Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Nikki Arana. The Fragrance of Roses. Revell. 2006.

Nikki Arana is my favorite Christian fiction writer today for several reasons. First, she doesn’t find it necessary to saturate her novels with sex scenes. Second, she addresses important issues such as interracial marriage, racial prejudice, abortion, and in The Fragrance of Roses, childhood cancer. Third, she skillfully weaves the characters’ Christian faith into the story. Fourth, her stories are believable.

The Fragrance of Roses

This is the 3rd book in a series of three about Antonio and Angelica’s family. The main story takes place in two locations: Antonio’s childhood home in Guadalajara, Mexico and Angelica’s family ranch in Regalo Grande, in California wine country. Angelica remains home with their very ill son while Antonio goes to Mexico seeking blood donors from family members who might be compatible with Manuel’s blood.

Angelica and Antonio must cope with the return of their son Manuel’s leukemia. This time, chemotherapy isn’t enough. He needs a bone marrow donor to give him the chance of survival. You’ll feel like you are living this story with them as you read about their struggles to maintain total faith in God although they have to watch their much loved son fight a vicious cancer.

I was startled at just how difficult it was for Antonio to convince his relatives to have their blood tested to see if it would be a match for Manuel. I didn’t realize how reluctant poor Hispanics are to participate in blood or bone marrow testing. I hope that those minorities who understand the whole donor program, whether it be for blood, bone marrow, or organs upon the death of a loved one, will help educate others in your ethnic group about the importance of this program. It is imperative that we have as many people (all ethnic groups) on these donor lists as possible. You just may save a life!

I am disappointed that this book is the end of the Regalo Grande series. I would love to see the changes this family goes through as they age. It is very important to me to learn how people maintain their strong Christian faith as they go through some of the difficult times of life. I’m sure you will find the ending to this story both sad and happy, depending on your point of view.

Recommendation

I have absolutely no qualms about recommending any of the three books in the Regalo Grande series. You’ll never be embarrassed to have your son or daughter or spouse pick up this book to read. Every reader will be challenged to go deeper in their Christian faith. Nikki Arana will be a contestant for the various book awards made in 2006. May I encourage you to read each of these three books?

NOTE:

I’ve just been informed that Arana’s book, The Winds of Sonoma, won the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year for Women's Fiction. Congratulations to a very deserving author.