Describe Eileen Mulkerin. Who is Eileen Mulkerin? Why is she referred to as Senora, even by her children and close friends? What is unusual about the woman? Who is her family? What is her background? Write a complete character description about Eileen Mulkerin. Be sure to include her relationships with Jaime, Michael and Sean as well as her Irish beliefs and whimsy.

Describe the terrain. Compare and contrast the terrain as it is in the story with modern day California. What are the biggest changes? Is the Old One's cave still there? How did the search for gold change the area? How has Malibu changed? How has Los Angeles changed? Where is the political center of California? Is it the same as it was in 1844? How have natural events changed the landscape? How much of the region is still uninhabited? Explain.

Examine the history...