Bryn Bauer's Blog

We were fortunate to have been interviewed by Michelle Abbott about us and our novel.  See the interview here

Now that Cuban Sun is off and running, it's time that Bryn and I turn our attention to book #2!  This whole "marketing a book" thing takes WAY more time than we thought.  Haha!  It's been tough to get our heads in the game for our next book.  However, we have done some initial planning for the plot and characters.  So, here are some hints:



1. Greece
2. Armenian warlords
3. Rayan Koury

That's all you get for now!  Bryn and I need to get to writing.

Cuban Sun is now international!  We received our first review from Asia on one of our fav blogs!

Happy Summer to all!  This is the time for boating, beach trips and hot weather.  To celebrate, we're giving away Kindle versions of our novel Cuban Sun from July 25-31st. 

What better way to enjoy the heat of summer than yachting with Sophia Koury to Cuba?  There is none! Pick up your free copy and spread the word.

Check out our guest blog at Books and Legends!  Ann gets on her soap box about Literary Fiction.

Here it is!  The last stop on our "places" tour for the novel Cuban Sun.  Here we are in vibrant Cuba where local expert Ricardo Villareal gives us and insiders view of where to go and what to see.

U.S. citizens have only recently started visiting Cuba and there seems to be little information out there.  How should we approach planning our visit?
R.V.:  Though there are fewer tourist trap type places in Cuba, I would still advise travellers to seek out the real Cuba and find opportunities to interact with the people rather than staying in a big resort.  Cuba IS its people.

What is one thing in Cuba that nobody knows about?

R.V.: Because the tourist industry is still developing it seems like almost everything is something nobody knows about.  However, I recommend doing a few things that I don't think tourists would think about.  First, try going to a Santeria service.  Santeria is a fusion of West African, Caribbean and Roman Catholic.  Even if you are of a different religion or sect, I think many would find it interesting.  Also, go outside of La Havana to Santa Clara.  They're kind of the seat for danzon, our most important music style.  Finally, if you're in Cuba at Christmas time, go to Remedios for the Christmas celebrations.  The people are very passionate about it and it's quite a sight to behold!

What happens in PR that makes you say "That's SO Cuba?"

R.V.: Cuba is a country of juxtapositions.  So, you can tour a sugar mill, hear about it's long history and traditions hen learn about the new ways we're using sugar cane for environmenal conservation and economic growth.  We're blending old and new.  Traditions and new directions.  You see it on the street and in business.

What is your perfect day in Cuba?
R.V.: Probably taking my girlfriend down to the town of Caibarien.  It's a really small town with great food. They have horse-drawn carriages so I would take her to a lunch at a great little stand and then for a horse drawn carriage ride.

What do you think is over rated in Cuba?
R.V.: At this point nothing.  Though as I said before, I would avoid staying at the big resort areas only because it lessens your interaction with the real people of Cuba.

What food/drink would you recommend that a newbie try?
R.V: Two dishes stand out in my mind.  The first is Ropa vieja.  It's a dish made with shredded beef that has been cooked in tomato sauce. The meat is cooked until it is extremely tender and practically falling apart.  Second, try consisting of eye round roast stuffed with chorizo sausages browned in olive oil simmered in water with onions until the meat is soft.  I made myself hungry now. 

Interview with Awesome Gang is now live!

Awesome Gang interviewed Bryn and I about our writing and our new novel Cuban Sun.  We were so honored to have been selected.  Check out the interview here. 

On another note, Bryn and I have started work on the next book in the Sofia Koury series which will be entitled Mediterranean Moon.  Here are some hints....think Greece, Malta, Italy...

Today we're continuing on with our travel theme and exploring the places in Cuban Sun.  While I posted that this time we would visit Cuba, Bryn reminded me that I had skipped Puerto Rico which is mentioned in the book and definitely deserves some of the lime light.  I spoke with Ulma Rincon, one Puerto Rico expert and I have visted Puerto Rico myself, so I'll chime in too.

If we had four days in Puerto Rico, what shouldn't we miss?
U.R.: That's a tough one!  There's so much.  I would say you can't miss walking around Old Town.  There's so much histroy there.  It has something for everyone, history, architectrue, great market shopping and art.  El Yunque National Forest is also a must see.  If you're in good shape take a hike up to the waterfall and go for a swim.  It's green, lush and everything you imagine the tropics to be.  Last I would advise people to go snorkeling in the biolumensent bay.  The tours go out at night and when the microorganisms are disturbed by your body's movements, they glow.

A.B: I agree!  I would also add that making an overnight trip out to Vieques is a good idea too.

U.R.: Definitely!

What is one thing in Puerto Rico that nobody knows about?

U.R: I don't know that this is an unknown thing, but alot of visitors seem to avoid the Luquillo Kioskos on Luquillo Beach.  It's a row of food kioks that are absolutely amazing.

A.B.: Yeah, my husband had a burger at El Jefe's and he said it was the best burger he'd ever had.  I think he only paid $3 for it.

U.R.  There's alot of really good food down there.  People shouldn't be afraid to try it.

What happens in PR that makes you say "That's SO Puerto Rico?"

U.R.:  There are alot of things that are unique but I think my favorite is that at any time, someone on the beach or on the street will pull out a guitar and start singing.  Then it becomes like an impromptu party for everyone around.

What is your perfect day in Puerto Rico?
U.R.: Well, my life is kind of hectic, so I like to relax whenever possible.  My favorite thing to do is load up the kayak and head down to Humacao which is a ways outside of San Juan.  They have great beaches and kayaking around that area is so relaxing and serene.

What do you think is over rated in Puerto Rico?
U.R.: I think the "fancy" restaurants are a little over rated.  The food is good but you can get food that's even better from a little hole in the wall where somebody's grandma is making the food in the back.  I always think that kind of food is better anyway.

What food/drink would you recommend that a newbie try?
U.R.: That's tough.  We have a pretty basic diet here but everyone needs to at least try mofongo.  It's basically mashed plaintains with any kind of filling you can dream up.  My favorite is spicy pork.

A.B: I had a seafood mofongo that was delicious at one of the kiosks.

U.R.:  That's the real Puerto Rico, seafood and pork!

I hope you enjoyed the unscheduled stop in Puerto Rico. Next up we'll hit Cuba!

Find out why one reader said "I'm on Chapter 7 and have had to go to the bathroom since Chapter 3!"  We couldn't have asked for a better endorsement!

Bryn and I are SO excited.  Our novel, Cuban Sun is now available through Amazon!  It was such fun to write and I hope all of you find it equally fun to read.  If not, it still makes a great door stop or table leg leveler.  Click here to get your copy