Missing in Machu Picchu
Cecilia Velastegui
9780985176945
pages
Libros Publishing LLC
Overview
High in the Andes Mountains on the legendary Inca Trail, four thirty-something professional women embark on an Ivy League hike to help them confront their online dating dependency, only to find themselves victims of a predator's ruse, and soon in a fight for their very lives. The women are eager to leave relationships behind for a while, but their intent to cast off their search for a soul mate falls by the wayside when handsome, magnetic Rodrigo, their hike leader, proves too mesmerizing to resist. Friend is pitted against friend as the women vie for Rodrigo's attentions. Rodrigo manipulates them into participating in a heinous ancient sacrifice that will guarantee the success of his megalomaniacal dreams. But unbeknownst to the hikers, they have been under the vigilant presence of Taki and Koyam, two elderly indigenous women who understand the danger the women are facing at the hands of Rodrigo.
Author Bio
Cecilia Velastegui was born high up in the Andes Mountains in Quito, Ecuador, where she spent her childhood. Although she now lives at sea level, she still owns two friendly alpacas. She was raised in California and France, and has traveled to over fifty countries. She received her graduate degree from the University of Southern California, and speaks four languages. Velastegui's previous novel, Traces of Bliss, received First Place in Popular Fiction at the International Latino Book Awards in June 2012. It was also selected by the Association of American Publishers on the 2012 Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club. Her debut novel, Gathering the Indigo Maidens, was a finalist in four categories in the International Latino Book Awards. She donates a portion of her proceeds to the fight against human trafficking, which is an underlying theme in her novels.
