Galveston Novels by Maria Elena Sandovici

Maria Elena Sandovici, author of Galveston Island historical fiction novels.
Maria Elena Sandovici is the author of several novels set on Galveston Island. She writes mainly historical fiction for women who prioritize self actualisation. The best known of Sandovici’s Galveston novels is Storms of Malhado, an atmospheric historical novel with paranormal elements spanning three different timelines each punctuated by a major hurricane.

Galveston Island, with its turbulent history, its storms, ghosts, pirates, its thwarted dreams of glory, and its natural beauty that contains a subtle threat of wilderness taking over is an excellent source of inspiration and the perfect backdrop for atmospheric historical novels as well as contemporary women’s fiction. Maria Elena Sandovici has spent over 20 years exploring Galveston and its many secrets. She loves letting visitors to the Island know about ways in which they, too, can discover the magic of this place. Her love of Galveston Island and its mysteries has led her to write several novels that make for excellent beach reading. Sandovici’s novels are mainly written for women and have strong feminist themes, mostly focusing on women achieving self actualisation and independence. The most atmospheric of Sandovici’s Galveston novels, and the one where you can truly immerse yourself in Island history is Storms of Malhado.

Storms of Malhado – A Galveston Island Historical Novel

Front cover of Storms of Malhado by Maria Elena Sandovici, a historical novel set on Galveston Island, against a rainy backdrop with the suggestion that this is a great book for a rainy day.
Galveston 2008. Katie and her parents await Hurricane Ike in a Galveston Island mansion. The house has survived many storms, including the Great Storm of 1900, but some of its previous inhabitants perished. Will Katie repeat their fate? Storms of Malhado is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook format on Amazon. You can also find signed paperbacks at select Galveston Island stores. We highly recommend visiting Hendley Market on the Strand.

The Glory Days of Aimée Bonnard – A Galveston Island Historic Novel

Front cover of The Glory Days of Aimée Bonnard by Maria Elena Sandovici, a historical novel set in Galveston Island’s Red Light District against a black background with images of orchids.
Galveston 1898. Nobody comes to a brothel seeking a true story. But you will want to learn the truth about Aimée Bonnard, the most expensive woman in Galveston’s infamous Red Light District. Written entirely during lockdown in 2020, this suspenseful and mysterious historical novel will keep you turning the pages late into the night. The Glory Days of Aimée Bonnard is available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. You can also find signed copies with various Galveston Island retailers. We highly recommend Hendley Market. While the author has been advised against saying this, we would like to point out that this is Elena Sandovici’s favorite novel to date.

Galveston 1922 – A Galveston Island Historic Mystery Novel

Front cover of Galveston 1922 by Maria Elena Sandovici, a historical novel set on Galveston Island against the backdrop of a woman circa 1920s drinking a cocktail accompanied by a quote from the book.
Galveston 1922. Lonely, unhappily married, and haunted by the past, Alice discovers an unexpected friend who just happens to be a deceased flapper only she can see. But is her new friend lying to her and getting her embroiled in some unsavory revenge plot?

Lola Is Never Drinking Again – A Galveston Island Novel Set in the 1980s

Front cover of Lola Is Never Drinking Again, a Galveston Novel by Maria Elena Sandovici with a vintage picture of the old Flagship Hotel circa 1988 as a backdrop.
Galveston 1988. Lola returns to Galveston after 20 years drinking and partying in Spain. She’s inherited an old house she’s afraid of, and a family secret that might be her salvation or her undoing. And why is the ghost of a sixteen-year-old go go dancer following her around?

Breakaway Bridesmaid – A Galveston Novel

Front cover of Breakaway Bridesmaid, a Galveston Novel, by Maria Elena Sandovici against the backdrop of a young woman peeking from behind a door.
Galveston. Present day. What would you do if your former best friend, begrudgingly included in your wedding party, disappeared during your wedding weekend? Carry on with the wedding? Search for her? Sandovici’s only contemporary fiction Galveston novel to date, Breakaway Bridesmaid, starts out as a mystery. But it is actually a book about friendship and identity.