In the Shade of the Jacaranda (Regalo Grande Series #2) [Paperback]

Nikki Arana (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2006

From the award-winning author of The Winds of Sonoma comes this compelling second installment in the Regalo Grande series. When privileged lawyer Angelica Amante marries a handsome but illiterate Mexican stableman against her parents' wishes, she thought their happiness could overcome any hurdle. But their challenges are only beginning. Prenatal tests show troubling information about Angelica's expected baby. Her husband's fledgling landscape business is struggling. And Angelica's lonely, divorced boss takes an interest in her work-too much of an interest. Can the power of love--and prayer--bring Angelica and Antonio to a new place of acceptance and happiness? Romance readers will delight in this story of God's sovereignty, the value of human life, and the importance of commitment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . a fascinating character-driven tale of multifaceted faith in oneself, loved ones, and God . . ." -- Harriet Klausner, January, 2006

"I refused to take a break until I’d finished every last word." -- Roundtable Reviews, January, 2006

4 Stars - "Arana wrings the heart and exalts the soul with a new installment of her Regalo Grande series." -- Romantic Times, January, 2006

From the Back Cover

When a couple faces a life-shattering situation, can love, commitment, and faith keep their family together? After Angelica Amante defied her wealthy parents' wishes and married an illiterate Mexican stable hand, Antonio Perez, she thought their love had overcome the biggest hurdle they would ever face. But just as Angelica throws herself into her work as a defense attorney, she discovers she is pregnant--and her world is turned upside down. As her husband struggles to save his fledgling landscape business, Angelica must juggle the challenges of a demanding boss and an unexpected pregnancy. Then their doctor becomes concerned about the health of their unborn child, and her relationship with her parents becomes troubled. Soon both Angelica and Antonio are confronted with decisions that shake them to their core. Will their faith in God and their love for each other sustain them--even when it seems their dreams are slipping away?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800730496
• ISBN-13: 978-0800730499
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,972,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nikki Arana is an award-winning author of women's fiction, essays, poetry, and magazine articles whose work has been published in the United States and Canada. She has won several national awards, including the American Christian Fiction Book of the Year for Women's Fiction for two consecutive years, the Beacon Award, the Excellence in Media Silver Angel Award, the Write Touch Readers Award, and others. Her book, The Winds of Sonoma was named One of the Top 20 Books of the Year by Christianbook.com. Nikki is also the recipient of the Jessie Cameron Alison Writer of the Year Award. Her 5th, and first non-fiction book, Through the Eyes of Christ: How to Lead Muslims into the Kingdom of God, has just been released. Her 6th book, Fear No Evil, is now under consideration with a major publisher. All of her books deal with social, political, and spiritual issues that confront society today.

Nikki lives with her husband of thirty-three years in Idaho. They have two grown sons. She would love to hear from you. Visit her website at www.NikkiArana.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Message Wrapped ina Love Story, May 5, 2006

By 

Ane Mulligan "V.P./Sr. Editor, Novel Rocket" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shade of the Jacaranda (Regalo Grande Series #2) (Paperback)

Although at first I doubted the probability of this wealthy girl marrying an uneducated stable hand, Arana handles the story in a way that I believed. She documents the difficulties of an immigrant, and the prejudices, with sensitivity. I found myself drawn to the prayer-warrior grandmother, and I liked how Arana portrayed the woman. The husband, Antonio, while uneducated is intelligent, and untainted by American culture, he reveals a strong, child-like faith.

The second book in the Regalo Grande series, In the Shade of the Jacaranda delivers a simple message wrapped in a story of love: Believing IN God isn't enough-you have to believe God.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely satisfying novel from beginning to end, February 6, 2006

By 

Judy Fedele "Blogger, Lost and Found" (Syracuse, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shade of the Jacaranda (Regalo Grande Series #2) (Paperback)

The second in the Regalo Grande series, In the Shade of the Jacaranda is more powerful, more potent, and even more compelling than the first novel (The Winds of Sonoma). Author Nikki Arana continues the story of Angelica Amante and her husband Antonio Perez, newly married and struggling to make a place for themselves in the world. It seems as if they are assaulted on all sides with one crisis following another. In the midst of the most trying of times, Angelica tries to make sense of the nonsensical by exploring her faith to a deeper and more profound level. Coming from a background of wealth and privilege, Angelica is blinded to the truth that her Mexican husband, though illiterate and unlearned in many ways, yet exceeds her in understanding about the ways in which the Lord chooses to work. With Antonio's unwavering love and the gentle guidance of his precious grandmother, Angelica learns that her faith is not dependant on her circumstances. She learns that the secret of truly seeking the heart of God is in worship and surrender. The novel is another brilliant work by Nikki Arana and I eagerly look forward to the final installment in this series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars new author proves her worth, January 9, 2006

By 

Karri Compton - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Shade of the Jacaranda (Regalo Grande Series #2) (Paperback)

Angelica Amante Perez is thrilled with her job as a public defender and proud of her wonderful Mexican husband, Antonio, who is taking English classes and starting a lawn care business.

But all is not right with the world. Angelica's new boss acts a bit too friendly towards her. Her well-to-do parents don't think highly of her mixed marriage or the fact that she quit a lucrative New York job to settle in the California desert. She worries about what they will say when she tells them she is pregnant.

Angelica fears for the baby's health when the doctor says there may be an abnormality. When Antonio's godly grandmother, Maclovia, comes to visit from Mexico, she brims with joy over the coming baby, praying to God that he be "perfect in Your eyes, given for Your plans and purposes".

Can Angelica put her complete trust in the Lord to take care of her family? How will Antonio handle being discriminated against? Will the power of Maclovia's prayers cover and sustain them in the days ahead?

This is a story about real life - its joys, fears, heartaches - and about the power of the One who created that life. Prepare for your heartstrings to be pulled and your faith to be strengthened as you enter the character's lives and glimpse the power of God.