During Isabella Alcantara's seventh month of pregnancy,
her parents and siblings are murdered in gang- and drug-
related violence, simply because their home was targeted
by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she
now lives in a different location, but she knows too that
the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband,
Francisco. When her grandfather offers to hire
a ""coyote"" to bring them across the border to America,
she agrees. But Francisco and Isabella are abandoned by
the coyote and left to die. Francisco then valiantly
sacrifices himself to get Isabella to safety. Homeless,
nearly penniless, pregnant, and alone, Isabella determines
to find a way to honor her promise to her beloved husband.
Living on one of the smaller spreads along the Arizona
border, Miriam Nelson becomes furious with God and turns
from her faith when her
border patrol agent husband, David, is killed in a
skirmish with drug smugglers. Though her mother and young
son do their best to woo her back from the anger and
bitterness that have overtaken her, they make little
headway.
Two widows-one driven by fear and a promise, the other by
bitterness and revenge-must make their journeys along
different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn
full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas
Eve. Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and
Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them
together in a most miraculous way.
My 14-year old daughter seems to be headed down your path. She's taking journalism as a freshman and is a voracious reader. Thanks for the post! (Molly Wilsbacher 12:05pm December 11, 2011)
Before I even started to read your blog entry today, I have to say that I noticed the cover to your book. I think that the artist did an outstanding job on it!! I was awestruck by it!! Anyway, I was taught how to read at the age of 3, and was reading physics books that my Dad had in the basement. My Parents would have me read to relatives when they would come over to visit. Other than the set of "Funk and Wagnalls" (which dates me) encyclopedias that were on the shelf, I was itching to read, so they would take me to the library, where I would take out as many books as I could carry to read. I also wrote poetry and plays. In Kindergarten, the teacher would have me read to the class when she would get called away. I always loved the English language, and got A's in that class throughout school. I wanted to major in English, and go to college, but my Mother said some things to me, which discouraged me, so I never went. It was a big mistake, and I regretted it all my life. My friends told me I should write a book, and perhaps some day I will, because I have some stories to tell. I do admire any author, because it does take a lot of grit to be in the business. Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy New Year!! (Peggy Roberson 12:31pm December 11, 2011)
That is so cool to hear - I am a voracious reader, myself, and back in grade school, my favorite part of the school week was our weekly visit to the school's library - in 11th grade, my British Lit teacher, who was also my homeroom moderator, also encouraged my reading habit - I don't have what it takes to be a writer, and like Peggy Roberson said in her comment, I admire authors as well, since it takes that certain something to be in that business! Blessed Christmas and New Year's greetings to you! (Felicia Ciaudelli 7:12pm December 11, 2011)
My father was an avid reader and so am I. Neither of us would have ever been able to write a novel. I tried when I was still in my teens and realized that I was lamentably lacking in the requisite imagination--and he was too. We're both good with logic. He was an architect, but don't look for beautiful edifices from him; he was much better at making the buildings function electrically, spatially, etc. I, on the other hand, love languages and language; I love making them work as to grammar, vocabulary, etc., especially in English, though I know two others well and have studied three more. If anyone wants help with the given aspects of language, give me a wave. In general, it is badly needed. (Sigrun Schulz 3:40am December 12, 2011)
I find that voracious readers make the best writers, since they've digested so many words and tend to venture into new territory. (Alyson Widen 5:22pm December 17, 2011)
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