Twisted Cross

Teens

synopsis

Synopsis

In 1795, eighteen-year-old Salvador Tenorio and his best friend, Blas, embark upon the most adventurous journey of their lives, leaving their impoverished families and painful memories behind in Imperial Spain. On a quest to find adventure, the clever young Spaniard battles the demons of his past and religious uncertainty on an epic expedition to the New World.

Determined to make the best out of their challenging circumstances, they aspire to claw their way out of poverty. Sal and Blas discover more than they ever imagined as they witness the fragmented cultures of California’s native people. Tangling with corrupted padres and escaping from ruthless pirates, they realize that all that glitters is not gold. Sal and Blas must quickly learn the rules of the sea and the new western frontier—or die trying. Can Sal handle his own twisted secrets and rise from the depths of his past while discovering his own purpose in life?

bio

Author Biography

Dr. Perez Ferguson is a cross-cultural educator and consultant. Her fiction brings to life the voices of California inhabitants living 200 years ago. She has twice won the Best YA Fiction Award from the San Francisco Writers Conference, 2021 and 2022.

Regarding Broken Promises:

"The tightly wound plot flows effortlessly from one moment to the next.... readers will find themselves inspired by the future Sparrow creates for herself and those around her." — Kirkus Reviews

Her non-fiction promotes the voices of under-represented communities in the twenty-first century. This earned her the 2014 Lacayo Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. She is an Advisor and Former Chair for the InterAmerican Foundation and a former Visiting Lecturer for the Council for Independent Colleges. She enjoys living and writing on the Pacific coast.

website

Author Insight

New Year's Resolutions

Do you make the same resolution year after year and never really accomplish your goals? I solved that problem by changing my resolution. When I first imagined my character, Salvador Tenorio, my goals for the year began to revolve around him and his experience in the New World of the 1800s in colonia California. Writing his story, over the course of three historical novels, became my story. It was my means of thinking about life, past, present, and future. My New Year's resolution shifted to my goal of completing the trilogy, and now, to introduce it to readers everywhere. Salvadore's goals are different than mine ever were. But the challenges, fears, and limitations of my character are universal. Enjoy reading Twisted Cross, Golden Secrets, and now, Broken Promises. How might you change your resolutions this year? https://anitaperezferguson.com

Book Excerpt

Twisted Cross

“Why make this journey if that is what you truly believe, my son? We are all meant to help the others on the road,” Brother Daniel said. Salvador noticed his annoying habit of answering a question with another question. “You are excited to see the Catedral, no?”

“I’m not looking for any stupid relics or any ‘love thy neighbor’ preaching. I only want to see the riches of Santiago,” Salvador said. Would he be punished for speaking honestly? “Is it so bad to want wealth and new experiences—a clear path, a clean bed, even a clean robe?” He tested Brother Daniel’s patience, ¿y por qué no? he’d soon escape the control of the Brothers.

“Is this the only prayer you take with you into the Catedral?” Brother Daniel asked. “What if God has a job waiting for a strong, honest boy in Santiago? Would that be enough of a new experience for you?” Salvador watched him closely. Did Brother Daniel make fun of him? Sal wanted to be good, but every time he tried, someone, like Brother Santana, hurt him. Could God really understand the pain in his heart and still have use for him?

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Anita Perez Ferguson

Twisted Cross

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

New Year's Resolutions

Book Excerpt

Twisted Cross

Comment on this Bubble