Publisher's Synopsis
"Thorn of Bexar" is the authors' first novel. It is tautly written fiction, but rich in historical detail about several powerful men and one mixed-race woman who helped shape 19th Century America. While some fought to expand a new nation, others fought to keep their historic empire. Some battled for human dignity while some just liked a good fight. This is a story about people of many nationalities, races and persuasions in convergence and conflict - and about one woman who wielded more historical influence than she ever knew. With Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France and the American victory over the British in the War of 1812, the most formidable obstacle to a growing United States that could one day stretch from sea to shining sea was Mexico. Its dominance west of the Mississippi conflicted with America's expansionist strategy, eventually resulting in the 1836 war for Texas Independence and the Mexican-American War of 1846. Legends grew around men and events of the period. Andrew Jackson, David Crockett and Sam Houston famously left their marks on history. General Lopez de Santa Anna, charismatic, self-proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, became the villain. Jean Lafitte and his protege, Renato Beluche - infamous pirates, fought for the US in the Battle of New Orleans. Neither the heroes nor the villains were as illustrious, or as incendiary, as their legends would have us believe. And one heroic woman, Emily Morgan West, has existed in relative obscurity until now, perhaps because, as a female of mixed-race, historians largely ignored her. Yet she almost singlehandedly changed the course of Texas history, and her striking appearance inspired one of America's enduring folk songs.
