Mateo and Petra seek to hold their children close, but secrets and violence push them apart. Ángel, the eldest, seduced by city life and a Yori woman; Luz, brave and stubborn, determined to broker a fragile peace; and Cheve, born with a cleft that marks him as ugly—and magical.
Set against the prolonged terror of land-grabs and the cruelty of colonizers, it is the story of family, love, and the desperate struggle to bind them.
Deer Dancer marries Yaqui myth and Sonoran history, perfect for readers of historical fiction and indigenous-centered tales. Readers will lose themselves in a world of Yaqui magical realism à la Juan Rulfo and Miguel Ángel Asturia.
Richard J. Gonzales writes novels and non-fiction books about Latino history and culture. He has written hundreds of articles on Latino topics for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as a columnist. His books were published by University of North Texas Press and Sleeping Panther Press. He has BA in English and Master of Science in Social Work, both from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a licensed master social worker in Texas. He has spoken extensively about Latino history, culture, politics, and economic issues impacting the Latino community. The National Association of Social Work North Texas chapter honored him with the Public Citizen of the Year for 2026 award for his community work, advocacy, and writing. He is bilingual (Spanish-English), bicultural, and a third-generation Chicano. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has lived in North Texas more than 50 years.