The Sandoval Sisters' Secret of
Old Blood
-----
Sandra Ramos O'BriantAuthor's Web site: www.thesandovalsisters.com
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0615615103
Published
by La Gente Press, 2012
Available
in print and e-book
Reviewed by Dr.
Michele Shaul, Professor, Department of Foreign Languages Queens University of
Charlotte originally for http://www.writing.ie/
Sandra Ramos O’Briant’s debut
novel The Sandoval Sisters’ Secret of Old Blood won Best Historical Novel and Best First Book at
the 15th annual ILBA, 2013. The story sets the stage for a fascinating series about Anglo/Hispanic interaction
in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the struggle to control the Santa Fe Trail.
The
author introduces the Sandoval sisters Oratoria, Pilar, and Alma who are
independent and resistant to the restrictions placed on women in that place and
time. Each controls her own destiny, making unconventional choices and always
standing by family and friends.
Told
in the sisters’ voices, the reader learns of each woman’s loves and losses and
follows them on their trail to the end of the novel when the sisters need to
come together to preserve their lands and livelihood from the new legal system
that threatens the patrimony of many in what is now the Southwest United
States.
Oratoria,
the eldest, is not a sister by blood. Purchased at age five for the price of a
bag of flour, Oratoria was originally Estevan’s gift to his lonely
sixteen-year-old bride. Oratoria becomes a family favorite and indispensable to
them all, truly integrated as a family member. She is the keeper of the old
diaries that provide insight into the Sandoval heritage as well as instruction
on cures and spells. She raises her sisters, making sure they are educated and
independent thinkers. She is there when they need her and sacrifices herself to
protect their livelihood.
Headstrong
Alma, determined to not marry her father’s choice for her, runs off with the
love of her life (Bill) only to discover once they arrive at his family home
that she really does not know him as well as she thought. Cultural clashes
between her Spanish background and his Anglo family, clashes with his
domineering, mean spirited mother and betrayal by a woman she believed was her
friend present the reader with an interesting read and better understanding of
the climate of the times and the challenges faced by those who married across
boundaries.
The
youngest sister Pilar is more of a free spirit than the other two sisters yet
she is most suited to marriage to Alma’s rejected elderly suitor, Geraldo.
Because of his patience and maturity, Geraldo provides Pilar the blessing of
love but more importantly, independence and autonomy. Pilar is able to fend for
herself (and others) upon his death. She is more than up to the challenge
presented by being one of the landed, moneyed families of the region.
Woven
among the stories of love and life is eroticism, mystery, witchcraft, folktales,
superstition, political intrigue, corruption, violence, and told with a fluid
style that grabs you from the first page and leaves you hungry for more at the
end.
About the
Author
Sandra Ramos O’Briant‘s work has appeared in numerous
journals. A complete list of her work can be
found at www.thesandovalsisters.com
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