When cholera strikes San Antonio in 1843, Aurelia Ruiz discovers that she might have the power to heal—and also to curse. Meanwhile, Joseph Kimmel, a schoolteacher in Missouri and the son of a Polish Jew, learns of his brother’s death in San Antonio and sets off for Texas. On his way, a runaway slave steals his horse. After being rescued by Henry Castro, a man who is importing immigrants to populate his planned city, Castroville, Joseph agrees to marry a young Alsatian girl to save her from a Comanche chief who has demanded her. Then Joseph encounters Aurelia and becomes enamored with her.
Comanches, Tonkaways, Mexican vaqueros, immigrant farmers, and runaway slaves all play a part in Joseph’s rebirth as a rancher, but when a renegade band of Texas Rangers descends upon the ranch, everything changes.
My thoughts:
This book was just sort of depressing, yup a real downer. No one was made really likable either, yes yes it is good that people have flaws, but can't just one person be happy for like a minute?!
The story was, well it could have been good, but it really did not live up to its potential. It did not flow, it just came out in short bits.
I did sort of like Aurelia, but she is never really there, and you never get under her skin. You never get under anyone's skin.
Why did I keep on reading, eh, I wished for more, it was hot and I was too lazy to move from the lawn.
Paperback, 295 pages
Published October 1st 2007 by Soho Press
Historical fiction
Own