Love Across Latin America: Latinx Romance Authors
We all know love knows no boundaries, but what about love that resides in Latin America? Whatever your relationship status is, getting lost in the pages of another character’s quest for amor is always fun. We are talking about all types of romance: passionate, tender, loving, and even steamy if you’re in the mood for it. For this Valentine’s Day, we have compiled a list of Latin American authors to keep you entertained. Whatever you’re feeling we got you!
Dominican Republic: Adriana Herrera
Adriana Herrera is a USA Today best selling Afro-Latinx writer who is on a mission to diversify the romance genre. She wanted to bring to life characters who look and sound like her. Therefore, her books predominantly feature LGBTQ characters. So, if one of your issues with romance books is the overuse of heterosexual relationships, Herrera’s books are made for you. Her focus on food, paired with some extremely cute scenes, will certainly leave you swooning and drooling for more!
Books to check out:
Amor Actually (2021)
Finding Joy (2020)
American Dreamer (2019)
Colombia: Isabel Acuña
Isabel Acuña is originally from Bogotá, although she is now based in Baranquilla. All her books are currently only available in Spanish, which means that the passion and turmoil feels more attached to the Latin American experience. Her work ranges from historical romance to sweeter romances set in modern times, which are reminiscent of the work of Nicholas Sparks.
Books to check out:
Rey De Diamantes (2019)
Giros del Destino (2017)
Entre el Valle y las Sombras (2014)
Ecuador: Kristel Ralston
Ralston initially started out as a journalist, moving into PR later on. Whilst on a trip to Europe, she started reading many romance novels, which inspired her to write one of her own. She is particularly fascinated with stories that are set in palaces and castles and is the first Ecuadorian romance novelist to be recognised for her work on both an international and national scale. You can read her books in both Spanish and English.
Books to check out:
An Affair Through the Sands of Time (2020)
Un Hombre de Familia (2018)
Reckless (2017)
Puerto Rico: Priscilla Oliveras
Priscilla is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, which means that she had a rich mix of cultures in her upbringing. Her first language is Spanish, closely followed by Spanglish (I’m sure that’s the case for a lot of us too!). She got heavily into romance fiction through her father, who served in the Navy, and who shared with her one of his books from Harlequin –a Canadian romance and women's fiction publisher. She is interested in bringing Latinx authenticity to her stories, inspired by her own cultural experiences.
Books to check out:
Anchored Hearts (2021)
Island Affair (2020)
His Perfect Partner (2017)
Mexico: Mimi Milan
What makes Milan stand out, besides the fact that she is Afro-Latinx, is the fact that she delves into different genres. From wild westerns, to dark romances, Milan has got all your romance needs covered.
Books to check out:
Pleasing Persephone (2019)
Scent of an Angel (2017)
A Rebel in Jericho (2015)
Cuba: Barbara Caridad Ferrer
Ferrer is a first generation Cuban who grew up in Miami, so you’ll see a lot of her characters reflect her Cuban heritage. Her stories are ideal for any young adult novel lovers. I spent a big part of my teen years binge reading the MTV books series, of which Ferrer was a contributor.
Books To Check Out:
When The Stars Go Blue (2010)
It’s Not About The Accent (2007)
Adios To My Old Life (2006)
Brazil: Carmen Falcone
Born in Brazil, Falcone received a BA in tourism. Afterwards she moved to Texas to work, where she met her Swiss husband. She loves exploring new cultures, so she also speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English - a woman of many talents! Falcone’s stories are perfect for lovers of steamy, x-rated fiction.
Books to check out:
Forbidden Virgin (2017)
A Weekend of Misbehaving (2015)
Kidnapping the Brazilian Tycoon (2014)
Argentina: Gabriella Margall
Gabriela Margall was born in Buenos Aires. Besides working as a History teacher at the University of Buenos Aires, she has studied with critically acclaimed Argentinian talents including Mauricio Kartun and Gabriela Francone. She writes historical romance fiction in Spanish for you to get lost in the charm of the past.
Books to check out:
El Secreto de Jane Austen (2015)
La Princesa de las Pampas (2014)
Si Encuentro Tu Nombre en el Fuego (2007)
Haiti: Nadine Gonzalez
Nadine Gonzalez is both a writer and an attorney. She writes a lot of contemporary fiction featuring vibrant settings and even more vibrant plots. Her stories are very tender, so if you want to fall in love fast and hard, check out her work!
Books to check out:
Unconditionally Mine (2018)
Exclusively Yours (2018)
Scandal in the VIP Suite (2020)
