The Valiente Series Characters
I am so excited to announce that book #3 in The Valiente Series, Flames and Fury, was released last week. It is satisfying to know that Part One of the series is complete and available for all interested readers. It has been a long three year process, but I am pleased with the outcome and hope that the reading audience will appreciate the story.
Now that Flames and Fury is available, I want to take a moment to break down each book and the major characters in the series.
Book 1 Valiente: Courage and Consequences provided the readers with the core of Chente Jimenez’s story. A young teenager who is coming to terms with his sexuality, and how the death of his father and best friend prompt his need to embrace the reflection in the mirror as a gay young man. Unknowingly, Chente’s “coming out” method triggers a chain of events that places him and his loved ones in danger.
Courage and Consequences also introduces you to the complexity of the Jimenez Family and how they navigate through their insecurities to reach common ground as a family unit. Chente’s friends are also central to Chente’s identity. They love him unconditionally and stand by him through the cyber-storm.
The last piece of this book is the budding romance between a student and a coach. I realize that this is taboo and it may not sit well with some readers, but the story is deeper than sexual attraction. I use the character of Coach Doss to tell the story of the closeted gay man who comes to grip with his truth later in life and the complexities he faces when confronting his family.
Book 2 Valiente Tattoos and Temptations is a different book in that Chente gets a love interest his own age, Henry Hamilton. As Chente grows closer to Henry, the reading audience is able to see the insecurities that Doss feels as his wedding day approaches.
Tattoos and Temptations also offers readers a glimpse of the supernatural and introduces ESPN investigative reporter, Drucilla Drake. Miss Drake arrives in Avalon to do a documentary on Chente entitled “Homophobia In The Locker Room.” Her presence also has many ripple effects and places Chente in the direct line of fire that bleeds into Flames and Fury.
Main Cast of Characters:
Mrs. Jimenez is the matriarch of the Jimenez family. She is kind and wise and loves to cook. She is a caring and thoughtful mother, and loves her kids unconditionally. Her connection to Chente is very strong.
Violeta Jimenez is the oldest sibling and she is obstinate and opinionated. She is rough around the edges, but truly has good intentions.
Valentin Jimenez is the oldest brother and is in medical school. He is a bit distant and prefers to stay out of family drama.
Vanessa Jimenez is the little sister who is fiercely protective of Chente and Victor. She aspires to be an attorney and does not see eye to eye with Violeta. She and Chente are very close.
Victor Jimenez is the youngest sibling, but probably the wisest. He is a bit of a rebel and clearly admires Chente.
Aaron Doss is the closeted 1st year coach who befriends Chente. He is engaged to be married, but develops feelings for Chente.
Pablo Alvarez is Chente’s basketball coach. In many ways, he is a brother figure to Chente.
Henry Hamilton is Chente’s athletic rival in basketball and tennis. He is in love with Chente and pursues him romantically.
Drucilla Drake is an ESPN reporter doing a story on Chente. Her investigative presence in Avalon makes Chente a target for danger.
Carlos Ortiz is Chente’s childhood friend. He is intuitive and level-headed and becomes one of Chente’s closest allies. He has a crush on Vanessa.
Felipe Lopez is Chente’s childhood friend. He is boisterous, witty, and always hungry. He is very loyal to Chente. He becomes Christina’s boyfriend.
Christina Fernandez is Chente’s childhood friend and the head cheerleader for Avalon High School. She is conceited and vain and loves fashion.
Haven Ray desperately wants to be Chente’s girlfriend, but becomes a close ally after he comes out. She is loyal and begins to date Beau Brockman.
Beau Brockman is the back-up point guard on the Avalon basketball team. He idolizes Chente.
Ricky Bennett is Chente’s adversary. He is jealous that Chente is a better basketball player. He is homophobic and he and his father out Chente on social media.
Once again, I am proud to announce that Flames and Fury is complete and ready for purchase. I am pleased with the end product, and I believe that the reading audience will find it entertaining. I am equally proud of the characters I have created for The Valiente Series. I believe they are fun and identifiable. So, if you have not purchased The Valiente Series, all three books are available on Amazon.com and on the Archway Publishing website.
I absolutely love the characters in The Valiente series. Although they are fictitious, they are easy to relate to and very likable. The author did a fantastic job developing each character. It is because of their personalities that I especially enjoy reading the series. I am a big fan of the characters, so much that I easily become lost in the book. My thanks to AGCastillo for his vision and his writing abilities, which have completely fascinated me.