The illustrations in "Eye of the Storm" are the work of renown Filipina American illustrator Ona Lorraine Canilao. Her art allows readers to "see" the story evolve and conveys emotions and subtext that words alone might not express.
“Here anyone could achieve their American dream if they worked for it…You have no idea how precious freedom is until it’s taken away from you.”
“Papi dashed toward Julia and plunged the knife into her chest. With each stab, he called out the numbers in a demonic countdown.”
“She’s seated in a round-backed wicker chair and gently strumming a Spanish guitar. Her hair cascades to her shoulders in graceful waves.”
“I learned that on the other side of anger is a place called forgiveness.” – Lazaro Lopez
“Mami kept rubbing the goo in ever-widening circles. ‘Everything that’s good for you either hurts or stinks. Remember that.’”
“Flying debris crashed down on us and we watched in horror as the rumbling gray clouds raced across the sky.”
“A large golden cloth was tied tightly around her head. From her neck dangled multiple strands of colored beads. When she moved her arms dozens of gold bracelets jangled. I thought they sounded like tambourines.”
“Why was I in this place? Didn’t anyone realize it was all a huge misunderstanding? I cried all the time…I’d sit on the same wobbly bench watching a procession of patients march past me. A parade of fools.”
“Chango magically transformed Aurora the Swan into Aurora, the most beautiful young woman in all of Havana.”
“So, this morning I’m swaying back and forth (like an idiot) in my threadbare Cuban rocker waiting for a bolt of inspiration to strike. The rocker is squeaking and squawking up a storm.”
“I hurl the thunderbolts and leap through fire, lightning, and ferocious winds…I was the eye of the storm that steered the hurricane that destroyed your home six decades ago.”
“We must now let the blood of the chicken drip onto the orisha stones. Now we must pour the animal’s blood around the vase.”
“…we gazed in awe as a magnificent white flamingo from the nearby Hialeah racetrack soared high above a row of Royal Palms. Our little lives were about to change in large and wondrous ways.”
“Papi stared through the bars of his gloomy cell at the imposing clock on the wall. A shadow crossed it like a specter.”
“A slice of moon hangs in a black velvet sky and the sea shimmers, and the night feels silky and grand.”
“Now don’t forget to clean the ring around the toilet. Use some elbow grease, sugar!”
“I didn’t raise my boys to be sissies. Right, Manolito? I didn’t raise my boys to be afraid, did I?
“The original Guajira was a country girl from Guantanamo, Cuba. Her role in Cuban folklore was inspired by Cuban liberator Jose Marti.”
“You weren’t a father. You were a monster. A killer monster. I hate you! I wish you were dead!”
