Legend at Lanana Creek

by Keith R. Rees

Part 2 of 2 in the series about the classic legend of twin Indian brothers from the Caddo tribe whom Nacogdoches, TX and Natchitoches, LA were named for. Legend at Lanana Creek is the tale of the courageous chief of the Nacogdoches Indians. It's a story about the incredible events involving his tribe that lead to the establishment of a Spanish mission in 1716, in what would be become Nacogdoches, the oldest settlement in Texas.The legend has been told for centuries about how twin Indian brothers were instructed by their father, on his deathbed, to take their tribes and travel for three days in opposite directions. The future of these two brave men, Nakahodot and Natchitos, culminates in the founding of the oldest settlements in Texas and Louisiana, Nacogdoches and Natchitoches. This is a companion story and sequel to the 2007 novella, Legend Upon the Cane. Where that story followed Chief Natchitos, Legend at Lanana Creek follows the life of Chief Nakahodot. He leads his tribe on an arduous trek fraught with peril, but they are rewarded with their new home set in a peaceful area of the Piney Woods between two tranquil streams called Lanana and Banita Creeks. Here they encounter French and Spanish explorers over many years as well as facing natural disasters, famine and other hardships. They also witness the introduction of Christianity to the area by Spanish missionaries.These missionaries are led by Domingo Ramon and the fearless Franciscan priest, Father Antonio Margil de Jesus. By an ironic twist of fate, they are also joined by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, the French explorer who had established the post at Natchitoches only two years before in 1714 alongside Chief Natchitos. The efforts of the three men would result in the historic establishment of the mission called Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in 1716, which would later be the foundation for the settlement called Nacogdoches.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

Keith R. Rees is a best selling author, motivational speaker, and host of Here is the News. He has been writing independently for over 28 years now. He has just released the sci-fi adventure, the 4-part 2095 Series. Also Part 2 of the One Night Trilogy, HOT NIGHT IN BUDAPEST was just released in 2023. It is the first sequel to the 2018 sci-fi novel, ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK. In 2022, the paranormal romance and time travel murder mystery, 8 DAYS ON MAUI was released. In July 2021, he released science fiction adventure, 2095, and also his first children's book for young readers, called THIS ENCHANTED OLD RUIN. In early 2021 he also released the historical fiction epic, BEATIFIC. 2020 he released LEGEND AT LANANA CREEK, the sequel to the 2007 historical classic, LEGEND UPON THE CANE. He has always been a fan of science fiction, particularly stories that involve time travel. He likes to write stories that have a realistic or human side to them.

Reviews

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Legend at Lanana Creek is the second in a series, it can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel of historical fiction. The book centers around the establishment of a Spanish Mission in 1716 in what was to become the city of Nacogdoches in Texas. The chief of the Nacogdoches Indians had twin sons, Nakahodot and Natchitos. This is part of their story.

The novel is based on the legendary story of the great chief telling his sons that with his death, they must take the tribe and divide it between them, then take their respective halves and travel three days in opposite directions. This is a story of the wisdom of the chief that was passed down to his sons and the difference they made in the developing states of Texas and Louisiana. The journeys of the two tribes are often harrowing as they find their new homes far from each other.

Rees does an excellent job of researching the history involved and weaving a tale that supports the historical findings. The story is told in an engaging manner that allows the reader to feel what it might have been like to live through this journey. This is an outstanding read of adventure and the early days of Texas.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, to me, was not as good as the first book in this series of two.
While I enjoy the writing style of Mr. Rees, I felt like this book moved along in slow motion.
Some of my favorite genres are Texas historical fiction and Native American historical fiction and this book was both. Sadly, I just could not get into the story.