David Bowles

These unique voices combine in a harmony of Mexican and American, of magical and ordinary, of tragedy and triumph. From established writers to emerging talents, the contributors to this volume represent the depth and beauty of a community that is just beginning to make itself heard. The collection features the short story "The Time About the Dog" by lvaro Rodr guez, co-screenwriter of the recent film Machete. Other contributors: Ang lica Maldonado, Yaresy Salinas, Mar a Ram rez, Daniel Tyx, M nica G. Hern ndez, F lix Omar Vela, Evangelina Ayon, Lois Marie Garza, Charlene Bowles, Robert Brown, Cindy J imez, Virgilio B. Valencia, Alfredo Ortiz, Javier David Gonz lez, Matthew Madrigal, Olga Lidia Cervantes, Richard D. Givens, Ver nica Sandoval, Edwin de Kock, Gwenda J. Gonz lez, Jonathan Corey Mangan, Kristin Michelle Keith, Mar a Piedra, Ludivina V. V squez, Mar a de la Luz Quiroga, Clarrissia Nerio, Nina Medrano, Rosalia Arriaga, Anna Lilia Castillo, Gloria M. Alvarado, and Edwin Sandoval.

Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe Garcia McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds. In modern-day Mexico, Sitlali is all alone after the death of her beloved abuela. Targeted by a dangerous gang member, she flees to the United States to find her father. The night before her journey, she finds an ancient conch shell on the beach and takes it with her as a memento of home. In 1521, Calizto is trapped in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which is besieged by Spanish invaders. He has fought valiantly, but hope for his people is running out. Desperate to escape, he takes up his mother's sacred conch and sounds a plea to the gods. The conch holds magic neither Sitlali nor Calizto understand, magic that allows them to communicate across centuries--and find comfort in each other as they fight to survive. With each conversation, they fall deeper in love, and as the moon waxes, they become more present to each other. But as danger threatens at every turn, will they ever find a way to truly be together?