I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman embracing her growing powers must find a way to battle her destiny in author K.T. Anglehart’s “The Twin Flame”, the second book in the Scottish Scrolls series.
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The Synopsis
Mckenna O’Dwyer knows she’s impulsive. Sometimes reckless. She also knows she’s a witch and keeps reincarnating as one, for reasons only her mother, Abby, can help her fully understand.
After weeks of searching, mother and daughter finally reunite—just as Elizabeth Dunlop’s prophecy states—and Abby is keen on helping Mckenna get a firm grasp on her abilities. She teaches her the proper way to channel elemental magic…but Mckenna soon discovers there’s a shortcut, something Cillian fully supports if it means getting quicker, more powerful results.
At first, Mckenna will do anything to thwart the High Priestess once and for all, before her powers are used to wipe out billions of souls. But the white horse Eachna’s devastating vision of Mother Nature continues to haunt her. Is that the future awaiting them if the Scottish Scrolls aren’t fulfilled?
Which is the lesser evil?
Enthralling, passionate, and with twists you won’t see coming, Mckenna’s magical education begins in book II of The Scottish Scrolls.
The Review
The author has recaptured what made book one in the Scottish Scrolls series so beloved and upped the ante with more action and magic than ever before. While book one laid the foundation for this series, book two fully explores the larger magical and mythical universe and the protagonist’s growing powers.
The vivid detail that went into the story, as well as the character dynamics and the fast-paced atmosphere, allowed for, at times, a harrowing yet compelling narrative. The thoughtful and creative approach to Celtic history and mythology was perfectly crafted. It was also great to see the back and forth of the protagonist and her mother in their growing relationship.
The Verdict
Harrowing, adventurous, and mythological author K.T. Anglehart’s “The Twin Flame” is a must-read YA urban fantasy with a twist on supernatural storytelling. The stunning atmosphere captures the love so many have for the Celtic people’s history, culture, and mythos, and the twists in the story will keep readers breathless. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is an award-winning author from Montreal, with a multilingual prowess in English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”. A dedicated academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Inspired by the wizarding world, the land of Narnia, and parallel planes, she penned The Wise One, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever-present magic. Her exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced her debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.
K.T. Anglehart is a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to her late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind her imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When she’s not writing or diving into magical reads, she revels in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside her high school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. They currently live in Toronto with their three pets: Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and their whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Joel McKay explores the cosmic, haunting horrors of the world in his collection, “It Came From the Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations”.
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The Synopsis
Tree planters on the run from parasitic insects. A physicist who has become the target of a murderous airline. Teenagers trapped in a museum with an eldritch horror. An escaped pit fighter thrust into a desperate stand at a sagging mountain fortress. And a luckless cowboy sailing across a sea of grass to the bloody resurrection of an elder god. Welcome to Joel McKay’s It Came from the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations, a collection of five page-turners as strange, disparate and bloody as their titles suggest.
So, grab a stiff drink, turn the lights down low, settle into your favorite reading nook and enjoy this brief but memorable collection of tales from one of the newest voices in Canadian pulp fiction.
The Review
This collection of stories did an incredible job of simultaneously capturing the essence of terror and pulp fiction. Each tale expertly weaves the haunting atmosphere the author’s writing evokes with the mounting tension that the genre is infamous for.
The creepy settings and the horror-filled narratives perfectly complement the rich characters that populate these stories. The way these characters are thrust into these evolving bouts of terror and the unsettling nature of the horrors they face brings to mind the works of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and the horror classic The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen.
The Verdict
Chilling, atmospheric, and engaging author Joel McKay’s “It Came From The Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations” is a must-read horror and pulp fiction collection. The cosmic horror setting and the grounded character development will keep readers interested and invested in the author’s work now and in the future. If you haven’t already be sure to check out this book today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Joel McKay is an award-winning writer. He calls Prince George, B.C. home, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Wolf at the Door is his first novella, which won the 2022 Global Book Award gold medal for horror. His most recent published fiction was the short story Number Hunnerd in Tyche Books’ anthology Water: Selkies, Sirens and Sea Monsters, and the splatterpunk western short story Hands, which was published in Brigids Gate Press’ anthology Blood in the Soil, Terror on the Wind.
The inspiration for his fiction is drawn from the landscapes and people of British Columbia, particularly the province’s vast, untamed and often misunderstood north. It’s the small towns and the people who call them home that inspired the good ol’ boys featured in Number Hunnerd, or the cool, crisp evenings and early sunsets of October that planted the idea for werewolves at a Thanksgiving feast.
Joel is passionate about Canada, its history and the history of the peoples who have called it home since time immemorial. As far as he’s concerned, New England has got nothing on Northern B.C. when it comes to perfect settings for supernatural tales.
In his spare time, Joel is an avid fly fisherman, mountain biker, hiker and reader. His work as an economic development professional, public relations specialist and journalist has earned him numerous national, provincial and local awards and recognitions.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman balancing her store’s relocation and renovations must contend with her sister’s big-time dreams with the sudden mystery surrounding the death of a famed Hollywood fashion designer in author Diane Bator’s “All That Shines”, the next entry in the Glitter Bay Mysteries series.
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The Synopsis
When Sage Miller’s sister Laken decides to host a fashion show as a grand opening for the new location of Vintage Sage, she’s not amused. Even less so when she discovers her sister hired a Hollywood fashion designer to help. Not only does the designer show up in the middle of renovations, but he drags along his protégé.Then she finds Sebastian Hayward III, dead in her store.Suddenly it seems half of Los Angeles—all unwelcome guests from Laken’s past—appear in Vintage Sage seeking something Sebastian had in his possession. Sage has to deal with renovations, a fashion show, and a murder before she and Laken come unglued.Review: All That Shines is another great “who done it” with Sage and Laken and once again I was wrong! Can’t wait for the next book in the Glitter Bay Series to see what the sisters are up to. Diane Bator has once again successfully completed another beautifully written mystery: “All That Shines” Book 2 in the Glitter Bay Mysteries series. A comfortable, easy read, and a page turner which keeps you guessing right to the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed Bator’s willingness to step into the deep waters of some human issues which rage today’s society. An honest and bold move on her part, Bator writes with absolute grace and dignity. Well done! 5 Stars, Award-winning, bestselling author, Maggie Kirton.
The Review
This is another fantastic high fashion meets murder mystery read. The author beautifully captures the essence of the small-town mystery within the grander scale of the setting. The imagery and atmosphere allow readers to feel transported in this story, and the tension can be felt both in Sage’s daily life and the murder mystery.
Yet it was the character dynamics and the mystery itself that brought this narrative to life. The conflict and drama between Sage and Laken are palpable, while the larger-than-life personality of the soon-to-be murder victim and the impact he made allowed for a wide cast of characters to become potential suspects, adding to the mystery itself.
The Verdict
Harrowing, creative, and entertaining, author Diane Bator’s “All That Shines” is a must-read mystery and the perfect next entry in the Glitter Bay Series. The way the author adds more depth to these characters from book 1 to now and the shocking developments will keep readers engaged thoroughly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to get your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
A prolific mystery writer, I am the mom of three kids and two cats as well as author of Wild Blue Mysteries, Gilda Wright Mysteries, Glitter Bay Mysteries, and the Audra Clemmings Mysteries from Books We Love Ltd. with many more to come!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man lost after the tragic loss of his daughter must navigate a conspiracy filled with alchemy and a terrible secret in author Michael J Stiehl’s “The Maiden’s Sleep”.
The Synopsis
Bow has hit bottom. Banished from the town of Dunwynn, his hands crippled by the town guard, he drinks his days away in a hut made of sticks and mud. He is a long way from being part of the legendary father/daughter duo Knife & Bow.
That’s because his daughter is dead. Killed by The Maiden’s Sleep, a plague that ran rampant through Dunwynn all spring and summer, killing only young women.
Now, there are two children in his hut asking him to find their missing father. Against his better instincts and to make a little money, he decides to help. It’s a decision that will lead him into the darkest corners of Dunwynn, revealing a secret sect of alchemy and a plot to achieve unspeakable power.
Can Bow play the hero one more time, or will the truth about The Maiden’s Sleep be his end?
The Review
This was a compelling and gripping fantasy thriller. The story gives readers a captivating experience as the world building allows the imagery in the author’s writing to expand and grow exponentially in the reader’s mind. The tension the builds in the book, especially as the mystery behind this illness that took the protagonist’s daughter begins to unfold, made the narrative more complex yet enthralling to read.
Yet it was the heartfelt, complicated and emotional character development that made this story so unique. The revelation behind his daughter’s death, the emotional struggle of his journey to help these children, and the dark blend of alchemy and nefarious villains give the protagonist a harrowing yet well rounded character driven narrative for readers to get lost in.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, entertaining, and compelling, author Michael J Stiehl’s “The Maiden’s Sleep” is a must read fantasy thriller you don’t want to miss. The twists and turns in the narrative and the rich character arcs will leave readers eager for more, and a Knife and Bow prequel is a definite must. If you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Michael J. Stiehl has had a lifelong passion for fiction, in particular horror, comics, adventure and science fiction, and is thrilled to finally be writing some of his own. Michael lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, two kids and his very silly poodle Jack. When not writing fiction, Michael spends his time riding bikes, camping, reading books, obsessively listening to music and playing D&D with his friends. In short, he hasn’t changed a bit since junior high.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman struggling with life and nothing left to lose finds herself thrust into a family secret that will change things forever in author D.C. Gomez’s “The Cat Lady Special”, the first book in the author’s The Cat Lady Series.
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The Synopsis
What would you do if you had nothing to lose?
Angela has reached the end of her rope. Bills are piling up, money is sparse, and her two-timing ex-husband traded her in for a “Barbie” lookalike. Depression and lack of hope put her in a world filled with never-ending pain, and when she loses the one thing she has left—her will to live—she knows there’s nothing left to go back to. Until an unexpected knock on her door wakes her up.
The lonely, sad cat lady comes face to face with a new and exciting opportunity, if only she grabs the bull by the horns and accepts. When she does, she learns of a crazy family secret, but she also finds a way to save herself, and the people she loves most.
The Cat Lady Special is a story of second chances, discovering your inner savior, and of finding hope in the most unexpected places. It will appeal to fans of “How Stella Got her Groove Back” and “Breaking Bad.”
The Review
What a fun and rich story. The author does an incredible job of crafting a narrative that is both fun and thrilling all at once. The memorable story development that highlights the small-town life and action keeps the reader engaged very early in the book. The author’s use of imagery vividly brings the story’s details to life with extraordinary depth.
The heart of this story rests in the protagonist’s rich character dynamics and relatability. The story of a woman struggling in the world, only to find her true identity and the power she had been hoping to regain in her life, was not only relatable but, in its own fun and unique way, inspiring. The dramatic yet humorous take on her story in regards to her family’s secret business and the hilarious connection she shares with her mother and her group of friends, dubbed “The Silver-Hair Gang,” the book becomes a thrilling blend of small-town life meets Breaking Bad.
The Verdict
Captivating, gripping, and entertaining, author D.C. Gomez’s “The Cat Lady Special” is a must-read women’s humorous fiction meets small-town mystery and crime thriller. The witty banter between the characters, the relatable protagonist, and the shocking twists and turns will keep readers on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
D. C. Gomez is a USA Today Bestselling Author, born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. She study film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years.
Those experiences shaped her quirky sense of humor. D.C. has a love for those who served and the families that support them. She currently lives in the quaint city of Wake Village, Texas, with her furry roommate, Chincha.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Christine Milkovic Krauss shares the emotions and stresses that children often face when going to the doctor by showcasing a young cat’s visit to the vet in the book “Teddy Visits the Vet”.
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The Synopsis
Teddy visits the vet is the fourth book in “The Adventures of Teddy” series. In Teddy Visits the Vet, children can relate their own feelings and emotions to health care processes and learn self soothing techniques. Teddy learns to make choices and celebrates their feelings of self empowerment.
The Review
This was yet another grand entry into the Teddy universe. The warmth of the illustrations and the heart of the themes the narrative explores made this a remarkable story. The way the narrative inspires conversation between a child and their parent about healthcare, in general, makes this a brilliant children’s story.
The educational value and the inviting storytelling both played a significant part in this book’s success. The thoughtful way the author engaged the reader with memorable characters and a depth of honesty that spoke to the author’s real-life adventures with Teddy made this a stellar read. The imagery, both in writing and the illustrations themselves, captures young readers’ imaginations and makes for a heartfelt story.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, caring, and engaging author Christine Milkovic Krauss’s “Teddy Visits The Vet” is a must-read children’s book. The techniques to calm the nerves and the enlightening way the author speaks to young readers about healthcare, in general, made this a fantastic children’s book to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Everybody has a story. More importantly; every person is deserving of friendship, kindness and acceptance. Teddy Loses His Ears is a non-fiction story about my real life rescue cat who lost his ears to frostbite while being homeless in negative 50 degree temperatures in central Canada.
All of the books in the Teddy series will highlight educational points about pet care, support inclusivity and celebrate being different together. Teddy Loses His Ears is the introduction book to the series and touches on self esteem and disability awareness. Each illustration in the story is hand painted and even has a Teddy’s favourite toy hidden on every page for children to find! This story was created to raise awareness for rescue organizations and promote, adopt vs shop, to find your purr-fect family pet.
In addition to being a pet lover and cat mom, I am also a mom of two primary school aged children.
These books could never have come to life without their inspiration, a tribe of supportive humans and of course, Book Club.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Kim Idynne showcases 13 tales of terror that will chill you to the core in the book “To the Solemn Graves”.
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The Synopsis
Feeling shunned in their new neighborhood, a family attributes the cold attitude of the neighbors to prejudice—but a little investigation unearths a more shocking motive. A conniving widower finds a new wife through a foreign dating service, but the bride turns out to know him much more intimately than he imagined. A young man enlists a shaman to exorcise a terrifying spirit from his apartment, and as he learns more about the supposed ghost, he begins to form a strange and tender bond with her. To the Solemn Graves presents thirteen stories that, while laced with the supernatural, remind us that most horror comes from the all too natural.
The Review
This was a compelling, heartfelt collection of short stories. The author did a fantastic job of finding the balance between the spine-chilling terror of each story and rich character development that brought a more grounded sense of storytelling to the book. Each story’s haunting imagery allows the reader to feel transported into the narrative entirely.
The heart of this narrative is in the powerful themes the author explores in this book, as each story elevates far beyond the classic horror genre. Each story reveals the horrors that arise from everyday life, the complex relationships we have with those we love, and the chilling reality of our perceptions of those who are different than us. The social and emotional consequences the author explores help bring the terrifying moments to new levels in the narrative.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, yet emotionally complex, author Kim Idynee’s “To the Solemn Graves” is a must-read horror collection. The twists and turns in the narrative, the terrifying horror moments, and the complex yet engaging character dynamics all brought to mind the intriguing stories told by writer and director Mike Flannigan. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A shy young teenage girl finds herself thrust into the battle to save all galaxies in author Morgan Middleton’s “Asteria: The Legend of the Fallen Star: Book One”.
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The Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Celeste Evans has perfected the art of camouflage, inspired in part by her life on an army base, but mostly by her shyness. She prefers to slip under the radar, but when she is plucked from her ordinary suburban life and placed into a galactic military boarding school, Celeste must squash her own insecurities and find her true purpose. Does she have the strength to hone her powers to fight for the preservation of all galaxies, or will time run out for those she loves and for countless others?
This is the first book in a series.
The Review
This was a captivating and adventurous read. The author does a great job crafting a wholly original sci-fi epic that is visually stunning and written compellingly. The rich mythology and backstory the author developed with the looming threat to the galaxies at play and the graphic novel’s unique illustration style helped capture the narrative’s larger-than-life status.
The heart of this story resonated with the character development and the powerful theme of destiny. The way Celeste was developed made the reader feel like they were represented in the narrative, as she finds herself transported to this whole other world and galaxy and away from the life she knew. Her connection to this universe and the developing nature of her role in this coming battle made the reader feel invested, and the themes at play in the story allowed the reader to feel the sense of destiny that Celeste exudes in this story.
The Verdict
Memorable, engaging, and thrilling, author Morgan Middleton’s “Asteria: The Legend of the Fallen Star: Book One” is a must-read action and adventure meets sci-fi graphic novel/manga. The twists and turns in the narrative and the cliffhanger ending will keep readers eager to get the next volume of this mesmerizing story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Morgan Middleton (she/her) is a singer-actress, producer and writer. She is creator, producer and director of a one-woman show designed to highlight the power of music as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Morgan was named a grantee of The Boston Foundation and a 2020-2021 Turn The Spotlight Fellow. Her passion is bringing underrepresented people into focus and showcasing them in their best light. She is currently performing in and around the Chicago area and is an advocate for the arts. Ms. Middleton completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and her master’s degree at New England Conservatory of Music.
There’s nothing like getting lost in a good historical fiction tale. When done right, historical fiction transports us to a past time and lets us imagine ourselves living there. History provides the framework for the story, but the book should not read like a history text. Rather it should be a wonderful story that happens to take place during another time and perhaps teaches something new about that time.
To be effective, historical fiction must be accurate. Nothing takes a reader out of a story like an anachronism or citing a wrong fact. For example, Henry VIII wouldn’t say “okay”, because the word did not exist during his time. Or a character in a pre-World War II novel would refer to World War I only as “The Great War”, never World War I.
When I set out to write “A Delicate Marriage”, historical fiction set in Puerto Rico during the 1930s to ‘50s, I was determined to get it right. Here are some lessons about writing 20th century historical fiction I learned along the way.
Absorb as much as you can about the history of the time. Start with an overview and then drill down into specific events.
Use primary sources whenever possible—letters, speeches, books written by the characters you are portraying, photos taken during the time.
Newspapers and magazines bring facts to life and humanize the players. Ads are a font of information for question like what people wore or how much renting an apartment cost.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in a book or online, contact an expert in that field. Academics and archivists are generally happy to help. For example, when researching my book, I consulted a Puerto Rican food historian and a historian for the El Yunque Rain Forest, among others.
If you can’t verify a fact, leave it out. Even after consulting a Puerto Rican movie history expert, I could not confirm whether Puerto Rican theaters served popcorn in the 1930s, so my characters do not eat popcorn on their movie date.
Bring history alive through the details—names of restaurants, books people were reading, popular songs, types of cars, the latest washing machine technology.
You don’t have to include every historic event in detail. Pick and choose those that best serve the story and summarize others.
First decide on the story you want to tell and then weave in the history. An agent critiqued an early draft of my manuscript, telling me “I would have liked to see the story and the historical details woven together a bit more seamlessly. Ideally, the reader will feel like we’re reading a love story within the historical context, instead of a love story with specific details about Puerto Rico during that time.” You bet I fixed that!
Research is fun, but you need to know when to stop digging and when to start writing. Other writers advised me not to worry about the small details during the first draft, like what the character is wearing or what song is playing. You can add those later.
Don’t have too rigid of an outline. Sometimes my research led the story in a new direction. For example, when I read about the opening gala for the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, I knew I had to set a scene during that party.
So why not try your hand at historical fiction? Pick an era that fascinates you and see what stories you can concoct. Spend time in 17th century France, Cleopatra’s Egypt, or even the Ice Age. And learn a little something along the way.
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About the Book
From glittering ballrooms to verdant mountains to poverty-stricken slums, A Delicate Marriage takes the reader on a vivid tour of Puerto Rico forty years after becoming a U.S. colony, a time of great change and political turmoil on the island.
Isabela, a wealthy woman, sacrifices her artistic aspirations to marry Marco, a penniless man dedicated to improving conditions on the island. As the island’s insular government enacts pro-U.S. policies, Marco builds a real estate empire while struggling to maintain his populist principles. Meanwhile, Isabela feels unfulfilled in her traditional role as a wife and mother and becomes disillusioned with Marco’s shifting moral compass. She begins to identify with anti-U.S. factions, leading a dangerous double life that puts her family in peril.
As political violence threatens their paradise, Isabela and Marco question whether their marriage, like the island’s relationship with the U.S., should continue. Margarita Barresi’s debut novel celebrates Puerto Rican culture while delving into themes of class, oppression, and the effects of colonialism through the lens of a marriage.
“Margarita Barresi’s A Delicate Marriage is an electrifying debut … smart, heartfelt and timely… a trenchant portrait of an island and a marriage pushed to the breaking point.”
— Junot Diaz, author of This is When You Lose Her
“Immersive and interesting, empathetic, and expansive, Barresi skillfully interweaves a love story with the history of Puerto Rico politics. An impressive debut!”
— Susie Orman Schnall, author of We Came Here to Shine
“Barresi is a naturally gifted storyteller with a talent for narrative structure…What emerges is a fully three-dimensional portrait of a couple trying to find a way forward in a time of political and social upheaval…An absorbing and deeply nuanced romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Barresi expertly weaves captivating details of Puerto Rican history into this gripping love story.”
— Independent Book Review
“A Delicate Marriage, with its blend of glamour, charm, and a nostalgic nod to a bygone era, promises to uplift readers’ spirits on even the dreariest of days, inviting them to revisit the tempestuous yet enchanting landscape of Puerto Rico.”
— Literary Titan
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About Author Margarita Barresi
Raised in Puerto Rico by her grandparents, Margarita Barresi grew up hearing stories about the “good old days”—the genesis for this, her first novel. She studied public relations at Boston University, and after
a successful career in marketing communications, now devotes her time to writing. Her essays have been published in several literary magazines and compilations. Margarita lives in the suburbs north of Boston with her husband and two Puerto Rican cats, Luna and Rico.
November 10th @ The Muffin Join us as we celebrate the blog tour launch of A Delicate Marriage by Margarita Barresi. You’ll have the chance to read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.
