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Review by Nick Pileggi
Author of Casino & Wiseguys
Dear Josephine:
Congratulations. I got the book yesterday and I’m half way through. It’s a riot. It’s just like you are in real life. And thanks for the kind words. I’m really proud to know you.
Best always,
Nick
Review by Anonymous
If you were having a cocktail party you’d certainly want to invite Josephine Alvarez. The author of "Lucky 325"; Everything is Predestined, Nothing is by Chance," has lived a unique and storied life. This fascinating woman grew up in a convent, became a burlesque queen and then a mafia wife. Have her tell you about her days in a harem in Kuwait, and her party pals including Frank Sinatra and other celebrities. She’ll also talk about her love affair with King Fahd Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia who later--coincidentally--died on her wedding day.
Reviews by Borders.com
★★★★★
Excellent!!!, January 8, 2010
By glo565
Favorable: A great guilty pleasure, Informative
"This is a fascinating glimpse into a lifestyle many will never experience. Josephine Nesline Alvarez tells her story with much detail of mafia life. This is the most compelling first hand narrative on organized crime I’ve ever read.
This book was well written and very personal. As I was reading I could visualize the events that took place, which would make a great movie. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."
★★★★★
Unforgettable, December 31, 2009
By Anonymous from Syracuse, New York
Favorable: A great guilty pleasure
"Josephine Nesline Alvarez captivated me with her life story. This book is riveting. I couldn’t put it down and had to read it a second time because I enjoyed it so much. I found myself sympathizing with Josephine at times and at others laughing aloud at some of her antics and the way she handled situations.
The writing is consistent and smooth, so that one hardly thinks about the words and just lives along side them through Josephine and her adventures. Not exactly an angel, Josephine went from convent life to becoming a "Burlesque Queen" and "Mafia Bride". The events in her life show that Josephine did many things that required courage and strength.
Including "Poet of the Streets" was a beautiful tribute to Josephine’s love for her father. These are some of the best poems I have ever read.
Buy this book. You will not regret it, it’s highly entertaining and a fast read."
Reviews by Tower.com
Average Customer Review
★★★★★
Most Recent Customer Reviews
★★★★★
I want to see Lucky "325" the movie!, January 19, 2010
By Adriana
What a life and what a Lady! Josephine Nesline Alvarez is a woman who lived life on her own terms- no regrets and no holding back. Reading her story takes you to a world that you only hear about in the movies and fairy tale books. Well, she lived it and she does an awesome job at telling it all. She doesnt leave anything out, and as a result I couldnt put this book down. This story cries out for a movie! Read it, Love it!
★★★★★
Pre-Destined For Greatness!!!, January 18, 2010
By Solaris
This is my absolute favorite book. From your scandalous adventures, to your witty humor, to your spiritual wisdoms and philosophies - this book is a 10! It is rivoting and you cannot put it down. You just want to see what this chica does next!! Everyone should read this book - I love it :)
★★★★★
Shine on, bright star!, January 15, 2010
By Anna
What a long strange trip its been indeed! Josephine, you have shown your readers how to exhibit tenacity and peace of the soul in every moment. Your seemingly fairytale movie-set of life experiences are remarkable in and of themselves, and your loving embrace that awaited whatever came your way is nothing short of admirable. A lesson to be heeded by all! Truly a great read, and a tantalizing peek at some of the secrets of Americas unknown past could not have been related by a more capable woman. You go girl!
★★★★★
Unforgettable, December 31, 2009
By Kim Day
Josephine Nesline Alvarez captivated me with her life story. This book is riveting. I couldnt put it down and had to read it a second time because I enjoyed it so much. I found myself sympathizing with Josephine at times and at others laughing aloud at some of her antics and the way she handled situations. The writing is consistent and smooth, so that one hardly thinks about the words and just lives along side them through Josephine and her adventures. Not exactly an angel, Josephine went from convent life to becoming a "Burlesque Queen" and "Mafia Bride". The events in her life show that Josephine did many things that required courage and strength. Including "Poet of the Streets" was a beautiful tribute to Josephines love for her father. These are some of the best poems I have ever read. Buy this book. You will not regret it, its highly entertaining and a fast read.
★★★★★
Loved, Loved,Loved Her Book, December 17, 2009
By Jamie
Could not put this book down-What a Life Josephine- Youre very LUCKY
★★★★★
Interesting Read-Fascinating Woman, December 11, 2009
By Jacky G
Amazing look into the workings of the mafia and so many of its major players and associates from a front row view. Unlike most mafia books that I have read, this is not a novel or a guesstimate of what it is/was like but a true accounting of the people and "the life" thru the eyes and experiences of this most fascinating woman. Started reading and could not put it down! Also enjoyed authors writing style. It is if she was writing as a miniseries or movie either of which I would expect this book to become. I highly recommend this book for all Mafia afficianados as well as those who would enjoy a read about a woman who was surrounded by some of the most powerful men in the world without ever losing her strength or dignity.
Reviews by Amazon.com
★★★★★
Pre-Destined For Greatness!!!, January 18, 2010
By Jaime Allen "Solaris" (Hollywood, California)
This is my absolute favorite book. From your scandalous adventures, to your witty humor, to your spiritual wisdoms and philosophies - this book is a 10! It is rivoting and you cannot put it down. You just want to see what this chica does next!! Everyone should read this book - I love it :)
Jaime Allen
Hollywood, California
★★★★★
Excellent, January 8, 2010
By Karen M. Pavia "karen m pavia" (syracuse, ny United States)
This is a fascinating glimpse into a lifestyle many will never experience. Josephine Nesline Alvarez tells her story with much detail of mafia life. This is the most compelling first hand narrative on organized crime I’ve ever read.
This book was well written and very personal. As I was reading I could visualize the events that took place, which would make a great movie. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
★★★★★
Unforgettable, December 31, 2009
By Kimberly Day
Josephine Nesline Alvarez captivated me with her life story. This book is riveting. I couldn’t put it down and had to read it a second time because I enjoyed it so much. I found myself sympathizing with Josephine at times and at others laughing aloud at some of her antics and the way she handled situations.
The writing is consistent and smooth, so that one hardly thinks about the words and just lives along side them through Josephine and her adventures. Not exactly an angel, Josephine went from convent life to becoming a "Burlesque Queen" and "Mafia Bride". The events in her life show that Josephine did many things that required courage and strength.
Including "Poet of the Streets" was a beautiful tribute to Josephine’s love for her father. These are some of the best poems I have ever read.
Buy this book. You will not regret it, it’s highly entertaining and a fast read.
★★★★★
Interesting Read-Fascinating Woman, December 10, 2009
By Dom B (New York)
Amazing look into the workings of the mafia and so many of it’s major players and associates from a front row view. Unlike most mafia books that I have read, this is not a novel or a guesstimate of what it is/was like but a true accounting of the people and "the life" thru the eyes and experiences of this most fascinating woman. Started reading and could not put it down! Also enjoyed author’s writing style. It is if she was writing as a miniseries or movie script either of which I would expect this book to become.
I highly recommend this book for all Mafia afficianados as well as those who would enjoy a read about a woman who was surrounded by some of the most powerful men in the world without ever losing her strength or dignity.
Review by Boomer Times and Senior Life
Author: Josephine Nesline Alvarez — Reviewed by Bill Finley
This fascinating book is the wild life story of a young woman who parlayed her beauty, voluptuous figure and dancing skills into a career in Burlesque Houses or "strip joints." Born in 1941, her Catholic school upbringing did give her a sense of morals and proper behavior. Her father Louis Cadena, born in Colombia, was her hero. He was a lucky guy who played the numbers, a daily betting game operating across the country. He always chose the first three numbers of his Social Security number, the lucky 325. Author of Lucky 325, Alvarez, has been a great believer of the pre-ordained, especially as predicted by the signs of Astrology. When Alvarez was six-years-old, her father hit the right number and apparently received a great deal of money. He was gifted in the field of poetry and his daughter has included a section of more than 100 pages of his poems in her book titled, "Poet of the Streets," so he will be remembered in perpetuity, a wonder full gesture of love. Louis was also a hardy soul and lived almost to 104, passing on in late 2008.
Alvarez started her Stripper career at age 20. Because she had taken many dancing lessons, including Flamenco, she had the advantage of disrobing in a rhythmic fashion. She also developed a fabulous wardrobe of ornate removable gowns as well as elegant street clothes to keep her image. Her stage name was Sofina. She presented her viewers with an oversized bosom, slim hips and a wonderful smile! She married a man she really loved but she had an affair with an Arabian sheik. Throughout her adult life she knew and hung around with notorious members of the Mafia from Havana, Miami Beach, and in and around nightclubs and gambling houses. According to this autobiography, she never spent any time in prison or was accused of any crimes. Considering the people she associated with, it tells you she was a pretty smart woman. I had the pleasure of meeting the author and can tell you that she has retained her beauty and is an attractive blonde with a voluptuous figure. I wondered what was behind her ever ready smile? After reading her book, Lucky "325," I know so much more about her and I can say that this book is truly about a woman who had what it takes to get through life, no matter what. Her philosophy is "whatever happens is supposed to happen. Everything is predestined, nothing is by chance." My wife, Anita, who also grew up in Miami Beach in that same time period, was fascinated by the photos in the book and said that it brought back so many memories. Alvarez should be commended for retaining so much history, organizing the material and for her down-to-earth the writing style. About the author: Josephine Nesline Alvarez is an astrologer, stockbroker and real estate broker.
She resides in Hollywood, Florida.
★★★★★
Five Stars!!!, March 5, 2010
By Brittany 10 of Diamonds
"Lucky 325" made my blood boil. Josephine Nesline Alvarez really captures the inner yearnings a young, adventuress woman craves to experience. Each paged captured my senses. I could literally hear the laughter, the clinking of glasses and feel the heat of the gamble. This is definitely a book that is hard to put down and story that in unforgettable.
★★★★★
Five Stars!!!, Feb 27, 2010
By M.E. Gentile
Felicitations Josephine! Bien fait! Bravo!
I hope your writing journey was as spectacular and magnificent as the finished product. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
LUCKY 325 in my opinion was the story of an extraordinary woman, who is an artist, a survivor, an independent thinker and deep soul, a true adventurist. In this book Josephine interweaves the pictures, people and events that made up her life. She tells her story with sensational frankness and a real gusto. It chronicles a life characterized by intense feeling, passion, and a voracious lust for life. Josephine's writing is ripe, open and without shame. A truly fascinating memoir! LUCKY 325 is engrossing on the highest level.
Josephine's beloved father, Louis Cadena, and his work "Poet of the Streets", is beautiful, and a celebration of his own private thoughts and emotions. Some of his poems reminded me of one of my favorite poets of all time, Pablo Neruda.
A great book Josephine and a great tribute to your father.
Best always,
M.E. Gentile
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