Rosquete Press

07/06/2025

LA PERLA NEGRA – The Black Pearl

Ediciones: español, English
Género: Ficción histórica, realismo mágico
Ambientación: 1527 la conquista de México

Esta aventura comienza con una llamada telefónica que el Profesor Francisco Reynoso recibe de una tienda de libros anticuarios. La tienda le ofrece una serie de documentos viejos y polvorientos que quizá le ayuden con un artículo que está escribiendo para una revista académica. El articulo trata el tema de una expedición secreta del comandante Hernán Cortés en 1527 a las Molucas (Islas de Especias).

Los documentos están en malas condiciones y fueron escritos en varios idiomas. Francisco Reynoso se ve obligado a colaborar con expertos lingüísticos, históricos y marítimos. Él viaja a México a estudiar la leyenda de las perlas negras y de la Princesa Azteca, Yepyollotli. La Princesa se salvó de ser sacrificada a la Diosa de la Luna cuando los españoles la secuestraron y la enviaron al Oriente para venderla como esclava. Mientras que Francisco desenreda los detalles de la maldición de la Diosa de la Luna, el conoce a la Dra. Alejandra Mora y se enamora profundamente.

Este es un cuento de romances agridulces, de aventura, de traición, y de dolor. ¿Qué precisamente fue la maldición de la Diosa? ¿Se podrá romper el hechizo? ¿Qué les pasará a Francisco y Alejandra?

***

Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism
Setting : 1527 Zihuatanejo to the Molucas

First Place Winner of the 2023 International Latino Book Awards for Best Novel - Historical Fiction. Now available in Spanish.

It all began with a phone call from an antiquarian bookstore to Stanford Professor Francisco Reynoso. He was excited about his academic journal article on Comandante Hernán Cortés’ 1527 secret expedition to the Moluccas (Spice Islands). Dusty old diaries and moldy sea logs required him to collaborate with linguistic, cultural, and maritime experts.

Traveling to Mexico, Francisco tries to unravel the legend of the black pearls and of the Aztec princess Yepyollotli who was snatched from human sacrifice to the Moon Goddess when she was kidnapped by Spaniards and sent to the Orient to become a royal slave. As Francisco further delves into the Moon Goddess’ curse upon the young princess, he meets Dr. Alejandra Mora and falls deeply in love.

This is a bittersweet story of romance, adventure, betrayal, and sorrow. What is the curse of the Moon Goodness? Can the curse be broken? What will happen to Francisco and Alejandra?

07/06/2025

TURQUOISE - El Colibrí de Turquesa

Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism
Setting: 19th century Mexico and China

International Latino Book Award author, Rocky Barilla, presents another mesmerizing magical realism novel. This is a thrilling journey filled with love, mystery, prejudice, and greed.

A tall slender woman with silky black hair and almond eyes appears at Professor Francisco Reynoso’s office at the University of Guadalajara. Her long, pink, silk dress is slit up to her thigh. Lili Song and her squatty male colleague want to fund a project to conduct research about the Chinese migration to Mexico in the late 19th century.

Despite academic integrity reservations, two universities undertake the project which focuses on Chan Toy, a Chinese indentured servant from Guangzhou, China to migrate to Mexico and his wife, Ana Azuleta, a Mexican-Yaqui. Chan Toy and Ana have many adventures and misfortunes as they travel throughout Mexico and back to Guangzhou, China.

However, the real objective of the Chinese sponsors is the procurement of Ana’s special turquoise colibrí (hummingbird) amulet that is believed to have magical properties.

The Mexican Ministry of Justice becomes involved in the project when it is discovered that historical documents have been stolen from the Museum of Anthropology and that there are plans to steal and illegally transport artifacts out of Mexico.

05/05/2025

The Language Coordinator at UTSMA.Technological University of San Miguel de Allende and an English teacher are using my book "A Taste of Chocolate" in their classes. Thanks to my Stanford roommate Ace where he works after several tours in the Peace Corps.

29/01/2025

Yay! My first book in Spanish! The gold medal winner of the International Latino Book Rudolfo Anaya Award (2024) has been translated into Spanish and is available on Kindle. More in the pipeline.
I plan to enter this book in the Guadalajara International Book Fair this year.

24/01/2025

Unfortunately, two of my books, "Sanctuary" and "Shattered Dreams," are very timely right now.

17/12/2024

¡Feliz Navidad! Present from my wife.

31/10/2024

The Paperback version is now available on Amazon.

International Latino Book Award author, Rocky Barilla, presents another mesmerizing magical realism novel. This is a thrilling journey filled with love, mystery, prejudice, and greed.
A tall slender woman with silky black hair and almond eyes appears at Professor Francisco Reynoso’s office at the University of Guadalajara. Her long, pink, silk dress is slit up to her thigh. Lili Song and her s… See more

My latest manuscript, "Turquoise," is now available on Amazon as a Kindle download.
International Latino Book Award author, Rocky Barilla, presents another mesmerizing magical realism novel. This is a thrilling journey filled with love, mystery, prejudice, and greed.
A tall slender woman with silky black hair and almond eyes appears at Professor Francisco Reynoso’s office at the University of Guadalajara. Her long, pink, silk dress is slit up to her thigh. Lili Song and her squatty male colleague want to fund a project to conduct research about the Chinese migration to Mexico in the late 19th century.
Despite academic integrity reservations, two universities undertake the project which focuses on Chan Toy, a Chinese indentured servant from Guangzhou, China to migrate to Mexico and his wife, Ana Azuleta, a Mexican-Yaqui. Chan Toy and Ana have many adventures and misfortunes as they travel throughout Mexico and back to Guangzhou, China.
However, the real objective of the Chinese sponsors is the procurement of Ana’s special turquoise colibrí (hummingbird) amulet that is believed to have magical properties.
The Mexican Ministry of Justice becomes involved in the project when it is discovered that historical documents have been stolen from the Museum of Anthropology and that there are plans to steal and illegally transport artifacts out of Mexico.

26/10/2024

My latest manuscript, "Turquoise," is now available on Amazon as a Kindle download.
International Latino Book Award author, Rocky Barilla, presents another mesmerizing magical realism novel. This is a thrilling journey filled with love, mystery, prejudice, and greed.
A tall slender woman with silky black hair and almond eyes appears at Professor Francisco Reynoso’s office at the University of Guadalajara. Her long, pink, silk dress is slit up to her thigh. Lili Song and her squatty male colleague want to fund a project to conduct research about the Chinese migration to Mexico in the late 19th century.
Despite academic integrity reservations, two universities undertake the project which focuses on Chan Toy, a Chinese indentured servant from Guangzhou, China to migrate to Mexico and his wife, Ana Azuleta, a Mexican-Yaqui. Chan Toy and Ana have many adventures and misfortunes as they travel throughout Mexico and back to Guangzhou, China.
However, the real objective of the Chinese sponsors is the procurement of Ana’s special turquoise colibrí (hummingbird) amulet that is believed to have magical properties.
The Mexican Ministry of Justice becomes involved in the project when it is discovered that historical documents have been stolen from the Museum of Anthropology and that there are plans to steal and illegally transport artifacts out of Mexico.

21/10/2024

I am deeply honored to have received the 2024 Rudolfo Anaya
Best Latino Focused Fiction Book Award for my “A Taste of Chocolate” this last weekend.

Rudolfo Anaya was considered the godfather Chicano Literature. He is known for his 1972 novel, “Bless Me, Ultima.”

Anaya had received two Governor’s Public Service Awards from New Mexico, the American Book Award, a Kellogg Foundation fellowship, two National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) literature fellowships, and the NEA National Medal of Arts Lifetime Honor in 2001.

Additionally, I was proud to be in the esteemed company of my good friend and colleague, Roberto Haro, winner of the Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Fiction Book, “The Secret Emissary;” my mentor Denise Chavez, authoress of “The Street of Too Many Stories” (also an Anaya winner and protégée); and mi hermano David Edmonds, winner of Florida Authors and Publishers Association Book Award for his “Blue Magic on Mushroom Island.”

But the real credit goes to three (super) women. My wife Dolores spends endless hours transforming my pan tostado drafts into pastel de chocolate manuscripts. “A Taste of Chocolate” was loosely based on the lives of my bisabuela who could read and write in 1910 and was the escribona of the village, and my nana Herculana who was the matriarch of our family (I could write volumes about her, but they probably would be censored).

29/09/2024

Had a great time at the Indie Author Fest 2024 sponsored by the San Mateo County Libraries. David Vargas is the cool Belmont librarian. Also, met the beautiful (Mexican-Peruvian) family of Luis Camacho

30/08/2024

It is again a privilege to be designated a finalist for the International Latino Book Awards of 2024.
FICTION AWARDS – International Latino Book Awards 2024

FICTION AWARDS – International Latino Book Awards 2024
The Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book Award – English

A Taste of Chocolate, Rocky Barilla, Rosquete Press;; The author lives in: San Francisco

My Name Is Iris , Brando Skyhorse, Avid Reader Press; author(s) lives in: Bloomington

Street of Too Many Stories, Denise Chávez, Conocimientos Press;

The Great Divide, Cristina Henríquez, Ecco (HarperCollins); Chicago, IL

15/08/2024

I have been invited to participate. See you there.

Indie Author Fest!
Saturday, September 28, 2024 Add to Calendar
11:30AM – 4:30PM
Foster City
Description
San Mateo County Libraries is thrilled to be holding our second annual Indie Author Fest on Saturday, September 28, from 11:30 AM-4:30 PM. Doors open at 11:15 AM!

Join us for a book fair, expert advice about writing and publishing, and literary readings from the fantastic writers of San Mateo County and the broader Bay Area. This is an event for everyone who loves books, whether you're a voracious reader hungry for your next surprising find, an aspiring author wondering how to get started or a long-time author seeking a creative community.

This is a free event, made possible by the generous partnership of the Foster City Community Center. Come when you can and explore until close. We look forward to celebrating local, independent authors with you!

Suitable for:Adults (19+ years old)
Teens (12-18 years old)
Type:Author Programs
Community
Writing, Poetry
Language:EnglishAdditional Details:Upstairs, in the Foster City Community Center
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