Blog Tour: Excerpt of Song Of The Boricua by Olivia Castillo

Title: SONG OF THE BORICUA

Author: Olivia Castillo

Publisher: Independent

Pages: 335

Genre: Fiction

Puerto Rico an island of contradiction, serves as an enchanting backdrop following three generations of women.

Elena:  Resilient and ambitious, but trapped by duty to her children.

Maria:  Passionate and headstrong, but married to a man she does not love. Josephina: Optimistic and romantic, but in love with an alcoholic.

Isabella: Clairvoyant and spiritual, but denies her heritage and roots.

Like the land these women are held hostage, unfulfilled and unable to find their happiness. Each generation like the land is cursed. Can they defy the powerful bond of the curse and free themselves to find love everlasting?

New Author, Olivia Castillo, like the jibaros of the past weaves a tale of sorrow and joy. Castillos' fiction is timely, offering a glimpse into the islands rich history and offering insight into the story that has plagued women for all of time, the search for true love and acceptance of self.

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Enjoy this excerpt:

 All Estefan knew was that he had to have her. She was exquisite, from her luminous eyes to her wavy, brown hair. Against the wishes of both families, they eloped. Within a year Liani was expecting their first child, Miguel. Estefan built a large hacienda for Liani and he began the process of making the land work for them.

            Through the years they built a successful sugar mill—Hacienda Carolina—that was very lucrative. To then have to sell what he had spent years building just about destroyed him.

            When Miguel was eleven years old, Estefan, Liani, and Miguel moved into the old foreman’s home and Estefan was forced to become a colono. He began selling the sugarcane he cultivated on his own land to the sugar mill they had once owned. They saved what little money they had for Miguel’s education. Estefan also used that money, along with his contacts in Spain, to send Miguel away to the University of Salamanca.

            Catala thought of all this as she and Elena finished the rest of their breakfast. “Hija, go wash up and then we will start with your studies.”

            “Yes, Mama,” Elena replied as she helped her mother clear the table.

            Elena could see how frustrated her mother was, and, not wanting to upset her further, she went quickly into the tiny washroom to clean up. She poured well water the from the pitcher to wash her face and hands. Later that evening she would take a full bath in the small porcelain tub. It was a tiny house with two very small bedrooms. They were fortunate that they were not all crammed into one room like so many impoverished Puerto Rican families.

            While Elena was getting dressed for the day, Catala thought of her beloved childhood home in Spain. How different it was for Elena, she thought with sadness.

About the author:

Olivia Castillo is a New York native. After going to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, she went on to study graphic design at Otis Parson's College in Los Angeles. Along with being an entrepreneur, she is the mother of three children, and grandmother of two. When not writing or spending time with her family, she travels the world and paints. Song of the Boricua is her first novel.

Website Address: www.oliviacastillo.org     

Blog Address: https://www.oliviacastillo.org/blog

Twitter Address:  https://twitter.com/oliviacauthor

Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/songoftheboricua/

Goodreads Address:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14629912