JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Maria Mitchell, author of Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire
(Silverlake eBooks)

Magnolia is born near New Orleans and blessed with a special spirit. Her mother Madelaine, a free spirit herself, encourages Magnolia to embrace her encounters with Gypsies and ghosts. Magnolia meets her one true love, Bobby, the first day of first grade but she shuns him. He shows up at her gate that very evening with a bouquet of magnolias, her heart melts, and their lives are entwined from then on. They live a very exciting childhood.

Bobby leaves for Spain the day after graduation to follow his passion of Flamenco guitar where he becomes Roberto, a well-known guitarist.

At the age of fourteen, Madelaine and Magnolia visit Merida, Mexico, where her future becomes quickly mapped out for her in the exciting world of Anthropology. Magnolia pursues her life in Merida as she becomes involved in her first project of restoring a deserted Hacienda that holds many secrets from the Maya Caste War in the 1850’s.

She discovers the memoirs of Solita, the Spanish mistress of the Hacienda whom Magnolia believes is the same ghost, “The Lady in White” who came to her in her garden at a young age.

Through the restoration and the reading of the memoirs, Magnolia becomes immersed in another world. She and her family buy the Hacienda and turn it into a five-star resort which quickly becomes a cultural treasure.

Eventually, after a long separation, Magnolia and Roberto are reunited and continue their mysterious lives in the Hacienda where the walls breath and ghosts walk the corridors.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire?

Maria Mitchell: Several years ago, I wrote a short story entitled “Solita” for a writing course. Because it constantly talked to me in the back of mind, I Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Maria Mitchell, author of Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire →