Apache Lance: Franciscan Cross [Paperback]

Florence Byham Weinberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

In the year 1731, three Franciscan missions are struggling to establish themselves on the San Antonio River despite Apache raids. A young missionary, Fray Marcos, and an Apache woman warrior, Ahuila, fall in love. They must work out their fate in the face of cultural conflicts and prejudices. "Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross" explores a crucial time in San Antonio history, featuring courageous settlers, missionaries, Indian converts and fierce Apache attacks. The story will appeal to history buffs, especially Southwesterners. Plot is fast moving with powerful emotions, action, love interest, suspense, accurate background and landscape.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a wonderfully lifelike cast of characters with definite personalities who will pull you into their world..." --Anne K. Edwards, mystery author and reviewer for In the Library Reviews.

About the Author

A native of New Mexico, she traveled as an 'army brat' in World War II. Travels continued after marriage to scholar/critic Kurt Weinberg in Canada, France, Spain and Germany. After earning her PhD, she taught for twenty-two years at St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY, and for ten at Trinity University, San Antonio. She continues to travel and write books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Twilight Times Books (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933353449
• ISBN-13: 978-1933353449
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,257,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Southwest History Buffs, January 1, 2006

By 

Kathleen Muldoon "Writing Instructor" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apache Lance: Franciscan Cross (Paperback)

Weinberg has written a fast paced story of the founding of three of San Antonio's historic missions. While the main characters are fictional, Weinberg's research is impeccable as applied to the setting and background for Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross. If you like learning history while at the same time being entertained, don't miss this novel by Florence Weinberg, a rapidly rising star in San Antonio's literary community.

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting novel of historical fiction about a Franciscan Friar, Fray Marcos, and an Apache woman warrior, Ahuila, August 11, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Lance: Franciscan Cross (Paperback)

"Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross" is a riveting novel of historical fiction about a Franciscan Friar, Fray Marcos, and an Apache woman warrior, Ahuila. Set in the area of the San Antonio River in 1731, this tale of both the clash and attraction of two cultures is sure to transport its readers. Author Florence Weinberg is writing in her element, which includes a vast and studied background history of the American Southwest, particularly the San Antonio area. She has also taught and traveled in Canada, Germany, France and Spain, in addition to teaching French and Spanish at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N. Y., and Trinity University in San Antonio. The complexity of the underlying cultures, both Native American, (multi tribal including Apache, Comanches, and others), and European (including French and Spanish influences), is fully explored in this well- researched historical novel. Characters are more than believable, there is a fascinating love story, and action is packed with portent. If you like historical novels, you will love "Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross." But even more, if you appreciate a fine historical novel built on absolutely faultless research, "Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross" will draw you in as surely as a hummingbird is drawn to its blossom. This is a fine example of the genre, one of the best of its kind. In addition, the reading of this book will help to preserve Las Misiones, a group of four colonial era Spanish mission churches in San Antonio built during the 18th century. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of the book go to Las Misiones Capital Campaign, led by Old Spanish Missions, Inc. to restore the churches of Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, and Mission San Juan. A form for voluntary donations is found at the end of the book, or those who are interested may contact Las Misiones Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 28410, San Antonio, TX 78228.

4.0 out of 5 stars Apache Lance, January 7, 2006

By 

Anne K. Edwards (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apache Lance: Franciscan Cross (Paperback)

Something different and something definitely worth reading. A tale of two people from the two cultures that dominated the American southwest at the time that Spain lay claim to it.
Ahuila, an Apache woman, comes into contact with the Franciscan monks who are working to establish new missions in her tribe's territory. She is drawn in particular to one called Fray Marcos because of his golden hair. Hiding her identity, she joins the group and watches him and bides her time. She plans to offer him as a sacrifice to her father's spirit.
Fray Marcos was a former member of a minor aristocratic family until he felt the call to serve God. Much against his family's wishes, he joined the Franciscans and was sent to serve in the Spanish territories in the New World. He notices Ahuila watching him and begins to worry about his own feelings. Such feelings can cause him to be forced out of his Brotherhood.
This is a tale I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It offers a look at several conflicts that would have occurred during this period between cultures and the individuals from those cultures. Talented author, Florence Byham Weinberg has created a wonderfully lifelike cast of characters with definite personalities who will pull you into their world and make you believe it could have happened exactly like this. I'm glad I had the chance to read it.