Book Review: "Salve Regina" by Erica Fuentes and Annemarie Stonewater

Title: Salve Regina

Author: Erica Fuentes and Annemarie Stonewater

Publisher: Editorial Casablanca

ISBN, PUB Date: 978-607-8125-03-6, November 29, 2010

Reviewed by: Irene Yeates for Author Exposure

If you have even the minutest doubt that Villa Vistamar, a premier Roman Catholic boarding school that once catered primarily to wealthy young women from every corner of the world, would prove to be an unlikely locale for political and religious conspiracy, think again. When two illustrious alumina, Erin and Marisa, attend an annual school reunion and fund-raising event, spirited and gutsy Marisa cajoles her longtime friend Erin to delve into the mysterious boundaries left unexplored (and hopefully still tucked away) in the strictly forbidden and inaccessible basement of their former alma mater.

Their initial post-midnight unlawful intrusion into the cavernous basements filled with "coffin-like trunks" whets Marisa's insatiable curiosity, while cautiously restrained Erin fears punitive repercussions that could jeopardize her Jesuit college professorial position. An engraved nameplate adorns each cryptically aligned trunk bearing the name of every Sister of St. Thomas who lived and died not only during the Villa's early years as a convent, but also during its conversion to a boarding school. Silenced by the sudden physical apparition of Sister Thomas Marie, the oldest member of the order, they quietly observe her tucking away a package in her trunk. She abruptly locks the basement door as she hastily departs, leaving Erin and Marisa trapped without immediately conceivable means to escape.

But escape, they do. Their initial discovery within the package propels them into a harrowing maelstrom which delves deep into Sister Thomas Marie's true identity, Eastern Europe's historically life-changing events, as well ecclesiastical and political conspiratorial plots, secret codes, and fascinating characters.

Salve Regina was an enlightening and brilliant read, one that kept me turning the pages to learn about these vibrantly intelligent women with their equally clever collaborators: Pablo, who calls Erin, "…my favorite mentor…", and Jesuit Brother Ziggie, who appears to be Erin's "favorite Jesuit." Unexpected twists in due course unravel an archaic sinister scheme, transforming it into an auspiciously stellar conclusion—a riveting encounter with Prince Nikolai, Sister Thomas Marie's nephew.

I highly recommend this joint literary collaboration created by Erica Fuentes and Annemarie Stonewater. The engaging characters, unusual setting, and immensely ingenious premise resonate with impeccable research and a flowing narrative by two separately accomplished authors. The first in a planned trilogy, it categorically whets the reader's appetite for the second course.