HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !
The
Latina Book Club is doing mini interviews with Latino / Latinx authors about
Latin Lovers, favorite couples, and best presents to give this week.
We are
pleased to welcome International Latino Book Awards winner Theresa Varela.
She’s a Puerto Rican author from Brooklyn,
NY.
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| Photo by Patricia Dorelles |
LBC: Welcome, Theresa. Valentine’s Day is upon us, and nothing says romance more than a
Latin Lover, or does it? What do you think of the Latin Lover— is he a
Macho Man, Eye Candy or other?
THERESA: The terms Latin lover, Eye Candy, and Macho
Man bring forth the vision of grainy black and white cinema. A rose between a
swashbuckler’s teeth or the heaving cleavage of a voluptuous barmaid evoke
fantasy and passion. Rudolph Valentino
did much in his day for the construction of the female ideology that escape of
the doldrums of a dull life could only be accomplished by a man who strides in
on a magnificent white stallion. We love
adventure and magic in our relationships and that can be achieved with
stability, groundedness, and with an inner core of trust in our partners. We’re
fortunate that old fashioned expectations of traditional male and female roles
no longer apply to individuals and choice in their cocreation of love.
LBC:
Describe the ideal Lover— Latino or otherwise.
THERESA: Most of us yearn for intimacy, for a deep,
and lasting love. Our ability to love at such depths has usually already been affected
profoundly by our pasts. In Coney Island
Siren, the words protagonist
and antagonist aptly describe Maggie and Frank as partners in an often disturbing,
yet compelling bond. The couple’s psychology is complex. Both bring to their
relationship early experiences that have left indelible marks on their psyches,
spirits, and souls. That’s not to say that these novel characters cannot strive
to be idyllic lovers. Characters are like actors in a play that portray us, in
our ultimate humanness. Isn’t ideal love only identified in the eyes of the
loving beholder?
LBC: Who’s your favorite couple and why?
THERESA: I hope it’s not cheating to say that my spouse
and I are my favorite couple. We’ve lasted many chapters and quite a few
episodes of life together. Our early excitement and passion have bloomed into
strong commitment, embracing and championing each other’s visions, and support
of one another’s disappointments when those invariably occur. My adult children
love her dearly. She is my grandson’s godmother. My father, who recently
crossed over, loved her as a second daughter. Over the years we’ve learned to
accept each other’s differences while celebrating our love all the time, not
only on Valentine’s Day, although that is a great excuse for fun.
LBC: What’s the
best present to give your Valentine?
THERESA: Valentine’s gifts should be symbolic of the
relationship. When I was much younger, I longed for deep crimson teddy bears
that wore tee-shirts declaring the sentiment of LOVE. As I’ve matured and my
awareness of love has deeply ripened even the desire for a Valentine’s present
has changed. There are years that my spouse and I discuss beforehand the limits
or the expansiveness of the Valentine gift. Some lovers gift each other
flowers, champagne, chocolates, or sexy underthings. At this point, I prefer
the trust, confidence, and reciprocal love that I’ve come to cherish in my
intimate relationship. A card, a dinner, with a little handholding, and deep
commitment is celebrated any day of the year.
LBC: Describe your
novel, CONEY ISLAND SIREN, in 5 words.
THERESA: Sensual, provocative,
surreal, mystical, awakening!
The
Latina Book Club thanks author Theresa Varela for participating in our
Valentine’s Week Special.
BIO: Award-winning
Puerto Rican author Theresa Varela was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
She is the recipient of International Latino Book Awards for Covering the Sun with My Hand in
2015 and Nights of Indigo Blue: A
Daisy Muñiz Mystery in 2016. Dr. Varela holds a PhD in Nursing
Research and Theory Development, and currently works with the mentally ill homeless
population in New York City. She is a member of the National Association of
Hispanic Nurses and a member of Las Comadres Para las Americas, and is on the
Advisory Board of the Latina 50 Plus program. She is co-founder of La
Pluma y La Tinta, a writers’ workshop. Her blog, LatinaLibations on Writing and All Things of the Spirit, can be found
at www.theresavarela.com
#HappyValentinesDay
#HappyReading
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