Erik Orrantia

One objective of my writing is to share the nuances of Mexican culture unknown to most. Erik Orrantia was born in San Francisco in 1970 and studied psychology, determined to become a therapist. When he began working as a school counselor, he found a calling in education and, later, all things Mexican. He studied in Mexico City for a year and decided to live in Tijuana to perfect his Spanish and remain immersed in the Mexican culture. He has lived there since 1998, absorbing more about Mexico every day. He taught middle school for fifteen years in California, and now works in the world of finance. He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico. One objective of his writing is to share the nuances of Mexican culture unknown to most. In addition to teaching, traveling, and writing, he spends time in the gym, attempting to stay fit. He also enjoys cooking and relaxing with his husband and partner of ten years, Francisco Orrantia. He won the 2010 Lambda Literary Award in the gay romance category.

Barbacoa

By Erik Orrantia

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Professor Diego and his team have made a potentially world-shaking discovery at their archeological site in Central Mexico— two Aztec skeletons lovingly interred. As they begin to examine the remains, the story of an ancient mystery couple begins to unfold.

In pre-Columbian Mexico, a young Aztec warrior called Metzín cannot understand the strange attraction he feels for Tototli, a quiet slave owned by his family. Torn between familial duty and love for his “little bird,” Metzín becomes the target of a sadistic bully, both at school and on the battlefield.

In the present, Diego and his assistant, Gerardo, dare to start a romance amid the conflicting forces of their families, religion, society, and work. With funding for their project in jeopardy, they must balance love with social disapproval and solve the mystery of the intertwined Aztec skeletons.

And for Metzín—as war draws near, he must choose his destiny. Will he prove himself on the field of honor, or stay behind with his love? It is a more dangerous choice than Metzín realizes. Unbeknownst to him, forces beyond his control are gathering. It will be all he can do to survive the coming storm—and hold on to his love.

Day of the Dead—A Romance

By Erik Orrantia

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“I’ll see you in a few days. I won’t say good-bye, then, but hasta luego.” Until later. A later that never came. After visiting his sick mother in Mexico, Arturo didn’t return to San Francisco. With an expired tourist visa and a lover and business to get back to, he risked reentering the US illegally but never made it across the border.

Haunted by constant thoughts of Arturo, Joe has to carry on in his absence and the lingering despair of loss as he relives their past. His responsibilities to both their restaurant and to Chava, a troubled, hot-tempered young man they’d taken in, demand Joe pull himself together.

But Chava’s past is never far behind. Caught in the middle, Joe must make a choice. In the aftermath, he decides to visit Arturo’s parents. It’s a desperate bid for peace, but Joe isn’t sure revisiting his memories will be enough to help him move on, even when later finally arrives on the Day of the Dead.