María is a bilingual author who was born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, and currently resides in Washington and California. She writes novels, short stories, and children's books. Her latest novel, En tiempo de flor y de ceniza, was published by Planeta in August 2026. The novel tells the story of two sisters in 1903 Chiapas who face a dangerous secret following an unexpected miracle.
La maletita azul, her fourth novel, is set in 1937 Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. It follows a father who sends his three daughters to Mexico to save them from the war, leading to a forced farewell, unbreakable love, and a destiny shaped by conflict and exile. The story explores themes such as a mother’s love, the challenges of separation and identity, and the harsh realities of war and refuge.
María’s third novel, La casa de los secretos (The House of Secrets), was published by Planeta in July 2016. Set during two fascinating historical periods—the U.S. invasion of Mexico and the Mexican Revolution—the novel is filled with passion, ambition, and mystery, immersing readers in Oaxaca's most exquisite and exotic traditions, complete with the unmistakable aroma of chocolate and the sweet taste of its traditional cuisine.
María’s second novel, Más allá de la justicia, is a contemporary work narrated by three female characters: a Mexican lawyer, an Armenian detective, and an African American secretary, who resolve legal cases at the Seattle public defender's office. Through this novel, she brings us closer to the harsh world of the U.S. criminal justice system, the complex lives of the accused, and the people who work tirelessly in pursuit of justice. Click here for a preview of Más allá de la justicia.
María’s debut novel, Los hijos del mar (Children of the Sea, Ediciones B, 2006), was also a historical novel. Set in late 19th-century Mexico and Spain, the story is based on the lives of the Victorias, who made a name for themselves in the Mexican pharmaceutical industry, and the Muguiras, Spanish immigrants who found success growing and trading coffee beans. The novel weaves together both family sagas into a shared destiny, ultimately becoming the love story of María’s own parents. Click here to read a chapter of Los hijos del mar.
Various literary magazines have published María's short stories, which focus on the struggles faced by Latinos in the United States. Her characters are often working-class women striving to survive in a foreign country.
María especially enjoys writing for children, considering her six grandchildren her most cherished audience and greatest source of inspiration.
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