DANCING WITH THE GOLDEN BEAR

Mountain man Jedediah Smith leads an exploration party of fur trappers in search of wealth and adventure.

The third book in Blevins’ Rendezvous series, this one tells of Smith and his dozen companions finding their way to California through the Mojave Desert.  Blevins molds fictitious characters into the true l826-27 expedition. The trek is seen through the eyes of Sam Morgan, who has a beautiful Crow Indian wife and a pet coyote who steals a few too many scenes, including the one in which he rides horseback. On this dangerous journey, Sam and most of his companions face thirst, starvation, fevers, prejudice, cruelty and even death. Blevins writes a fascinating story in a time period not often explored.

—Phyllis Morreale-de la Garza