Amazon.

Also have finished "Stone Wondrously Hewn" The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Looking for a publisher on this one.

Just finished reviewing the "Galley proofs" for my first mystery. Perhaps it is really going to happen. Watch for it. A Convenient Death at San Diego.  Should be out from Oak Tree Press in September.

Also have been asked to write a history of the Monastery of the Ascension for their 50the Anniversary next year.

It's a done deal! I've turned the final copy of "When the Basque Ruled California" in to the publisher. Now all we need is copy editing and final proofing. It should be released next March or April. In plenty of time for Jaialdi.

In the process now of getting some permissions to cite some copyrighted works. Can never decide if it is better to do that, over a period of months as you write the book. Or, wait until the book is finished, then methodically go through your end notes and write for permission.

There are pluses and minuses on both. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

 

It's a done deal! I signed a contract today with Caxton Press to publish When The Basques Ruled California.

This book is an historical accounting of the era from 1784-1834 in California. While researching my last book Lands Never Trodden - The Franciscans and the California Missions, I uncovered an interesting fact. During that time, almost without interruption, positions of power in what was then known as Alta California were almost all held by people from the Basque provinces of Spain, or people of Basque descent. The Father President of the California Missions, The Governor of California, The Viceroy of New Spain, and the Commanders of various presidios were all Basque.

They put their very decided stamp on the territory when huge decisions were being made with regards to the future of the state, and in particular the future of the Native Californians who had been so impacted by the Spanish conquest.

This book will chronicle a very little known period of history from a very little known group of people When The Basques Ruled California.

It should be released next spring. In time for Jaialdi Boise!!

Watch this space for further development

The Franciscans didn't just build churches. They introduced agriculture to California, now the most agricultural of all the states.

They introduced grapes, wine pressing and wineries to this state which is the United States largest wine producing area. In fact, they introduced the States largest cash crop. Yep! You can thank a lot of Franciscan Friars in the 18th century for introducing hemp to California. Its Pravda!!

Mission Tour in October

In a word: It ain't happening. I guess that is actually three words but the bottom line is that the travel agency which was going to conduct it couldn't get enough interest.

That's the bad news. The good news? We are considering doing it as a Roads Scholar (The program formerly known as Elderhostel) If that comes about it should be a lot cheaper. Watch this space for further developments. I will keep you posted.

It's been a while since I have posted anything. Busy, busy summer. I expected my first "Mission Mystery"  A Convenient Death at San Diego  to be released in June but alas, the vagaries of the publishing gam. Perhaps in July??

Meanwhile here is a photo which will be a major element of the cover. (I think)