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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Juana Briones: a California Heroine (Deepest Roots of the Heart)

by Chautona Havig · 18 Comments

DROTHcoversmAnother research gem that I unearthed while writing Deepest Roots of the Heart was an amazing Californio woman, Juana Briones.  I do not remember Briones from my study of California history.  I don’t know if she simply wasn’t included or if somehow I missed her (I suspect the former), but this is one seriously amazing woman.

Juana was married to a Mexican cavalryman–a drunk abuser, no less. After receiving a church sanctioned separation from him (practically unheard of from what I can find), she moved onto her own property (modern day Palo Alto) with her children (she had eleven, including an adopted native child, but I don’t know if all of them were alive at that point), and ran her own ranch.  She was an herbalist–a healer.  In fact, she traveled to Marin county in order help with the smallpox epidemic there.

But the thing about Briones that astounds me is her legal acumen.  She managed to do what almost no other Californios did–keep her lands.  While her fellow ranch owners lost their ranchos to squatters after the annexation of California to the US, Juana held onto hers.  Then, when she finished with that, she fought for her husband’s property after his death–all the way to the US Supreme Court!  This amazing woman inspired me in so many ways.  I used her in this novel in a completely fictionalized way. I found no evidence that she helped with a smallpox outbreak in Napa or Sonoma counties, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that she could have.

Juana will make more appearances in book three of the Legacy of the Vines series.  I can’t wait to get to know her better.

 

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Filed Under: New Release, Writing Tagged With: Deepest Roots of the Heart

Previous Post: « Historical Surprises: Deepest Roots of the Heart
Next Post: Amelia’s Interview: Deepest Roots of the Heart »

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Comments

  1. Tristan says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Shared on Facebook today.

    Reply
  2. Carol Paine says

    January 21, 2015 at 2:49 am

    On facebook last night

    Reply
  3. Jackie says

    January 20, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Shared on fb

    Reply
  4. Virginia says

    January 20, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    Done!

    Reply
  5. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    I got my reviews posted! Loved it!

    Reply
  6. Lucinda says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Shared on FB 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cathe Swanson says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Shared it on facebook!

    Reply
  8. Lora says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Shared on FB

    Reply
  9. Jessica S says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Shared on FB!

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Shared on facebook.

    Reply
  11. MS Barb says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    I shared on Facebook!

    Reply
  12. Jen Harris says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Shared on FB! Love this story, too. Reminds me of the stories of some of our pioneer woman ancestors in Tennessee who were known for keeping “the law” off their land “by force of arms”. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Sharon B says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    shared

    Reply
  14. April says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    I shared it!

    Reply
  15. Brenda says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    shared and pinned…

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Miles says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    I posted to facebook. So excited to have a chance to read another fantastic book by you!

    Reply
  17. dhbarbara says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    shared 🙂

    Reply
  18. Penny Dunn says

    January 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Pinned it. Still trying to get it to post to Facebook.

    Reply

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Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
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 Oh, wow.  When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book.  Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!  

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When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato… sniff). I can’t wait to see what she coes up with next.

 House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they’re willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

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