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Marcelo’s Secret

It is 1587 in Madrid, Spain, and Marcelo Espinosa is hiding a secret so dangerous that, if it were exposed, it would mean torture and death. Raised as a Catholic by Jewish parents forced to covertly practice their religion, Marcelo has no idea he is about to discover the perils of his true heritage. After his parents are summoned by the Inquisition for heresy, they seek to shield Marcelo from inevitable death and make secret arrangements for him to enter the monastery. Nineteen-year-old Marcelo is left with no choice. During a stormy night, Marcelo and his guide leave on horseback; it is not long before Marcelo is unwittingly immersed in a life filled with prayer, meditation, plain food, and hard work. But after six months pass, Marcelo receives the horrifying news he has been dreading-his parents have been murdered. Now with his own life in grave danger, Marcelo once again has no choice but to escape. Disguised as a missionary, Marcelo sails to Mexico with two Franciscan priests and the hope that one day he will be free. In this captivating historical tale, Marcelo embarks on a journey through adventure, friendship, love, and danger in a desperate attempt to reconcile with the man he has always wanted to be.

It is 1587 in Madrid, Spain, and Marcelo Espinosa is hiding a secret so dangerous that, if it were exposed, it would mean torture and death. Raised as a Catholic by Jewish parents forced to covertly practice their religion, Marcelo has no idea he is about to discover the perils of his true heritage. After his parents are summoned by the Inquisition for heresy, they seek to shield Marcelo from inevitable death and make secret arrangements for him to enter the monastery. Nineteen-year-old Marcelo is left with no choice. During a stormy night, Marcelo and his guide leave on horseback; it is not long before Marcelo is unwittingly immersed in a life filled with prayer, meditation, plain food, and hard work. But after six months pass, Marcelo receives the horrifying news he has been dreading-his parents have been murdered. Now with his own life in grave danger, Marcelo once again has no choice but to escape. Disguised as a missionary, Marcelo sails to Mexico with two Franciscan priests and the hope that one day he will be free. In this captivating historical tale, Marcelo embarks on a journey through adventure, friendship, love, and danger in a desperate attempt to reconcile with the man he has always wanted to be.

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This is a story about Sephardic Jews who were tortured and killed during the Spanish Inquisition established in 1478 and continued until abolished in 1834 in Spain and how many fled Spain to the new world and ended up in New Mexico. I knew about the Inquisition having been taught by nuns for 12 years. However, I never realized the immense torture and terrorism it inflicted on these people. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. I found it particularly interesting because I am a descendant of the Spaniards who colonized New Mexico. I liked the idea that the book was written, albeit fiction, interjecting a love connection between Marcello and Ana and the hardships of the times, especially with some of the Indian tribes. It was an easy read, and I give the book 5 stars.
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This is a story about Sephardic Jews who were tortured and killed during the Spanish Inquisition established in 1478 and continued until abolished in 1834 in Spain and how many fled Spain to the new world and ended up in New Mexico. I knew about the Inquisition having been taught by nuns for 12 years. However, I never realized the immense torture and terrorism it inflicted on these people. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. I found it particularly interesting because I am a descendant of the Spaniards who colonized New Mexico. I liked the idea that the book was written, albeit fiction, interjecting a love connection between Marcello and Ana and the hardships of the times, especially with some of the Indian tribes. It was an easy read, and I give the book 5 stars.
Margaret-Albuquerque,NM
Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
Published Date: May 12, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-959761-70-9
Available Format:
Kindle
Paperback

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