Nikki Arana Reviews

Added February 24, 2006

Regalo Grade Book 2: In the Shade of the Jacaranda

Author: Nikki Arana
Publisher: Revell Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 1, 2006
Genre: Romance: Christian/Inspirational
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0800730496
Author Email/Website: www.nikkiarana.com
Reviewer: Sherri Myers
Rating: 8 Gargoyles

Daughter of a wealthy heart surgeon, Angelica shocked everyone, including herself, when she fell in love with the illiterate illegal immigrant hired to work on her father's ranch in WINDS OF SONOMA. Now, in the follow-up novel to that book, Angelica Amante and Antonio Perez have gotten married against Angelica's parents' advice.

In IN THE SHADE OF THE JACARANDA, Angelica finds out she is unexpectedly pregnant and has mixed feelings about it. Antonio is excited and proud to know he is going to be a father, but Angelica thinks it is too soon to start a family. When she learns the baby may have some developmental problems, it just makes her life even more confused and complicated.

Antonio is attempting to get his lawn care business started, but someone is sabotaging his efforts and he keeps losing his clients. Money is stretched tight already with Angelica just getting adjusted to her new job at the public defender's office. Not to mention, her divorced boss has taken a special interest in her, which is making for some rather uncomfortable situations.

Angelica's parents also prove to be a challenge and not an encouragement to her and Antonio, and their relationship becomes even more strained after hearing of the pregnancy. How will they take the news that something may be wrong with the baby?

Antonio's grandmother comes from Mexico to stay with them for a while, and Angelica has problems speaking with her since she only knows Spanish. Will Abuela be able to communicate with Angelica and help her to hear the voice of God and know He is in control?

Nikki Arana has drawn from her own personal experience to bring readers the REGALO GRANDE series. The characters and storyline appear realistic because some of the story has actually happened to Ms. Arana herself, adding to its depth and believability. WINDS OF SONOMA and now IN THE SHADE OF THE JACARANDA is romance at its best, and will keep the reader turning page after page until reaching the final one. Inspirational fans will definitely enjoy this novel, and I personally found my own relationship with God strengthened after reading it. I now consider myself a fan of Ms. Arana and look forward to reading many more of her novels in the future.

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Added November 10, 2005

Regalo Grande Book 1: The Winds of Sonoma

Author: Nikki Arana
Publisher: Revell Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 1, 2005
Genre: Romance: Christian/Inspirational
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0800730488
Author Email/Website: www.nikkiarana.com
Reviewer: Sherri Myers
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Angelica Armande, a twenty-four year old lawyer, was working for a prestigious law firm in New York and was up for a promotion to junior partner. When she finds the job will require her to go against her moral value system, she must make a life-altering decision. Her choice causes her to be fired on the spot, leaving her to pack her bags and head for home in Sonoma.

Once back home on her parent's ranch, Regalo Grande, Angelica becomes interested in a newly-hired Mexican laborer named Antonio Perez. She decides her future lies in defending these helpless immigrants against the people who seek to steal their labor and then have them deported. Angelica's parents let her know they are against her decision to become a public defender and that they feel she is wasting her life and talent.

An elderly Greek immigrant who works for the Amantes named Poppy is Angelica's encourager and through his deep faith in God, supports her and prays for her future. Poppy believes his God has sent Antonio to Regalo Grande to become Angelica's husband, but the language barrier and the class differences between the two seem insurmountable. Can Antonio and Angelica cross the boundaries that separate them and find love in each other's arms?

Based on her own true story, Nikki Arana brings the reader a story of love, faith, compassion, and courage. THE WINDS OF SONOMA is the first book in a three-part series entitled REGALO GRANDE. A fresh voice in the inspirational market, Ms. Arana has written a story that should come paired with a box of tissues attached. I am eagerly awaiting the second part of this inspiring and interesting story!

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