Author Carolina Garcia-Aguilera loves to stir things up and this celebration — like her latest novel, “Magnolia” — was no exception. It was held at Villa 221, a historic home off Biscayne Boulevard that’s been transformed into a retro lounge and event space. The bash was hosted by witty author, Brian Antoni and Mitchell Kaplan, visionary founder/owner of Books & Books and now founder of B&B Press, which published the novel.
The author of ten novels, Garcia-Aguilera is a unique figure in the literary world. For 25 years, she’s been a licensed private investigator and won prestigious awards for her books in the popular Lupe Solano mystery series. Her books have been translated into 12 languages; “One Hot Summer,” her seventh novel, was made into a film for Lifetime Television.
With “Magnolia,” her latest offering, she delves into the erotica and… wait for it… the world of elite athletes and how the two converge. What? Exactly. It’s the story of Magnolia Larson, a beautiful, twenty-two year old woman from a conservative, Catholic Minneapolis family, as she transforms herself into a kind of sports geisha, a high-priced hooker for big-money athletes. She learns Spanish, becomes an expert in sports psychology and goes places and does things she never imagined. An irresistible page-turner, Magnolia is a sensual smorgasbord of racy encounters, playful fantasy and everything in between, set in Miami among big money players.
The book party, like the book, was full of surprises. The Cuban-born, Miami Beach-based Garcia-Aguilera, who is a very dear friend of mine, is legendary for her fabulous parties – full of an always-intriguing cast of characters, from artists to journalists, to Hollywood big-wigs to the occasional drag queen. At the Magnolia party, Cuban band, Conjunto Progresso, kept the guests dancing all night in the main room at Villa 221.
Meanwhile, in the back room, delicious Cuban pastries, croquetas, cake and sandwiches were served only feet away from actors dressed as a leather-clad, whip-wielding dominatrix and submissive “client.” A fitting, yet hilariously perfect tableau vivant illustrating the book. The best book party I’ve ever covered!
Magnolia, B&B Press. Please visit www.carolinagarciaaguilera.com for additional information.
Daisy Olivera
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