Christopher J Fontenot

The Acadian Prairie - Maius Christopher J Fontenot

After years of conflict: deadly personal vendettas, the Vigilance-Anti-Vigilance War, and the Civil War, the Dupré, Frugé, Ortego, and Nightflower families struggle for survival in that part of Acadiana known as Prairie Faquetaique. Conflict continues to fester among the families of the prairie where cattle thieves continue to plague the region, new settlers continue to pour in, and even the prairie begins to change. From open range cattle farming, the petit habitants of the prairie must adjust to rice cultivation, the end of the open range, and the new settlers who are increasingly English-speaking Americans. Love and loss are a constant part of life on the prairie, and those who survive disease and deadly hatreds do so by holding fast to their faith and their families. Although old hatreds remain, Maius, the last surviving son of Theodule Dupré; Amelina Ortego, the surviving daughter of Emile Ortego; Olivia Nightflower, the mixed-race traiteuse; Clèmante Frugé; and Adèle Reed must survive the challenges and harsh life of the prairie as it changes around them.