December 7 from 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m.

Join author and publisher Naida West, Ph.D., as she brings her California Gold Trilogy to Pilgrim’s Way. Historical fiction taking place during the California Gold Rush and inspired by the authors residence along the Cosumnes River. Each story takes on a certain point in time from 1824 to 1910, vividly told in such a way to bring history back to life.

Eye of the Bear: Book 1 – Grizzly Hair, a Miwok Indian, leaves his peaceful village in 1824 to investigate the mysteries of the Spanish missions. He’s captured and taken to Mission San Jose, where he escapes and participates in a huge native rebellion against government forces. This moving story of adventure and love brings to life forgotten native peoples, Spanish colonials, Russians in Fort Ross, and American trapper Jededdiah Smith.

River of Red Gold: Book 2 – Based on a true story, this is the California Gold Rush as you never imagined. The fates of Indian Mary, Elitha Donner (survivor of her father’s wagon-train disaster), and Pedro Valdez (a proud Californio) entwine in a drama of passion and power on the ranch now owned by the author. 1844-1853.

Rest for the Wicked: Book 3 – Set largely in Sacramento City and County (1893-1910), with segments in Oakland, San Francisco, and a hard-rock mining camp in El Dorado County, this novel continues the family sagas of the Sheldons, the Donners, and Indian Mary, and introduces new historical figures as well as the fictional Mae Duffy.

Seeking fame and fortune during a severe national depression, Mae breaks free of the poverty of the played-out Gold Country, only to be captured and confined by a corrupt Sacramento policeman. She flees for her life and stumbles into the corrupt world of the State Legislature, where girls are political favors. Charlie Rogue, the only staff to the majority party, introduces Mae to tycoons, political power, and imperial San Francisco, as well as Sacramento’s underground where illegal activities abound. Will Mae find her way to the good life she so hopes for? Pick up the California Gold Trilogy to find out.