Amazon.com description: Product Description: When the Spanish settlers first arrived on the shores of La Florida, they would soon be immersed in one of the most dramatic struggles in human history. At first Florida seemed so inviting: a tropical wilderness would soon yield riches rivaling the bounty of gold and silver that treasure ships already brought back from Mexico and South America. Even better, the primitive inhabitants would quickly become Christians and happily cultivate a cornucopia of crops and food animals for the tables of Europe.

No better man could King Phillip II pick to lead the Enterprise of Florida than fearless, swashbuckling Pedro Menendez de Aviles. But Menendez and his men soon found themselves confronting fierce and fearless native Americans who had been part of a proud kingdom older than Spain itself.

The Cross and the Mask chronicles the clash of religons, weapons and wills as a documentary novel faithful to actual dates and events. Through the eyes of the Spanish Menendez and the Calusa King Calus we see two perspectives that led to the death and devastation for both peoples.

Winner of the Florida Historical Society's Patrick Smith Award for best historical fiction work. Silver Prize by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association for year's best adult fiction.