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These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban
Vanessa Montalban
Cuban American Vanessa Montalban is proof that the path to becoming an author isn’t always a straight line. She dropped out of high school in 11th grade, got her GED, and worked in insurance and real estate before chasing her dream of writing. At 30, she enrolled in UCF’s creative writing program, and in 2024, she made her Young Adult (YA) debut with “A Tall Dark Trouble,” a witchy tale inspired by her Cuban heritage. Now, she’s back with “These Vengeful Wishes,” a standalone fantasy full of folklore, vengeance, and a very haunted wishing well.
When Ceci’s stepfather is arrested, she and her mom move back to Santa Aguas, a town famous for the legend of La Cegua—a spirit that punishes untrustworthy men. Their new home? An abandoned manor tied to the very curse Ceci’s mother has tried to forget. Then, Ceci starts painting a mysterious door in the forest that doesn’t exist… until it does. Behind the door, there’s a well that grants wishes, but at a terrifying cost. As Ceci’s wishes spiral out of control, she must face the truth: La Cegua never forgets a debt. This is a great entry into the YA fantasy genre and it brings a dark fairy tale with themes like generational curses and the cost of power.
This is the Year by Gloria Muñoz
Gloria Muñoz
Colombian American Gloria Muñoz is a poet, translator, and advocate for multilingual literacy whose work has been recognized by the Academy of American Poets. She’s best known for her poetry collections “Your Biome Has Found You” and “Danzirly,” but now she’s stepping into fiction with “This is the Year,” a coming-of-age story that blends prose and poetry to tackle themes like grief, climate change, and the immigrant experience.
The world is burning, and Julieta Villarreal has one chance to leave it behind. At 17, Julieta has already lost her twin sister in a hit-and-run, and her Florida home is drowning in climate disasters. Then she’s recruited by Cometa, a private space program that wants young pioneers to establish the first extraterrestrial settlement. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but leaving Earth means leaving her family, her grief, and her past. This one is for fans of sci-fi, lyrical writing, and stories about resilience.
Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
Puerto Rican Alexis Daria is the queen of Latinx romance. Her debut, “You Had Me at Hola,” was a major hit, landing on best-of lists from Oprah Magazine to Entertainment Weekly. She’s known for writing steamy, heartfelt stories featuring ambitious Latina heroines, and her latest novel, “Along Came Amor,” brings all the drama, spice, and family chaos you could want.
After her ex-husband dumps her to “follow his dreams,” Ava Rodriguez swears off serious relationships. But she wouldn’t say no to a no-strings one-night stand with a gorgeous hotelier. The thing is that, when she walks into her cousin’s engagement party, her one-night fling, Roman Vasquez, is standing right there as the best man to the groom. Now they’re forced to see each other all the time, and Roman isn’t content being Ava’s dirty little secret. He wants more. But with her family breathing down her neck, Ava has to decide: Is love worth the risk? This book gives telenovela-level juicy drama and a sizzling romance about second chances that we think anyone can get behind.
Black Mestiza by Yael Valencia Aldana
Yael Valencia Aldana
Caribbean Afro-Latine Yael Valencia Aldana is a poet, professor, and storyteller. Her work explores identity, ancestry, and the resilience of Black and Indigenous Latinas, making it essential in this day and age. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Valencia Aldana was raised in Barbados before moving to Brooklyn, and her poetry reflects the richness of her Caribbean and Latine heritage.
“Black Mestiza” is her most personal poetry collection yet and it’s a love letter to the Black and Indigenous women who shaped her. These poems unpack identity, colonialism, and the beauty of mixed-race experiences, and it will stay with you long after you finish reading.
(S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi
Ibi Zoboi
Haitian Ibi Zoboi immigrated to the U.S. at age four and has written multiple award-winning books, including “American Street” (a National Book Award finalist) and “Pride” (a Caribbean remix of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice”). But now, she’s taking readers into unexplored, spellbinding territory with her contemporary fantasy debut, “(S)Kin.”
In Brooklyn, fireball witches don’t last long. Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant—a Caribbean fireball witch who sheds her skin and drinks life to survive. She thought she could leave her past behind, but Brooklyn is suffocating her magic. Meanwhile, Genevieve, a girl with a hunger she doesn’t understand, finds herself drawn to a family secret that ties her to Marisol. As their lives intertwine, Marisol and Genevieve must face the power hiding under their skin and the sacrifices they must make to survive. This book is packed with Caribbean folklore and themes of inheritance and power.
My Name is Emilia Del Valle by Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende
Chilean American Isabel Allende is a literary icon known for combining magical realism and history into unforgettable stories like “The House of the Spirits” and “City of the Beasts.” She’s won countless awards, including Chile’s National Literature Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her upcoming novel, “My Name is Emilia Del Valle,” brings readers back to 19th-century San Francisco, where a young woman is fighting for love, truth, and the power of her own voice.
Emilia del Valle has always wanted to be a writer, but in 1866, the world isn’t kind to women with ambition. Raised by a loving stepfather after being abandoned as a baby, Emilia finds her calling in journalism only to get caught up in a dangerous war, a forbidden love, and a family secret that threatens everything she knows. “My Name is Emilia Del Valle” will be published on May 6, 2025, so keep an eye out for it if you enjoy historical fiction with a strong Latina character, intrigue, and romance.
So Many Stars by Caro De Robertis
Caro de Robertis
Caro De Robertis is a groundbreaking Uruguayan American writer whose work has earned a Stonewall Book Award, a Lambda Literary Award, and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Their latest, “So Many Stars,” is a first-of-its-kind oral history of trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and Two-Spirit people of color.
Through powerful firsthand accounts, this book tells real stories of courage, survival, and cultural transformation. From activists and artists to everyday people who fought to exist freely, “So Many Stars” offers valuable perspectives and is a must-read for anyone interested in queer history and resistance. It will be released on May 13, 2025, so mark your calendar.
Get Real, Chloe Torres by Crystal Maldonado
Crystal Maldonado
Puerto Rican Crystal Maldonado is known for writing romcoms featuring fat, brown girls living their best (and messiest) lives. Her debut, “Fat Chance, Charlie Vega,” won the New England Book Award and was named Kirkus Best YA Fiction of 2021. Now, she’s giving readers a road trip, a sapphic love triangle, and best-friend chaos with “Get Real, Chloe Torres.”
What do you do when your ex-besties refuse to speak to you? Well, according to Chloe Torres, you plan a road trip. Chloe just turned 18 and is ready for one last adventure before college. Moreover, she’s on a mission to reunite her estranged BFFs by taking them to their favorite boy band’s reunion concert. The only problem is that Sienna is giving her the cold shoulder and Ramona kissed her and then ghosted her. This book has one car, two ex-best friends, and a whole lot of drama. It’s perfect for readers who love chaotic friendships, sapphic yearning, and pop culture. “Get Real, Chloe Torres” will be out on May 13, 2025.
My Train Leaves at Three by Natalie Guerrero
Natalie Guerrero
Puerto Rican-Dominican Natalie Guerrero is based in Los Angeles and her work has appeared in Electric Literature, Byline, Goop, and Blavity. She’s also co-authored books like “Walking in My Joy” by actress Jenifer Lewis. “My Train Leaves at Three” is her highly anticipated debut novel coming out on July 8, 2025, and it promises to be a raw, emotional story about grief, ambition, and the dark side of fame.
How do you rebuild a life that no longer feels like your own? Xiomara, an Afro-Latina singer and actress, has always had big dreams. But after the sudden death of her sister, she’s left working minimum-wage jobs and living with her ultra-Catholic Puerto Rican mother in a cramped apartment. When a once-in-a-lifetime audition comes her way, Xiomara finally sees a future for herself. But the industry is ruthless, and she soon finds herself face-to-face with the ugly truths behind Hollywood’s glitz and glamour. If you love drama, stories about fighting for your dreams, and messy protagonists, this will be up your alley.
The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas
Isabel Cañas
Mexican American Isabel Cañas is one of the most exciting voices in Latino horror. Her gothic debut, “The Hacienda,” was compared to works like “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier. In 2025, she’s back with “The Possession of Alba Díaz,” a terrifying historical horror novel set in 1765 Zacatecas that will be published on August 19, 2025.
Alba Díaz should be safe. She fled her home with her wealthy fiancé, seeking refuge in his family's mine. But soon after her arrival, she starts getting plagued by hallucinations, sleepwalking, and violent convulsions. Something inside her is growing stronger… and it’s hungry. “The Possession of Alba Díaz” is a gothic horror story that brings exorcism and dark family secrets, so be ready for some chills.
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DRAFTED x Verizon: A Historic Super Bowl Presence
At this year’s Radio Row, where top media outlets gather for exclusive access to players, executives, and cultural moments, DRAFTED took its place among the biggest names in sports journalism.
DRAFTED’s Nicole Fernandez led interviews at the Verizon booth, bringing an authentic Latina perspective to the media frenzy surrounding the NFL’s biggest event. DRAFTED highlighted the Latinas shaping the Super Bowl, showcasing the power of culture, community, and representation in one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. They also had the chance to interview Oscar Budejen, Philadelphia Eagles’ Spanish-speaking announcer, Carlos Mauricio Ramírez, 49ers’ Spanis-speaking announcer, and NFL legend Eli Manning.
They also featured the voices of a diverse array of Latinas in sports media, paving the way for a new standard in how all sports should be covered, not just the NFL.
Sujey Luna
Photo taken by Sujey Luna during week 2 of the Super Bowl LIX.
Sujey Luna is a participant in the Behind the Lens program, an initiative launched by the NFL and Verizon to boost the representation of women in sports media. Through this program, women photographers and videographers gain first-hand experience covering major sporting events, working alongside seasoned professionals to build their portfolios and break into the industry. Luna brought her skills as a videographer to the table and captured Super Bowl LIX events, bringing a fresh perspective to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Elisa Hernandez
Elisa Hernandez also added her Latino talent to the mix. A bilingual host, producer, and two-time Emmy winner, Hernandez is currently the Team Reporter for the Denver Broncos. Her career has taken her from NBC/Telemundo Deportes, where she covered Sunday Night Football, to the NFL Network, where she launched El Snap NFL, the league’s first-ever Latino-focused Instagram account. As a proud Los Angeles native and University of Southern California graduate, Hernandez’s career is one example of the power of Latina representation in sports media.
Luz Media asked Hernandez via email what she would say to Latinas who struggle with feeling like they don’t belong in spaces with few women and few Latinas. She stated, “It's fair, it's validated, it's warranted, but understand that there is room for all of us, and the biggest thing when there isn't a lot of us is to come together. There's strength in numbers. And I think even for us, it's understanding that we have to, you know, band together and be together, to understand we're not outnumbered. We have to just connect.”
Marissa Solis
DRAFTED also had the opportunity to interview Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL. From her roots in Mexico to leading one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world, Solis has made it her mission to keep the NFL relevant to younger and more diverse audiences. She has also played a pivotal role in uplifting Latinos through initiatives like the NFL Latino Youth Honors, which celebrates outstanding high school football athletes.
Solis had this to say to Luz Media about Latinas who may feel like they don’t belong in male-dominated, white-dominated spaces: “Don't base your success on how many other Latinas are around. Claim your place [...]. Have your passion, know your goal, know what you want, and go get it. It doesn't matter if there's 100 men in the room and you're the only one. It really doesn't matter, you know? Go out there and make your name, and then once you're in the room, bring others with you.”
MJ Acosta-Ruiz
With such diminished visibility in the media overall, Afro-Latina representation in sports media was critically important for DRAFTED. Dominican-American MJ Acosta-Ruiz is an award-winning, bilingual sports journalist and broadcaster, currently working as a sports reporter for ESPN and the NFL Network. Acosta-Ruiz is also the creator and host of Becoming Undefined, a freshly launched YouTube show where she sits down to have empowering conversations over cafecito. The first episode featured Cuban-American actress Gina Torres, and they talked about the barriers she has broken as an Afro-Latina in TV and film.
In her interview with DRAFTED, Acosta-Ruiz talked about the importance of representation at events like the Super Bowl. She stated, “Representation is everything. If we're not visible, one, we can't get more folks in front of the camera, and two, I think it starts to desensitize folks to not being so, like, ‘Oh my god, there's a Latina. Oh my god, there's a black woman,’ right? Like, we're here. Trust we are here. I want it to just be normal for us to occupy this space the way that we are working so hard to do so.”
Paola Mannan
Adding to the mix is Colombian Paola Mannan, a force in multimedia marketing at Fox Deportes, the U.S.’s first sports television network in Spanish. Mannan has been the Director of Marketing at the network since 2022 and with her expertise in strategic planning, project management, and relationship building, she’s proving how valuable the Latina perspective is in the space of sports entertainment.
Luz Media asked Mannan via email what she’d say to Latinas struggling with belonging, her advice was to remember that we can create space for all of us. “Maybe there's no one here because it's my responsibility to be the one, the first. Right? And then to open up the door for everyone that's coming behind me. So in a few years, I can see more people that look like me representing here with me, right? It’s that mentality of ‘If I can win, everyone else can win with me, and we can all win together,’” she said.
Mayra Gomez
Mexican-AmericanMayra Gomez has built an international career as a Spanish Raiders Color Analyst (providing analysis and insights during live games alongside commentators) and International Marketing Coordinator for Orlegi Sports. She has been the voice of some of the most historic international competitions, including the Women’s Gold Cup and Copa América USA, bringing Spanish-language sports broadcasting to new heights.
In her DRAFTED interview at Radio Row, Gomez shared: “It's an honor to be here with you, to see so many more Latinas being present here at Radio Row. I think the NFL has done a great job at expanding when it comes to their market, with the Latino community, obviously having a lot of exposure [in the U.S.], and in Mexico, with the NFL Mexico, and so just seeing everyone else here has been quite heartwarming.”
Uplifting the Next Generation: The NFL Latino Youth Honors
Hispanic Heritage Foundation via Instagram
The Latino Youth Honors, presented by Procter & Gamble in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, were present at the Super Bowl as well and DRAFTED touched base with quite a few of the honorees. This program recognizes outstanding high school football athletes—both in tackle and flag football—for their academic and athletic excellence, and there are many Latinas among them.
One of the honorees DRAFTED interviewed was Cecilia “CeCe” Beauchamp, a Puerto Rican standout quarterback from the Bronx who has led her flag football team since her freshman year, ranking among the top quarterbacks in New York City’s PSAL. With a 4.0 GPA and a position as class president, CeCe represents the next generation of Latina athletes breaking barriers on and off the field.
Also making waves is Paula “Nicole” Cruz, a wide receiver from Calexico, California, whose journey began in Mexicali, Mexico before she made the leap to the U.S. to pursue her dream. With over 2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns, she earned a spot on the U.S. National U17 Girls Flag Football Team and a college scholarship offer.
Sophie Guitron, a Mexican-American athlete from Redondo Beach, California, overcame a congenital heart condition and open-heart surgery at age 11 to become a league MVP and a member of the U.S. National U17 Girls Flag Football Team. Her resilience and passion for the sport have made her a role model for young Latinas.
Another honoree, Paola Cruz-Ramos, has been a standout in Putnam County’s flag football scene, earning spots on the Jaguars All-Prep Team and the All-State Second Team, all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA and dedicating time to community service.
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