The story centers on Fire, a charismatic Jamaican man who has sworn off romantic games, and Sylvia, a reserved magazine editor with hidden passions. Their unexpected connection forces them to confront their feelings and make a pivotal choice between their current relationships and the deeper love they could share. Themes of love, vulnerability, and the complexities of relationships are woven throughout their journey.
From the national bestselling author of Waiting in Vain and Satisfy My Soul comes a sexy, witty collection of connected stories set on San Carlos, a tiny island with an old volcano in the Caribbean Sea.Spanning the early 1900s up to modern times, the stories trace the intersecting lives of travelers, expatriates, and local folks in ways that shock, illuminate, and reveal. From the American photographer who finds her world disturbed by new forms of love and lust, to a charismatic priest confronted by the earthly perks of fame and stardom, the diverse mix of characters are united by the universal search for love and understanding—a challenge on an island simmering with issues of politics, power, and race.Written with poetic grace and titillating candor, each story shines against its own tableau—World War II, the rise of Fidel Castro, Mt. Pelée devastating Martinique, import-export trading, Bob Marley in the days before his music echoed all around the world. As men and women fall in love, marry and remarry, face moral conflicts and new identities, the volcano sees it all. From plantation days to the roots of revolution, it is a silent witness to the turbulent century that engulfs this tiny island of eternal humor, passion, and allure.
Haunted by a recurring dream and a troubled past, Carey McCullough feels increasingly uprooted until he meets Frances in Jamaica, sparking a powerful attraction. Their connection transcends mere chemistry, as a spiritual reader reveals their souls have been intertwined for over four centuries. Despite Carey's skepticism about past lives, he inexplicably knows an ancient African phrase, deepening the mystery of their bond and compelling him to confront his history and the depths of their shared journey.
From a writer Junot Diaz calls "one of the Caribbean Diaspora's finest writers.", Providential is an intimate and lyric meditation on family, loss, and violence enlivened by humour, tenderness, Rasta and reggae.