Divine Average

Western historical fiction which emphasizes the chasms that language and tolerance developed between the pioneering Texans and those they usurped, the Indians, Spanards and Mexicans. For it is Range Templeton who soon learned to hate all those he did not understand, whose control of his violence led to cold, vicious killing, and who ought land and fortune rather than happiness at home with his devoted Luvisa. He is the pitome of border might makes right. And Luvisa, who conceals her Spanish heritage, her small gesture of helpfulness to her distant relatives, the Sandivars, who tries to ease he relationship of Range and his wilful daughter, Laska, lives out her life trying to reconcile Range's driving passion for land with the love he has for her. And Range, with Laska married to the son of The Hawk, a raider he had mercilessly murdered, and with her twin, Luke, gone forever with Marina Sandivar, after Luvisa's death is truly empty handed. There are other characters to remember and scenes that come alive to round out an absorbing picture of Texas in the early 1800's. -- Kirkus Reviews