Reviews: WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Summary: With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary . . . especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn't be further apart.

One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia-a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession-and local celebrity Chloe Chavez-a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.



Reviewed by: Celia
Rating: 3 stars


Review: I liked the way it started—very gripping and honest. I totally understood Star’s desire to live her life for herself first and foremost before settling into anything. I especially liked how the author rendered both sides of the complicated love/hate relationship of Star and Theo in a zany, confusing “tug-of-war” way (they basically wanted to love and hate each other at the same time.) The love that Theo had for Star was endearing yet overwhelming (who wouldn’t freak out at the sight of wedding brochures?) Yet he was a good guy, perhaps too good for Star. My first impression of her was that she was a whiny, selfish brat that expected everything to be done for her without doing anything to earn it. Seriously, what did Theo see in her?

Almost every character (particularly Olfie) in the story succumbs to the belief that crafts are the answer to life’s problems and that they make the world happy and perfect. I felt that the whole idea was kind of surreal and unimaginable; it was like believing that a round of Candy Land will turn everything into lollipops and marshmallows. Don’t get me wrong. Crafts can be an art form that can reflect one’s spirits and identity, and, yes, they can even bring a little happiness. Clearly, that was the message the writer wanted to convey with much success—perhaps too much success.

The book was filled with flawed and diverse characters that can annoy you at times but you can definitely relate to. To put it better, they all intertwined together like colored thread with loose ends and tight knots.

Honestly, the story didn’t get good for me until about 2/3 of the way when the “truth” comes out on everyone. The drama was so flavorful and exciting that I couldn’t sit still for the most part.

Ultimately, the characters had to find their true “crafter” to see who they really wanted to be, and I think it all came together pretty well in the end.

 

Review: DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ by Belinda Acosta

Summary: All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter's life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban's departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn't want to tarnish Carmen's childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she's going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it...





Reviewed by: Sandra L.
Rating: 5 stars

Review: The first thing that grabbed my attention was the writing style. It brings you back to the days of Mexican gatherings filled with música, cerveza, y carne asada with a telenovela blaring in the background. I especially liked how the author sprinkled in Spanish throughout the story like chile over brown rice—it definitely gave it that extra kick. It was almost like the book was written in both English and Spanish; I’d say it was about 85% English and 15% Spanish. In fact, it was almost as if my abuela had told this story with her broken English and (loud) Spanish expression.

The title definitely served the story well. This was the “damas and dramas” of Ana Ruiz with the pain she suffers from a broken marriage and the devastation she endures when her daughter looks at her with hate. And all Ana wants to do it fix it, and, for some reason, she feels a quinceañera will do it. Was she crazy? Was she trying to be mean by pushing the idea? No, she was just desperate—desperate to reconnect with her daughter, Carmen, and make it like it was before. Very heartfelt—but, again, crazy!

Carmen was a brat. It was unfair how she was so angry at her mom without getting all the facts straight. And why was everyone (her brother, her cousin, her tía, etc.) being so nice to her when she would just roll her eyes or snap at them with a smart-ass comment? That would frustrate anybody.

I liked how Ana got all giddy and nervous around Montalvo (especially when he took his shirt off) because it showed that she was still a woman, a young girl in “mom” costume. It was great that she could see a partner in him—not as a lover, per se, even though they were painted as a compatible couple throughout the story, but as a friend who’s gone through the same thing she is. It’s true what they say: misery likes company.

The plot was so well done that you can feel all the anger and pain of each character (they all have their personal demons and hidden skeletons.) It is a roller coaster ride of surprises with such a fervent impact that make the reader laugh, scream, and even throw up a little. A gripping read.

One minor thing I found a bit odd at first was how the author would deviate from one character’s setting, thoughts, and dialogue, and then transition to another character’s thoughts and feelings all within the same paragraph. Additionally, the story seemed to have been told in a fortune-teller kind of way; not only do we hear the story as it happened—as it was witnessed—but we also learn of what becomes of everyone years in the future. This definitely pushed the traditional fly-on-the-wall narration, but, somehow, it worked, and a masterpiece was born through unorthodox methods.

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Latina Double Book Giveaway!

We are hosting a giveaway for not one book, but two books!

In Search of My Destiny by Irma Reyes Herrera

 

Heartwarming and inspiring, In Search of My Destiny tells a story about true family love. A wonderful tale that portrays the strength of the human spirit and proves that there is strength in unity, and highlights the special bond between parents and children. It is the story of a woman who lived her life in two different cultures. She lived her childhood and adolescence in a small Mayan village in Guatemala, Central America, where the customs were drastic and dramatic. When she became a single mother of three small children, she lived in California, where she faced a different culture, where she made a promise to herself that she would survive the struggle for those years ahead and achieve the triumph in the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of her and her children. Though she faced many challenges in life, she persevered in search of love, peace, happiness, and family union. Readers can witness her fascinating story unfold in In Search of My Destiny.

 

 

 

 

Tree of Sighs by Lucrecia Guerrero

 

After the sudden and tragic death of her parents, Altagracia faces an uncertain future with a bitter and secretive grandmother. When the two sink into poverty, the young girl ends up with a cruel woman who takes her to the United States, changes her name to Grace, and puts her to work as a full-time domestic servant. Tree of Sighs is the story of Grace's journey to uncover her past as she straddles two cultures in the search for her own identity. After escaping servitude and imprisonment, Grace endures life on the streets and a succession of jobs, and she eventually lands in a comfortable marriage. But a phone call from a person in her past sets her on a journey to the border, where she meets a man who holds the key to her past, learns the truth about her grandmother, and ultimately finds herself.

 

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Review: IN SEARCH OF MY DESTINY by Irma Reyes Herrera

Heartwarming and inspiring, In Search of My Destiny tells a story about true family love. A wonderful tale that portrays the strength of the human spirit and proves that there is strength in unity, and highlights the special bond between parents and children. It is the story of a woman who lived her life in two different cultures. She lived her childhood and adolescence in a small Mayan village in Guatemala, Central America, where the customs were drastic and dramatic. When she became a single mother of three small children, she lived in California, where she faced a different culture, where she made a promise to herself that she would survive the struggle for those years ahead and achieve the triumph in the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of her and her children. Though she faced many challenges in life, she persevered in search of love, peace, happiness, and family union. Readers can witness her fascinating story unfold in In Search of My Destiny. Parents: Find very similar facts and renewed inspiration. Grandparents: Bring back memories of when you raised your children. Young People: You’ll have an understanding of the love that is felt for your children and what it takes to raise them. Children: Be inspired to embrace your family history and events.






Reviewed by: Sandra L.
Rating: 3 stars

Review: In the beginning, “he didn’t want to have daughters, and always said that women only bring problems.” (14) But then destiny brought him an unexpected joy….and her name was Luna.

In this memoir, we follow the life of Luna from her days of growing up in Central America to her transition to a new life in the United States. “I felt myself compelled to continue the long walk of life, and dreamed of how someday I would get rid of these invisible chains.” (57)

Her tale is raw, powerful, and full of honesty. In “Unpleasant Incidents,” we learn of the horrible trials in Luna’s young life and the hard lessons that come with them. The stories are outlined in pensive and thought-provoking vignettes.

This book is about a strong woman, weaving her destiny and surviving a complicated world, especially after leaving a bad marriage.  It was considered that “[women who left] were perceived as bad women, incapable of honoring the marriage ‘forever’ as it should be.” (103)

Towards the end, the author illustrated the life of a single, working mother—a concept she described as difficult and rewarding for “being a mother is the most sacred privilege of humanity and a role that never rests.” (159)

At times, I felt that the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.  “Come, my children” sounded more like something a preacher would say. It felt like I was reading an episode of The Brady Bunch, even though one can appreciate the effort behind Luna’s love for her children. As Herrera indicated, “people think that being a mother is a crazy job.” (159)

 

 

Review: THE RIGHT TEMPTATION by Diane Escalera

Summary: Can a childhood crush mature into the real thing? Kayla Martinez has recently landed an RN position at a prestigious hospital in her hometown. The new job is everything she's hoped for, especially when one hot specimen shows up in the ER. She hasn't seen her childhood crush in years, and considering how much hotter he's gotten over time, she almost ends up needing resuscitation. The last thing Nico LaCosta needs is a broken arm. Now his pal's kid sister wants to soothe his pain, but he'd rather keep his distance so her big brother doesn't break his other arm. Kayla's no child anymore, though. She's one hot-blooded woman, determined to remind him of a mind-blowing kiss back when they were teenagers. Leave it to Kayla to drop by his house unannounced and play Nurse Seductive. A guy has to follow the buddy code, or face the consequences. Still, sometimes giving in to temptation is worth it...

CONTENT WARNING: Racy Language, Hot Sex, Lusty Latin Lovers A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance.





Reviewed by: Celia
Rating: 3 stars


Review: Since the age of 13, no guy has ever measured up to Kayla’s idea of caliente like Nico La Costa. It’s hard to believe that she has held a candle for him practically her whole life. Well, who could blame her, right? Still, stalking the guy might be a little too extreme.

There was no denying the instant physical attraction between the two right from the start; however, Nico was not seeking the complication of a relationship. He had to “[think] with the right head.” (13) The best part was when he tried to distract himself with an Xbox game until she came out in her skimpy outfit. Suddenly, it became a question of: what game?

Told in the witty banter of Kayla and Nico, this story is a teeter-totter of lust and desire with very little resistance. There must something to the old adage: “Latin men had a reputation for being good lovers.” (23)  I definitely agreed with Kayla about tattoos: “She didn’t mind a well-placed tattoo, but some men took it to the extreme. Not Nico.” (50)

The whole thing seemed to take place in one sultry, provocative weekend as snippets of their shared history filtered through.  One thing was clear: Kayla was determined to hook him—hook him in the saddle, hook him for life. My goodness!

Of course, after their climactic evening, who ends up showing up? His mamá! Oh, snap!

The writing was decent, but the story did not go beyond the wild passion, which consumed the entire length of the novel. A quick read for romance lovers.

 

Cover Reveal: TO CATCH A PRINCESS by Caridad Pineiro

Gambling at Love:  To win her heart he has to risk his secrets. . .

 

Romantic Times: 4 Stars – “From the first page, the pacing is strong, the action plentiful and the characters interesting enough to hook you in.”

 

 

Untold wealth, a loving family, a solid career in America: the only thing Princess Tatiana lacks is the one thing she really doesn't want--a husband. Unfortunately, her parents have just arranged her marriage to a royal from the old country. Are they kidding? It's the twenty-first century!

 

Police Detective Peter Roman is a royal living incognito...and escaping a secret that has haunted his family for years. He's been quietly in love with his best friend Price Alexander's sister for as long as he can remember. Little does she know that he is secretly the Grand Duke to whom she is unwillingly betrothed.

 

When a series of high-end jewelry heists threatens Tatiana's exclusive charity exhibition in glamorous Monaco, the two must trap the clever jewel thief before he strikes again. In a fight for their lives, Peter's secret identity is revealed. With danger and passion increasing to the break point, she must decide: catch a thief...or trust the heart of her true love.

 

 

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