Maria (Florida Trilogy, 1)

This is a historical novel set in a period of much political change. It is set in St. Augustine, FL, and starts in the summer of 1763 as Florida is transitioned from Spanish control and rule to the English after the British defeat the Spanish in Cuba for which the Spanish had subsequently traded all of Florida to keep the island. A decade later, the Colonies are starting to tire of Britain's continually higher taxes with no representation from the Colonies in Parliament. The revolutionary war ensues. East Florida felt little of this, still being a territory and not having obtained status as a Colony, other than the cutoff of trade - and being cut off from communication with loved ones in the Colonies. The impact came at the end of the Revolutionary War when Florida is handed back over to Spain and St. Augustine again comes under Spanish, rather than English, control.The key figure of the story, whose name is Mary but is called Maria throughout the book, is an industrious young woman from the Carolinas who accompanies her husband to St. Augustine when his division is sent there from Havana in the change of ownership in 1673. Maria proves her entrepreneurial abilities repeatedly, starting with her work as a midwife and, with her husband(s) becoming a land baroness. Since the story is real, so are the sorrows of life. She will marry three times and bury each of her husbands. But hang in to the very end. In the end, she finally finds the peace her first husband possessed that always amazed (and somewhat haunted) her.

So good I've read it numerous times over the years

Love this book. Eugina Price was a terrific author/story teller!

Found the story interesting and he history around the story filled I. Spaces if history I was in unaware of

This is a wonderful book; I couldn't put it down and when through I kept thinking about it over and over again. I was raised in Florida and familiar with many places named in the book. I have read quite a few of Eugenia Price's books and they are all quite grand and full of history of the southern areas of our country.

Living in FL my best friend and I used to go to St.Augustine every year so I was able to place myself in the places the book talked about and it made me realize how hard it was back then. I have not read the other 2 in the trilogy but will soon. Great book and I recommend it and a trip to St Augustine also.

This books puts you right next to Maria. You feel her emotions, faith, and her new found joy. Must read.

Its expensive hardcover and print is so light its hard to read..