American Historical Fiction discussion

Hi everybody. For a little known slice of American history, you might want to check out "The Cigar Maker"...ok, I am the author of this book but this is a historical tale set in 1901 in Tampa, FL and it's been getting great reviews!

I dont like cigar:)I heard that young girls are chosen for that work as their legs are proper.They roll the cigar on their legs

I have already added The Cigar Maker to my to-read list.

Really?? I didn't know that. (the leg thing)

Joan, wanna split the price and share the book? LOL I just place my pre orders and now I have nothing to order with it to get free shipping.. tho it needs to drop 3 bucks and price for my taste. I will have to wait a few months now.

Yeah - I just ordered also so lets watch the price for awhile and decide in a couple of weeks.

Thanks good idea!

I ordered three books so far in advance, they aren't going to be gracing my mailbox till August! LOL. But they were all ten dollars a piece. I ordered Dracula, My Love and The Agency 2: Body at the Tower and Den of Wolves.

Not sure about the leg thing. I've been researching the cigar industry for the last 7 years and have never come across anything like that. There is a special way to roll a cigar on your lap, which is done when you have a single leaf to roll into a "quickie" cigar for immediate consumption.

Cigar makers are skilled artisans and back in the 1900's, they were paid very well.

Looks good, Mark! Thanks for drawing our attention to this niche of history.

Tara, you recently read a couple of books about Cuban immigrants, didn't you?

(Of course, Desi Arnaz still remains my favorite Cuban immigrant!)

I LOVE Desi!!! And yes, Jenny, I'm always reading about Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Latinas period. I think the most recent ones I read were and . Jenny, funny you mention Desi.. He has a brief appearance in Beautiful Maria. He discovered the Mambo Kings. When the Mambo Kings appeared on I Love Lucy, they became an overnight sensation.

When were the Mambo Kings on I Love Lucy? I own every single episode and I know most of them by heart. I gotta go look it up!

And I'm sure you've read Desi's autobiography. It's been a long time since I read it and I don't remember much. I ought to revisit it sometime.

I have not read his autobiography.. I LOVE his tv persona, BUT I hear he was abusive to Lucy in real life and a womanizer. Am I right or wrong?

I don't remember the episode.. You may want to read Beautiful Maria or

He wasn't abusive but he was a cheater. No excuses, but he was raised a fairly wealthy playboy and was accustomed to a certain lifestyle until his father was arrested and he and his mother had to flee Cuba. But there is no doubt that Lucy was the love of his life.

I love her too!!! Such a fun, fiesty female. You never knew what she going to do next. My favorite episode: Lucy learning ballet!!!

The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez a look at the early days of Castro's revolution and Cuban and American relations in 1961. The story is told from a 14 year old girl's point of view.

That one looks good Lulu! Have you read it?

I agree with Lulu. The Red Umbrella is a great book about the 14,000 Cuban kids sent to the US by themselves in 1960 (Operation Pedro Pan). I learned a lot and it's getting great reviews. Even saw that it was on the Mock Newberry List on Goodreads.

I just read it this week. It got 5 stars from me.

I have been trying to win the Red Umbrella in the giveaways. I didn't get it the first time but its being offered again. *crossing fingers*

It's worth purchasing if you don't win it. (And I don't say that often. LOL)

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the group and love that you have a Latin America thread. The Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende has a little on Cuba and migration to USA. It is mostly about Haiti, but a beautiful story none-the-less. She is by far my favorite historical fiction author.

Mark I will definitely check out your book - thanks. I wish you lots of luck.

Jenny and Tara, I love Desi too! However, William Levy may be my favorite Cuban now a days...lol. I enjoy all Latin American genres - especially those about Puerto Rico. Have you read any of Esmeralda Santiago? Very candid, funny and witty stories.

Nice thread everyone...

Yes.. her new one stinks though. I was appalled.

For an atmospheric look at Cold-War Cuba, try Havana Bay. I also have a goodly amount of Revolutionary War era Havana in my first book, Paper Woman. A number of people have asked me whether I visited Cuba to get such a feel for the country. No, but I was born and raised in South Florida. Same vegetation, weather, bugs, food, etc. I also speak some Spanish. And I researched to get that feel for 18th-century Cuba. Goodness, how I researched. :-)

Suzanne Adair

Tara wrote: "Yes.. her new one stinks though. I was appalled."
Oh wow, was it really? I can't stand it when a good author writes a crappy book!

Suzanne wrote: "For an atmospheric look at Cold-War Cuba, try Havana Bay. I also have a goodly amount of Revolutionary War era Havana in my first book, Paper Woman. A number of people ..."
Thank you Suzanne. I look forward to reading your book.

Thanks, Yvette. Thanks also for adding me to your GR friends.

Suzanne Adair

Your welcome and thanks for having requested me ;)