Wednesday, October 22, 2014


Kristy McCaffrey, Author

Canyon de Chelly and the Navajo

By Kristy McCaffrey

Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de shay) National Monument is located in northeastern Arizona within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Rock art and other excavations reveal human habitation for at least 4,500 years, encompassing not just the Navajo but the ancient Anasazi as well. In the 18th century, the canyon became a major stronghold of the Navajo—the high walls offered protection, and the streams helped grow corn crops and peach trees.

It was here that Kit Carson, under orders from James Carleton—governor and commander of New Mexico Territory—sought to purge the Navajo and relocate them to the Bosque Redondo in New Mexico. The Long Walk, an arduous journey which encompassed well over 50 separate treks led by the U.S. Army, occurred from 1863 to 1866. The accounts of death by starvation, sickness, or violence left an indelible trauma on the people. Although they were allowed to return to Canyon de Chelly in 1868, they would never forget this painful period of their history.

Today, the Navajo still occupy Canyon de Chelly, tending sheep and raising crops.


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CONTEST ALERT!!  Kristy will be giving one commenter an ecopy of COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND CALICO VOL. 2 as well as an ecopy of THE WREN, Book One in her Wings of the West Series.



Cowboys, Creatures, and Calico Vol. 2
~ Includes Kristy's short story "The Crow and the Coyote" ~
In Arizona Territory, Hannah Dobbin travels through CaƱon de Chelly, home to the Navajo, in search of a sorcerer who murdered her pa. Bounty Hunter Jack Boggs is on the trail of a vile Mexican bandito, but with the shadows of Hallowtide descending, more dark magic is at hand than either of them know.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON KINDLE

AMAZON PAPERBACK




The Wren
Captured by Comanche as a child, Molly Hart was assumed dead. Ten years later, Texas Ranger Matt Ryan finds a woman with the same blue eyes.



11 comments:

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Kristy, I just can't put those peach trees in Arizona, at least, not in my mind. That factoid just boggles my thinking.(Okay, that might not take much, but still...)
It's unimaginable, one group of people determining the way and the where another group will live. It goes against the number one thing this country stands for--liberty. I'm glad the Navajo returned home in a short time, but I can see how the brutality of the event would scar them for life.
I don't have the anthology, Cowboys, Creatures, and Calico, vol. 2 yet, but I know it will be an awesome read when I do.
All the very best to your corner of the universe.

Unknown said...

Hi Kristy,
I would love to read your Wings of the West series. The covers are beautiful! Best of luck!

connie.bowen@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi Kristy, a wonderful but sad article about the Indians. I just purchased a copy of Cowboys, Creatures, and Calico and get wait to read it. All the best to you.

Linda Hubalek said...

Such sad history, but so interesting to read about now.
Love the new covers for your wings series and would love to win one to start the series.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Thank you, Sarah, for having me at The Romance Room today. The Long Walk is really sad, but no more than all the other round-ups that affected Native Americans all over the West. What's extraordinary is that the Navajo were allowed to return to their homelands.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Connie, JoAnne and Linda--Thanks so much for stopping by ladies!! I, too, am much excited about the covers for my Wings series. Just love them. Have a great day, and I'll be back later to choose a winner. :-)

Lesia said...

Hi Kristy,
Thanks for writing books that give us history and romance. This is what hooked me on reading.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Thank you, Lesia. Always fun to combine history with a good romance. Cheers!

Cheryl Pierson said...

Kristy, late to the party, but just wanted to stop by and say how much I loved your story for CCC2. But I always really enjoy your mix of mysticism and romance!
Cheryl

Kristy McCaffrey said...

Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl! I was thrilled that you picked up my story for the Halloween anthology.

Kristy McCaffrey said...

The winner of the 2 ebooks is Linda. Congrats!!