Two books, two awards!

Fredric M. Hitt accepts his second Patrick D. Smith Award as "Best Fiction, 2008" for Beyond the River of the Sun. The May 22 presentation was made by Florida Historical Society President Dr. Jose Fernandez (left) and Executive Director, Dr. Lewis N. (Nick) Wynne (right) at the  FHS Annual Meeting in Sarasota. Judge Hitt received the same award for Wekiva Winter in 2006.

Beyond the River of the Sun*

A new Timucuan Chief emerges, a Christian. Soon the Franciscan missionaries are welcomed where they had feared to go, beyond the river of the sun, to the nations of Potano, Utina and even further to the west, to the land of Apalachee.
 

Pagan souls are saved, but still the seeds of discontent are sown: Old ways, legends and ceremonies are forbidden. The Indians are made into beasts of burden, carrying food to the starving Spanish colony of San Augustin. Thousands perish.
 

The aging Spirit Warrior, Atichicolo-Iri seeks to foment rebellion. He is laughed at and scorned by his own people, until a stubborn Spanish governor makes a miscalculation on how much the Indians will endure.
 

The year is 1656, and a fuse has been lit.

* Best Fiction, 2008. Florida Historical Society, Patrick D. Smith Award

Wekiva Winter*

Five priests are dead, brutally murdered by the people God had sent them to this dark land to save. One survived, the young friar who was enslaved and tortured, but who has refused to testify against the killers.

And what of Marehootie, the old Indian who speaks many tongues? Does he allow himself to be held captive? Is Father Pareja wise to use the old man in his language studies? What danger does he present to the priest, the mission and the young altar boy, Juan de Coya?

The year is 1602. The place is Mission San Juan del Puerto, where the ancient Timucuan River of the Sun flows into uncertain future.

* Best Fiction, 2006. Florida Historical Society, Patrick D. Smith Award

Click thumbnail picture to view map of 17th Century Florida