River of Gold

Don Willerton has lived in New Mexico for several decades, climbing its mountains, rafting its rivers, hiking its mesas and valleys, exploring its caves, wandering its art markets, and learning its history. The land and the people are his inspiration for stories, and he values the spiritual and mystical qualities that the Southwest exudes. In particular, he is fascinated with stories, people, and legends of the Old West.

He is the author of the Mogi Franklin Mysteries, a series of middle-grade mystery stories that feature the country, culture, and history of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The first book of the series, THE GHOSTS OF THE SAN JUAN, won First Place in the Middle Grade or Young Adult novel category of the 2001 Southwest Writers Contest. It also won a Juvenile Fiction Finalist award from the NM/AZ Book Awards 2017. The second book THE LOST CHILDREN, won that category.