Overview

Having lost everything, Juanita Castro de la Cruz rides alone into the chaos of California's Gold Rush, searching for her missing son. After four generations of stability on her family's vast Mexican land grant ranch, she now faces unimaginable upheaval as her home transforms into an American state--one with an unfamiliar language, religion, economy, and culture. With no resources, Juanita must be fearless and inventive to survive in this radically changed landscape. Can she find her son amid the explosive growth of gold-fevered San Francisco and the rugged mining camps? Will her struggle to forge a new identity and build a sustainable livelihood lead her to the peace and sense of family she longs for? Unfamiliar Territory is a sweeping tale of one woman's determination and resilience against insurmountable odds during California's tumultuous Gold Rush and Civil War years.

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9798990674509

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Reviews

""Peppered with the diverse linguistics and culture clashes of the era, the narrative is an engaging portrayal of the period, and Juanita is a formidable, independent female lead. A historically informative tale of survival."" --Kirkus Reviews ""The novel's foundation lies in endurance and the fight against inequality, acknowledging the oft-glorified gold rush while honoring the men and women history books have largely left out. The power of a mother's love-and the heartbreak of harsh but necessary decisions-underscores this heartbreakingly beautiful story."" --Editor's Pick, Publishers Weekly BookLife Review "". . . delivers in unforgettable heroine whose courage and resilience illuminates every page. . . .The author writes with such compassion and clarity."" --Five Star Review from Readers' Favorite Reviews

Author Information

Mary writes fiction for both adults and children. Unfamiliar Territory, a story of one woman's journey through Gold Rush California, is her second work of historical fiction. Her debut novel, In This Land of Plenty--a family saga set against the backdrop of California history--was popular with book clubs and earned multiple awards, including the 2021 Fiction Book of the Year from BiblioLab's Indie Author Project (California), and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Western Fiction. She also has published a collection of contemporary short stories, Fertile Soil: Stories of the California Dream, and a bilingual children's picture book series, Tropical Tales. Before dedicating herself to writing, Mary had a fulfilling career in California public education, serving as a teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, grant writer, and educational entrepreneur. She played a key role in founding three education companies and a public charter school. She now divides her time between California's Monterey Peninsula and Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, where she continues the Castro/Brennan family saga and expands the Tropical Tales picture book series. For more information, including how to contact Mary for book club and school presentations, visit marysmathers.com.

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