Blood of the Dragon Tree, the saga of Congo Julia by Michael Ritchie
BLOOD OF THE DRAGON TREE The Saga of Congo Julia The haunting rhythms of native Batá drums and the dark mysteries of Santeria cast a spell over newspaper reporter Mac McKinney as he uncovers the 200-year Saga of African princess and Santeria priestess, Congo Julia. Taken violently from her home village in the Congo by…
BLOOD OF THE DRAGON TREE
The Saga of Congo Julia
The haunting rhythms of native Batá drums and the dark mysteries of Santeria cast a spell over newspaper reporter Mac McKinney as he uncovers the 200-year Saga of African princess and Santeria priestess, Congo Julia. Taken violently from her home village in the Congo by Spanish slave traders and transported on a ship of human misery, Congo Julia survives and grows while working at the Estanoz tobacco plantation in Colonial Cuba. In 1858, her saga takes her to Key West, a rough but burgeoning town of seafaring wreckers, spongers and cigar houses. Now, though long dead, Congo Julia is pursued by ghosts from her past and reporters from her future– as her saga carries her home.
“The best of historical story telling”
Five Star Review on Amazon By Brian G Harrison
Could not put it down. A princess slave girl who learns to be a master cigar maker from a leper! The best of historical story telling. Can’t wait for the follow up.
About the Author
A Key West resident for more than two decades, Michael Ritchie served as political reporter and associate editor of the original Key West The Newspaper. He was also editor of the Key West Morning Star, which he helped found with Michael Halpern and island legend Hilario Charlie Ramos, Jr.
Ritchie is a novelist and historian of the Cuban Revolution. Blood of the Dragon Tree is the result of more than six years of research and writing. His Keys best-selling novel Cayo Hueso/Cuba Libre is available at Amazon.com and on Kindle, as well as other e-outlets.