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Sneak Peek: First stops of blog tour announced!

Word is starting to spread about The Secret Side of Empty!  My 30-stop blog tour…

The Great Gatsby – a review

I will confess to having made it through advanced placement English classes all through high…

It’s official! I’ve signed my book deal!

On Wednesday, May 15th, I took a stroll over to my wonderful agent’s office to…

Now on Tumblr!

So, in my quest to be a hip chick (who just dated herself by using…

Angelina Jolie’s choice

When I was little, I would lament the fact that I didn’t have blue eyes…

Essays

First Novel to be Published Spring, 2014

My first novel, Illegal, will be published in the Spring of 2014 by Running Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group. Look for frequent updates on the book’s website here:  http://illegalthebook.com/…

Aggressively Forward Tall Bearded Iris

Aggressively Forward tall bearded iris has the honor of being the first iris to have bloomed for me this season, which is surprising since many others, like Batik or Old Black Magic, are supposed to bloom first according to my research. Style: Plicata Height: 36″ Color: Yellow and Purple Originator: Innerst, Sterling Year: 1995 Bloom…

Aggressively Forward Tall Bearded Iris

The Great Gatsby – a review

I will confess to having made it through advanced placement English classes all through high school and an English major in college without having read The Great Gatsby.   (There, I said it).  Which served me well when I was invited to go see Leonardo DiCaprio as The Great Gatsby.  My expectations were low.  They…

First Novel to be Published Spring, 2014

My first novel, Illegal, will be published in the Spring of 2014 by Running Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group. Look for frequent updates on the book’s website here:  http://illegalthebook.com/…

Sneak Peek: First stops of blog tour announced!

Word is starting to spread about The Secret Side of Empty!  My 30-stop blog tour will kick off on a very special day:  June 14th, Flag Day in the U.S. and… oh, yes!  My birthday!  One of the best birthday presents! Here is a sneak peek of the blogs which will host the first four…

Immigration

Immigration and the Boston Marathon bombing

One of the reasons I began to tell my story about having been an undocumented immigrant was 9/11.  More specifically, the way it became acceptable to talk about immigrants following the terrorist attacks.  The fear following the most horrific attacks…

The Journey from Illegal

In the jumble of feelings and paperwork that is a divorce, my naturalization certificate disappeared. …

Watch Maria on Immigration

      Watch Maria on the topic of immigration.        …

Watch Maria on NY1 on Immigration

Watch Maria on NY1.…

My Garden

Alizes Tall Bearded Iris

Type: Tall Bearded (TB) Style: Amoena Height: 33″ Color: Blue Originator: Cayeux, Richard Year: 1989…

Blenheim Royal Tall Bearded Iris

Type: Tall Bearded (TB) Height: 38″ Color: Medium Blue Originator: Schreiner Year: 1990 Bloom Season:…

The iris garden just before bloom

The irises are just about ready to bloom:  …

Aggressively Forward Tall Bearded Iris

Aggressively Forward Tall Bearded Iris

Aggressively Forward tall bearded iris has the honor of being the first iris to have bloomed for me this season, which is surprising since many others, like Batik or Old Black Magic, are supposed to bloom first according to my…

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