Review: EL DORADO BAY by Mary Schultz

A young U.S.-raised Mexico-born man brings only his hope, his complicated past and his chef’s talent to begin life anew in an isolated Mexican coastal village. When the wreckage of his past closes in, honor and love square off, and the fireworks begin.

Reviewed by: Celia

Rating: 2.5 stars

 

Review: The plan was to make El Dorado Bay Resort the most unique in all of Mexico. All David wanted was a job and forget the past he left behind. Born in Mexico and raised in the U.S, he aims to forge a new life to where his roots took shape.

 

Story depicted vibrant and colorful imagery of the Mexican landscapes; however, I felt the plot was somewhat lagging and ambiguous. I couldn’t see a clear lineage in the story. Where was it going? What was the point in all of it? Would we ever reach a definitive conclusion?  I honestly was lost by the whole thing.

Q&A with Philip Rivera

 

 

1.       What inspired you to write Suburban Luchador: Tales from Burb Side?

My inspiration for writing Suburban Luchador: Tales from the Burb Side was my sister who encouraged me to take my brief, humorous Facebook posts about life as a husband and father and post them to a blog for a greater audience to enjoy.  

 

 

2.       Where did most of the stories come from?

Most of my stories come from comical, slice-of-life scenarios from my misadventures as father, husband, high school teacher and whimsical thinker.

 

3.       In the summary, it is quoted that “[Suburban Luchador is the] everyday, luchador mask-wearing, suburban family man who's anything but common.” Could you please elaborate?

I consider myself a regular suburban man.  I water my lawn, pull the occasional weed, attempt and fail at various DIY home projects, take the kids to the park, and drive a 2014 minivan that I secretly believe is an illegal street racer.  I live in a fairly normal world, but my imagination adds a humorous spectrum to it.

 

 

4.       What are some of the main issues that you explore in this book and why did you explore them?

I explore issues of parenting, marriage and being a high school teacher of migrant students.  I chose these topics because they’re close to my heart and relatable to people from every walk of life.  I also find that misunderstandings between men and women and adults and teenagers are some of the greatest scenarios for humorous writing.

 

 

5.       What was the hardest part about writing this book?

The hardest part about writing this book was finding the time to write.  As a father of 3 young children, as soon I get home and the garage door rises, a Pandora’s box lies awaiting.

 

 

6.       What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

My hope is that my readers will find the joy and humor that is present in our everyday, mundane, life situations.  Because if you can’t laugh about accidentally drinking your son’s urine, what’s the point of living?

 

 

7.       What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

What I like best about being a writer is being able to share the whimsical, offbeat, and hopefully humorous perspective I have on life.  What I like least is performing this one-man sideshow to an empty or unresponsive room.

 

8.       Who are some of your favorite authors?

Some of my favorite authors are Jack Handy and Joel C. Rosenberg.

 

9.       If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main character? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

If my book were to become a movie, the role of Suburban Luchador would be played by Eugenio Derbez.

 

10.   Are you working on anything right now?

 I am currently working on Suburban Luchador 2: Suburban Luchador vs. The Big Gulp, the second round of ringside suburban stories.

 

11.   And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature?

As a Hispanic teacher working with migrant youth, I see the hope, imagination and resilience that lies within the upcoming generation. Although many of them grow up in poverty, what they lack in material wealth they possess in cultural riches.  Their families pass on to them the stories from their homeland; consejos about life, spirituality, family and relationships.  I believe these young people will weave these stories into every vocation they fill.  Ours is a culture of stories passed on from generation to generation, so I believe Latino literature will continue to be passed on through today’s young Latinos as they influence social media, academia, and the business world. Estamos en buenas manos!

 

For more info, visit http://suburbanluchador.com/

Q&A with Jennifer Brasington-Crowley

Jennifer Brasington-Crowley is an author, illustrator, artist and animal advocate. She is a graduate of E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and an advertising copywriter and graphic designer. She has been writing all of her life, from poems and short stories, to children’s books and now contemporary fiction.

She is the author of the Lyndsay and Lainey Lion children’s book series (www.sunnyvillezoo.com), as well as contemporary fiction The Woman Who Fell to Earth, Dolphin Song, and Dolphin Magic available for download from Amazon.com.

She currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and children, two dogs and three cats.

Learn more at www.sunnyvillezoo.com

 

 

1.       What inspired you to write Dolphin Magic: Love Goes On?

 

I published my first romance novel, Dolphin Song, in February of 2016. The ending was somewhat of a cliff hanger, and I had many people ask me to write the sequel. I admittedly did not want to write a sequel – I had finished the story of Janie and Christian. But after I published my second book, and still had people requesting a sequel to Dolphin Song, I relented. It actually became a joy to write after I decided on the angle I was going to take.

 

 

2.       How does this differ from a traditional love story (if it does)?

 

This story focuses more on familial relationships, and how our upbringing effects our life choices. The romance is quite accidental, and is almost a Shakespearean tragedy more so than a heart-warming romance.

 

3.       How do dolphins come into play, if at all?

 

There is a dolphin, a dolphin who made its first appearance in Dolphin Song, acting as a catalyst for change of the main character. In this novel, the dolphin represents hope. Its appearance occurs at desperate times, and again transforms the main characters, offering strength and courage.

 

 

4.       What are the intended goals of the main characters?

 

I want my characters to grow into better versions of themselves after having met the other person. I love how the people you meet in life transform you into the person you become, whether for better or for worse, but in the case of these characters, definitely for the better.

 

 

5.       What are some of the main issues that you explore in this book and why did you explore them?

 

I explore a lot about family ties in this book – how you are connected to family and why, and at what point do you get to make a decision on who you want your family to be. What are your familial obligations and how much do they matter when you are forced to choose between them and something better.

 

 

6.       What was the hardest part about writing this book?

 

The hardest part about writing this book was trying to fulfill my readers’ desire for a sequel, while trying to keep my own integrity and writing a story I felt deserved to be told. Once I had the idea, however, it was a pleasure exploring the characters and developing a story around them.

 

 

7.       What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

 

 I hope to bring emotions to my readers – whether it’s joy or sorrow, hope or despair, being able to move somebody with words is my goal

 

 

8.       What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

 

I love bringing characters to life. I am not an action/adventure writer. I love character development and being able to transform a character from the beginning to the end of the story. What I like least about being a writer is selling my goods. It’s difficult to be an introverted creative and put on a salesman hat and hock your wares.

 

9.       Who are some of your favorite authors?

 

I love Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allen Poe, James Herriot, and I recently discovered a contemporary author T. C. Boyle. I love rich characters and moving stories, and I love a wicked ending. I am not a happily ever after reader.

 

10.   If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main character? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

 

I think Gabriel Aubrey with his green eyes and wavy surfer hair would be a beautiful Christian, and Genesis Rodriguez would make a lovely Marina – gorgeous, scrappy and independent.  The part of Miguel would hands-down be played by Ruben Blades. Oscar Isaac (my sister-in-law’s – who greatly inspired the character of Marina - cousin) would play the luscious Jaime. It’s all planned out now, let’s make a movie!

 

11.   Are you working on anything right now?

 

I am always searching for my next story, for inspiration to hit me and get my creative energy flowing. But right now, I am focused on promoting Dolphin Magic until I get that surge.

 

12.   And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature?

 

I would think that with the advancement of Latinos in the entertainment industry, like television shows like The Walking Dead and its spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead, which feature prevalent Latino characters, that authors would be inclined to write with more Latino heroes and heroines. It is time for a Latino superhero, don’t you think?