NEWS & EVENTS

Coming soon "JOSEFA'S CURSE".

A novel that tells the story of a mother of two boys and three daughters trying to survive the first year in New York after arriving from Puerto Rico. Little did she know that a move for a seemingly better lifestyle becomes a labyrinth of sorrow and horror. She is battling a curse from her past in the form of a spirit named Eduardo. It is the spirit of a man who once loved her from a distance and who will do anything to possess her. There are no boundaries for this evil spirit, he is determined to destroy her family.

LATINO / HISPANIC BOOK REVIEWS
WHEN ANGELS FALL

By Manuel A. Meléndez

Publisher: Aignos Publishing
As I read the book’s title, I assumed I would be reading a book full of suspense and the author delivered. I was immediately taken into a story filled with intrigue, a twist turning plot, and intricate characters that kept me biting my nails to the very end. Remember that old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover?” It this case, you must. The title is captivating and right in line with the rest of the book. I should have guessed as it appears that the author caught the writing bug by discovering Edgar Allan Poe at the age of twelve.

I have to say that this book has all the characteristics of a great movie. The way the author interweaves the characters and the various clues on what will happen next is amazing. Just when you think you have it figured out, he takes you on another intense journey. Warning! You won’t be able to put the book down because the page turners are powerful.

With every character in the book (Mrs. Drucker, her husband, Ferdy’s brother, Annie, etc.), the author does a FANTASTIC job of making them multi-faceted and the reader will connect with each and every one of them. That’s the beauty to the story, and this is where the twists come in when you least expect them. The protagonist, Ferdy Muñoz, is your average next door neighbor – or so it appears. I won’t say more as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you.

The author vividly captures the setting of a New York neighborhood, and its surrounding filled with true ambiance. You feel as if you are right there with each of the characters and you can picture it all in your mind. If the author’s intent was to grab the reader’s attention from the beginning, he did that and more. That intensity was carried throughout the book until the very end. It’s one of those stories that you want to get to the end to find out what happens, but you don’t want it to end because it’s so good.

The intended audience is definitely not for the faint of heart and it’s definitely for adults; however, if you like thrillers with supernatural overtones then you have to read this one. You will not be disappointed. The author’s style of writing is informal and the dialogue captures the characters exactly as you would imagine them to talk. The scenes are all essential and vivid in that they move the story forward - another reason why this story is so great.

So how did the book affect me? I have to admit that I couldn’t put it down, but in addition to this it made me think about the characters, the plot, and the suspense for days thereafter. It’s rare that I come across a book that leaves such an impact. So did the author achieve his goal of writing a great thriller? I would only answer, “Is the Pope Catholic?”

This is a diamond in the rough - a gem of a thriller – a brilliantly written book! What more can I say. If you haven’t yet read this book you must pick up a copy. You will not be disappointed. Actually, I will be reading it again because it is that good.

Source: Book was provided by author for review. It was reviewed by Corina Martinez Chaudhry

REVIEWS FOR

"WHEN ANGELS FALL"

WHEN ANGELS FALL
Novel By Manuel Melendez
Posted by: Nikki Moretti
Published February 20, 2013, filed under Arts & Literature, Entertainment
I love to read. Give me a book and I am lost to the world around me, transported to world the author has created in his/her pages. Guiding me through street corners and reminding me that dark alleys are never a good place to be; or making me feel the warmth of the sun at the nape of my neck and lulling me with the dulcet sounds of the ocean. A book is an adventure, a journey and a destination, all wrapped up in emotion. It can bring you to tears, make you laugh or even smile at the sudden “hey, I know a guy like that” feeling.
There are so many books out there for us to read and yet some people choose not to pick one up. It tugs at my heartstrings when I hear people say “I’ll wait for the movie.”Well, for all you movie buffs out there, you are missing out. Manuel Melendez’s book, “When Angels Fall”, is phenomenal. From the first page you are sucked in. You are transported to Queens and in an instant you’re not sure if you want to be in or out.
So much in the book struck a cord with me, the people, the places, the subtle nod to all the city has to offer. It was all there, splashed on paper so my mind could feast. This book is gripping and fascinating. “When Angels Fall” is a supernatural thriller in the truest sense of the word.
The characters are well constructed and believable, the scenery is alive and thriving. I can honesty say I didn’t know what was going to happen next, and if I guessed correctly as to whom, I never really knew the how. I am one of those people that prides themselves in knowing what is next, its the best part of the read for me. Not knowing at times made frustrated and that was quite okay with me.
A brief synopsis, hopefully this doesn’t constitute as a spoiler.
Ferdy Muñoz is a pretty normal guy living in SunnySide, Queens. His life is somewhat unfulfilling and empty, with his slew of colorful neighbors and a potential love interest being his only highlight. When bigoted neighbors start causing trouble with the family next door Ferdy’s seemingly normal life takes an odd turn, leaving him to question humanity and his own life. Then a string of unexplained murders take over quiet SunnySide, can the police solve the case or will they continue to follow the ghosts of allegations against an innocent man?
Pick this book up. Not only will you be supporting a local artist but you will also be thoroughly entertained. “When Angels Fall” is dark, real and fascinating. The writing style is fluid and easy to follow. The energy in this book stays with you and you will be asking yourself questions about who, what, when, why and how so make sure you get a friend to read along with you.
*Interview coming soon*
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BOOK REVIEW: WHEN ANGELS FALL
Book by Author Manuel A. Melendez
Posted by: East Harlem Journal
Published March 15, 2013, filed under Arts & Entertainment, Arts & Literature, Living
By Dominique Moretti:

The book, “When Angels Fall“, was released on Monday and I had a chance to interview Manny Melendez, the author. I met Manny at a coffee shop in East Harlem and would have to say he is a delightful person; friendly, talkative and earnest. More people should strive for such candor and warmth. Here is what he had to say about writing, reading and the city.
Dominique Moretti: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, how do you feel?
Manuel Melendez: Pretty excited, but the book was actually self-published first last summer under a different title and cover. Now it will be re-released by Aignos Publishing and I’m looking forward to see how it will be received in other cities.
DM: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book? (When Angels fall)
MM: Trying to keep the story believable and moving in at a good pace and make the characters interesting and very human. And also to make sure that the killer was not a one dimensional character.
DM: How many books have you written? Are there any we will not see or will see in the near future?
MM: I have four other novels completed and two poetry books, plus a collection of Christmas short stories, in addition with a collection of short stories that take place, of course in New York. I’m also working in another Christmas short stories collection and another poetry book. “Josefa’s Curse” is another novel I self-published in 2004, but I removed it from circulation in order to revised it. The story is more a supernatural story, it deals with a vengeful spirit trying to destroy a family and I used Santeria as its back-drop of the story. It also shows the struggles of a newly arrived Puerto Rican family and the many obstacles they faced in the strange streets of New York.
DM: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?
MM: Fist and definitely the most important thing is to read. Other writers are your teachers and from those books you learn a lot, especially from the books that you shake your head and wonder how the hell that piece of crap ever gets published? Those are the good books, because it gives you the hope and the satisfaction to say, “I could do better than that”. Also write and write and write. And never leave your house without a good pen and a writing pad, because you never know when an inspiration jumps at you…and inspirations are just like dreams that after you wake up a few minutes later they are gone and never to return again.
DM: How do you combat writers block?
MM: I’m always writing more than one story…that’s also how I read; I read more than one book at a time. When I get bored with one, I grab the other one. So whenever I find myself with a story that’s going nowhere, I switch to either a short story that I’m writing, plus writing poetry keeps my mind sharp.
DM: Is there anything you would have done differently?
MM: In which sense? If it’s how I approach trying to get my work exposed to the masses, maybe I should be a bit more aggressive, but that’s not my nature. I’m pretty much laid back and I expect and hope that my words, my work will be the spoke person for me.
DM: After reading your book I could see you have an immense love for the city, do you believe today’s youth appreciates what it has?
MM: I’m not sure…I guess the city is like a parent…the older you get the more you learn to appreciate what they have to offer. I was not as nostalgic about my city when I was young as I am now. When I was young I took Woolworth for granted, now I would love to walk inside a place like Woolworth, where you were able to buy anything you needed…even goldfish that usually died two days after you bought them. That’s why I mention places that exist now in the city in my stories, for the fact that perhaps those places will surely be gone, maybe I’m trying to keep a bit of my city(yes my city!) always alive in my work.
DM: You have lived in East Harlem do you believe it has changed, bettered or worsened?
MM: When I lived in East Harlem, my Barrio, was in the mid 60’s and 70’s. My father lived in 117th street until he passed away in 2005. So I have always been part of the Barrio’s streets. What I see now is the gentrification that’s going on and all the new buildings popping all over the place, the sad thing is that us Boricuas are not the faces the landlords want for those new buildings. It bothers me a bit and I wonder how soon my Barrio will become another Williamsburg, with yuppies from damn Iowa dictating how our streets should look like and sound. I read an article last year that some wannabee New Yorker in Brooklyn wanted the cops to give tickets to the ice cream truck and stop them from playing their jingle. Do you believe that crap?! The ice cream truck jingle is as New York as a game of Stickball in El Barrio! How soon until they try to remove the Three Kings Day Parade?
DM: You write in so many styles how do you stay focused?
MM: I take a deep breath before I start, I thank God for the gift He gave me and then I meditate until the voices of the characters take over my mind. And when I write poetry I allow the emotions that possess my soul at that moment to take over.
DM: Where can we get your book?
MM: The book is available through amazon.com, plus for the fact that the first edition is available at La Casa Azul Bookstore here in East Harlem, I’m sure it will also be available there when it comes out. Plus, of course, through my website: http://zylar57.wix.com/manuel-melendez
DM: When will it be release?
MM: It was released on March 11.
DM: Can you briefly describe what your book is about and what effect you want it to have on the reader?
MM: The story is about a serial killer that has the police department baffled and all the killings are taking place in a small neighborhood in Queens, which is the neighborhood where I live so I took liberty in using the entire area as my playground and of course, the killer’s playground. And the effect that I’m hoping the reader will get is to be entertained by a good solid mystery-supernatural tale and that will make them be more than willing to join me again for my next offering.
DM: When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
MM: When I wrote a short story in Junior High School, here in East Harlem, it was then Junior High School 13, which now is called The Jackie Robinson. I saw how teachers and students alike were reading my story and actually coming up to me to tell me how much they enjoyed the story. That was pretty cool, it was a love story with a sinister twist in it (I got this thing about killing people in my stories, I blame my hero Edgar Allan Poe for that). So, many girls were coming to me to talk about the story, which lead to some great fringe benefits…but that’s another story in itself.
With so many stories left in him we will be seeing and reading a lot more from him, and that’s great news.