Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In the Shade of the Jacaranda is a continuation of the story, which began in The Winds of Sonoma. It mirrors the same God-inspired romance and desire to follow His paths. Angelica and Antonio have settled into their first home and are now expecting a baby. Complications which arise during the pregnancy shake Angelica's foundation and faith while causing tension with the in-laws. But it is through these low times that the Lord's love and passion for them is revealed.

I was nervous before reading this book because of the concern of pregnancy problems, but it was truly a story that could be read by anyone at any time (pregnant or not) because it beautifully expressed God's love for all people including HIS precious babies. What a superbly written love story that displays triumph in the midst of trepidation! It's an absolute page-turner and will challenge even the strong spirited to rediscover the hidden blessings found in the unnecessarily fears of the world. Be looking for our next review from this series!
~Shaye of Chadron MOPS

In Nikki Arana's previous book, The Winds of Sonoma, we bit our nails hoping that Antonio and Angelica would beat the odds, fall in love, and show the world that two disparate individuals can find love and happiness. And so they did. And now, in this masterfully written sequel, Angelica and Antonio Perez fight the odds again.

The first years of marriage are difficult enough under the best of circumstances, and for Angelica and Antonio, the challenges abound. Angelica's parents disapprove of her marriage. While they can appreciate Antonio's work ethic, they still believe him to be beneath their family stature and unworthy of Angelica's love.

Antonio struggles to study English and support his wife through a fledgling landscaping business, while Angelica must deal with a troublesome boss in trying to re-establish her legal career. Like most newlyweds, the merger of two different upbringings creates roadblocks in and of itself. When that conflict is broadened by cultural and economic variances, the stage is ripe for bitter dispute. Can this marriage survive?

When Angelica discovers she is pregnant, the news is at first greeted with great joy. Hope arises that a grandchild will help unite the Amantes with their son-in-law. At the same time, Antonio's grandmother makes a fortuitous visit. Although uneducated, her wisdom is steeped in a faith that transcends logic. The young couple will need her prayers and steadfast faith as the the hardest challenges are yet to come. Angelica learns that her baby may have developmental problems.

Within this backdrop, Arana weaves an engaging story of simple faith, expertly showing the difference between knowing of God and believing Him for all things in our lives. Through emotionally gripping scenes and sympathetic portrayal, the reader identifies with all the main characters, feeling their struggles and pain.

In the Shade of the Jacaranda is a romantic love story written by Nikki Arana that teaches people to trust in God, even when life gets challenging. Angelica, a rich, upper-class woman, falls in love with Antonio, the man her parents hired to clean out their stables. The young couple is truly in love, but Angelica's parents refuse to accept Antonio into the family due to his Mexican background. Angelica's mother and father wonder at Angelica's choice to marry Antonio, when, they think, she could have married any wealthy American she wanted. Angelica can't understand why her parents will not accept Antonio, the man she cares for with all of her heart. Antonio, for his part, loves Angelica's parents, but as much as he tries to please them, they will not accept him.

When they become pregnant with their first child, Angelica and Antonio are thrilled. Her parents, on the other hand, are quite appalled by the news. Angelica and Antonio do their best to try to make her parents happy about the news, but it is a constant struggle.

Angelica is a kind, hard-working lady, despite having grown up with everything handed to her. However, when she marries Antonio, a mere servant of the family, her world changes drastically. Antonio is a loving man who does his best to provide for her, yet he has no money and a very hard time getting work. He knows very little English, making Angelica's parents even more upset about the vast barriers between the two young people. It is a constant battle for Angelica and Antonio to try to please each other, her parents, and God.

This book is so full of emotions and tests, yet has a solid plot that carries you forward, and in fact, had my attention from cover to cover. There are continuous problems, struggles, and challenges that need to be faced, just as in real life. In the Shade of the Jacaranda will inspire readers when they face problems in their own lives, encouraging patience and waiting on the Lord, for He is always with us. -- Jami Peck, Christian Book Previews.com

Angelica has married Antonio, the immigrant worker from Mexico. While there are still many kinks to work out in this unique marriage, there is still great love between the two. Angelica still wants to be fulfill her dream of becoming a public defender but all that changes when she becomes pregnant. Suddenly everything becomes a challenge with worries about the baby's condition to Antonio's grandmother arriving from Mexico. This will test not only their relationship but Angelica's and Antonio's faith as well.

I was eager to pick up the story of Angelica and Antonio where the first book ended. I wanted to know how their relationship would survive because of the radical differences between the two. I was not let down. The book describes how they had to accommodate to not feel like they were letting the other down. Their many adventures held both laughter and tears. There were at times however when I felt very frustrated with Antonio and his way of thinking. Because he is not used to the technology and advances of this country, he would rather have everything simple and does not want Angelica to go through the tests regarding their baby. It just felt that throughout the book, Angelica is in the wrong for wanting to use technology instead of just relying on faith alone. Not that there's anything wrong with having a child like faith, I just felt frustrated that it made her look like the bad person for wanting more instead of just trusting. I did enjoy their relationship and the love they had for each other. The language barrier is not so much a problem anymore although there are obvious culture differences. I also liked how Angelica's parents begin to open up to Antonio even though they still have some resistance toward the relationship. The scene with the cradle was very touching for both ends. I also was intrigued with how Antonio tried to start his own business and the prejudice and stereotyping he faced because of his race. He handled the situation with more dignity than most people would. The story is beautifully written however and the characters are realistic with plot that is very relevant with this time period.

In the Shade of the Jacaranda
I love Nikki Arana's books because they are discussing real issues at a depth usually lacking in the typical romance novel. I identified five main topics that form the basis for this novel. There are also many minor topics which link the main topics together.

First, this is the story of an interracial marriage with the Angelica's parents opposing her marriage to Antonio, a Mexican immigrant farm worker.

Second, society's treatment of people in interracial marriages is explored through the suffering Antonio receives at the hands of other gardeners who resent a Mexican taking work from them. You could easily substitute any ethnic group for "Mexican" and come up with the same prejudices being experienced by the couple.

Third, the issue of abortion is discussed. You see it through a foreigner's eyes as well as through the eyes of your typical American family. Antonio comes from a strong Christian background that believes all children are gifts from God. Angelica's parents believe only "perfect" children should be allowed to be born and strongly suggest she aborts when it is learned that her baby will likely have Down's syndrome.

Fourth, the importance of knowing Jesus as your personal savior versus just knowing about Jesus is revealed through the various characters. The primary way this topic is covered is by sharing the story of Antonio's grandmother's visit and her simple faith. Eventually, she is able to reach Angelica and help her achieve a real faith in Christ. The grandmother also teaches the importance of being in God's presence before you begin to pray!

Fifth, living with chronic disease or physical disability becomes an issue when Angelica's parents are hit by a drunk driver. Her father is left paralyzed - a real blow to this healthy, high pressure heart surgeon.

Recommendation

You will find it extremely difficult to find a better book covering the above mentioned topics from a Christian versus non-Christian point of view. The author's ability to weave spiritual truths into her story in this depth is seldom reached by other authors. This book is difficult to put down once you have started reading it. You will feel like you are actually living the events instead of just reading about them. However, it isn't an easy book to read because of the many difficult topics covered. There is nothing "romantic" about the difficulties this couple experiences early in their marriage. Their ability to surmount them is directly as a result of Antonio's ability to have enough faith for his wife before she finally comes to a true understanding of having Christ as your savior.

So many important qualities are followed throughout the life of Angelica and her new husband, Antonio. They are from different worlds. Backgrounds 180 from each other, but love is holding them together. Her parents still do not approved of her choice of husband, but they are thrilled at the prospect of becoming grandparents. Antonio is working so hard to integrate into the American way of life and care for his pregnant wife. In the meantime he learns that not everyone is happy with immigrants and not everyone is to be trusted. The chapters that impacted me the most were those dealing with the possibility of the baby having a serious birth defect, and how this was going to affect the faith of the parents. I loved the character that was Antonio's grandmother, she played a huge role as spiritual leader of their home for a time. It was only after a horrible car accident and the untimely birth of little Manuel that the rich Mr. and Mrs. Amante are faced with what is, and what is not really, really important.

I made the mistake of picking up book 2 in this series first, and not being able to put it down...so today, I ran out and purchased books one and three. Decisions, which to read first?

Thanks to a relative new author for a different slant to Christian fiction.

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