Todd Cook

Nueva California Todd Cook

This is published by Floricanto Press. www. FloricantoPress.com In 1775, young Diego Soberanes is considered one of the greatest and most charismatic singers to ever grace the stages of Mexico City. But a scandalous affair with a powerful officer's wife forces Diego to flee to remote Nueva California. There, Diego takes refuge at Mission San Carlos Borromeo, where he will serve under his spiritual idol, Father Junipero Serra. Though he believes he will soon return to the lights and glamour of Mexico City, it is not to be. Over the remainder of his 102-year life in Nueva California, Diego will experience love, tragedy and redemption, even as his life parallels the rise and fall of the California missions. Todd Cook has lived in Monterey for over 28 years, and in that time, acquired a deep interest in the Spanish history of the Monterey Peninsula. Most rewarding of his historical pursuits, were the two years (2006 through 2008) he spent working with the Carmel Mission Artifact Inventory Team. His previously published books include, Uncovered: The Lost Coins of Early America (2006), Madame (2011), The Bleeding Door (2015), and The Pirate History of Monterey Bay (2016).