Title: Volcanos, Roses, and Manteles
Author: Monica Arredondo
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1984583994
Pages: 396
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
No one ever knows when we will be confronted by love. For most people finding love is
never something that can be planned, and often comes for us when we are least
expecting it. For many that happens when they travel outside of their own world they
know, and seek something new to experience. As Helen Keller once said, “Love is like a
beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place
of delight just the same.”
In author Monica Arredondo’s Volcanos, Roses, and Manteles, the author recounts a
journey to South America; starting in Ecuador, and how after retiring to Costa Rica two
years previously, her trip to Ecuador introduced her to an unexpected development in
her retirement – Carlos. As they cross paths touring the city and surrounding areas,
travel and romance bloom for the author in this memorable romantic memoir.
This is a lengthy yet passionate read. The author’s emotions and interest in not only the
romantic side of this wonderful book but the travel are so evident in every chapter. The
way in which the author describes everything from finding a scorpion in her room, to the
way it felt to hold onto Carlos’s hand for the first time, and trying new Ecuadorian
cuisines, really brought the reader into the moment with the author, as if they were able
to relive those memories with them.
This is the perfect read for anyone who loves memoirs, and especially memoirs where
unexpected meetings lead to a possible romance which could not have been predicted.
This is also the perfect book for those who love travel, especially during these times
when travel is nearly impossible. Readers looking for vivid imagery in a travel-related
memoir will not be disappointed with this novel.
Engaging, evenly-paced yet passionate all at once, author Monica Arredondo’s
Volcanos, Roses, and Manteles is a must-read memoir. Perfect for non-fiction readers,
this narrative highlights that love can find us at any point in our lives, and opening
ourselves up to new discoveries and new opportunities can lead to some of the best
moments in our lives.
