Nikki Arana. The Winds of Sonoma. Fleming H. Revell. 2005..

Nikki Arana contacted me several weeks ago telling me she was a new Christian author with her first book published by Fleming H. Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I agreed to read her book, as I do with all new authors that contact me if their book fits into my current book review interests.

One thing that I particularly liked was that Nikki Arana is a Caucasian married to a Mexican (Hispanic). I knew she wrote this book with an emphasis on the race relations at the time of her book’s setting. Needless to say, I was intrigued since it has been difficult for me to find writers with Hispanic characters in their books.

I was so excited after reading her first novel, that I forced myself to wait a week and see if I still have the same reaction. "Wow" is still my only response to The Winds of Sonoma. I truly believe Nikki Arana is a rising star among Christian writers. It is clear that she understands the “how” of writing a good romance story! Her characters are alive for the reader – not just a character based on the author’s research. There is a definite difference because of the lack of a predictable pattern to their reactions and behaviors as the story unfolds. In addition, she manages to work her characters’ Christian faith, whether strong or weak, into the story without making the story sound forced or artificial.

The basic story centers on Angelica Amante, the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner and doctor and Antonio, an illegal Mexican ranch worker. Normally, two people from such different backgrounds would never even meet. In this case, Angelica was back home after losing a job in a prominent East Coast law firm and Antonio was a man desperate to support his family by finding work in the United States, even though he crossed the border illegally. He found work on the ranch owned by Angelica’s father.

The story has several unique twists and turns – many that are as relevant to today’s society as to the society when the author met her own husband. Antonio winds up being hired by a ranch manager that was illegally keeping part of the workers’ money by underpaying them each week. He thought he was doing his duty if he drove them over to the local church with services for the Mexicans or to some other activity once a week. Since most didn’t know English, they didn’t know they were being cheated. In addition, Antonio had crossed the border illegally and had no legal right to work in the United States.

Through the mysteries of the Holy Spirit’s workings, Angelica and Antonio were drawn together. They had to overcome the objections of her family and solve the problem of Antonio being an illegal. Nikki Arana strongly allows Antonio’s deep Christian faith to come shining through. Angelica’s faith grows stronger through her association with him. By now, you’ve probably guessed that they do marry.

Recommendation

Nikki Arana is off to a fantastic start with her new, Regalo Grande, book series. After you read this book, I’m sure you will be as excited as I am to see the next edition in this wonderful love story, set to arrive next spring. I don’t feel this way with many “romance novels” but Regalo Grande is a romance series with the extra plus that will make you want more. You many learn more about this author at: http://www.nikkiarana.com/.

You may find this first book in the series at your local Christian bookstore, Barnes & Nobel online, or Amazon.com. Please consider clicking in the box below and purchasing one or more copies of this book for some of your holiday gifts.