Review: I’M SNOBBITY SNOWMAN by Maria Bardyukova and Quiet Riley

Snobbity Snowman has everything a snowman could possibly want: a shiny hat, freshly-picked noses and enough pride to last a lifetime. In fact, he is so egocentric that he can't even see when his life starts falling apart.

What disasters must take place to open his charcoal eyes? To help him see that pride and possessions cannot bring true happiness? Will he defrost his chilly ego and embrace the warmth of friendship? Only Snobbity can tell.

Depicting winter in rich and whimsical tones, Snobbity Snowman’s quirky characters and unexpected twists promise to leave a lasting impression on all its snobbulous readers.

Reviewed by: Celia

Rating: 3 stars

 
Review: This is the story of a snobby snowman that learns to see the light in his ways. It was kind of like the snowman’s version of Scrooge.

 

Illustrations were cute. I especially liked the facial expressions. I wish the text could’ve interacted more with the images. The images were so lively while the text just stood at the bottom of the page.

 

Overall, this was an okay holiday story.

Review: PLANTAINS AND THE SEVEN PLAGUES: HALF-CUBAN, HALF-DOMINICAN AND FULL LIFE by Paz Ellis

Author Paz Ellis takes readers on a cross-cultural and trans-generational journey through her childhood in New Jersey to adulthood with Plantains and the 7 Plagues, A Memoir: Half-Dominican, Half-Cuban and Full Life.

Paz insightfully describes, the complexities and contradictions of growing up in the United States to a Dominican mother and a Cuban father. From her mother’s obsessive cleaning rituals to her father’s remarkable knack for invention, this book beautifully explains what living a hyphenated-life means for so many Hispanics. She writes about what it means to be American, and Cuban, and Dominican, and having to be all of those things and only one of them… all at the same time.

Following the passing of her mother, the author finds herself on a search for meaning through not only her past, but also her mother’s. This book is about life, loss, memory, culture, and family, the glue that determines who your family actually is- love. Written with a healthy dose of wit and an abundance of sincerity, Plantains and the 7 Plagues is honest, painfully relatable, and deeply heartfelt.

Reviewed by: Celia

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Review: Born a “mutt,” Paz Ellis writes a memoir dating back to the courtship of her parents through her childhood in New Jersey.  

With witty sentiment and reverence, this story is a simply poignant recollection of a young girl’s life as she transitions into adulthood. Although lengthy and monotonous at times, Ellis still manages to bring her story to life. Her story is so insightfully detailed that it puts the reader in the author’s shoes, walking around in a half-Cuban/half-Dominican world.

Review: MASQUERADING OUR LOVE by Audrey Rich

Junior year has been tough on Thalía Reynari.

A new high school, trying to fit in with new friends, schoolwork, family commitments. With everything going on in her life, Thalía could use a break, an adventure.

So when Thalía meets Christopher, the most gorgeous guy in town, her life should change for the better, right?

Don’t bet on it.

Thalía’s conservative parents insist she’s too young to date. Plus, Thalía and Christopher find themselves caught in the middle of a simmering feud that’s kept the two families apart for a decade. And no one is sure if young love will be enough to bridge this divide.

As they hide their relationship behind masks they must decide if this new love is worth losing their parents’ approval.

First-time novelist Audrey Rich imbues Masquerading Our Love with the joy and pain of how teens live life today as they wrestle with love, friendship, and faith. Thalía, Christopher, and Rich’s entire cast of characters is so vibrant, so alive, that they’re sure to leap off the page—and into your heart.

Buy this stand alone novel and lose yourself in a clean, wholesome story about young love determined to stay together...no matter what.

Reviewed by:  Celia

Rating: 3 stars

 

Review: Surrounded by her new high school’s crowd of Beamers, Lexis, and Benzes, Thalía Reynari was the “clunker” of Stonehaven. Always academically driven and her nose in a book, she has always been the odd-girl-out and wouldn’t dare trade in her non-social status for the in-crowd…well, unless she’d have a shot at Parade Guy, for whom she might disobey her parents for.

As the story progresses, a whole slew of characters enter the scene, which portray the typical high school setting. It definitely brings you back to high school with all the various cliques and nameless faces. Story just had some characters that you forgot almost instantly—just like high school. It probably would’ve been better if the story had limited some of these characters.  

Thalía is a smart, endearing character that readers could look up to, but I guess I had a hard time understanding her journey. Did she want to be a swimmer or a life guard? What was her purpose?  And who was Parade Guy and why was he called that?

 

For me, the story had more questions than answers. The writing was good, but I just could not connect with the character or the story.

Review: DEAD SEASONS by R.M. James

A group of four wedding goers, on their way to California, get lost somewhere in Kansas. The car doesn’t work. Reception is down. And morning has mysteriously become evening. In utter confusion, they search their surroundings, only to find a dead girl, rotting in a creek.

They discover this small town is more than what it seems. From its undisclosed location, vacant establishments, and the bestial creature lurking in the shadows. When they come across the townsfolk, who take a keen interest in them, the four are then forced to participate in a simulation game, where newcomers must play to be allowed to leave.

In this place, their fears manifest into tangible forms meant to kill them. Sanity gets tested. Doubt consumes each unwilling player. Yet no one knows the exact rules of the game. Except for one detail. If you don’t play, you die. There can only be one winner.

Seasons change as the four contestants try to make it out of town alive.

Reviewed by: Sandra

Rating: 4 stars

 
Review: A group of friends get stranded in the middle of Kansas, where they stumble onto the body of a dead girl. Tension and emotions run high among the group as the struggle for escape reaches critical levels, especially when a killer is still out there. Possibly human or animal…something that is part dog or wolf? Whatever it was, it was hungry.
Somehow, one of them—Canela Robles—wanders off and encounters a man with a butcher knife. His name was Gabriel, a convict just released from prison. Now, he joins the group, which leaves everyone wondering who to trust. Who can you confide in? And who are you truly safe with? In fact, one just has to wonder who (or what) was the real danger. And “fear could do strange things to people.” (72)
The characters’ fears and secrets rise to the surface as their lives interweave into a fantastically spellbinding tale of suspense and horror.  Eventually, they realize that they’re stuck in some twisted game, and everyone’s a player. What kind of game? And what happens if you lose?

Mystery and surprise are unveiled in every corner of this book. At times, you can’t make sense of what’s going on because of all the cryptic info. Were they running from wildebeests or man-hunting cannibals?  Also, some of the details can be pretty sick. It was almost hard to take. In fact, this book struck me as a cross-over between Jeepers Creepers and Cabin Fever.

Still, well-written and strangely gripping.

Q&A with R.M. James

R.M. James wrote plays as a child and forced her sisters to read them. As she got older, her stories evolved into short movies. Her film and literature studies edged her into one of her truest callings: fiction writing. The majority of her time goes into caring for her family, taking nature shots, and imagining new scenes for another novel. She lives in Nevada.

1.       What inspired you to write Dead Seasons?
 I had a dream about a couple of friends jumping from season to literal season. That and the fact   that I    wanted to write a horror novel. I put the two together and created this novel.

 

 

2.       What was the hardest part about writing this book? 

 

The last part. Winter. Only because my sister died before I got to it. She had been my beta reader up until that point. My sister is a huge inspiration and the reason I dedicated the novel to her.  She also had a lot of influence in how I ended the book.

 

 

3.       What’s the premise of the game?

Depends on which character viewpoint. The point of the game is to get to the end and win. But it’s the getting there that’s hard.

 

4.       What was significant about the seasons?

 

Each season represented each player and their own journey. I’d say more, but I rather

the reader come to his or her own conclusion.

 

5.       What was Canela’s role as “the leaf” and why was she integral?

 
I’m not sure how to answer this question without giving a spoiler. But I will say, that she came into the game with the most to lose.

 

 

6.       There were a variety of characters in the story. What were some of the key issues between them?

Philip struggled with control and accepting what was happening. Nicole didn’t want to be alone. Aspen buried a lot of his emotions, and Canela needed to come to terms with her mortality.

 

7.       What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

I hope readers gain a new perspective when it comes to life and death. What we live for? What we can’t let go of? What it all means. And where we going. If nothing else, I hope they enjoy the read.

 

8.       What inspired you to be a writer?
I don’t remember what inspired me. I have been writing since I was a little kid. I used to make my sisters read my stories. I think that’s what it is. I wanted to share my stories with other people.

 

9.       What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

I love the writing and I love editing. I think my least favorite part is making time. I have small children. It’s not always easy to sit down and write. So, I guess that.

 

10.   Who are some of your favorite authors?

I get asked this question a lot. I don’t have favorite authors. I keep discovering new ones every year that I add to my list of other books I’ll check out by that person. Every year I love a certain few more than others and it switches all the time. I have many.

 

11.   If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main characters? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

Whoa, I have never thought of this. I guess for Canela, I can picture Dania Ramirez. For Nicole, Teresa Palmer. For Aspen, Evan Peters, and for Philip, Nicholas Hoult. This question took me the longest to write. Haha.

 

12.   Are you working on anything right now?

 

I’m working on a psychological thriller at the moment. Been loving every minute of writing it.

 

13.   And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature?

 

My hope is that we continue to write and publish and support one another. But also make main characters that are Latinos as well. When I was growing up and reading, it was rare to encounter a Hispanic main character in my favorite genres. I hope that changes for my children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: LIFE OF A BASTARD (Vol. 1) by Damien Black

"My memories from this period are often nebulous. They bend and warp like clouds caught between two fronts. A lot of terrible things happened to me that I try not to remember, but I was a child, I was innocent, and I used to be happy sometimes. "

Born in Spanish Harlem in 1972 to a teenage Puerto Rican mother and a Black father, Javier Soto is a blemish on the face of American society. After a suspicious fire allegedly set by his mother, while his father serves time in prison, Javier and his sisters are removed from their home into foster care. This true story of Javier Soto's life takes you on the soul-stirring journey of a young boy in the custody of a brutal world.

Beginning at the Catholic Home Bureau, Javier's tale depicts the evolution of an innocent child into an enraged teenager as he battles his way through the perils of abuse, starvation, and neglect. Like thousands of American children who are driven into the foster care network Javier and his siblings are repeatedly shuffled through numerous foster homes, each one less welcoming than the last. Following eventual separation from his sisters, Javier is left to continue his crusade of survival alone.

An indelible account that tells of a boy's anguish, self-loathing and an unsatisfied yearning for love that is the birthright of every child. With such little grounds for hope, how far will Javier go?  

Reviewed by: Celia

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Review: This is the harrowing story of a boy named Javier. His troubles first began in the womb, conceived by a mentally unstable Hispanic woman and a convicted Black man. By the age of 19, Javier’s mother had had enough of birthing “bastard” children and tried to kill them by setting the house on fire, which prompted Javier’s induction into the foster care system.

 

From that point forward, Javier experiences life as a bastard with abuse and neglect. Even in the face of such hardships, he holds a glimmer of hope for that “empty hero” to rescue him, whether it be his sperm donor or some guy named Jesus. Still, through his keen perception, he could not deny the evils of the heartless world he was thrown into. It was then that he learned to “survive at all costs.” The atrocities were just heart-wrenching and crude. It was just a never-ending battle—a rather daunting battle. Sometimes it was just too hard to take. Story had some considerable lag and grammatical errors, and, at times, became too vulgar for my taste; but, still, its endearing and infantile poignancy remains throughout.

Raw and gritty, Damien Black crafted a novel full of struggle and emotional turmoil. The author managed to infuse this simple grace into a child’s remedial perspective. And the illustrations, which were full of innocence and joy, were an exquisite contrast to the hardship of the story. Like the Yin Yang symbol, the white purity of Javier was juxtaposed with the dark corruption of society, which gave a suitable balance to the story.

Q&A with Damien Black

Damien Black was born and brought up in New York during the more interesting times of ‘the summer of Batman’ when Times Square was less frilly. He was the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast and TV show, ‘The Short Film Show,' on MNN New York. Damien is currently a Language Arts and Science ESL teacher in China. He lives in Shanghai with his 5-year-old son, Hannibal, who shares his ardent love for Legos. Although Hannibal is his only biological son, Damien considers all his students as his children and is a passionate teacher.

The Life of a Bastard is Damien Black’s first book. In writing the story of Javier Soto, he wishes to capture the essence of life in foster care and to expose the raw truths of the struggle for identity and the shocking violence inflicted on these abandoned children. He hopes that the series will increase awareness among readers and allow them to comprehend and empathize with each of the 20,000 children that leave the foster system every year in the United States of America.
http://www.lifeofabastard.com/

1.    What inspired you to write Life of a Bastard?

Back 1990 I discovered "Down These Mean Street" by Piri Thomas, I highly recommend this book about being Afro-Latino, growing up in the 50's in East Harlem and the struggle of identity. I read Down these Mean Streets and felt I had something relatable to share about the Life of Javier Soto ( also Afro-Latino) as he journeys to find calm and his place in this world.

 

 

 

2.    What was Javier’s ultimate purpose?

The purpose is a two-sided coin on one side if his story is concluded with a happy ending of success without having a mother and father to guide him, along with the demons of child abuse that haunts many and most times play a destructive role in their adult years. The ultimate purpose can inspirational to those who might have a shared experience with Javier. On the flip side, cautionary tales because in the end, we have to get out of our way and find ways to cope.

 

 

 

3.    What goals, if any, did Javier achieve in the end and what did he learn?

The end is not written, and perhaps we can learn more in Volume 2 (2018).

 

4.    What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Making sure that journals that were written 30 years ago maintain that voice with little hindsight and I self-censorship because sometimes a journal entry had no real structure just rantings of a child.

 

5.    What are some of the main socio-economic issues that you explore in this book and why did you explore them?

From Javier's viewpoint his raw view of welfare, the crack epidemic (1980's ),  East and West Harlem decay, and tidbits of other things that were going on during his childhood.

 

6.    What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

While it has elements of foster care and family dysfunctionality, in the end, it's a "coming of age" story it's American. Readers can just enjoy and see the outcome and do nothing or voice their concerns about child welfare in the America or share their story.  

 

7.    What inspired you to be a writer?

The need for therapy and to make sense of life.

 

8.    What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

Having someone read my book and the least not having a pen when I get an idea.

 

9.    Who are some of your favorite authors?

Piri Thomas and James Baldwin

 

10.    If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main character? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

I would cast someone new an unknown but maybe Samuel L. Jackson can play Javier's father.

 

11.    Are you working on anything right now?

I had my first book event at Shanghai Comic Con , and I hope to have more. I am also working on the Spanish version of Life of a Bastard.

 

12.    And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature? 

 

For the future of Latino literature, we need more visibility, bloggers to review books, making sure our children have good reading habits, diverse stories, and more writers.

Review: THE ANGEL OF A MADMAN by Ricky Dragoni

In the dusty desert town of Pecos New Mexico, a unique and strange friendship blossoms. Bracket a self-proclaimed intergalactic spy encounters Gabriel. Gabriel, a world traveler, has returned home after a family tragedy and is now looking for hope in the bottom of the bottle.
The desert and its majestic mesas bear witness to a grand escape, and what is to be a friendship for the ages. Experience this tale through both unique perspectives; the intergalactic science fiction prism of Bracket’s reality, and Gabriel’s grip on the sad realities of life.
Be part of this journey of friendship, self-realization and the healing of a broken mind. As we explore the beautiful depths of the human intellect and what it can truly achieve.

Reviewed by: Margo

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Review: Bracket is his codename. After escaping from prison, he recounts his treacherous road through the deserted jungles. Then he meets up with Gabriel, a self-loathing man drowning in his sorrows.  The possibility of an escaped intergalactic spy running into a run-of-the-mill joe is pretty unlikely and far-fetched. I mean, what could they have in common? It’s like pairing up Rambo with Waldo.

Through the eyes of these two men, reader becomes familiar with their pain and history. I found Gabriel’s story much more endearing.

Infused with lovely words of New Mexico landscapes, Dragoni penned a story of tragedy and penance. His style is dark and poetic, which accurately reflected the emotional frailties and struggles of the characters. The pace lagged in some areas, and, at some point, I wondered if one of these characters was dead. For example, when Bracket first meets Gabriel, Bracket is surprised that he could see him because he was but a “human.” What could he have meant by this? Was he an alien from outer space or a fallen soldier that died in battle? This might have added a little mystery to the mix, but it was perplexing nonetheless. It feels like the story almost crosses over into a ghostly plane of existence.

Still, the story retains its well-written message of hope and strength. Readers will be impressed by this work’s massive feat of beauty and strength.

Q&A with Ricky Dragoni

Originally from Puerto Rico, Ricky Dragoni  spent half of his life in the United States. His true passions are writing and cooking. His favorite authors include Edgar Allan Poe and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. From an early age, he started writing poetry and short stories, and his books are born out of the nightmares of his mind and melded with his life experiences. He would describe his books as reality sprinkled with a good magical dose of faerie dust and hopes they can be entertaining and make the reader think.

1.       What inspired you to write The Angel of a MadMan?

I wanted to do my part in encouraging an honest conversation regarding mental illness.  Just before I started writing it, two local middle schoolers committed suicide as well as Robin Williams.  Everyone seemed eager to talk about mental illness, then Kim Kardashian got naked on the cover of Paper magazine and everyone forgot about the conversation.  I understand it is hard to talk about mental illness during a time of tragedy, so I wanted the book to open the conversation to focus on the everyday, the funny, the brilliant, the sad, the scary and the human part of mental illness.

 

2.       Upon first meeting, why was Bracket so surprised that Gabriel could see him?

Bracket believes he can become invisible.  He rationalizes the failure of his “powers” at the convenience store, but with Gabriel he doesn’t quite have an answer.  It is the beginning of his anchoring back to reality.

 

 

3.       What did Bracket and Gabriel provide for each other?

Friendship, support, and the belief in each other.  Even though they looked at the world through incredibly different prisms they believed in each other.  Sometimes in life that is what we need the most.

 

4.       What did each character achieve in the end?

Even though the end is bitter sweet, each character got the opportunity to redeem themselves. 

 

5.       What are some of the main sociological issues that you explore in this book and why did you explore them?

Mental illness, grieving and stigma associated with the mentally ill.  If you look through history some of the most brilliant minds, whether scientific or artistic, would be considered mentally ill.  If we can stop looking at mental illness as someone being broken, and instead looking at is as someone experiencing life through a different prism, I think the conversation could finally advance beyond prayers during times of tragedy.

 

 

6.       In the end, who was the angel and who was the madman?

Wouldn’t you like to know? LOL. The reality is that we all have a little madness inside of us and we can all be an angel to someone else.

 

7.       What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

I want the reader to know that whether it is mental illness or dealing with the loss of someone we love, they are not alone.  We all go through it and it is ok.  No matter how lost a situation might seem there is always light at the end of the tunnel and a chance for redemption and happiness.

 

 

8.       What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

I love being able to express my ideas through my imagination and hopefully make a positive impact on the world.  I love being able to spend quality time with my kids.  I love the feeling of being able to be happy following my passion.

What I like the least?   The uncertainty of when the paycheck is coming.  Having worked in the corporate world for over 12 years and having the stability of a paycheck, it has been an adjustment on how the literary world works.

 

9.       Who are some of your favorite authors?

Edgar Allan Poe, love his short stories, they are not only entertaining but they keep you thinking for days.  Gabriel Garcia Marquez was a big influence as well during my formative years.  Current authors I enjoy Simon Green’s Nightside series, Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Dean Koontz, I am partial to the Odd Thomas books and Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire hunter series.

 

10.   If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main characters? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

For Gabriel there is no question, it would be Gabriel Iglesias also known as “Fluffy.  I went to his show around that time and he talked a lot about the passing of his mom.  It was a huge influence and inspiration for the character.  Bracket I would love if Don Cheadle would play him.  He is an amazing actor and I could see him being able to play an outlandish character yet keeping the kindness and humanity in his eyes. 

 

11.   Are you working on anything right now?

Yes, I am working on “The Swift” It is a dark story, along the same vein as “I am Legend” but with different creepy crawler monsters.  It is a post-apocalyptic survival story but with a huge twist in the end.  That is all I can say right now without giving too much away.

I am also working on Tommy Jones, a young adult series which I am writing with my 13 year old, Lorenzo.

 

12.   And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature?

I think the sky is the limit.  Many of us get exposed to so many kinds of different literatures, whether American, Hispano-American, European and the local ones from our countries that it polishes us as authors and writers.  I think we need to keep writing from our unique and interesting perspectives.  Soon the days of Gabriel Garcia Marquez being the only well-known international Latino author would be a thing of the past, and the Ramirez, Dragoni and Santiago will be as common as Koontz, King and Rice.

 

 

Review: SIMPLY SALSA: DANCING WITHOUT FEAR AT GOD’S FIESTA by Janet Perez Eckles

With a bit of sassiness, a touch of humor, and an amiga-to-amiga style, Simply Salsa encourages women to accept God’s call to dance!

What keeps women from dancing to the freedom God offers? With passion and boldness, Simply Salsa exposes the lies and misconceptions that imprison women with unfounded insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. No matter the degree of adversity or pain, Janet Eckles has discovered an alternative to gloom—through the security that is only found in God’s love.

When women in the Bible faced tribulations and trials, they sought God’s grace. Simply Salsaillustrates how that same grace offers today’s women the opportunity to:

Leave the ugly past behind and look to a fresh tomorrow
Find peace and increased faith as you wait for answers to prayer
Embrace God’s comfort to conquer sorrow and disappointment
With her own life experiences as testimony, Eckles will have you dancing!

Reviewed by: Celia

Rating: 3 stars

 

Review: “Physical blindness, infidelity, the murder of my child, and the acquittal of his killer—all these tragedies piled on one another in my own personal train wreck.” (2) The experience of “her-panic” is something we’ve all been familiar with, whether you’re Hispanic or not.

Author Janet Perez Eckles speaks with such raw candor and reverence. Through life’s turmoils, which involve financial hardship and the death of a child, she somehow manages to find strength and solace in God’s grace and worship. Of course, I am not religious, but I could certainly appreciate the meaning in this story, even though there may have been too much biblical jargon throughout. There was certainly some lag here and there, and, although I couldn't really get that into it, readers will surely enjoy the chica commentaries and dialogue.

Ultimately, the story delivers a powerful message to never give up and keep dancing, which I certainly applaud.

A memoir of love, loss, and salsa!

Q&A with Janet Perez Eckles

Although physically blind, Janet Perez Eckles has been teaching thousands to see the best of life. “Because I lost my sight at 31 and endured the murder of my youngest son, along with the acquittal of the man responsible,” Janet says, “my life should’ve been a mess. But God gave me a message to showcase His power: His power at work to conquer fear and turn the deepest pain to a life rich with triumph and success.”

This triumph sparked Janet’s passion to help others overcome their own struggles. Without sight, but with insight, her inspiration fills the pages of her four books and keynote presentations. And at every local, regional, national or international event, Janet’s lively style captivates audiences as this inspiration dances into their hearts. Whether her messages are delivered in Spanish or English, they have been called “transformational.”

1.       What inspired you to write Simply Salsa: Dancing without Fear at God's Fiesta?

Not so much “what” but rather, “who” inspired me to write. It was that woman who feels defeated by the problems in life. She is close to giving up and feels overwhelmed by her broken plans and heartache.

My passion is to lift her up, help her see her potential and no matter what she’s facing, guide her to a rich, triumphant life.

 

 

 

2.       What was the development process like?

Lots of self-reflection to see what kind of a book I, myself would like to read.

Research illustrations to blend with my own.

Review the notes, letters and prayer request I receive to know what to address.

Choose the topics that challenge women the most

And finally, write with a blend of warmth and passion as if I were talking to my best friend.

 

 

 

 

3.       What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Making sure the illustrations sang for my readers. Questions like these would usually barge in: are the examples relevant? Is my story well illustrated? Are the insights clear? Are the steps practical for anyone to follow?

Will the content spark in my readers a desire to change?

 

 

 

4. What do you hope readers will gain from your book?

A renewed perception that their situation is not impossible, insurmountable or hopeless.

And as they see the powerful way God turns trials to triumph, they would feel empowered and repeat to themselves, “I know I can live in victory too.”

 

 

5.       What inspired you to be a writer?

The reactions to my first book. I had written it as a story with the only thought of inspiring my grandchildren. But when I received comments about how my book was impacting women not only in the U.S. but also in Australia, England, and New Zealand, I thought I might have something to say.

Thus, I continued to write and after hundreds of magazine articles, 32 stories featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, I wrote Simply Salsa.

 

 

6.       What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

I love the fact that, being blind, God allows me to write (I operate my computer with a screen reader). And as my readers learn about my complete blindness, they realize that what you need is not so much physical sight, but a vision to overcome the impossible.

I relish on each finished piece because part of my soul sings through the lines. It’s a great expression of what goes on in my heart.

And the hardest thing is having the time to write about to many topics that rumble in my mind.

 

 

7.       Who are some of your favorite authors?

Francine Rivers, Max Lucado, Cecil Murphy, David Jeremiah, Carol Kent

 

 

8.       If your book would be turned into a movie, who would you imagine playing the part of the main character? (Actor can be ANYONE, living or dead.)

 

Mary Tyler Moore

 

 

 

 

9.       Are you working on anything right now?

Yes, I’m constantly writing blogs, my free inspirational newsletter, articles, and slideshows for Ibelieve.com and crosswalk. And also I’m working on a book about success, what does it really mean?

 

 

10.       And, finally, what do you think is in store for the future of Latino literature?

An explosion of writing in all genres. Each providing opportunities for Latinas to speak their convictions, to go higher, remove inhibitions and shout out the triumphant passion that pulsates in the Latina heart.