About the Book

Reclaiming Paris

Marisol is an exuberant poet and historical archivist living in contemporary Miami. Like her adopted city, she's a sensual free spirit. Born in Cuba and transplanted at an early age to Florida, she nurses a nostalgia for the legendary island birthplace she barely remembers. She also harbors a passion for scents, donning a new perfume each time she takes on a new relationship.

After the death of her beloved grandmother and a series of sensuous but disappointing romances, Marisol realizes that she must embrace the only real home she's ever had—her own wandering heart. Although she cannot reclaim Havana, "the Paris of the Caribbean," she can experience the real thing—Paris—so Marisol sets out with an open ticket to chart the course of her future.

Bridging the divide between the effervescent Miami of today and the mystical Cuba of yesteryear, Reclaiming Paris is a paean to place and memory, rich with humor, passion, and unforgettable characters.

About the Author

Fabiola Santiago has been a writer and editor for The Miami Herald since 1980. She was the founding city editor of the Spanish-language El Nuevo Herald, and shared in a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Elián González story at The Miami Herald in 2001. Her writing on culture, arts and identity has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Her stories and essays have been published in many U.S. newspapers, magazines, and anthologies, and in Latin America, Canada, and France. She lives in Miami.

About the Guest Interviewer

Fern Espino, PhD., holds three degrees from the University of Arizona in Tucson and has done postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. She is recognized as a strong leader for her expertise in education, public and private business and forming winning strategic partnerships nationally and internationally. She is President and CEO of Espino Enterprises, Inc, a management consulting firm. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Dr Espino was part of the top executive teams at Kettering University in Flint, MI and at College of the Mainland in Texas. She helped found Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ and taught at the University of Arizona. She serves on the boards of the Political Action Committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber, Mexicantown Community Development Corporation, Latino Family Services, The National Hispanic Media Coalition, the International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit and the Michigan Opera Theatre. She serves as Alumnae representative for her class for the National Hispana Leadership Institute. Dr. Espino was recently appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Council for Labor and Economic Growth for the state of Michigan. Dr. Espino is married to Thomas Short and lives in Dearborn, Michigan.