Paradise Once is a sweeping historical novel that brings to life the resiliency of the indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean, whose culture was virtually destroyed within two generations of their “discovery” by famed explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492.

In 1513, an entire village in Cuba is wiped out by Spanish forces for no apparent reason. The question here is had the villagers offended their spiritual guides, the Cemíes, by incorporating unusual practices? Was this their punishment?

Four youthful survivors escape the brutal massacre, three indigenous and one African runaway. They start off on separate perilous paths, not knowing they have been chosen by the Cemíes to carry out a sacred mission. Their new task is to ensure the survival of a Sacred Bundle that will enable a Taíno revival in future generations. But first, an epic spiritual battle must be played out.

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