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Angelica and her husband, Antonio, have fought many battles in their pursuit of a happy life together. From Antonio’s illegal immigrant status to their son’s Down Syndrome and cancer, faith and family brought them through. When Manuel’s illness rears it’s head again, that faith is shaken to the core. Their love is strong, but perhaps not strong enough to overcome the trial of another fight with cancer and the doubts which surface.
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Angelica takes on the principal on the issue of prayer in school and Christian clubs for her daughter. Antonio sets out on a journey to find the perfect donor match for their son’s bone marrow transplant. All the while, hearts are being transformed within the family unit, including Angelica’s atheist father and a nephew who denounces God as well. God’s grace, faith and love shower down on this family in their greatest time of need. Seeing miracles may just be enough to soften even the hardest of hearts.
This third book in the Regalo Grande series by Nikki Arana tugs at the heart. Watching the family struggle through the horrible sickness which is cancer shows a great depth of emotion in the writing. Angelica and Antonio fight doubts within themselves. These inner torments give credibility to the story.
I liked the story well enough. One thing I noticed from this book and the first two is the same fears and uncertainties with which the main characters deal are in all three books. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of spiritual growth from one book to the next. Within the book there is growth, but it doesn’t transfer into the lives of the characters making a lasting difference for the next trial. This may be something others won’t notice.
The story is well written with believable characters and situations. I liked the secondary story with the school principal and their daughter, Anica. I also liked seeing how Cirocco came to his decision to help even in the face of what he feared to be death.
Overall, the story was a good read. I had hoped to see more growth in the characters’ faith, but, again, that may just be something I noticed and might not be an issue for other readers. Nikki Arana is very good at making the emotional connection with the reader and this book is no exception.
Reviewed by Allison M. Wilson
for The Road to Romance
February 7, 2007
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