 Bernardo and the Virgin Silvio Sirias (Northwestern University Press)ISBN-10: 0810122405ISBN-13: 978-0810122406 Review Bernardo Martinez is a devout Catholic and sacristan in his church in Cuapa, Nicaraugua. Based on actual events, Bernardo and the Virgin is a sweeping tale that juxtaposes the spirituality of Catholicism against the revolution occurring as the socialist Sandinistas overthrow the Somoza regime. In 1980, Bernardo is visited by an apparition of the Virgin Mary and she instructs him to encourage everyone to pray the rosary daily and to "work for peace." He's well aware that he's not in a position where anyone would take him seriously, but his strong faith gives him the courage to be obedient. Not only do we learn how the title character is affected by the presence of the Virgin, but also that of others who all share some sort of connection with Bernardo. While interspersing Spanish throughout the novel, Sirias paints a vivid picture of village life in Cuapa. The overall tone is more spiritual than religious and exposes such humanity through Bernardo's complete surrender to his beliefs. This in spite of his being denied the priesthood in his youth because he was deemed to poor. Just as in Meet Me Under the Ceiba, Sirias has given us another beautifully written novel revealing the intricacies of Central America. Bernardo and the Virgin was a great reminder of why I love historical fiction.  Support the author and an indie bookstore. Purchase your copy of Bernardo and the Virgin at Dulce Bread & Bookshop. Giveaway We're also hosting a unique giveaway on this book tour. Leave a question to be answered in Friday's live chat with author Silvio Sirias and you may be selected to win one of each: a change-purse and a decoration made by the Kuna artisans in Panama, called Molas. Tour Hosts Mon June 7 Latino Book Examiner Tues June 8 Regular Rumination and La Bloga Wed June 9 When I Was in 'nam Thurs June 10 Sandra's Book Club Fri June 11 Sententia Vera Mon June 14 The Tranquilo Traveler Tues June 15 BrownGirl BookSpeak Wed June 16 The Book Nook Thur June 17 Pisti Totol-Black Bird Fri June 18 Musings Live chat is Friday, June 18 at 7 pm EST at Condor Book Tours.  Esperanza is your typical "nerd". She reads voraciously, has amazing study habits, has little fashion knowledge beyond jeans and t-shirts, and is accident prone. The best thing about the lead character of Beyond the Gardens is that she's perfectly content with who she is and grateful to be out of the barrio. She's fulfilling her dream of being in college, an art college, at that, where she studies animation. During freshmen year, she discovers that her childhood best friend, Carlos, wants to be more than friends but, she's fallen for another guy who has the same love for books as she does. Meanwhile, Esperanza forms an unlikely friendship with her shopaholic roommate. Lopez easily takes us through the saga of a young woman from a working class east L.A. neighborhood dealing with the usual growing pains: first loves, finding a job, self-discovery. She thoughtfully explores a colorful mother-daughter dynamic which is refreshing. In Esperanza, Sandra Lopez has written a believably studious and aspirational character. Through a solid first person narrative, the reader will cheer for Esperanza as she enters adulthood and carves her path Beyond the Gardens.  About the author Sandra C. López was born and raised in Hawaiian Gardens, California. She learned to read at the young age of two and strived to achieve the best grades in school. Her free time was spent reading, writing, and drawing. Sandra managed to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and enter college. Her first novel, "Esperanza: A Latina Story," was published in March 2008 while she was still in college. Now, this young writer is a full graduate of Cal State University Fullerton with a BFA in Animation and Illustration, and she is anticipating a promising career as a writer and an artist. "Beyond the Gardens" is the follow up sequel to "Esperanza." About the book At the age of 18, Esperanza Ignacio begins her college years at an upscale Los Angeles art school, where she studies to fulfill her long-term dream in Animation. But she soon learns the truth to the old folktale: “you can take the girl out of the barrio, but you can’t take the barrio out of the girl.” Even though she’s getting financial aid, Esperanza works a part-time job during her break from classes just to make ends meet. Her roommate, Anna, is what she calls a “chicana from Beverly Hills” because of the rich daddy and the new car she got for her quinceañera. Things get a little confusing for Esperanza when an old friend comes looking for her, hoping to start a meaningful relationship. But is Carlos the right guy for her? She never even considered him to be anything more than a friend since high school. Then comes Jake, a gorgeous mechanic, who shares her passion for books and loves her for who she is. What’s a girl to do? Strength and determination help pave the way for the future. And, as she approaches her graduation, she is faced with a difficult decision: should she leave Los Angeles and leave behind her family, her home, and everything she’s known? Ever since she was born in the California barrio of Hawaiian Gardens, she’s always had to look over the fence, wondering what she’s been missing. Now she’s taking a flying leap over to see what’s beyond the little barrio. What’s beyond her family, her friends, and her past? What’s beyond the little nothing town, where dreams don’t exist? What’s beyond The Gardens? Is it life, love, a future? The story of Esperanza is finally concluded in this wildly entertaining and heart-warming sequel.  Beyond the Gardens By Sandra C. Lopez Price: $19.50 ISBN-13: 9781432746988 Published: Outskirts Press www.dulcebreadandbookshop.com Praise for Beyond the Gardens “Sandra Lopez’s sequel to Esperanza—Beyond the Gardens— reacquaints the reader with a compelling character, Esperanza, her barrio past and her college present, as she struggles to get an education and find her identity. A heartwarming story that young, female teens will enjoy!” —Donna Del Oro – Author of Operation Familia and Hasta La Vista, Baby “It’s not easy to figure out who you want to be, especially if you’re a chica from the barrio. With a crazy family and un amigo, who has suddenly decided he wants her, brainy college student, Esperanza, finds herself having to make some tough decisions. In this humorous and sweet novel, Lopez brings us lovable characters we want to root for from page one. Don’t miss it!” —Lara Rios – Author of Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps Tour Schedule Monday April 26 Bonnie S. Mata http://authoroffaith.blogspot.com/ Tuesday April 27 Mayra Calvani http://www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books-Examiner Wednesday April 28 Christina Rodriguez http://www.christinarodriguez.com/ Thursday April 29 Lori Calabrese http://loricalabrese.com/blog/ http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner Friday April 30 Mary Jo http://writerinspired.wordpress.com/ Monday May 3 Erin O'Riordan http://www.erinoriordan.blogspot.com/ Tuesday May 4 Joylene Nowell Butler http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/ Wednesday May 5 Terri Lee-Johnson http://www.browngirlspeaks.com/ Thursday May 6 Romina Tybitt http://www.mamaxxi.blogspot.com/ Friday May 7 Leslie Toledo http://thatchickthatreads.blogspot.com/ Our author, Sandra Lopez, will be selecting from the comments on the tour stops a winner to receive a copy of Beyond the Gardens. Announcing Winner of Meet Me Under the Ceiba 01/25/2010
After consulting random.org, Nina Forsythe has been selected the winner of an autographed copy of Silvio Sirias' novel Meet Me Under the Ceiba. Nina will hopefully respond within 48 hours. After that time, a new winner will be chosen. Congratulations Nina! And thanks to Silvio Sirias for a writing a great book exposing me to Nicaragua and to Bronzeword Latino Virtual Book Tours.  
Meet Me Under the Ceiba is more than a murder mystery of sorts. It presents harsh criticism on the homophobic attitudes still rampant in Nicaragua and towards all GLBT Latinos. One way Sirias exemplifies this throughout the novel is that most of the characters constantly refer to Adela derogatorily as cochona (dyke). This is, for some, to make light of her murder. Silvio Sirias has done a wonderful job of writing a variety of female characters that all (except Ixelia's mother, Erlinda) exhibit a great deal of strength and independence in spite of a number of unpleasant circumstances and typical marginalization of women. There is also a strong propensity towards the idea of "women's intutition" as each woman in Adela's life all claimed that their last encounters with her were apparent. With one exception, the men are all portrayed as jealous, obsessive, controlling, and sometimes abusive. Some might want to pull the man bashing card but that's moot since this is based on a true story. Those characteristics have to be in place for a man to be driven to kill because of a beautiful woman. Against the backdrop of what seems to be a well described town in Nicaragua, Sirias sharp, colorful writing explores the little discussed issues of homosexuality in that country and the flaws behind human emotions. Challenges: GLBT Challenge Author's website:www.silviosirias.com Silvio Sirias has been kind enough to make himself available for any questions today and will also be giving away an autographed copy of Meet Me Under the Ceiba to the question or comment of the day. Feel free to join in the discussion. Silvio Sirias Blog Tour Dates: Monday 11th: Book Lover Carol http://bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/ Tuesday Jan 12th: Brown Girl Speaks www.browngirl.weebly.com/book-speak.html Wed Jan 13th: Regular Ruminations www.regularrumination.wordpress.com Thursday Jan 14th: The Tranquilo Traveler http://blog.joshuaberman.net/ Friday Jan 15th: Pisti Totol www.pistitotol.wordpress.com Monday 18th: Mama XXI www.mamaxxi.blogspot.com Tuesday 19th: Farm Lane Books http://www.farmlanebooks.co.uk/ Wed 20th: Sandra's Book Club http://sandrasbookclub.blogspot.com/ Thurs. 21st: Latino Books Examiner www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books-Examiner Friday 22nd: Una in a Million http://unainamillion.blogspot.com | AuthorA brown girl blogging about the book world. In my other life, I'm a homeschool mom, wife, eco-frugalista, audiophile, entrepreneur...and still a bibliophile.        
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