Storykeeper

Winner of the 2013 Best Indie Book Award, Storykeeper is an epic adventure, based on historic sixteenth-century Spanish documents from the expedition of Hernando de Soto through the southern regions of the United States. However, the story is told from the perspective of the people of the Mississippi River Valley, who lived and survived America's deadliest invasion.

One hundred cold winters have passed since that first and only encounter with Europeans when Manaha, Mother-of-None steps before the village fire. Rejecting the taboos of her tribe, the old woman demands that the children be allowed to hear stories and the truth about their ancient homeland, decimated and abandoned not long after the Conquistadors departed.

Before Manaha can finish her first story, her fire is doused, and the listeners frightened away by Ta-kawa, a devious but respected warrior. He convinces their struggling tribe of survivors to reject Manaha and her stories. Manaha refuses to stop, even though her listeners must hide in the shadows. The only hope for the last essence of those ancient nations, their unique stories, and history to survive is with Storykeeper.