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Alfred J. Garrotto, click here
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| Category: |
Drama |
Publisher: |
Genesis Press, Inc. |
ISBN-10: |
1585710059 |
Type: |
Fiction |
| Pages: |
270 |
Copyright: |
Feb 1 2000 |
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A young woman adoptee returns to her native country to search for her birth mother and siblings.
The search for her birth mother forces Analisa Marconi to confront the gains and losses of adoption. Analisa has lost her family—for the second time. First, as a child named Isabella Maria Aguilada, when her birth mother gave her up for adoption. Then as a young woman, when her adoptive parents perish in a plane crash that she alone survives. Devastated, feeling lost and rootless, Analisa returns to her native Santo Sangre in search of her birth mother and siblings. But, these days, the tiny island nation is a dangerous place for young women who escaped lives of destitution through adoption. Thrust into this unwelcoming environment, Analisa struggles against life-threatening obstacles to find links to her past and future.
Excerpt
The voyage into the Southern Caribbean contained its own set of blessings, not the least of which was the sea itself. Being the youngest of the twenty or so passengers, there was little need to engage in long conversations. The older folks had different interests and left her pretty much to herself.
The ship's gentle rhythm combined with sun and sea to exercise restorative powers. She hadn't really prayed since her accident, having lost touch with that once-comforting intimacy of inner dialog. Tentatively at first, she repaired the downed lines of communication, conversing with God in a natural, informal way. In the process, she found some solace for her grief and loneliness.
Analisa spent hours on the passengers' promenade, leaning against the varnished wooden rail that shone like a gold bar when the sun hit it. She gazed at the sea, alternately looking northwest toward her past and southeast toward her future. She knew what lay behind in California, Dave and an impossible love. She had no idea what lay ahead.
The unknown drew her forward like a magnet. A small part of her begged her to dive overboard and swim back to Florida.
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Professional Reviews
Haven's List
Filled with wonderful characters. Sensitive. Intelligent . . . I loved the ending.
In FINDING ISABELLA, Analisa Marconi's search for identity is heartfelt. So is her struggle over love, romance, and identity. After her adoptive parents die, her unique friendship with Father Dave Gallego intensifies. When she returns to her native country, Santo Sangre in search of her birth family, Dave's special influence is with her. It even affects her love for Arturo Cristobal, the most noted opera singer in Santo Sangre. Like Analisa he was separated from his birth family, but was orphaned, not adopted.
Remembering the pre-adoption days when she was called Isabella, Analisa wonders how her birth mother could relinquish her and what became of her siblings. In Santo Sangre she soon fears capture by Los Dejados, a powerful anti-adoption group. Her search for her family of origin and her joyous romance with Arturo keep her in the country despite the dangers though. Her story gives readers the courage to search for personal truths; the results are worth the effort. Author Al Garrotto combines a dangerous quest, emerging romance, and political issues in a unique set of circumstances.The book is wonderfully readable. I encourage you to . . . buy this sensitive, intelligent romance.
Adoption Newsletter
I was a little leery about ordering a novel with the story line about adoption, but I have read and reread Finding Isabella! I loved your book and I will definitely be recommending it to our families, both in the adoption process and those waiting. I could not put it down. I found myself getting caught up in Analisa’s search for her bio-mother, her joys and sorrows in her journey. All the characters were so powerful, I felt like I knew each one personally. Many times I found myself getting so involved in the story that I had to remind myself that it was just a story. It has been two weeks since I finished the novel and it is still so vivid in my mind. I found myself hanging the names and places in the book to Romanian names and places, and it all fits together, no matter what country the children come from! I must say Bravo and Thank you for giving us a
wonderful novel!
Nancy Cocariu, Director, M.C. International Adoption Agency, Romanian Adoptions
Ageless Lifestyle
The first few pages of A.J. Garrotto's new book Finding Isabella made me recheck the cover. It says romance but it's not like any romance I've ever read. I would call it Romantic intrigue. Whatever genre you want to place it in, it's a page turner.
Set in Northern California and on a Caribbean island called Santo Sangre, Garrotto's story includes kidnapping, dead bodies, foreign adoption, diplomats, thugs, a priest who is torn between his love for the heroine and the priesthood, an opera singer, an airplane crash and, of course, romance!
When Analisa Marconi a.k.a. Isabella returns to her native land of Santo Sangre in search of her birth parents, she finds her life in danger. She must also make a dif-ficult choice between two men who each hold a special place in her heart. Finding Isabella is a great way to relax on a warm summer day.
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