about
In the
Shade of the Jacaranda
Angelica
Amante Perez has found and married Antonio, the man
she knows God meant for her. But how can she get her
proud, well-to-
do family to accept a Mexican immigrant who is still
struggling to
learn English? If being hardworking, honest and
God-fearing isn't
enough for them, what is? And what does that say about
her family's
values?
A change in leadership in the office where she
works as a
lawyer compounds Angelica's issues. She thinks that her
boss is
coming on to her. Meanwhile, Antonio battles prejudice
and
misunderstanding in American culture while starting his
lawn-care
business. Maybe the baby that's on the way will solve
all their
problems. Or maybe this is just the beginning of
heartache.
Arana wrings the heart and exalts the soul with a
new
installment of her Regalo Grande series. Angelica's
struggles hit
home. Antonio is still larger than life, but maybe
that's part of
his attraction. The author has a beautiful way with
spiritual
matters.
4 Stars
~
Romantic Times
Her family, especially her parents,
and her friends still wonder why Angelica Amante,
daughter of a renowned wealthy heart surgeon, would
marry an illiterate poor Mexican stable laborer (see THE
WINDS OF SONOMA). In spite of the whisperers that he is
fortunate to have her, she feels lucky to have an honest
caring partner as her spouse as Antonio is that and more
to her.
However, this is not a fairy tale
in which the Perez duo lives happily ever after. Life is
filled with setbacks. As defense attorney Angelica
becomes pregnant, Antonio’s landscaping business looks
doomed to failure. When her doctor tells her she needs
to rest more and work less or jeopardize the health of
her unborn, her boss demands more of her. Even her
parents have doubts about having a grandchild that could
serve as the anchor to a marriage they oppose while
Antonio worries how he will feed his two charges with
his business on the brink of bankruptcy. Love no longer
seems enough, but their belief in God might give
Angelica and Antonio the inner strength to get through a
marital crisis.
As with THE WINDS OF SONOMA, IN THE
SHADE OF THE JACARANDA is inspirational the way it
should be told. The insightful story line contains a
fabulous cast struggling with bringing a baby into the
world at a time when finances are low and loving
relationships are falling apart under pressure. Nikki
Arana provides a fascinating character-driven tale of
multifaceted faith in oneself, loved ones, and God that
enable light to shine when everything seems darkest at a
time that should be filled with euphoria.
~ Harriet Klausner
If you have yet to read Nikki Arana’s debut novel titled
The Winds Of Sonoma, I do want to warn you that
this review will contain spoilers to that book. IN THE
SHADE OF THE JACARANDA picks up where its predecessor
left off.
Angelica Amante Perez knows all about discrimination.
After disappointing parents by getting fired from a
prominent New York City law firm, Angelica returned to
Northern California and fell head over heels for an
illegal Mexican man named Antonio.
Angelica hopes her parents will get over their issues.
She’s settling into her new job with the public
defender’s office. She and Antonio are attempting to
launch his landscaping business. Antonio’s grandmother
is coming to California to stay. More importantly,
Angelica is pregnant.
All is not to go as planned. What should be a joyous
event turns nightmarish. Angelica’s boss resigns and a
known womanizer replaces him. Someone is sabotaging
Antonio’s work. But, most tragic of all is news that
Angelica’s baby is not flourishing.
IN THE SHADE OF THE JACARANDA is a thrilling
continuation into Angelica and Antonio’s story. The
characters seem real—possibly because the fictional
story mirrors parts of the author’s own life.
Emotionally stirring, the reader cannot help but read
the story in one sitting. The baby’s life remains in
the balance for the majority of the story, so it becomes
critical to see the story through. I refused to take a
break until I’d finished every last word.
~ Roundtable Reviews
