A fictional review of Father Serra's Legacy.

These novels tell the story of the founding of the California missions through the eyes of two 18th century youths. Timothy Beadle is from Sussex and his father indentured him to a ship's captain where he becomes the cabin boy. Jaimenacho is a Mexican Indian who survives smallpox and is found by two Franciscan friars on their way to take over missions founded by Jesuits. His Spanish supervisors learn Jaime is a skillful artist in wood, creating life-like images for the chapel.

Waves from a rare cyclone take Timothy overboard and washes him up on the shore of Baja California where Jaime finds and takes him to an Indian healer. The two quickly become friends and encounter Father Serra on his way to carry out the orders of the king to expand the Spanish empire into Upper California. Both are in awe of the little man's determination to carry The Word of God to the natives and how he ignores the severe wounds in his leg, limping through an unknown land amidst hordes of naked savages. Viewing Father Serra's faith and piety, the two willingly help, understanding how the friar from far away Majorca does everything possible to care for the Indians as a father cares for his children.

The Sailor and The Carpenter takes the reader through the journey in desolate Baja California to the shores of San Miguel Bay, the future site of Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

The King;s Highway takes the reader through the founding of the first 9 mission until Father Serra's death. The Missions Bloom takes the reader through the founding of the remaining of the 21 missions, Mexico's independence from Spain and the arrival of American settlers. Throughout all, one is introduced to the extraordinary faith and piety of the friars and their unending desire to bring the child-like Indians to The Church.

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About the founding of the California missions.

In writing my novels about the subject, I've conducted extensive research to ensure the material - while mainly fictional - is historically correct. I've come across lots and lots of interesting stuff which I plan to post on my blog.

Two posts I've already made were about the fearsome grizzly bears that roamed the state and terrorized the Indians, how Spanish tiles were first introduced, and the amazing adaptability and skills displayed by friars whose main education was in ecclesiastical in nature.

Anyhow, stop by, enjoy, ask questions, and comments.

Look forward to seeing you.