This novel, When the Angels Came, was published (Publication Date: December, 2022) by AuthorHouse, of Bloomington, Indiana. Please see below for additional information. It is available at most bookstores, by special order if not stocked. It is also available at the websites of Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other online book outlets (see links below).



 

 AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER, SOFTCOVER, AND E-BOOK EDITIONS



 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

    From Rudy Apodaca comes When the Angels Came, a compelling, nuanced story of a 12-year-old boy and of the old man who befriends him. This engrossing and vividly written tale of characters in the world of southern New Mexico, a culture rarely written about, will engage readers from all walks of life.

    The story begins in 1934, in west Texas, when Santiago Dominguez, as a six-year-old, loses his parents and is then raised by his loving uncle. Four years out of high school, as a Marine, Santiago finds himself fighting in Korea, where he’s injured and awarded the Silver Star for bravery.

    Two years later, in 1952, he moves to San Miguel, the “tiniest” of villages hidden along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico. There, for many years, he lives a quiet and private life, earning a reputation as a good man but nonetheless a recluse. Being modest, he tells no one of his past. Not until 2011, when Jamie Almaguer moves into San Miguel with his parents, do the boy and Santiago, now 83 years old, meet. The old man is now known as Don Santiago, the title, a tribute of respect.

    Despite warnings from other youngsters to stay away from Don Santiago, “The Hermit,” as they call him, Jamie, by mere happenstance, meets the old man at a grocery store. From that chance meeting, the two begin a relationship that bonds them, despite their age difference. Don Santiago guides and comforts Jamie through difficulties in his young life―his first confrontation with racism, the sexual assault of his close friend, and the sudden illness of his mother.

    In time, Jamie comes to treasure Don Santiago, who molds him, providing the tools to tackle life’s issues. This, at a time most youngsters, often with considerable apprehension, are exploring the world around them and what living in it is all about.

    Ten years later, when a graduate student, Jamie makes his final entry in his journal, the spirit of Don Santiago within him.

    Above all else, Jamie writes, Don Santiago gave me what I considered the greatest gift anyone can give another. He believed in me. That can do much to invigorate and inspire the soul and the mind of a youngster just barely starting out in life.
 

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR When the Angels Came:

    There are two angels in When the Angels Came,, and readers will love them both―Santiago Dominguez and Jaime Almaguer. We follow them from youth to maturity in this double coming of age story and love their struggles and glories.―Norman Keifetz, author of The Sensation

     Set just north of New Mexico’s southern border, in the bicultural and bilingual community of San Miguel, surrounded by its rugged desert, its serene pecan groves, and its native Catholic faith, When the Angels Came, an angelic novel, gives the reader a unique, cultural experience. It is a nostalgic return to familiar images and sounds to those who have lived this experience. For others, its storytelling is uniquely and wondrously told through a gentle voice. Perhaps, too, idyllic–only the reader will tell.―Teresa Carbajal Ravet, M.A., Spanish Linguist & Culturist

    The title and a quick glance at When the Angels Came suggested to me that a Hispanic experience was in the offing. Yet I knew not what was in store; what I found was a finely written novel about unforgettable characters. Written by a writer who knows how to tell a story, this narrative, among other revelations, reminds us of the bigotry the Mexican American faces somewhere in the United States every day. The book’s only problem is that it ends.―Issamary Simmons Benavides, Author of Vida Ajenas and other books of poetry
 

BOOK REVIEWS OF When the Angels Came:
 

Book Review by Teresa Carbajal Ravet:

   This coming-of-age cultural story follows the emotional growth and spiritual maturity of two leading characters, Santiago Dominguez and Jamie Almaguer. While an extensive novel, When The Angels Came by Rudy Apodaca follows the complete life of Santiago, his numerable life experiences, the choices made, the person he becomes, and his influence on the community of San Miguel. In contrast, new to the community, twelve-year-old Jamie becomes Don Santiago’s closest friend and ally. An untraditional friendship due to the age difference, the two form an emotional and spiritual bond that helps guide them through their diverse life stages.

     Set just north of New Mexico’s southern border, in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, in the bicultural and bilingual community of San Miguel, surrounded by its rugged desert, its serene pecan groves, and its native Catholic faith, this angelic novel gives the reader a unique, cultural experience. It is a nostalgic return to familiar images and sounds to those who have lived this experience. For others, its storytelling is uniquely and wondrously told through a gentle voice. Perhaps, too, idyllic―only the reader will tell.―Teresa Carbajal Ravet, M.A., Spanish Linguist & Culturist

Book Review by Alejandro Ruiz, Senior Author Publicist of City of Books:

A Heartwarming Tale of Friendship and Mentorship Across Generations

Rudy Apodaca's When the Angels Came is a touching novel that masterfully weaves the lives of two unlikely companions, forging an unforgettable bond that spans across generations. Set against the picturesque backdrop of San Miguel, a tiny village along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, the story unfolds with a nostalgic charm that is both compelling and evocative.

The narrative begins in 1934 with a young Santiago Dominguez, who, at the tender age of six, loses his parents and is raised by a loving uncle. Santiago's journey is one of resilience and courage, highlighted by his service as a Marine in the Korean War, where he is injured and honored with the Silver Star for bravery. Despite his heroic past, Santiago chooses a life of solitude in San Miguel, earning a reputation as a good but reclusive man, known respectfully as Don Santiago.

Fast forward to 2011, when twelve-year-old Jamie Almaguer moves to San Miguel with his parents. Ignoring warnings from peers to stay away from "The Hermit," Jamie encounters Don Santiago by chance in a grocery store. This serendipitous meeting marks the beginning of a profound friendship. Despite their vast age difference, Don Santiago becomes a guiding light for Jamie, helping him navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence.

Apodaca's storytelling shines as he explores the depth of this intergenerational friendship. Don Santiago's wisdom and kindness offer Jamie solace and guidance through various personal challenges, including his first encounter with racism, the sexual assault of a close friend, and his mother's sudden illness. The mentorship provided by Don Santiago is portrayed with a tender realism that underscores the transformative power of belief and encouragement.

One of the novel's most poignant themes is the notion that the greatest gift one can give another is belief. Don Santiago's unwavering faith in Jamie invigorates and inspires him, a sentiment beautifully captured in Jamie's final journal entry a decade later. As a graduate student, Jamie reflects on the invaluable life lessons imparted by Don Santiago, acknowledging the profound impact of having someone believe in him during his formative years.

When the Angels Came is more than just a story of friendship; it is a testament to the enduring impact of mentorship and the power of human connection. Rudy Apodaca's lyrical prose and rich character development make this novel a compelling read, one that lingers in the mind and heart long after the final page is turned.

In conclusion, When the Angels Came is a moving and inspirational narrative that highlights the beauty of unexpected friendships and the lasting influence of a mentor's belief in a young person's potential. Apodaca's novel is a heartfelt tribute to the power of kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories of personal growth and enduring bonds.

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS:

     People I’ve met sometimes ask me if the stories I’ve "told" in my novels are autobiographical. I usually tell them that in the pure sense, they are not, but follow it with somewhat of a disclaimer by stating that all writers I know or have met write about their own life experiences, which are then, either consciously or subconsciously, translated into the characters they create and bring to life in their books. In that respect, I take note, I’m no different than other writers.

    The story in When the Angels Came grew over the years from my own experiences as a native and resident of southern New Mexico and from the people I knew who lived most of their lives there. San Miguel, the village in which most of the story in this novel takes place, is only a few miles south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, where I was born and grew up. It is a town of about 1,100 inhabitants, and I've known for many years many of the village's residents. Although the story in this novel is fictional, the book’s characters are not unlike the people of San Miguel. It is living among these individuals for so many years that inspired me to write about the characters in this novel.

    I once read that it is the fiction writer’s job to evoke the emotions of the reader in the telling of a story. It is my sincere hope that I’ve succeeded doing that with When the Angels Came.
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

          Rudy Apodaca, a native of New Mexico, lives with his wife, Nancy, in Austin, Texas. A graduate of Georgetown University’s law school, he began his career as a trial attorney, practicing for 22 years before serving as a judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals for almost 14 years, over two years as Chief Judge. He’s the author of three previous novels and many essays, most of which were published as commentaries in daily newspapers, the Austin American-Statesman, the San Antonio Express-News, and the Houston Chronicle. When not writing, he provides mediation and arbitration services. He enjoys spending time with his wife, his four children, and eight grandchildren. For additional information, visit his website at www.rudyapodaca.com.

 

ORDERING INFORMATION:

ISBN Numbers and Suggested Retail Prices:

Hardcover Edition:  978-1-6655-7705-2; $29.99
Softcover Edition:   978-1-6655-7707-6;  $18.99
E-Book Edition:       978-1-6655-7706-9;    $9.99

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