Ana Veciana-Suarez Book order (chronological)

A feminist reimagining of Cervantes, this story centers on Dolça, the fictional muse behind Don Quixote. The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Dolça Llull Prat is captivated by the ambitious Miguel Cervantes from their first encounter. Despite his advances, she, devoted to her art and love of luxury, refuses to disrupt her life for him, though she welcomes his attention on her own terms. When Miguel depicts her as the lowly Dulcinea in his Quixote, he commits an unforgivable act, severing their decades-long bond—until he reaches out one last time. Determined to unburden herself of a long-held secret, Dolça disguises herself as a peasant and embarks on a perilous journey through Spain, accompanied by her loyal nursemaid. Along the way, they confront bandits, the looming threat of the Inquisition, and Dolça's own doubts. Will she reach Miguel in time? If she does, will she find the courage to reveal what she has kept hidden for so long? Veciana-Suarez's vividly drawn heroine embodies the complexities of duty and desire, exploring the choices we make, the regrets we carry, and the bravery it takes to seek reconciliation.

The lives of three generations of Cuban-American women sharing a home in Miami are chronicled in this engaging first novel. Cuca, the matriarch, is a zealous believer in the spirits she consults on a daily basis. Adela is her cosmetologist daughter--and a sensuous lover of life and the lottery. Adela's daughter Maribel, a young woman making her way in corporate America, has been exiled from the world of spirits and dreams. When Maribel's son Victor is born, the three women must confront the inextricable ties that make them a family as they bond together to care for this fragile infant--and each other. Lyrical, vibrant, and deeply touching, The Chin Kiss King is testimony to the resilient spirit of women and a haunting meditation on the meaning of faith and the power of love to redeem and transform.