Mango Rain

Set in Cuba and Chicago, Mango Rain is a flawlessly told story of intrigue, love, separation and hope. It is a family story. The author's descriptions of the luscious, tropical island are delicious. Readers will savor the flavor of the Cuba so few people know. Dr. Arias' personal history and knowledge provide her with a unique perspective into the minds, hearts, fears and aspirations of a people living in a closed society contrasted with Cubans living the American dream. Readers will experience the ethos of Cubans and Cuban Americans. Authentically shared, it unfolds through the eyes of Anaís, a successful Cuban-American businesswoman who was adopted by a non-Latino family at a very young age at the start of the Cuban Revolution. Now 38 years old, emerging from the emotional reverberations of a tragic car accident that took the lives of her husband and her adoptive parents, Anaís is selected to join a month-long diplomatic trade mission to the country of her birth, where her multi-language skills will be key to the success of the mission. Chicago is her home, yet she knows she had another home, Cuba. Though too young to remember anything about her birth family or where she was born, she shares with long-time friend and colleague, Richard that she's both excited and a little afraid of what she may or may not find when she arrives. Her diplomatic journey from Chicago to Havana, intertwined with her curiosity about who she really is, and her love of beauty, nature and people, set her on a remarkable adventure of surprising self-discovery. Learning about the circumstances of her adoption, the revelation of family members still in Cuba and the overwhelming guilt of having lived a comfortable life in Chicago while those in Cuba did without so much, ultimately puts her in grave danger. Readers will revel in Anaís' journey to Havana and beyond into the lessor known areas of Cuba, savoring the food, music and traditions of the hidden Cuba. The eye-opening revelation of what loving parents will do to save their children is heart-rending. Equally touching is the joyful and hopeful nature of a people who have lived in a repressive society singing, dancing and savoring the moment. Follow Anaís as she navigates a geopolitical minefield to achieve what her birth parents desired. Whether you are one of the more than two million Cuban Americans living in the US, or one of the tens of millions who love a good story with a special interest in an unusual setting, you will fall in love with the setting, the story and the wonderful characters in Mango Rain and thirst for more. Mango Rain is available in both English and Spanish versions.

About the Author :
Dr. Berta Isabel Arias emigrated from Havana, Cuba in 1957 and while she lived most of her life in the Chicago area, she now lives on Amelia Island, FL. Although she has been writing short stories and poetry from a very young age, this is her first full-length novel. Dr. Arias retired in 2009 as a Professor in World Languages and it was through a U.S. licensed academic trip with college students in 2004 to Cuba that she was inspired to write Mango Rain.

Review :
Mango Rain is a great story that, while a novel, has important lessons about the differences between the United States and repressive regimes like Cuba... A beautiful story with a deep message. --from Goodreads This is a great story that gives insight to the cultural and political differences between Cuba and the United States, and how political situations in countries can rip families apart. The story is touching but more importantly it tells of the problems that separate the Cuban people from the American people without making overt political statements. Wonderful tale with a wonderful message. -- from Amazon.com There is more than one Cuba. There is one for members of the ruling class, tourists, diplomats and other foreign visitors. There is different Cuba for those required to live only with the national currency and without access to stores selling goods for American dollars. The novel, Mango Rain, provides a view into that life and how different it is for those who by quirks of fate have escaped the prison that is the island nation of Cuba and those who remained behind. Despite Cuba's geography as only ninety miles off the coast of Florida, life there is shrouded in mystery for most Americans...In Mango Rain, ...Dr. Arias tells a terrific story and provides an education at the same time. A rare combination in a book that is both fascinating and fun. --from Suite 101