THE LATINA BOOK CLUB

    I was in Chicago recently and I made time to visit the National Museum of Mexican Art to see THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET exhibit.   The exhibit included some photos of Sandra Cisneros and there was even a cordon-off area with her old desk and typewriter, and an old street sign.  (There actually is a Mango Street.)   There were also a few photos that spoke of her life and experience.   But the real focus of the exhibit was the work of other artists interpreting Cisneros' book.   Picture taking was not allowed inside the exhibit so I can only tell you about the amazing, creative, colorful and vibrant interpretations from other artists -- some were paintings, there was a mural and a 3D structure one couldn't miss.   All very inspiring.   I was able to take this one picture as I was going into the exhibit -- a quote of limitless energy:  "I can never have too much sky."       Here are some other photos of some street murals leading up to the muse

  The Latina Book Club loves romance novels, and we are super excited to have discovered Sabrina Sol's Delicious Desires series and have her chatting with us today.   First,  we want to congratulate her on the debut of DELICIOUS TEMPTATION, book one of her new series.  Welcome, Sabrina!     GIVEAWAY:   Leave a comment on this blog and you may win a free book by Sabrina Sol!   Details below.       Q:   You are called The Romance Chica.  How did you earn that name?  What sorts of things does The Romance Chica share on her blog?   Sabrina:   I actually gave the name to myself. When I was starting out as an aspiring author, I thought of different ways of how I could explain to others that I was a Latina author who wrote romance stories. And The Romance Chica seemed to fit perfectly! Plus it helped that the Twitter name (@theromancechica) was available. LOL.   On the blog, I share the latest news about my books and books by my author friends. I also like to profi

   This week the Latina Book Club  has celebrated Mothers with books with strong, courageous Mamás.  We began with our Book of the Month, THE CRUEL COUNTRY. We hope you have enjoyed our selections.   Feel free to share your favorite “Mother” book with us.   Here now is our final selection.  Happy Reading.  Happy Mothers Week! Singing makes me so happy . – Mamá Laura Lacamara has written a sweet, magical children’s book inspired by her mother, who was an opera singer in Havana.   Lacamara’s book comes to live with the vibrant and amazing illustrations from talented illustrator Yuyi Morales .   Readers of all ages will enjoy this book again and again.   And, best of all, the book is bilingual -- written in both English and Spanish.      BOOK SUMMARY:   Anita comes home from school on her seventh birthday to find her mother singing opera and floating in the air.  Everyone who hears the music is happy and floats too, including their dog and the neighbors’

Join the Latina Book Club this week as we feature books with strong, courageous mothers.  And remember our Book of the Month, THE CRUEL COUNTRY, another tale of the power of a mother's love.  Happy Reading.  Happy Mother's Week.         "Learn from your parents if they are still alive.   They know you best and will give you the best advice based on the mistakes they’ve made in their own lives. Listen to them with respect; they know what they’re talking about .” -- Judith Valles       As we celebrate Mothers this week, we came across this powerful tribute to a mother.   AS MY MOTHER WOULD SAY: COMO DECIA MI MAMA is a short, funny, wise 37-page book full of "dichos" -- sayings, phrases that former San Bernadino Mayor Judith Valles collected from her mother and used in her personal and professional life, and which she gladly shares with other family members, friends, colleagues, and now with us readers.   BOOK SUMMARY:    AS MY MOT

  Join the Latina Book Club this week as we feature books with strong, courageous mothers.    And remember our Book of the Month, THE CRUEL COUNTRY, another tale of the power of a mother's love.  Happy Reading.  Happy Mother's Week.   "My mother said I came back to her at sea. She said I appeared  out of  nowhere, like a falling star, and that I had changed from what I once was..." --- Stella Maris Chantel Acevedo heard about the 1980 Mariel Boatlift from a friend whose family actually came over from Cuba during that time.   And, from that kernel of an idea she went on to write A FALLING STAR -- the story of two mothers and two daughters written in a very creative style where the past and the present follow and overlap, and where four heroines speak from their hearts.   BOOK SUMMARY:   Magda Elena Del Pozo and Solamaris Morales grew up in a Havana, Cuba. Different as night and day but best of friends.   Magda Elena has a husband and two bea

  Join the Latina Book Club this week as we feature books with strong, courageous mothers.  And remember our Book of the Month, THE CRUEL COUNTRY, another tale of the power of a mother's love.  Happy Reading.  Happy Mother's Week. "The point is, it doesn't matter that he doesn't have the best balance in the world, it doesn't matter that it doesn't sound right when he speaks sometimes, it doesn't matter that a wild child sometimes runs loose in his mind; with such a great and courageous spirit, being different doesn't matter."   This is the most courageous and inspiring book I've ever read.   It's a beautiful table of a mother's determination to do what is best for her child in the face of incredible physical and spiritual obstacles. A MIRACLE FROM GOD IN THE HANDS OF A MOTHER is written by Rocio Carrasquilla's youngest daughter.   Catalina shares with us the story of her mother and her brother Jimmy

  Join the Latina Book Club this week as we feature books with strong, courageous mothers.   And remember our Book of the Month, THE CRUEL COUNTRY, another tale of the power of a mother's love.   Happy Reading.   Happy Mother's Week. The Latina Book Club congratulates Manny Melendez.  His book, BATTLE FOR A SOUL, is a finalist in the 2015 International Latino Book Awards.    BATTLE FOR A SOUL is not only a supernatural tale, but a tale of the strength and the power only a mother possesses. When God created mothers, He decided to add an exceptional ingredient, which no other of His creations possessed.   And that is an incredible strength, a determination that would take them from hell to heaven, and back to hell.   They could easily move mountains, if their children were in danger, in trouble or just in need of that special touch to remind them that no matter what the circumstances, even as bad as it might look, she will make everything alright.   Growi