Naomi
the protagonist, as a teenager secretly leaves her homeland to start a new life
in America where she thinks she will have the freedom to live a full life
without religious prejudice. Due to the untimely death of the elderly lady who
has hired her as a travel companion and...upon her arrival at the Immigration
Office on Ellis Island, without a sponsor, Naomi is about to be turned away.
Fortunately, she is "adopted" by Tia Vida, as many before her, who
have been swept up by her desire to help these young women in finding a support
system in Spanish Harlem. Her every hope is to offer these "ninas" a
better life and safe haven until they qualify to become American citizens. Tia
Vida has sacrificed her life for this noble cause and has opened her heart and
her home to these young girls. Little does Naomi know what Tia Vida has in mind
for her future.
In
this captivating, intriguing, and heart wrenching novel, the reader quickly
learns about the necessity to be so secretive when embracing these young women.
However, there is an even great mystery that lies within the heart and soul of
Naomi. She fled her country for more than one reason. Not only is she an
illegal immigrant, she is also a young Jewish girl who is in hiding because of
her beliefs. As a result of the Spanish Inquisition, along with many other
people of Jewish faith, she is forced to either become a Catholic convert or at
least look like one and practice her faith in the privacy of her own home.
Naomi chooses the latter....and so her double life commences as she takes over
the Casa when Tia Vida bequeaths it to her upon her death and all the
responsibilities that go with it. Naomi is a natural as she is so loving and
kind. She quickly becomes a blessing to all in her community and is highly
regarded and respected. She even manages to find the love of a life time and
marries Chaz who pursues her with fervor and an ardent love that is unexpectedly
matched by her own...but then along comes Lola, a new young immigrant teenager
about to be turned away and life is never the same for dear trusting Naomi...
Gifted
Author Paula Rose Michelson has done a magnificent job of creating a wonderful
work of art. Fictional, though it may be, there are many truths that are
revealed in "No Other Choice" that are difficult to digest. I would
like to thank her for her research, her effort, and her desire to enlighten us.
I eagerly look forward to Book 2 in this series...there is such a cliff-hanger
at the end of this novel that left me wanting more. No author can ask for more
than this nor can any reader! http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp
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