Book Review: And Cafe Con Leche by Evie Alexis

Title: And Cafe Con Leche
Author: Evie Alexis
Pages: 238
Publisher: eTreasures Publishing
Source: eBook recieved from author Evie Alexis

Summary: As a teenager growing up in New York City, Isabela Castillo's protective parents try to keep her sheltered from her environment while allowing her twin brother to get away with things she only dreams of doing.

While her Mama stresses the importance of maintaining their Puerto Rican heritage, Isabela has other, more rebellious plans. As graduation looms on the horizon, she enters a controversial alliance with the strangest senior male in Preston High. Will her newfound friendship cause her to lose sight of her heritage? Will the family survive Isabela's transition to independence?

Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. In the beginning of this book, the main character, Isabela, doesn't have a good relationship with her brother, JR. They fight and get into arguements all the time. I can't exactly relate to that, because I don't have any brothers. Throughout the book, their relationship gets better and they appreciate each other more. There was some romance in this book, too. She meets a boy, Marcus, and they start dating. I think their relationship is very cute and realistic. He mostly keeps to himself and doesn't have many friends. When he and Isabela are dating, he tells her that he has had a crush on her for a couple years. I thought that was really cute. There was a little bit of language and a little bit of mature content. Besides that, I thought the book was really entertaining. Being a multicultural novel, Isabela's parents spoke to her in spanish sometimes. Since I don't know much Spanish, some of the time I didn't understand what she was saying. As for the rest of the book it was about 99% English. I gave this book 4 coffee cups. I would recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed this read. Look for it soon on eTreasures Publishing.
*this book isn't on Goodreads, so if you are looking for it, check out Evie Alexis's blog, http://eviealexisofficialsite.blogspot.com/

Author Interview with Evie Alexis!

Recently, I had the pleasure of having an interview with author Evie Alexis. She wrote the book And Cafe Con Leche and The Obsessive, Compulsive Romance Novelist.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a married gal, been so for the past decade +, and have two strong boys nearing those "tween" years. I was born and raised in New York. City gal by birth, suburban marm by choice. I speak English, Spanish and some French. Am working on getting that third language down pact. Love studying. That's how I ended up with two master's degrees, both in the field of education. I am a strong Christian, and my faith int the Lord is what keeps me focused especially in this day and age.

What inspired you to write your book, And Cafe Con Leche?
Believe it or not, it was the editor of Stonehedge Publishing who gave me the idea. She believed I could market this work for the mainstream public. I sent it to an agent, who really loved the work, but suggested I work towards marketing it for young adults, which was my vision in the first place. The agent loved the revisions and offered me a contract for representation, but I decided to go an alternate route.

Which character in your books can you relate to the most?
I think you'll find a little bit of me in all my characters. Isabela and I share a similar upbringing (minus being Catholic, having a twin brother, and having a mother like that. But I wasn't allowed to date during high school, couldn't go anywhere at night and spent many years memorizing chapter and verses from the Bible, which I am extremely grateful for. It's a positive. Like Isabela, I was very education focused. School came first; relationships (boys, I mean) were a distant second.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Positive, cheerful, sweet, patient, and spiritual.

Are you currently working on a book?
Yes. I am working on two short stories for Victory Tales Press. They create anthologies. I am also working on the "three-quel" to my Obsessive-Compulsive Series, where the heroine of that novel ties in the knot in the cleanest wedding imagined.

When you're not writing, what kind of books do you like to read?
The Bible and other religious books. Philip Yancey is a great Christian author. I really enjoy British Lit. However, as a reviewer of books, I've read a lot of different works.

How long did it take you to write your book, And Cafe Con Leche?
Oh gosh, two years at least. Like I said, it was written, then re-written, then re-written some more...you get the idea.

Do you know if it will it ever be available in stores?
I'd love to walk into a Barnes and Noble or Borders and find it there, but that all depends on the publisher at this time. I know my next novel, The Broken Road to Nowhere will be available at these stores. But you know, so many people are going the ebook route nowadays. It seems that is the way to go.

Favorite Movie: I have a few. Pride and Prejudice (1995), The Ten Commandments, The Sound of Music, The Slipper and the Rose


Favorite TV show: Judge Judy, hands down. That woman rocks. She just makes so much sense in a nonsensical world.

Favorite Book: More than one. The Bible, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice

Favorite Food: Eggplant Parmesan, but it has to be the way my husband makes, and let me tell you, he can cook.

Thanks Evie for your time!

Watch for my review of And Cafe Con Leche soon.