Delia's Crossing
KIDNAPPED BY CRUEL FATE... Secuestrado por sino cruel
After her parents are killed in a truck accident, Delia Yebarra's life is turned upside down. At fifteen, she leaves the rural Mexican village where she grew up and embarks on a new life in America. Coming to her wealthy aunt Isabella's huge estate in Palm Springs, California, should be a dream come true for a simple country girl like Delia -- so why does it feel like a nightmare?
A PRISONER OF DESTINY... Un preso del destino
Her aunt refuses to acknowledge Delia's heritage, relegating her to servants' quarters with a licentious language tutor intent on exploiting a beautiful young foreigner. Her cousin Edward is kind, but cousin Sophia is cruel, manipulative, and resentful of Delia's smoky Latina looks. And just when Delia tries to embrace the life of a real American girl, a heartbreaking chain of events sends her spiraling back to a Mexico she hardly recognizes.... Will Delia find a place to call home?
Relative Cruelty
"Take her and that filthy suitcase to her room, and show her what her duties are."
"Yes, Mrs. Dallas," said Señora Rosario.
"I won't tolerate another lazy Mexican in my house or on my grounds," my aunt said, and started to turn away.
I quickly spoke up in my newest English words.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dallas. I'm pleased to be here and grateful for all you are doing for me," I said.
She spun around, her eyes wide. I held my gaze. I would not be treated as if I were no better than a cucaracha, something to be crushed and swept away. Then she marched out of the living room, her high heels tapping the travertine floor in a rhythm of rage. It was as if my very presence infuriated her. If this was so, why did she send for me? If she still hated her family so much, why did she want a living reminder of it right under her nose?
Something told me that I had seen only the tip of the flame. There was quite a fire burning in her chest, a fire started years ago back in our village. Would it consume me, or would I snuff it out before it could?
Delia's Heart
TORN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS... Atrapada entre dos mundos
Delia Yebarra survived a treacherous desert crossing to protect her friend Ignacio from murder charges. Now, the time has come once again to leave her tiny Mexican hometown: Delia's cousin Edward convinces her to return to his world of wealth and privilege in Palm Springs, and soon Delia, a beautiful and popular senior at an exclusive private school, is living the American dream. But Delia will quickly discover that high society has a very dark underside.
A STRANGER IN BOTH OF THEM... Extranjera en cualquiera de los dos
Delia's malicious cousin Sophia is sparking horrific rumors with Delia at their center. Racing to do damage control, Delia's mortified aunt Isabela introduces her troublesome niece to the handsome son of a wealthy Mexican American politician. An attraction sparks and a whirlwind romance begins... but Delia's heart won't let her forget her humble roots -- or Ignacio. And when tragedy tears her world apart, will it be too late to save the one she cares about the most?
Glittering Affair
"Welcome to the party," the valet chimed.
"So, what do you really think of all this, Delia?" Adan asked me, waving his hand over the sights unfolding before us.
"If you wanted to drown yourself in wealth, this would be the place to die happy," I said, and he laughed.
"I'm really impressed with your wit, Delia. I'm losing all my stereotype assumptions about rural Mexicans. I guess I have been underestimating my own people."
"And, therefore, yourself," I said. "Don't forget, your father told me where his family originated and where you still have relatives."
This time, he looked at me with an expression less of amusement and more of appreciation. The look was so strong that it made my heart flutter. A part of me had been afraid of my wanting him to like me this much, and a part of me that I began to sense might be stronger wanted nothing less. At the moment, thoughts of Ignacio were as far away as the moon. Was I slipping off the mountain of faithfulness and love? How far would I fall?
Delia's Gift
HOPE IS SHATTERED... La esperanza se destruye
No amount of money can keep heartbreak away: Delia Yebarra learned that painful lesson after a boating tragedy ended her fairy-tale romance with Adan Bovia, a wealthy politician's son. But when she discovers she is carrying his child, Delia has no choice but to live under the watchful eye of Adan's powerful father, who blamed Delia for the deadly accident but soon puts her health and the safe delivery of his grandchild above his resentments. Or so Delia believed.
BUT LOVE BRINGS NEW LIFE... Pero el amor sopla una nueva vida
For Adan's father intends to use his connections to blackmail Delia. A cruel nursemaid monitors her every move. And a manipulative schemer orchestrates a reunion with Delia's cousin Edward -- a visit with grave consequences. But after tiny Adan Jr. arrives, Delia is no longer fighting for herself but for everything she ever believed, back when she was a Mexican country girl. Can Delia recapture the innocence of her roots and make a bright future for her family?
Fortunate Son
Finally, I was able to approach the crib and look at my baby. To me, he looked absolutely perfect, his face fuller than when he was first born. I didn't see myself in him as much as I did Adan. For a while, all I could do was stare in wonder. Then, slowly, almost like someone bringing her fingers close to a candle's flame, I reached down to touch his little hand. His eyes fluttered open, and I would swear forever that he looked up at me and smiled.
Then and there, I vowed I would not leave him behind. Señor Bovio could have me sign a thousand documents, give me tons of money, and lavish the most expensive gifts on me, but none of it, nothing, would keep me from my baby.
Suddenly, I felt Señor Bovio step up beside me, his body touching mine.
"Adan," he whispered, "has come back to us."
KIDNAPPED BY CRUEL FATE... Secuestrado por sino cruel
After her parents are killed in a truck accident, Delia Yebarra's life is turned upside down. At fifteen, she leaves the rural Mexican village where she grew up and embarks on a new life in America. Coming to her wealthy aunt Isabella's huge estate in Palm Springs, California, should be a dream come true for a simple country girl like Delia -- so why does it feel like a nightmare?
A PRISONER OF DESTINY... Un preso del destino
Her aunt refuses to acknowledge Delia's heritage, relegating her to servants' quarters with a licentious language tutor intent on exploiting a beautiful young foreigner. Her cousin Edward is kind, but cousin Sophia is cruel, manipulative, and resentful of Delia's smoky Latina looks. And just when Delia tries to embrace the life of a real American girl, a heartbreaking chain of events sends her spiraling back to a Mexico she hardly recognizes.... Will Delia find a place to call home?
Relative Cruelty
"Take her and that filthy suitcase to her room, and show her what her duties are."
"Yes, Mrs. Dallas," said Señora Rosario.
"I won't tolerate another lazy Mexican in my house or on my grounds," my aunt said, and started to turn away.
I quickly spoke up in my newest English words.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dallas. I'm pleased to be here and grateful for all you are doing for me," I said.
She spun around, her eyes wide. I held my gaze. I would not be treated as if I were no better than a cucaracha, something to be crushed and swept away. Then she marched out of the living room, her high heels tapping the travertine floor in a rhythm of rage. It was as if my very presence infuriated her. If this was so, why did she send for me? If she still hated her family so much, why did she want a living reminder of it right under her nose?
Something told me that I had seen only the tip of the flame. There was quite a fire burning in her chest, a fire started years ago back in our village. Would it consume me, or would I snuff it out before it could?
Delia's Heart
TORN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS... Atrapada entre dos mundos
Delia Yebarra survived a treacherous desert crossing to protect her friend Ignacio from murder charges. Now, the time has come once again to leave her tiny Mexican hometown: Delia's cousin Edward convinces her to return to his world of wealth and privilege in Palm Springs, and soon Delia, a beautiful and popular senior at an exclusive private school, is living the American dream. But Delia will quickly discover that high society has a very dark underside.
A STRANGER IN BOTH OF THEM... Extranjera en cualquiera de los dos
Delia's malicious cousin Sophia is sparking horrific rumors with Delia at their center. Racing to do damage control, Delia's mortified aunt Isabela introduces her troublesome niece to the handsome son of a wealthy Mexican American politician. An attraction sparks and a whirlwind romance begins... but Delia's heart won't let her forget her humble roots -- or Ignacio. And when tragedy tears her world apart, will it be too late to save the one she cares about the most?
Glittering Affair
"Welcome to the party," the valet chimed.
"So, what do you really think of all this, Delia?" Adan asked me, waving his hand over the sights unfolding before us.
"If you wanted to drown yourself in wealth, this would be the place to die happy," I said, and he laughed.
"I'm really impressed with your wit, Delia. I'm losing all my stereotype assumptions about rural Mexicans. I guess I have been underestimating my own people."
"And, therefore, yourself," I said. "Don't forget, your father told me where his family originated and where you still have relatives."
This time, he looked at me with an expression less of amusement and more of appreciation. The look was so strong that it made my heart flutter. A part of me had been afraid of my wanting him to like me this much, and a part of me that I began to sense might be stronger wanted nothing less. At the moment, thoughts of Ignacio were as far away as the moon. Was I slipping off the mountain of faithfulness and love? How far would I fall?
Delia's Gift
HOPE IS SHATTERED... La esperanza se destruye
No amount of money can keep heartbreak away: Delia Yebarra learned that painful lesson after a boating tragedy ended her fairy-tale romance with Adan Bovia, a wealthy politician's son. But when she discovers she is carrying his child, Delia has no choice but to live under the watchful eye of Adan's powerful father, who blamed Delia for the deadly accident but soon puts her health and the safe delivery of his grandchild above his resentments. Or so Delia believed.
BUT LOVE BRINGS NEW LIFE... Pero el amor sopla una nueva vida
For Adan's father intends to use his connections to blackmail Delia. A cruel nursemaid monitors her every move. And a manipulative schemer orchestrates a reunion with Delia's cousin Edward -- a visit with grave consequences. But after tiny Adan Jr. arrives, Delia is no longer fighting for herself but for everything she ever believed, back when she was a Mexican country girl. Can Delia recapture the innocence of her roots and make a bright future for her family?
Fortunate Son
Finally, I was able to approach the crib and look at my baby. To me, he looked absolutely perfect, his face fuller than when he was first born. I didn't see myself in him as much as I did Adan. For a while, all I could do was stare in wonder. Then, slowly, almost like someone bringing her fingers close to a candle's flame, I reached down to touch his little hand. His eyes fluttered open, and I would swear forever that he looked up at me and smiled.
Then and there, I vowed I would not leave him behind. Señor Bovio could have me sign a thousand documents, give me tons of money, and lavish the most expensive gifts on me, but none of it, nothing, would keep me from my baby.
Suddenly, I felt Señor Bovio step up beside me, his body touching mine.
"Adan," he whispered, "has come back to us."