5 Romance Novels Featuring Cuban Protagonists”

While some admit it’s a strange time to be releasing a book, others say that with all of us social distancing and quarantine-ing we might have a little more time to read. Thanks to modern technology with all its apps and virtual meet ups, staying connected with our familias and loved ones is a little easier. But all this togetherness with familia 24/7 can be a bit much. Especially if your familia is as invested in your life as some of mine—cue one of my tía’s on a recent familia Zoom, “Ay, mija, why aren’t you dating anyone?”

My usual comeback assures her that I’m so busy racing toward an upcoming book deadline that dating my laptop is about all I can handle.

But this time, when that question came winging at me like a leather chancla, I ducked and realized how thankful I am, now more than ever, to be a romance author. Writing books where conflict is slayed, good wins, and love prevails in stories that feature our Latinx experience and culture.

Many of us in Romancelandia like to think of romance as the genre of hope. I believe our genre offers us a chance to write and read about healthy relationships, which is why it’s important for us to see more Latinx characters…more diversity in general…on our shelves. Readers need to see us all overcoming adversity, fighting for and attaining those healthy, fulfilled relationships. That’s why even though our LatinxRom contingent is small but growing, we still need more…more books about our Latinx comunidad in all its facets, more books written by Latinx authors.

We need those numbers to grow faster.

When I sat down to write this article, I had two goals in mind. First, give a #wepa shout out from my mami’s Puerto Rican side of mi familia to my hero, Luis, and his meddling, loud, supportive Navarro familia in my new Key West-set release ISLAND AFFAIR. Second, to shine a spotlight on other books written by Latinx or diverse authors with Cuban characters as the main protagonists.

http://bit.ly/IslandAffairPO  (link for Island Affair)

Here’s the deal though…Remember my mantra from earlier? Just in case, let me repeat it: We need more books about Latinx people, more books written by Latinx authors.

The first time I can remember reading a romance novel that made me feel like I had been dropped into a story world that mirrored my own, I held a book from Kensington’s old Encanto line. That’s where I discovered Caridad Piniero, Berta Platas, Lara Rios, and others. ¡Ave María purísima! Finally, romances by and about our Latinx people and culture. Unfortunately, that line was short-lived. Flash forward to the mid-2000’s when I devoured books like FRIDAY NIGHT CHICAS by Berta, Caridad, Sofia Quintero, and Mary Castillo. Still, so few choices.

Jump ahead to today, and we’re still working to increase our options…but in my bid to spread a little Cuban Latinx book love, here are five titles of note. Some are recent (within the last couple of years) releases. Some will head our way in 2020 (gracias a Dios we have positive news for 2020). All are books you’ll wanna check out!

First up, AMERICAN FAIRYTALE, book 2 in Adriana Herrera’s powerhouse Dreamers series. This book has a clash of two alpha heroes: Camilo Santiago Briggs, a biracial (Cuban Jamaican) NYC social worker, and Thomas Hughes, a self-made millionaire used to getting what he wants. But don’t be deceived, this romance is so much more than a battle of different classes. It’s also a beautiful blending of cultures and outlooks, a moving tale of how our past and internalized pain shape and mold us. It’s sensual, powerful, emotional romance at its finest.

https://adrianaherreraromance.com/american-fairytale/

Next on the list is Alyssa Cole’s AN UNCONDITIONAL FREEDOM: AN EPIC LOVE STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, book 3 in the Loyal League series. Alyssa Cole is a master crafter of contemporary and historical fiction. AN UNCONDITIONAL FREEDOM pairs Janeta Sanchez, a Cuban heroine who is the child of an enslaved woman and the plantation owner who married her, with Daniel Cumberland, a Black man born free in the North but kidnapped and sold into slavery until he was rescued and became a member of the Loyal League, a covert organization of Black spies. When her father is imprisoned by the Union, Janeta is forced to become a double agent in the Loyal League teamed with Daniel. What ensues is a tale of hidden agendas, family loyalty, blurred lines, and healing love. Part historical fiction, part emotionally-compelling romance, overall an exceptional read!

https://alyssacole.com 

Our third book is a “coming soon” novel by Caridad Piniero. Get ready for a sweet, summer Hallmark beach read featuring the beloved romance trope the older brother’s friend to lovers. SOUTH BEACH LOVE pits our hero and heroine, both chefs, battling it out in their separate bids to help rival teens throw the best quinceañera Miami has ever seen. Let me see…familia traditions and drama woven around two shouldn’t-be lovers whose attraction heats things up in the kitchen? #buenprovecho

https://www.caridad.com/books/charity-pineiro/south-beach-love/#teaser

The last two books on our list of five are an “already released” and a “coming soon” YA romance. DON’T DATE ROSA SANTOS, Nina Moreno’s spectacular debut, seems to touch on an area of doubt many readers experience in their own lives, some without even realizing it. This YA romance about a teen straddling the life she knows in her small Florida beach town and the life her abuela left behind when she fled Cuba years ago has Rosa questioning which world she fits into. But, it’s more than a simple coming of age story. It’s one about familia, finding and accepting yourself, healing, and growing. As one reviewer says, “It’s a love letter to Cuba through our protagonist’s eyes.” I say, don’t miss it!

https://ninamoreno.com/books/

And finally, if you’re a fan of Nina Moreno’s writing, it’s sounds like you might also be a fan of this fall 2020 YA release, A CUBAN GIRL’S GUIDE TO TEA AND TOMORROW by Laura Taylor Namey. This story about a Miami teen whose best laid plans for her future suddenly fall apart leading her parents to send her to mentally recuperate with familia friends in small town England sounds like another self-discovery gem. I haven’t read an early copy, but it’s on my radar, and you might want to add it to your “watch for” list.

 https://www.laurataylornamey.com

That’s our 5 Romances with Cuban Characters for you. Next time, I hope we see a big change in the release lists, so that my post on Cuban or Puerto Rican or Afro-Latinx or….you get the picture…becomes more of a listicle with short blurbs and links porque there are too many titles for a longer write-up on each! Now that would be cause for celebration, verdad? #Wepa

Note: Here’s one such list from 2018, “50 Must-Read Romances by Latinx Authors” compiled by Silvana Reyes Lopez for Book Riot.

https://bookriot.com/2018/10/24/must-read-romance-novels-by-latinx-authors/

Priscilla Oliveras is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. She and her work have earned praise from the Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, amongst others. Priscilla earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and currently serves as adjunct faculty in the program and teaches the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go. While she’s a devotee of the romance genre, Priscilla is also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.

To follow along on her fun-filled and hectic life, visit her on the web at https://prisoliveras.com/books/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prisoliveras, or on Twitter and Instagram via @prisoliveras.

'So Damn Dominican' Excerpt from Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Latinx in Publishing is pleased to share ‘I’m So Damn Dominican’ an excerpt from Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo.

From the bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo comes a new novel-in-verse! Camino lives for when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, she arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. In New York City, Yahaira is called to the principal’s office, where she finds out her father has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—it seems the two girls have lost everything of their father until they learn of each other.

ELIZABETH ACEVEDO is a New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X and With the Fire on High. Her critically-acclaimed debut novel, The Poet X, won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. She is also the recipient of the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Fiction, the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and the Boston Globe-Hornbook Award. Additionally, she was honored with the 2019 Pure Belpré Author Award for celebrating, affirming, and portraying Latinx culture and experience.  

May 2020 Latinx Releases

May 5, 2020

BUDDHA TAKES THE MOUND: ENLIGHTENMENT IN 9 INNINGS | Nonfiction

by Donald Lopez Jr. (St. Martin’s Press)

Buddha Takes the Mound: Enlightenment in 9 Innings is The Tao of Pooh for baseball. Funny, moving, and enlightening, this is a read that will engross, enrich, and charm any baseball fan.

At once a love letter to the sport and an engaging introduction to Buddhism, it shows how the Buddha invented baseball to teach us deep truths about the world, about ourselves, and about each other. Lopez believes that Buddhism provides a lens for us to see baseball in a new way, a way that makes us love the game even more, a way that makes us ponder profound questions about winning and losing, about who we are, about finitude and infinitude, about birth and death.

As Lopez reveals, not only is Buddhism integral to baseball; but baseball is Buddhism, and baseball is ourselves.

OUR FRIEND HEDGEHOG | Chapter Book

by Lauren Castillo (Knopf)

Hedgehog lives on a teeny-tiny island with only her stuffed dog, Mutty, for company. When a great storm carries Mutty away, she embarks on a quest to find her friend. Following the trail of clues Mutty left behind, brave Hedgehog meets a wiggly Mole, a wordy Owl, a curmudgeonly Beaver, a scatterbrained Hen and Chicks, and a girl who's new to the neighborhood, Annika May. With bravery and teamwork, there's nothing that can stop these seven from finding Mutty, but along the way they discover something even more important: each other.

SANTIAGO’S ROAD HOME | Middle Grade

by Alexandra Diaz (Paula Wiseman)

The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t be missed. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America. They embark with little, just backpacks with water and a bit of food. To travel together will require trust from all parties, and Santiago is used to going it alone. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story.

SAL & GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE | Middle Grade

by Carols Hernandez (Disney Hyperion)

Sal Vidon doesn't want to live a Mami-free life. Pulling different versions of his mother from other universes is how he copes with missing his own, who died years ago. But Sal's father, a calamity physicist, is trying to shut down all the wormholes Sal creates, because Papi thinks they are eroding the very fabric of our world. All of Papi's efforts are in vain, however, because a Gabi from another universe has gone rogue and is popping up all over the place, seeking revenge for the fact that her world has been destroyed. While Sal and Gabi work together to keep both Papi and Rogue Gabi under control, they also have to solve the mystery of Yasmany, who has gone missing from school. Could it have something to do with the wormhole in the back of his locker? Readers who enjoyed Sal and Gabi Break the Universe will relish being back in the world of Culeco Academy and the Coral Castle along with such unforgettable characters as American Stepmom, the Gabi-Dads, Principal Torres, and the sassy entropy sweeper. With multiple Sals and Gabis in charge, it's no wonder this sequel offers even more hilarious weirdness and love than the first book.

SWASHBY AND THE SEA | Picture Book

by Beth Ferry; Illus. by Juana Martinez-Neal (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Captain Swashby loves the sea, his oldest friend. And he loves his life by the sea just as it is: salty and sandy and serene.

One day, much to Swashby’s chagrin, a young girl and her granny commandeer the empty house next door. All Swashby wants is for his new neighbors to GO AWAY and take their ruckus with them.

When Swashby begins to leave notes in the sand for his noisy neighbors, however, the beach interferes with the messages that are getting across. Could it be that the captain’s oldest friend, the sea, knows what Swashby needs even better than he knows himself?

CLAP WHEN YOU LAND | Young Adult

by Elizabeth Acevedo (Quill Tree Books)

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other. 

May 12, 2020

BIG SEXY: IN HIS OWN WORDS | Memoir

by Bartolo Colón & Michael Stahl (Abrams Image)

Bartolo Colón—also known as Big Sexy—is a baseball icon and one of the most beloved players to ever play the game. In a career spanning 21 years, Colón has won the Cy Young Award and won more games than any other Latin American–born pitcher. But more importantly, Big Sexy has captured the hearts of fans of the game as well as the stars he has played against. Colón plays the game the way it was meant to be. In Big Sexy: In His Own Words, Bartolo Colón opens up as never before. The result is a touching and deeply personal story of a truly unique baseball life.

THE MADRE DE AGUAS OF CUBA | Middle Grade

by Adam Godwitz & Emma Otheguy; Illus. by Hatem Aly (Dutton)

In Cuba, it is believed that a mysterious water serpent--the Madre de aguas--is responsible for providing and protecting the fresh water of the island. But the serpent is missing, and a drought has gripped the island. Uchenna, Elliot, and Professor Fauna fly to Cuba and endeavor to rescue the Madre de aguas. Unfortunately, it tries to kill them. Meanwhile, the Schmoke Brothers' goons are driving around Havana, dumping pink sludge into the sewers. What is going on? Can Elliot and Uchenna end the drought? Stop the Schmokes? Or will the creature they are trying to save just eat them instead?

SERPIENTE EMPLUMADA, CORAZÓN DEL CIELO | Fiction

by David Bowles (Vintage Español)

Las leyendas mitológicas reunidas en Serpiente emplumada, corazón del cielo trazan la historia del mundo desde sus inicios en los sueños del dios dual, Ometeotl, hasta la llegada de los conquistadores españoles a México y la caída de la gran ciudad Tenochtitlán. En el transcurso de esta historia sabremos de los Héroes Gemelos, la Serpiente Emplumada y el Corazón del Cielo, y de cómo construyeron el mundo sobre la espalda de un leviatán; del nahualli que cambia de forma; y de los aluxes, aquellos seres con forma de elfos conocidos por ayudar a los vagabundos. Y finalmente, hallaremos cuentos aztecas sobre la llegada de los extranjeros barbudos provenientes del otro lado del mar, que buscan aniquilar el gobierno de Montezuma y destruir las historias que estamos leyendo.

May 18, 2020

STARCROSSED | Romance

by Allie Therin (Carina Press)

Psychometric Rory Brodigan’s life hasn’t been the same since the day he met Arthur Kenzie. Arthur’s continued quest to contain supernatural relics that pose a threat to the world has captured Rory’s imagination—and his heart. But Arthur’s upper-class upbringing still leaves Rory worried that he’ll never measure up, especially when Arthur’s aristocratic ex arrives in New York.

For Arthur, there’s only Rory. But keeping the man he’s fallen for safe is another matter altogether. When a group of ruthless paranormals throw the city into chaos, the two men’s strained relationship leaves Rory vulnerable to a monster from Arthur’s past.

With dark forces determined to tear them apart, Rory and Arthur will have to draw on every last bit of magic up their sleeves. And in the end, it’s the connection they’ve formed without magic that will be tested like never before.

May 19, 2020

FEDERICO AND THE WOLF | Picture Book

by Rebecca J. Gomez; Illus. by Elisa Chavarri (Clarion)

With his red hoodie on and his bicycle basket full of food, Federico is ready to visit Abuelo. But on the way, he meets a hungry wolf. And now his grandfather bears a striking resemblance to el lobo. Fortunately, Federico is quick and clever—and just happens to be carrying a spicy surprise! Federico drives the wolf away, and he and Abuelo celebrate with a special salsa. Recipe included.

A TASTE OF SAGE | Romance

by Yaffa S. Santos (Harper Perennial)

Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia—she can perceive a person’s emotions just by tasting their cooking. Despite being raised by a single mother who taught her that dreams and true love were silly fairy tales, she decides to take a chance and puts her heart and savings into opening a fusion restaurant in Inwood, Manhattan. The restaurant offers a mix of the Dominican cuisine she grew up with and other world cuisines that have been a source of culinary inspiration to her.

When Lumi’s eclectic venture fails, she is forced to take a position as a sous chef at a staid, traditional French restaurant in midtown owned by Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his acid tongue as well as his brilliant smile. Lumi and Julien don’t get along in the kitchen--to say Lumi is irritated by Julien’s smug attitude is an understatement, and she secretly vows never to taste his cooking. Little does she know that her resolve doesn’t stand a chance against Julien’s culinary prowess.

As Julien produces one delectable dish after another, each one tempting Lumi with its overwhelming aromas and gorgeous presentations, she can no longer resist and samples one of his creations. She isn’t prepared for the feelings that follow as she’s overcome with intense emotions. She begins to crave his cooking throughout the day, which throws a curveball in her plan to save up enough money and move on as soon as possible. Plus, there’s also the matter of Esme, Julien’s receptionist who seems to always be near and watching. As the attraction between Lumi and Julien simmers, Lumi experiences a tragedy that not only complicates her professional plans, but her love life as well...

WE ARE NOT FROM HERE | Middle Grade

by Jenny Torres Sanchez (Philomel)

Pulga has his dreams.
Chico has his grief.
Pequeña has her pride.

And these three teens have one another. But none of them have illusions about the town they've grown up in and the dangers that surround them. Even with the love of family, threats lurk around every corner. And when those threats become all too real, the trio knows they have no choice but to run: from their country, from their families, from their beloved home.

Crossing from Guatemala through Mexico, they follow the route of La Bestia, the perilous train system that might deliver them to a better life--if they are lucky enough to survive the journey. With nothing but the bags on their backs and desperation drumming through their hearts, Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña know there is no turning back, despite the unknown that awaits them. And the darkness that seems to follow wherever they go.

In this striking portrait of lives torn apart, the plight of migrants at the U.S. southern border is brought to light through poignant, vivid storytelling. An epic journey of danger, resilience, heartache, and hope.

May 31, 2020

JUNIOR’S DREAM | Middle Grade

by Rebecca J. Gomez; Illus. by Elisa Chavarri (Arte Público Press/Piñata Books)

For generations, Junior s family traveled to West Texas to pick cotton. The work was demanding, but the money earned was a blessing. For Junior, a teenager on the cusp of manhood, the annual trip offers a chance to reflect on love of family, tradition and his parents courage. The kids always help pack the 1951 Chrysler station wagon fondly known as La Blanca. It takes seven hours to make the drive from Piedras Negras, Mexico, to the fields, and this year Junior s youngest sister is old enough to join in the work. Her siblings are excited to show her the ropes, but they worry too. The farmers had a bumper crop and they expect the Mexican workers adults and children to work seven days a week, from sunup to sundown. Can eight-year-old Espy drag a heavy bag of cotton up and down the rows all day long? But an unexpected event shakes the family to its core, leaving them in fear for Junior s life and worried they may not be able to earn the money needed to see them through the coming year. Based on the author s experiences, this short, bilingual novel for teens follows a boy s journey of self-discovery and continued faith in a dream born of his father s tears, his mother s determination and his ancestors hopes.

SAND AND SONG: THE ABCS OF THE RIVER | Picture Book

by Alma Flor Ada; Illus. by Gabhor Utomo (Arte Público Press/Piñata Books)

These poems brim with the beauty of the natural world and the joy found in the great outdoors. There are stars that bathe in the river, the sun that hides behind the mountain and a stream that wraps itself in shadows. In one verse, the authors note there’s only a short distance from the river to the freeway leading back to the crowded, noisy city, “yet those few kilometers / allow us to dwell / in a very different world.”

Reflecting time spent with family enjoying nature, these poems were conceived while Alma Flor Ada camped along the Yuba River with her daughter, Rosalma Zubizarreta-Ada, who created the English-language versions. With gorgeous illustrations by Gabhor Utomo depicting the countryside and kids playing at a river, this bilingual picture book introduces children to both the joy of poetry and spending time outside.

THE HERO OF CINCO DE MAYO IGNACIO ZARAGOZA SEGUÍN | Picture Book

by José Angel Gutiérrez; Illus. by Stephen Marchesi (Arte Público Press/Piñata Books)

This bilingual picture book recounts the story of the Battle of Puebla and the Mexican army’s unexpected win against a much stronger foe. Today this victory is celebrated in the United States as Cinco de Mayo, a day to commemorate the Mexican roots of many US citizens. This non-fiction picture book for older elementary school students contains realistic illustrations depicting the Mexican general and his times.

WISHBONE | Young Adult

by Anna Garcia Schaper (Arte Público Press/Piñata Books)

Pilar’s mother has been extra vigilant about her fifteen-year-old daughter’s diet after she came home from school in tears. The truth is, Pilar wouldn’t mind losing some weight. She dreams of becoming an actor and wants to try out for the school production of “Our Town,” but she’s reminded constantly that she’s too ugly, too fat, too Mexican.

With the encouragement of some new friends and her feisty grandmother who thinks she’s perfect just the way she is, Pilar works up the nerve to try out for the play—in spite of continued harassment by Becca Barlowe and her posse. But when a handsome high school jock plays a mean trick on her that becomes a social media sensation, Pilar once again finds herself using food to anesthetize her pain.

This appealing novel for mature teens juxtaposes Pilar’s story with her grandmother’s when she was married to a male chauvinist years earlier in Laredo, Texas. Both women must struggle to find their own voice in a world where others insist on defining them as “less than.”  Capturing the heartache of seeking—and accepting—one’s true self, Anna Garcia Schaper movingly explores the strength of family bonds and their importance in overcoming difficult and sometimes tragic circumstances.

HOLLY HERNANDEZ AND THE DEATH OF DISCO | Young Adult

by Richie Narvaez (Arte Público Press/Piñata Books)

Holly Hernandez, voted “Miss Bright of ’79” and valedictorian at her previous school, is excited to start fresh at Flatbush Technical High School, one of the most competitive public schools in New York City. She’ll be one of thousands; anonymous. But her dreams of a normal school life disappear when her mother, a homicide detective, has to investigate the murder of Mr. Friedman, the social studies teacher.

One of her classmates, Xander Herrera, quickly becomes the primary suspect. The tall, awkward boy is socially inept, but Holly doesn’t think he’s a murderer. She is intent on exonerating him—but he wants nothing to do with her. To Xander, Holly is the overly enthusiastic student who always sits in the front row and answers all the teachers’ questions—correctly. He hates perky people!

Eventually cleared of the crime, Xander is determined to find the killer before Holly. As they race to solve the case, their separate investigations lead to a slew of suspects, including another teacher seen arguing with Friedman and a mysterious person named Steve who met with him several times before his death. Could it have been a disgruntled student? Ultimately, a trophy for a disco-dancing contest leads the intrepid young detectives to the Mission Venus nightclub and a murderer intent on killing again!

Latinx Authors and BIPOC-owned Bookstores Came Together for a Virtual Fiesta

Indie bookstores The Lit. Bar, Mil Mundos, and Word Up Community Bookshop recently co-hosted a virtual conversation featuring authors Angie Cruz (Dominicana), Jaquira Diaz (Ordinary Girls), Carolina de Robertis (Cantoras), Lilliam Rivera (Goldie Vance), Melissa Rivero (The Affairs of the Falcons), and Natalia Sylvester (Running), moderated by book blogger extraordinaire @lupita.reads that left us feeling energized and inspired! Attendees simply had to online order one or more books from a list of 12 new releases by Latinx authors at one of the three participating bookstores, to receive a link for the event, which took place on April 16, 2020.

All in all, it was a delightful example of how our communities can come together in celebration and support of authors, indie bookstores, and readers in ways that benefit everyone. Afterwards, we were lucky enough to chat with author Angie Cruz, and hear more about how El Gran Combo came about, and learn how others might replicate it.

What sparked the idea for this? 

For months now, Jaquira Díaz, Carolina de Robertis and I had been working together to think about how we can galvanize community among Latinx writers to support bookstores that serve our communities. It was both shocking and painful to take walks on Broadway and see the long stretches of closed stores block after block. I feared and still fear that many of these businesses will never open again. So I reached out to Veronica Liu at Word Up Community Bookstore and suggested the virtual fiesta event that entailed three bookstores, five authors and twelve participating books, hoping the event would drive online book sales to those stores. 

What resources did you all need to pull it off?

 I think the most significant resources were trust, generosity and openness. We are in a time where collaboration and sharing resources is crucial for all our survival—mind, body, and spirit. The participating writers were so game to amplify the event and to have bookstagrammer @lupitareads moderate and energize the conversation with her devoted following of readers helped to make the event a success. Logistically, Veronica Liu (founder of Word Up), supported and strategized with the other bookstores, Mil Mundos and The Lit Bar to do all the promotional materials and be online book selling ready. 

What was most surprising to you about the event? Most joyful? What was your biggest takeaway from El Gran Combo?

Jaquira, Carolina and I have been planning our El Gran Combo tour for a long while now. In fact we were set to visit five cities in June to promote our paperbacks. This event was a way to harness all that energy and planning and do some good with it. We named our tour after a band for a reason. We wanted it to be joyful and as much as possible have music and dancing involved. We called the event a virtual fiesta, because we so need a party right now, and the 155 people who showed up were eager for the conversation. Many who attended purchased multiple books and all three bookstores broke record sales for that day. I was told that there was an upswing in sales after. All the writers involved are activists in their communities, we write books and we care about social justice. This is true about Lupita and the booksellers as well. This is key. The chat room's excitement from those attending was so joyful. But for sure most surprising was Carolina breaking out into song. My biggest takeaway is that we are in this together so we might as well work together to bring the joy but also help each other survive this.

During the event, you mentioned that you are only interested in moving into spaces where the “burner is hot” and moving away from people who don’t want to engage in the work. Can you talk more about your journey with that idea? What is sparking the most fire for you right now? 

Ha! I said that?! I believe the context was me thinking about all the rejections my work has received throughout my career. It was demoralizing and made me wonder if there were other things I should be dedicating myself to. But what I keep learning in this business, and life in general, is that if there is inspiration, we must keep doing the work. And if we lose inspiration we must move toward those spaces that inspire us so we can then have the fire to do the work. Not keep banging our heads on the slammed doors and walls that have never truly created a space for us as Latinx writers. Find the spaces where you can cultivate that love for what you are doing. Sometimes you can find that in a learning space, like a workshop. We are fortunate now because there are so many writing workshops that mentor writers of color. Our main job is to get better at telling it and keeping that fire in the belly alive. The publishing machine is a business. Many publishing houses were wrong when they projected that Dominicana did not have a market. But the novel has found its readership. What kept me at it amidst all those rejections was my nurturing community who remind me that my work mattered. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Please encourage your readers to make their online book purchases from Word up, Mil Mundos and The Lit. Bar. And to continue to support these Latinx writers!

'The Undocumented Americans' the Self-Proclaimed Punk Manifesto Not Written for the White Gaze

More and more it feels like there is no other book to read in this moment than Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s The Undocumented Americans. Her voice is the voice to listen to in the present, as cities slowly, then rapidly, empty of their residents. Her voice is for the future, a voice we’ve absolutely needed in the past. It feels like there is no other book besides this one and, as magnified as the statement may be, it doesn’t make the sentiment of it any less true. We can skip straight to the urgency of this book, an urgency of many years. But maybe for some of us, it's a newfound urgency, a timely urgency, a humanizing urgency, an emotionally thrilling urgency, and in that case any reader will surely recognize and appreciate the integrity of this book.

Cover image from Penguin Random House website.

Villavicencio is a writer and one of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard, having arrived to New York City from Ecuador when she was five. In the book’s introduction, she says that she decided to write this nonfiction mix of memoir and reporting because she thought she "could write something better, something that rang true to me and people I knew and loved. And I thought that I was the best person to do it." She's right and she did. She made this decision the day after the 2016 election.

In six chapters, Villavicencio researches and reports on the lives of undocumented people in the United States, from different walks of life, in similar circumstances. She felt the safest traveling to and conducting interviews in New York, Miami, Flint, Cleveland, and New Haven, research inextricable from her and her family's experiences. One of the most remarkable things about this book is its reporting alongside her life, the throwing away of the "objective" journalistic approach. While reading the work, letting the walls down and investing yourself alongside her are unavoidable. This book is uncompromising in that way. There is no distance anymore, hardly even an arms-length. For what? 

To be up close means to learn and understand what migrant workers had to do at Ground Zero. The federally funded clean-up crew included undocumented migrants who went on to suffer life-threatening diseases, trauma, and mental illnesses. In the water crisis of Flint, the undocumented are unable to access clean water without a government-issued ID. Undocumented people are often barred from obtaining healthcare, instead having to turn to botanical alternatives. And to bring us closer yet: right now there is no escaping the grim reality undocumented people face amid this global pandemic. There is no security for them. Wages are lost as a result of businesses closing down and subsequent layoffs; families deciding they don’t need housekeeping and childcare services as parents find themselves at home with their children. Undocumented migrants are also at the frontline of exposure, holding some of the most essential roles in the nation. Their positions are made so much more precarious because of their status. ICE has arrested immigrants in hospitals and grocery stores. 

The Undocumented Americans is a book dedicated to its subject, showing the reader the cost of resilience in addition to resilience itself; the fierce sincerity of Villavicencio's motives; her sense of humor and its tenderness; the love on every page. During the most uncertain moments of late, the spirit of this book stays with the reader, felt in the momentary independence of a car full of undocumented women en route to a Miami casino before Villavicencio reminds them she has an early flight, the spirit of a car full of chingonas rerouting to a bar. This book is one to own, out March 24th from One World.

Andrea Morales is a daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and from Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Psychology. She now works at Macmillan Publishers as a Junior Contracts Associate for the adult trade division. Her book reviews and recommendations can be found on Instagram at @nastymuchachitareads and she lurks on Twitter as @nastymuchachita.

Exclusive Chapter Excerpt: Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras, Out May 2020

Latinx in Publishing is pleased to exclusively reveal a chapter from Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras, a perfect romantic Caribbean escape.

Sought-after social media influencer Sara Vance, in recovery from an eating disorder, is coming into her own, with a potential career expansion on the horizon. Despite the good news, her successful siblings (and their perfect spouses) have a way of making her feel like the odd one out. So, when her unreliable boyfriend is a no-show for a Florida family vacation, Sara recruits Luis Navarro—a firefighter paramedic and dive captain willing to play the part of her smitten fiancé . . .

Luis’s big Cuban familia has been in Key West for generations, and his quiet strength feeds off the island’s laidback style. Though guarded after a deep betrayal, he’ll always help someone in need—especially a spunky beauty with a surprising knowledge of Spanish curse words. Soon, he and Sara have memorized their “how we met” story and are immersed in family dinners, bike tours, private snorkeling trips . . . sharing secrets, and slow, melting kisses. But when it’s time for Sara to return home, will their fake relationship fade like the stunning sunset . . . or blossom into something beautiful? 

Chapter 1

“Who the hell complains when their captain gives them time off? Oh, wait, you!”

“Forced time off,” Luis Navarro grumbled. Not that his older brother gave a rip about the clarification.

Sure enough, Carlos responded with a caveman grunt as he shoveled more of their mami’s black beans and rice into his big mouth. Luis glared at his brother from his side of the black leather sofa squared off in front of the big-screen TV in the lounge area at the Key West airport fire station.

The only reason Luis had volunteered to bring his brother’s lunch while Carlos pulled his shift with the county fire station was because Luis had expected the bonehead to commiserate with him. Not side with the damn Captain, who’d dropped his bomb earlier this morning. Right after Luis had finished his shift downtown with the city fire department.

¡Coño! Didn’t anybody see that time away from the job and the distraction it offered was the last thing Luis needed right now? Damn wasn’t nearly a strong enough word for his frustration.

“I should be so lucky that my boss made someone switch their Kelly day this month to give me a full week away from here,” Carlos protested around a mouthful of food. 

“Will you pipe down? I don’t want people finding out about this.” Luis shot a pointed look through the open archway, past the high-top table in the eating area, and into the kitchen where an- other firefighter stood in front of the microwave heating up his own lunch. The guy normally worked at Station 17 up the Keys, so Luis didn’t know him well. No need for him to overhear Carlos and Luis’s conversation and spread the news from the city up through the county fire stations.

As the microwave hummed, the spicy scent of refried beans, onions, and bell pepper from a frozen burrito heating up filled the air. Luis scowled at his brother. The fact that Carlos, the ingrate, would have been stuck eating the same processed, frozen concoction if Luis hadn’t agreed to deliver their mamá’s freshly cooked meal upped the not-cool level of Carlos’s lack of empathy.

“What’s your problem?” Carlos complained.

Luis jutted his chin toward the dining-kitchen area where the sub had moved to the high-top table with his lunch. “I don’t want you fanning the trash-talk flames through the houses farther up the Overseas Highway.”

Carlos grunted again, though he reined in his caveman behavior by wiping his mouth with a paper towel instead of the back of his hand. “You think no one’s yammering about this already?”

Luis frowned.

“Right,” Carlos scoffed. “I guarantee you Soto’s been blabbing about what went down. You know him. Soto likes to kiss ass, trying to weasel his way into a Driver Engineer spot. Hell, I’d be surprised if he’s not telling people he and the Captain came up with the idea to swap your Kelly days. Ese tipo siempre está hablando mierda.”

Luis huffed a pissed-off breath. Carlos was right. Soto was al- ways talking shit. Especially if it made him look better than some- one else.

No doubt the little prick was spinning some tale about him being such a team player that he actually offered to switch his extra day off this month. ‘Cuz he cared about helping his fellow fire- fighter decompress, “get his head on straight,” as the Captain referred to it, after the accident Luis had worked several weeks ago.

An accident that was far too similar to and equally as senseless as the one that had altered Luis’s life six years ago.

The idea of Soto using Luis’s situation to paint himself in a good-guy color when the prick was anything but a team player at the station grated on Luis’s already-stressed nerves.

His ire rising, Luis plopped back against the sofa cushion. He plunked his scruffy workbooks on the scarred wooden coffee table beside his brother’s, tugging on his jeans leg to adjust himself. This damn situation kept getting rosier and rosier.

Thankfully it was a quiet day at Key West’s small airport. A United flight had landed about fifteen minutes ago without incident. Another firefighter had ridden out to notch one of the five daily runway inspections, while another sat in the Watch Room listening to the control tower over the radio and keeping an eye on the runway. Carlos and the new guy rounded out the team of four manning this shift.

So far, Luis’s visit hadn’t panned out like he had anticipated. On top of Carlos brushing off the Captain’s edict, the ungrateful jerk had barely mumbled his thanks when Luis showed up to deliver the glass container from their mom. Even though it meant Luis re- tracing his route this morning to make the ten-mile drive back down to Key West from Big Coppitt.

After his shift, he’d swung by his parents’ house for the obligatory bi-weekly visual check-in, which under no uncertain circumstance could be lumped in with their weekly familia dinner. Luis had planned to make his morning visit short but sweet. Long enough to appease Mami’s need to keep visual tabs on her kids, de- spite the fact that all four of them were adults.

Ever the dutiful son, he’d reached Big Coppitt Key and passed the turn to his house on Emerald Drive, where solitude and his boat, Fired Up, awaited in the canal out back. Instead, he made the next left onto Diamond Drive, heading to his childhood home. Praying he’d be in and out before news of his forced time off reached his parents.

The last place Luis wanted to be was sitting in his mami’s kitchen, her henpecking him for details about what was new in his life. Not that he ever had anything special to report or that he’d want to keep secret. Except for today.

His mami possessed a something’s-wrong radar the likes of which the US government would kill to possess. If—more like when—she got wind that his captain had felt compelled to sideline him, her worry gene would kick into overdrive.

Even now, safe from her watchful eyes, Luis cringed at the thought. Few things were more intense than a Cuban mami hovering over her offspring, hell-bent on making things better for them. Whether they wanted her help or not. Case in point, the multiple ways she consistently worked in a plea for him to make true peace with his little brother, Enrique.

No matter how many candles his mami lit after mass at St. Mary’s, praying for her middle and youngest sons to reach an understanding. That wasn’t going to happen. There were some things a man couldn’t get past. Not Luis anyway.

This morning, despite the ants-in-his pants sensation that had him as jittery as a rookie on his first call, Luis had tried to play things off, reassuring her with a casual, “Estoy bien,” when she asked how he was doing.

One look at her arched brow, right fist planted on her plump hip, and he knew she wasn’t buying his “I’m fine” routine. He’d realized right then and there, he needed to get out of her kitchen, outside her radar range, ASAP. Or he risked her interrogation.

Hell, he was too ramped up to discuss the reasons and potential ramifications of the Captain’s decision.

Too frustrated. Too . . .

The word scared filtered through Luis’s head like the devil had perched on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. Luis shook the evil antagonist off, ignoring the obnoxious voice and turning his ire on his brother.

“Coño, ’mano, the only reason I volunteered to bring your sorry-butt lunch  was  ‘cuz  I thought  you’d  side  with me.  Not Turner. You can’t possibly think the Captain’s right!” Luis glared at Carlos, who stabbed a piece of amarillo with his fork, then shoved the sweet plantain in his mouth. “Would you quit stuffing your pie hole for a minute and help me figure out how to change Turner’s mind?”

“Maybe,” Carlos mumbled around his food. “I think—”

A Tone Out rang through the speakers, interrupting Carlos. The series of low- and high-pitched sounds signaling an emergency, distinct for each firehouse in the county and city, alerted those on duty in seconds which station should be on the move. Within a couple notes of the Tone Out, the firefighters were either continuing about their business, like Carlos and the others here, or racing for their vehicle.

The walkie-talkie hooked to Carlos’s belt squawked a message from Dispatch relaying information from a 911 call. The rescue unit from Stock Island, the key located immediately before the en- trance to Key West, was needed at a residence where someone was experiencing chest pain. Knowing how the Battalion Commander over there ran his station, Luis figured the truck would also head out in support of the ambulance.

Dispatch quieted down, but an uncomfortable sense of dread lingered over Luis. As it had after every Tone Out that had sounded over the past few weeks. Especially when the call from Dispatch involved a car accident. Just like—

Tension seized his chest. The knot in his gut, the need to lash out at someone, something, had him jittery and on edge. He clenched his jaw, burying the unwanted responses. This would pass. It always did. It had to.

Running a hand down his face, Luis wiped the sheen of sweat off his brow. A check of his watch told him he should get out of the way here. Carlos and the other three men would need to start their daily medical and fire training as well as the extra duties required by the FAA since they were located at the airport. Luis wasn’t getting any sympathy over the unfairness of his current dilemma anyway.

“You know what? Forget I said anything,” he grumbled. “I don’t know why I thought you’d understand.”

Lifting his feet off the coffee table, Luis pushed up to a stand. The weight of frustration pressed down on him, squashing his anger, leaving him irritatingly tired. Tired of people telling him how to cope. Tired of hearing that he should seek professional help or he’d never move on.

He didn’t need to sit down with a grief counselor. Forget having another chat with the fire department’s chaplain. The best therapy for him involved pulling shifts at the station. Losing himself in the 

rhythm of the day-to-day required duties and responsibilities. Fuel- ing his body with the occasional adrenaline rush.

Carlos should understand. The adrenaline was a big part of what drew them all to the job. That whoosh of pulse-jumping excitement when you pealed out of the station, ready to help someone in need.

“Oye, come on. Don’t leave all pissed off.” Carlos set the glass container on the table as he stood. “I’m just saying, maybe some time out on your boat will do the trick. A little sun, fresh ocean air, dropping a line in the water. Yeah, that’s it! Go catch some fresh fish for us.” Carlos’s lips spread in a silly grin, his straight teeth a white flash against his deeply tanned face.

Luis gave his brother the finger on his way through the eat-in kitchen, heading toward the front entrance. Carlos followed, their boot heels thumping on the linoleum floor.

The other firefighter waved at Luis but didn’t look away from the baseball game on the small TV mounted on the wall above the table.

“Take the Fired Up out past the reef on the Atlantic. Troll for some mahi and bring home dinner,” Carlos persisted.

“I hope you get indigestion from wolfing down Mami’s food so damn fast,” Luis said over his shoulder as he pushed open the main door. Hot, humid air blasted him in the face. Early May and al- ready the intense summer sun beat down, threatening to bake tourists and locals alike.

“Bite your tongue,” Carlos complained. “Bite me!”

His brother barked out a laugh and jabbed Luis on the shoulder with a sharp punch. “Ohh, that mouth of yours. What would Mami say if she knew her quiet, saintly son talked like that.”

“Whatever.” Luis dodged Carlos’s second jab and stepped onto the landing. His brother followed him outside, but while Luis continued to the top of the concrete stairs leading to the parking area below the fire station, Carlos stayed behind.

“Hey, I know this isn’t what you want!” he called out. “Pero . . .” Halfway down the stairs, Luis paused. “But what?”

He turned to find Carlos still on the landing, one hand wedged between the frame and the door so it wouldn’t close all the way while allowing them a bit of privacy.

They squinted at each  other for a few  heavy seconds. Luis watched his older brother weighing his words. Carlos’s jaw muscles worked as he chewed on whatever advice he contemplated offering. Advice Luis probably wouldn’t want to take. His brother’s easy grin from moments ago had been wiped away by the serious expression now blanketing his face. He stared back at Luis with the same pursed-lips scowl he used when his young sons misbehaved in a way that might cause harm.

“But maybe it’s time you took a step back from helping every- one else and . . . and thought about helping yourself.”

Across the tiny parking lot, on the other side of the chain-link security fence separating the public area from the runway and tar- mac, the prop plane that shuttled tourists to the Dry Tortugas for snorkeling trips cranked its engine. The loud, sputtering noise mimicked the discord pounding through Luis’s chest.

“There’s no need to. I’m fine,” he assured his brother. A refrain Luis had been repeating for years now. Whatever good it did. “I wish everyone else would get that through their heads.”

To Luis’s surprise, Carlos muttered an oath and moved to the top step. The fire station door clicked shut behind him. “Look, I get that you’re pissed about the way the Captain handled things. But you’ve been simmering like Mami’s old pressure cooker off and on for a while. That call a few weeks ago made it worse. I’m not saying you gotta fix things with Enrique, but—”

“Don’t go there,” Luis warned, an angry edge in his voice.

Carlos held up a hand, stalling Luis’s argument. “I’m not. That’s between you two. I am saying, you were dealt a raw deal back then. Sure, we handle things our own way. The thing is, as much as you’d like to think so, you can’t save everyone. But shit, you’re not even trying to save yourself.”

His brother’s plea slammed into Luis like a battering ram to the chest. It caught him by surprise, but not enough to shake his re- solve.

“That’s because I don’t need saving.”

He simply needed to keep his mind busy, distracted. That’s what kept unwanted memories and thoughts at bay.

Carlos let out an exasperated huff as he rolled his eyes. “You’ve got a week off, use it to figure out how you can get out of your rut. 

Hell, surprise us all by shaking things up a little. It’ll do you good, my saintly brother.”

Hands on his hips, Luis squinted up at Carlos, shocked by his unexpected, unsolicited advice.

Rut? What the hell?

“I have no idea where this unnecessary pep talk is coming from.

Like I said, I’m fi—”

“Fine. Yeah, I heard you,” Carlos interrupted. “I’ve been hear- ing you for years now. I’m just . . .”

Raising an arm to wave off his brother, Luis hurried down the last few stairs. “Okay, okay! I’m off to ‘shake things up.’ I’ll catch you later. Don’t pull a muscle climbing into your truck to inspect those runways. I know how demanding that can be on your old- man body!”

“Bite me!” Carlos yelled back, his typical laughter back in his voice. Seconds later, Luis heard the station door slam shut.

Chuckling at his brother’s goodbye, he pulled his Ray-Bans from his T-shirt collar and slipped them on. He crossed the shaded area underneath the fire station to his dark blue Ford F-150 King Ranch pickup, parked in a spot next to the south end of the airport near the baggage claim area.

Shake things up. Get out of your rut.

Carlos’s words taunted Luis with their infantile “I dare you” undertone. He blew out an irritated breath, then pushed the conversation aside when his attention was drawn to a group of rowdy college-aged kids piling into a taxi van nearby. Voices raised, they excitedly discussed barhopping plans while snapping selfies with their cell phones. Behind them, two middle-aged couples dressed in shorts and matching tropical button-ups awaited the next avail- able taxi.

Luis fished his keys out of his front jeans pocket and watched passengers streaming out of the building. Some wearily dragging rolling suitcases. Most clutching cameras, island maps, sun hats, or some type of beach paraphernalia, their expressions bright with expectation.

So many people scrimped and saved for ages dreaming of visit- ing his hometown. They traveled for miles, vacationed for days, brought money to local businesses, then left. Poor souls.

He remained among the lucky ones who called Key West home.

Always had. Always would. A Conch through and through.

The highs and lows of his life had taken place here, or some- where within the stretch of Keys linked by the Overseas Highway. One of those lows, and the difficult aftermath it caused, had nearly pushed him to leave. Take a better-paying job at a firehouse on the mainland.

But no. His familia was here, had been for three generations. Even Enrique, the younger brother he now kept at a slight distance but would never shut out. Familia was familia. Good, bad, or indifferent. Their parents had tried to instill that loyalty in them. Unlike Enrique, if there was one thing Luis took seriously, it was his responsibilities.

Luis reached his truck at the same time a beat-up beach cruiser sedan pulled out of the passenger pickup lane. Its engine revved, then backfired. The shotgun sound startled Luis, along with several passengers who ducked for cover. His keys slid from his fingers, clanking onto the asphalt near the rear driver’s side tire.

He bent down to pick them up, more of his brother’s words echoing in his head. It’s time you took a step back from helping everyone else.

Screw that. Helping was in Luis’s DNA. It’s what led him to graduate high school having already earned his EMT certification so he could immediately enroll in fire college in Ocala. Then straight onto a shift with the city.

No, what he needed was to find a way to kill the next seven days. If not, he’d go out of his mind, reliving the accident his truck had responded to several weeks ago. Consumed by the painful memories of another grim car crash the recent one had unearthed.

“What do you mean you’re not coming? You promised!”

A woman’s harried voice grew louder, her footsteps crunching in the gravel edging the airport sidewalk and the fire station park- ing lot. Crouched down behind his King Ranch pickup, Luis spot- ted a dainty pair of gold sandals and orange-painted toenails standing in front of his vehicle.

“Ric, you were supposed to be arriving thirty minutes from now.” Several beats passed, punctuated by one sandaled foot tap- tap-tapping on the gravel. “Unbelievable. You can’t possibly leave 

me stranded like this. My parents are expecting both of us, and you know things have been tough for my mother. I just don’t see how you could . . . uh-uh, this has been on our calendars for . . . you gave your word, that’s why I’m upset. How could you do this?”

The mounting agitation punctuating the end of the woman’s question snagged Luis’s attention, even if her apparent distress al- ready hadn’t. He moved to stand, let her know the privacy she’d probably sought by stepping away from the other passengers hadn’t been achieved. His left knee creaked in protest, and he put a hand on his bumper for support.

Blond head ducked down, cell phone pressed to one ear and a finger plugging the other, the woman faced the building, her back to Luis. A pale peach tube dress draped her slim figure. Cinched at her waist, the material skimmed her slender hips, falling to play peekaboo with a set of shapely calves.

“I was counting on you this week. I’ve already admitted how uneasy it can be for me spending time with my family. They’re expecting . . . I’m not prepared to do this without . . . because you promised, that’s why.”

Whatever she heard on the other end of the line apparently didn’t make her happy. She shook her head vigorously, blond waves sway- ing along the top of her pale shoulders. Hopefully she’d packed plenty of sunscreen. If not, her fair skin would burn under the in- tense Key West sun.

Luis edged closer to the front of his truck, intent on getting her attention, stop her from inadvertently revealing more personal in- formation. Maybe offer her some assistance or local information if needed.

“Save the excuses. They don’t matter. This trip is supposed to help boost my mom’s morale after her chemo. Not cause more stress. You can’t . . . No, I just should have known better than to count on you,” she told whoever it was who seemed to have stood her up. “Whatever, Ric! We’re done! ¡Vete pa’l carajo!”

She jabbed her thumb at the tiny screen to disconnect the call,

frustration dripping from her throaty groan.

Surprised by the blunt “go to hell” spoken in flawless Spanish, Luis was caught off guard when the woman spun on her heel to face him.

“Oh!” she gasped, eyes wide as she stumbled back a couple steps.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He held up his hands, palms facing her to signal he meant no harm. “I was getting in my vehicle but couldn’t help noticing your distress. You okay?”

Hands pressed to her chest, the woman bit her full lower lip and nodded. The worry pinching her brow and darkening her deep ocean-water-colored eyes told him differently. Her gaze dropped to the KWFD emblem on his gray T-shirt before coming back up to meet his. Straightening her shoulders, she dragged her rolling bag in between them, like the silver hard-sided suitcase was a buffer offering protection.

Not that she needed protection from him.

“My name’s Luis. Luis Navarro. I’m with the Key West Fire Department.” He held out his right hand to shake at the same time he jerked his left thumb over his shoulder at the elevated building be- hind him. “I was just visiting my brother, a firefighter with the county, here at the airport.”

The woman leaned to the side and rose up on her toes. Chin jut- ting up in the air, she craned her slender neck to look over his shoulder in the direction he pointed. Her oversized reddish-brown leather tote slid down her arm until its strap snagged in the crook of her elbow.

“Fire department, huh?” she murmured.

“Yeah, with the city. Finished my shift this morning; now I’m off for a few days.” Whether he wanted to be or not.

She lowered back onto her heels, eyeing him with guarded interest. One corner of her mouth hitched in a cute little half frown as she seemed to weigh her options.

Finally, she clasped his hand with her own. Strong, slender fingers wrapped around his in a firm shake. Her smooth palm nestled against his, cool and soft, and Luis found himself loath to let go.

“Hello, Luis Navarro, local firefighter. I’m Sara Vance, tourist.” “Nice to meet you, Sara Vance, tourist.”

His teasing response earned him a husky chuckle paired with a full-blown grin that rounded Sara’s cheeks and sucker-punched him in the gut. She slid her hand from his to heft her big purse back onto her shoulder.

“Wow, talk about impressive service. I haven’t even called nine- one-one and a rescue squad has arrived. Not that I need saving or anything. Because I don’t.” Her confidence nearly convinced him, but he caught the flash of worry washing over her face before it whisked away like a tiny wave on the beach’s shore.

“You sure about that?” he asked.

“Um, yeah. I just need to, uh . . .” The humid breeze blew her blond tresses against her cheek, and she tucked them behind her ear with a crooked finger. “Reevaluate a few things, I guess. Yeah, that’s all.”

Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

Luis cocked his head, thinking about the conversation she’d just had with some guy who, by all indications, seemed like an absolute loser if he was dumb enough to leave her high and dry in the Keys. Sara glanced down at the phone clutched in her left fist. Her short, manicured nails, painted the same orange as her toes, were a stark contrast to the shiny black case. The name “Ric” flashed across the screen, signaling an incoming call. Lips pinched with anger, she pressed the side button to ignore the call, then dropped

her cell in her shoulder bag.

Fascinated by her resolve to jettison this Ric guy when doing so seemed to put her in some kind of pickle, Luis waited for her next move.

Chin tucked into her chest, she rubbed at her forehead, as if the reevaluating she mentioned caused her pain.

When several moments ticked by without a word from her, he stepped backward toward his truck, his helping-hand instinct telling him to do the opposite. “Well then, if you’re all good, I’ll head out.”

He turned away, craning his neck to catch one last glimpse of her slender figure over his shoulder. She gazed down at the gravel scattered at their feet, her brow puckered, her bottom lip caught between her teeth once again. Far too often he’d seen a similar look of devastation on a person’s face when he responded to a call. Loss, uncertainty. Their mind scrambling to make sense of the situation.

“Good luck and welcome to the island,” he called to her.

The soft click of his automatic door lock made her flinch. Her chin shot up.

“Wait!” Indecision and desperation swam in the depths of Sara’s blue-green eyes. “I’m not. Not good, I mean. Actually, I’m more like . . .” Her voice drifted off as she jabbed her fingers through her hair in obvious frustration. “More like in a mess, actually.”

She winced as if the admission hurt.

Intrigued, Luis lifted his sunglasses to the top of his head, meet- ing her gaze.

Sara swallowed, took another deep breath, then squared her shoulders, like a rookie set to answer her first alarm. “Everything’s a wreck, and I’m about to disappoint my parents. Again. If your offer is serious, I could really use your help.”

And just like that, Luis knew his first day of forced time off was definitely about to get interesting and maybe help him “shake things up.” 



Used with permission from Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishers. Copyright (c) Priscilla Oliveras, 2020.

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Priscilla Oliveras is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. She and her work have earned praise from the Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, amongst others. Priscilla earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and currently serves as adjunct faculty in the program and teaches the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go. While she’s a devotee of the romance genre, Priscilla is also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.

To follow along on her fun-filled and hectic life, visit her on the web at https://prisoliveras.com/books/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prisoliveras, or on Twitter and Instagram via @prisoliveras.

Carolina de Robertis Delves into the Lives of Queer Uruguayan Women in Her New Novel ‘Cantoras’

In an NPR interview, Carolina de Robertis asks, in regard to the writing of Cantoras, "How do you live radiantly in a time and place where the world seems bent on your erasure?" Of course, the question is dependent on its context. In the novel, we read about a particular repressive era in Uruguayan history at the height of its military dictatorship with its kidnappings, tortures, and killings. The dictatorship lasted twelve years, from 1973 to 1985. The marginalized among us may draw comparisons to the repressive state of our nation's affairs and ask ourselves that same question in our respective contexts. And, in doing so, we may find a bit of hope in this novel. Following the stories of five queer women who found kinship on a remote beach, we witness progress that seemed so improbable, it seemed impossible.

Cantoras is a slow-burner novel in the best way. If we're gathering five different queer women on a South American beach, I want to spend time with them. The book’s narrative style switches between character perspectives, which means it switches tone, as no woman is alike another. Flaca, often regarded as the leader of the group, brings Romina, Anita, Paz, and Malena together for a beach trip as a reprieve from the oppressive city where everyone is on edge under the dictatorship. Tentatively, they reveal themselves to each other as cantoras, the term women would use at the time to signal queerness. The identity binds them together in Polonio. There, they can be themselves with their chosen family – y con bikini. It sounds like paradise. One of the most beautiful things in this book (besides, in what is a unanimous vote, La Venus) is the way they make a home for themselves, however small. They just need a place, and the significance of "place" in its meanings across time and space is demonstrated in a novel that spans across decades.

de Robertis bases the novel on things that actually took place, found through her research and friendships with older queer Uruguayan women. Knowing this is both heart wrenching and inspirational; often real progress costs us. de Robertis shows us this by developing queer women protagonists of different ages, from different social classes, with different familial circumstances, all affected by the homophobia and misogyny rampant in the culture, but having each of them challenge their oppression in their own way. A valuable and unforgettable read, Cantoras is a book you’ll keep returning to.

Andrea Morales is a daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and from Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Psychology. She now works at Macmillan Publishers as a Junior Contracts Associate for the adult trade division. Her book reviews and recommendations can be found on Instagram at @nastymuchachitareads and she lurks on Twitter as @nastymuchachita.

5 Latinx Books To Read If You’re A Romance Newbie

Everyone should be reading romance. Yes, everyone. Romance novels are smart, sexy, feminist, inclusive, and uplifting. And guess what, mi gente? You can find Latinx representation in them, too. But if you’re a new romance reader, where do you start? There are so many possibilities. Do you enjoy historicals? Well, Lydia San Andres has you covered. She writes historical romances set on a fictional island that shares the customs and traditions of its neighbors in the Spanish Caribbean. Do you crave action? Try Diana Muñoz Stewart, a romantic suspense author who weaves contemporary social justice topics into her fast-paced novels. What about a story that reads like the telenovela of your wildest dreams? Angelina M. Lopez’s Lush Money may be just what you’re looking for. And if you’re overwhelmed by the choices, let me be your romance reading concierge and share my recommendations for the 5 Latinx books to read if you’re a romance newbie.

[Full disclosure: I know and love all of these authors. But even if I didn’t know them, I’d tell you to start with their books.]

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

The first book in Herrera’s Dreamers series, American Dreamer recounts the love story between Nesto Vasquez, an Afro-Caribbean food truck owner trying to make his mark in Upstate New York, and Jude Fuller, a sweet and earnest librarian whose quiet world is about to change forever. Herrera doesn’t shy away from weighty topics: the flaws of the so-called American Dream; racial prejudice; and the pain of being rejected by your family because of who you are. Against this backdrop, the romance remains front and center. Herrera’s authorial voice is pitch perfect, and I’m so glad she’s joined the steadily growing list of Latinx authors writing in the genre. One warning, though: Do not read this book on an empty stomach; the food descriptions will make you hungry.

Delicious Complication by Sabrina Sol

Known as the chica who loves love, Sol writes sexy stories that feature Latina heroines. Delicious Complication is the second book in her Delicious Desires series and my favorite of the three. Why? Because it also features one of my favorite tropes: fake dating. Brandon Montoya wants to convince his sick mother to come to Los Angeles for cancer treatment, so his plan is to lure her with the promise of meeting his (fake) fiancée, Daisy Robles. Do Brandon and Daisy catch feelings. Of course they do—it’s a romance. Do readers get to enjoy one of the hottest shower scenes I’ve ever read? Yes, indeed. One other thing: Sol has a short story in Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 5, and it is not to be missed. It’s a sexy “just one night” story with a twist, and the heroine is the first Latinx President of the United States. Need I say more?

His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras

If you're looking for a heartwarming novel that will make you smile, laugh, cry, and happy-sigh, this is it. Tomás is a single dad with only two concerns: his career and his daughter. Yasmine has dreams of making it big as professional dancer someday. Would an affair between a single dad and his daughter’s dance teacher make sense, especially given said dance teacher is unlikely to settle down? Absolutely not. But the heart knows what it wants, doesn’t it? Yasmin and Tomás’s love story is a slow-burn that beautifully highlights the importance of family in Latinx culture and the way our dreams can evolve over time. Critics agree it’s a must-read: This sweet contemporary debut received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist!

Stripped by Zoey Castile

Each of the books in Castile’s Happy Endings series, set in the world of adult entertainment, is a little bit sweet and a whole lotta sexy. Plus, the characters feel like real people, ones we know and love, and their troubles resonate because we’ve all experienced them in some form or another: helplessness, guilt, a sense of inadequacy, among others. But in these stories, love truly does conquer all. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but start at the beginning: Sexy, funny, and heartfelt, Robyn and Fallon’s story in Stripped will make you want to glom the rest. Just be prepared for the Thong Song earworm; you won’t be able to avoid it.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

Take a broody (read: reluctant) reality-television star, put him on a Dancing With the Stars-type show with a sexy and determined partner, and watch the sparks fly. The first book in Daria’s Dance Off series, Take the Lead was named one of the best romances of 2017 by both Entertainment Weekly and The Washington Post. Stone and Gina’s chemistry leaps off the pages, and Daria’s reality-television world feels, well, real. Add Gina’s concern that she’ll be stereotyped as a “sexy Latina” on the show and you have a story with grit, humor, passion, and heart.    

So there you have it: your Latinx romance starter pack. Happy reading, everyone!

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* Mia Sosa writes funny, flirty, and moderately dirty contemporary romances that celebrate our multicultural world. Book Riot included her debut, Unbuttoning the CEO, in its list of 100 Must-Read Romantic Comedies, and Booklist recently called her “the new go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances.” Mia’s trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man (Avon, Feb. 4), is a February 2020 LibraryReads selection and one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month in romance.