“La Misteriosa Café, how can I help you?” Nana said as she answered the phone. “Hi abuela, it’s Rosa. Just wanted to let you know that I am going out for a swim and will be heading your way for breakfast shortly after I am done.” She replied. “Que Bueno, nos vemos pronto.” Nana answered.

This is part of my daily routine. You would think living on an island just off Miami, Florida would be the perfect spot for relaxation and fun. Nope, you have it all wrong. At least for me it’s usually filled with death, ghosts, and killers. Yes, you heard me correctly.

Besides being a highly sought-after couture fashion designer, I am also psychic and a mind reader. This helps me and my spirit guide, Raul, assist the recently murdered victims to find their killers and help them cross over.

It is a life full of uncertainties and adventure all rolled up into one big pastry.

Talking about pastries, my abuela, Nana, is always busy running her café, La Misteriosa Café. This is the spot to be on the island if you want to hear any gossip. So, I stop there every morning after my swim. Nana has un café con leche, una tortilla (omelet), and toast with cream cheese ready for me. Yummy right?

Yes, food is a big part of my family and heritage. Having been born into a Cuban family definitely has its perks. The food is so tasty, you never get enough! Usually, I will linger after breakfast a bit longer as I can’t help myself. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming and the music playing in the background makes you want to get up and start dancing. Salsa is one of my favorite types of music.

When it’s time to go, I head over to Nana and give her a big hug and kiss telling her I will see her later. As if on cue, the moment I step outside the phone rings. Of course, Mami is calling me. Yes, she calls me every morning even though I’m already in my mid-thirties; it doesn’t matter I will always be her baby girl. Besides, in the Cuban culture the parents are always around. I assure her we are still on for dinner tonight.

Having finished the call and having just arrived at the cottage, I take a shower to keep my day going.

Here is where it gets tricky. As much as I hope for a calm and peaceful life, there is usually at least one ghost hanging around confused and needing our help. Oh, and it’s not just the ghosts on Colten Island. Nope, they come from all corners of the globe in search of us.

On those rare occasions where there have been no apparitions, I am able to head over to the shop to work on my designs, check in on the staff, and follow up on phone calls with existing and potential clients.

Then it’s off to visiting shops on the island. I love stopping at Guadalupe’s Perfumeries as I’m always finding a new scent to add to my collection. Next stop is Beatriz’s Hair Salon. It’s another great place to hear the local gossip.

Today, when I walk in for my weekly nail appointment, I am bombarded with questions about all the current happenings on the island. Raul who is always with me just rolls his eyes.

“Seriously, can’t these people talk about anything else? Really now. How they like to gossip.” Raul states while nodding his head.

I look at him and have to roll my eyes. If you meet Raul you will know he is a diva disguised in a man’s body. He is flamboyant, extremely critical about fashion, and is the first one to be gossiping about what is happening around us.

I relay the events of the day to Beatriz, and given the amount of people currently eavesdropping, I downplay a lot of what really happened. No one there knows I can read minds, so it’s easy to make sure they believe my story without giving away too much.

After finishing at the salon, I make my way to the local restaurant. Today, I’m meeting up with Las Cubanitas which is what we call ourselves. We are best friends or BFFs who sleuth together. Las Cubanitas include Caridad (criminal lawyer), Ellie (real estate guru), Maruchi (Chief Medical Examiner), Alexandra (runway model), and me. We meet once a month to catch up on what is going on with our lives when we are not working cases together. It’s great having girlfriends with different backgrounds to assist in solving cases. Even when we travel together death and murder seems to follow.

After lunch I head over to La Misteriosa Café to confirm family dinner tonight. Where has the time gone, I think to myself. The day is almost over, and I still have so much to do. Great talking to you, see you soon.

A Fashionable Fate, A Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: January 2021
Purchase Link

A psychic, a fashion gala and the death of a runway model.

This is not what Boutique owner, Rosa de los Reyes hoped for when she organized the Colten Island Fashion Show.

To save the gala and stop the killer from striking again, Rosa must use her psychic abilities, sift through the gossip at La Misteriosa Café and navigate increasing danger all while racing against the clock.

Will Rosa, her familiar Raul, and Las Cubanitas find the truth before the murderer kills again?

Meet the Author
For the longest time, Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe wanted to be an author. Almost twenty years later, and after raising two children and owning numerous businesses, she decided to take the plunge.

About a year ago, as she sat in a Café in Paris, the idea of Rosa popped into her head, and the stories and characters became real. Since two of her passions are the paranormal and high-end fashion, she found a way to combine them and created Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries. This series brings together her Cuban and American culture to make for a fun cozy mystery story.

She is hard at work on writing a spin-off to Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries and a brand-new series involving the character Candeedo Brewdinkle.

When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, reading, entertaining, and listening to music.

All comments are welcomed.