Blog Archives
Creciendo Juntas: Narrativas de Empoderamiento de las Mujeres
Leí Creciendo Juntas y me encontré con una antología que une las voces de quince mujeres que exploran sus luchas, sus pérdidas, sus revelaciones y la forma en que reconstruyen sus mundos. Desde duelos profundos hasta despertares personales, cada autora narra su vida con una honestidad que no se esconde y con una fuerza que se siente desde el prólogo, donde se plantea que estas historias son pequeñas revoluciones que parten de lo cotidiano y avanzan hasta el alma misma.
Mientras avanzaba, sentí que el libro me hablaba desde muchos lugares a la vez. Hay textos que duelen y otros que despiertan una chispa de esperanza que llega cuando menos lo esperas. Me sorprendió la forma tan sencilla en la que varias autoras expresan emociones complejas. Nada se siente disfrazado. Todo es directo y sin ruido. A veces la vulnerabilidad me golpeó de lleno y tuve que detenerme porque una idea se quedaba dando vueltas en mi mente. Otras veces solté una sonrisa porque reconocí en sus palabras la terquedad de seguir adelante a pesar de todo.
También me gustó cómo cambia el ritmo entre historias. Unas hablan con suavidad. Otras cortan como si todavía ardiera la herida que cuentan. Esa mezcla crea una lectura que no se puede vivir de forma plana. Me llevó de la mano por caminos inesperados y me hizo pensar en las veces que yo también he tenido que romper algo en mí para poder construir algo nuevo. No todo me identificó, claro, pero sí sentí respeto por cada historia que se compartió con tanta apertura. El libro no pretende complacer ni adornar. Más bien se siente como un espacio donde la verdad tiene permiso de ocupar todo el cuarto.
Al terminarlo pensé en quién podría disfrutarlo más. Creo que sería ideal para mujeres que atraviesan cambios grandes y buscan un espejo donde verse sin filtros. También para quienes disfrutan de historias reales que no siguen un molde y que nacen desde el deseo de entender la propia vida. Yo lo recomendaría sin dudarlo. Es un libro que acompaña, que sacude y que, de alguna forma, invita a crecer con calma y con valentía.
Pages: 211 | ASIN : B0DHV7MT4L
Secretos De Familia
Secretos de familia by Diego Uribe is a dark and atmospheric thriller that begins with the brutal murder of Emilia Blume, a young woman found dead in her bed with a knife in her heart. The novel unfolds through the investigation led by Inspectora Benatar, who digs into the twisted secrets of the Blume family and the eerie village of Fénix, where superstition, religion, and silence suffocate the truth. What starts as a crime story turns into a psychological puzzle, exploring guilt, repression, and the thin line between love and cruelty. Every chapter drags you deeper into a web of lies and trauma that sticks to your skin.
I have to say, the writing pulled me in right away. The opening scene hit me hard. The author knows how to play with tension, silence, and imagery. The prose feels cinematic, almost like you’re standing in the cold hallways of that cursed house. Sometimes it gets dense with description, but it works. The pacing shifts a lot, slow burns followed by quick bursts of violence, but that uneven rhythm fits the story. It mirrors the confusion of the characters. I found myself anxious, even a little angry, at how the family hid behind politeness and religion while something monstrous was rotting inside their home.
What really got to me were the ideas under the surface. This isn’t just about a murder. It’s about control, silence, and what people will do to keep appearances intact. The women in the story, Emilia, her mother, her sister, and even Benatar, carry a kind of pain that feels too real. There’s also this heavy sense of destiny, as if everyone in that village is trapped by something bigger than them. At times it made me uncomfortable, but that’s a good sign. The author doesn’t let you rest easy. You end up questioning morality, religion, and the price of loyalty.
Secretos de familia is a grim, emotional ride that’s not afraid to stare into the dark corners of the human soul. It’s the kind of book you finish and then sit in silence for a while. I’d recommend it to readers who love crime fiction with real psychological depth, people who like stories that mess with your comfort zone and make you think about the things families hide behind closed doors.
Pages: 343
Living Love of Christ
El Gran Intercambio (The Great Exchange) is a powerful autobiographical account of your life, vividly chronicling your spiritual, emotional, and personal journey from childhood trauma, abusive relationships, false religious systems, to divine healing and restoration. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was deeply important for me to write because it gave voice to years of silence. For so long, I carried pain that I didn’t know how to release—and writing became both a mirror and a doorway. I wanted to create a space where others who have faced similar wounds could feel seen, understood, and ultimately, offered hope. El Gran Intercambio is not just my story—it’s an invitation to anyone who has ever felt lost, broken, or deceived to experience true freedom through God’s healing power.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One key idea was the difference between religion and relationship. I had lived much of my life trying to perform for acceptance—by people, systems, and even God. I wanted to show that healing comes not from following rules, but from encountering the real, living love of Christ. I also wanted to address the generational impact of trauma, the dangers of spiritual manipulation, and the beautiful reality that we are not defined by our past—we are transformed by grace.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part was revisiting the darkest moments of my life. Writing about abuse, loss, and spiritual deception required deep emotional courage, and there were times I had to step away and allow myself to grieve again. But the most rewarding part was realizing that every page—every painful memory—had purpose. Knowing that my story could serve as a lifeline for someone else made it all worth it. Healing for me came not just through writing, but through the act of sharing.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope readers walk away with this truth: You are not alone, and you are not beyond restoration. No matter how far gone life may feel, there is a divine exchange waiting for you—your pain for His peace, your shame for His grace, your ashes for His beauty. Healing is possible. Freedom is real. And God has not forgotten you.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Este libro relata la vida de la autora y su lucha contra la soledad y las falsas comunidades de la iglesia. Criada por sus abuelos sin el amor de Dios, luchó por encontrar amor y conexión. Esto la llevó a Estados Unidos, donde buscó la religión para encontrar la paz. Sin embargo, los sistemas religiosos con frecuencia la alejaron de Dios. A través de sectas, falsos profetas y charlatanes, la autora enfrentó numerosos engaños y manipulaciones, pero, finalmente, encontró el camino de vuelta a casa, como el hijo pródigo, a los brazos de Dios. El relato honesto de su vida inspirará a los lectores a superar sus propias dificultades con un corazón abierto y un compromiso con Cristo.
Everyone Has A Story
Otro accidente en Asturias follows the owner of a local surf school who discovers the human remains on the beach. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve traveled extensively in Spain and the north coast of the country is a relatively undiscovered marvel, from the Basque Country to Galicia. The people, the food (!), the beaches, the cultures (they are all unique) and the landscape helped me come up with the idea for a trilogy whose second book is Otro accidente en Asturias. The first is set in the Basque Country and is called Un detective accidental en Donostia.
Michael does not just fall into a mystery but a journey of self-discovery. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I believe everyone has a story to be told, whether it’s about themselves or something that occurs to them. The universality of the human experience, even though circumstances differ, drives great fiction.
One thing that stands out in your novel is the level of detail in the scenery. Readers are drawn in and can easily imagine themselves in Gijón. Why choose this place and time for the setting of the story?
Because Gijón is AWESOME! Also because there is a strong surf culture there as well as tremendous cuisine and, of course, cider. You can’t help but fall in love with it all.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on the third book of the trilogy which is based in Galicia.
Otro Accidente En Asturias
Michael Featherstone’s Otro accidente en Asturias transporta a los lectores al pueblo costero de Gijón, España, a través de los ojos del protagonista Michael, quien dirige una escuela local de surf. La narrativa comienza con una detallada descripción de las interacciones diarias de Michael, utilizando su integración en Gijón como telón de fondo para un misterio más amplio que se desarrolla, desencadenado por el inquietante descubrimiento de restos humanos en la playa.
Featherstone es hábil en entrelazar las costumbres y ritmos diarios de Gijón en la trama, convirtiendo observaciones culturales ligeras en un examen suspenso de las corrientes más oscuras del pueblo. Su ritmo hábil y su meticulosa atención al detalle, especialmente en sus retratos de los personajes locales y las dinámicas sociales, aseguran una transición sin fisuras de una vida comunitaria tranquila a un misterio tenso y cautivador. La cultura local de surf y las relaciones comunitarias no solo enriquecen la historia, sino que también otorgan autenticidad y profundidad a los eventos que se desarrollan.
La prosa es lúcida y atractiva, manteniendo un fino equilibrio entre la ambientación inmersiva y el movimiento narrativo dinámico. A medida que las tensiones se intensifican, el desarrollo personal y las reflexiones de Michael se entrelazan en el núcleo del misterio, culminando en un clímax que es tanto emocionante como narrativamente satisfactorio. Los personajes secundarios realzan la trama, cada uno contribuyendo al entorno social y cultural de Gijón y avanzando en el misterio central.
La novela de Featherstone va más allá de simplemente desentrañar el suspense; se adentra en temas introspectivos de identidad, pertenencia y resiliencia. Otro accidente en Asturias es una novela meticulosamente elaborada que entrelaza la profundidad cultural con el suspense, atrayendo a los lectores que disfrutan de narrativas que reflejan las complejidades de la vida a través de un lente de suspense.
Pages: 250 | ASIN : B0CY5N997Z
Great for Bilingual Families
Chato, the Puppy-Cat follows a homeless puppy who is adopted by a loving woman who thinks he is a cat, and he is afraid to show her he is a dog. What was the inspiration for your story?
The story presented itself in my head one day, as if it wanted to be told. It wasn’t until later that I realized it came from childhood experiences, and from watching both children and adults around me having to conform and behave in ways that went against their grain.
Chato struggles with wanting to belong and with showing his true self out of fear of being accepted. Was there anything from your own life that you put into this emotional story?
I was born with a vision disability which affects various aspects of my life, and I often had to conform to fit in and not inconvenience others. I had a lot of trouble in school because I couldn’t see the board or read small print. The bright lights indoors and sunlight outdoors blinded me so recess and gym class were torture.
Also, I can’t see color. I debated about doing the illustrations as pencil sketches or ask someone to help me with the colors. I was told that black and white would limit the commercial appeal of the book, but I had to think of my brave main character, Chato. What would he do? And I knew I had to stay true to myself.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Going back to the previous questions, I think it is good for kids to see that they are not alone if they feel different. Also, it might be educational for them to learn about how someone can still think the world is a beautiful place without color vision.
As a language teacher, however, I love rhythm and rhyme and I believe it can help kids (and adults) learn and remember things. It helps them learn how words with the same sounds can have different spellings, and can also engage them while being read to; predicting the next words based on their sounds. The fact that the book is bilingual English/Spanish makes it great for bilingual families or for children learning one language or the other.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have just finished a collection of short stories for adults and a few more picture books, one of which helps kids learn to tell time. I hope they will be available soon!
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Todostuslibros
Tú eres un perro, pero todo el mundo piensa que eres un gato. ¿Qué haces? Una fábula animalista sobre el derecho natural a la personalidad propia.
You are a dog, but everyone thinks you are a cat. What are you doing? An animalistic fable about the natural right to one’s own personality.
A Star-Dusted Feat
Cuentan Mis Estrellas takes young readers on a journey into the cosmos to learn about how constellations influence our personalities and destinies. Why is this an important topic to teach to children?
Astrology has been a favorite topic of mine since I was very young—I love my horoscope sign! (Aquarius). The fact that thousands of years ago, humanity had the wisdom and patience to observe the heavens, map out the constellations, and pinpoint their influence over the earth and its inhabitants, is a star-dusted feat that has shaped minds since the beginning of time. Cuentan mis Estrellas introduces young readers to that vast, ancient world, in a relatable, whimsical way.
How did you approach writing about zodiac signs, ruling planets, elemental affiliations, and how they relate to birthdates in a manner that would appeal to and be understood by children?
There is plenty of information out there on astrology, the zodiac, horoscopes, etc., but my most trusted source is The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers. It contains “personology profiles for each day of the year”. Cuentan mis Estrellas identifies each sign (dates, elements, constellations, etc.) and highlights a couple of the main traits with a fanciful verse and lively illustration.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
As ever, my goal in writing is to amuse and provide an escape. Cuentan mis Estrellas was a challenge because each sign included only a short verse. I’m not a poet, so as a writer of prose, condensing large amounts of information into mere sentences with a degree of musicality, was difficult, but after various re-writes, I think each page is bound to put a starry smile on the young reader’s face.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what topics will the next book cover?
Alas, Cuentan mis Estrellas, is not a series. I do have an unrelated project coming out in December 2023. It is the translation into Spanish of Cradle Gift, book 2 in my Faerie Legacy Series. The new book is entitled: Un Don de Cuna.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Tu corazón recién nacido esconde muchas verdades cósmicas y si estás pendiente del cielo nocturno, el brillo de una estrella fugaz o la cola de un cometa, te mostrarán el rasgo estelar que te hace ser tú.
Estaba escrito en las estrellas, hace mucho tiempo, que serías independiente, cariñosa, imaginativo, decidida, generoso, inquisitiva, valiente, optimista y mucho más.
¡Créelo! que las estrellas no mienten.
Rito de Iniciación
Rito de Iniciación de Diego Uribe es una lectura intrigante que sigue a nuestro protagonista llamado Akito, cuyo fallecimiento prematuro despertó mi curiosidad y me atrajo a adentrarme más en la historia. A través de una narración hábil, fui transportada a Yoshima, Tokio, una época distinta en la que Akito dio sus primeros pasos en el mundo. Las descripciones meticulosas de la ciudad y sus habitantes durante ese periodo me permitieron visualizar vívidamente el telón de fondo en el que se desarrolla esta cautivadora historia. Sin lugar a dudas, la vida de Akito ha estado llena de desafíos y ha sido marcada por una serie de decisiones lamentables. Gradualmente, el lector adquiere una comprensión más profunda de sus lazos familiares y tribulaciones personales, fomentando un profundo sentido de empatía hacia él. Particularmente importante es la devoción profunda que Akito siente por su hermana menor, Umiko, un testimonio del poder duradero de los lazos fraternales. A pesar de estar separado de su entorno familiar, el compromiso inquebrantable de Akito hacia Umiko es evidente, ya que permanece firme en su disposición de sacrificarlo todo por ella.
Sin embargo, incluso el vínculo profundo entre hermanos no pudo aliviar las abrumadoras presiones que agobiaban a Akito. Impulsado a buscar liberación de sus circunstancias tumultuosas, emprende una huida de su familia, una decisión que se convierte en un punto de inflexión en la narrativa, alimentando la curiosidad insaciable del lector acerca de su destino final. Uribe retrata hábilmente el impacto perjudicial de una crianza problemática, moldeando a Akito en un personaje que se describe sin reservas como “una persona despreciable hasta sus últimos días”, ganándose el infame apodo de “Akito el Cruel” en su vecindario. Aprecié la capacidad del autor para lograr un equilibrio delicado entre la riqueza descriptiva y la sencillez, guiándonos hábilmente a través de las crónicas de la vida de Akito hasta sus últimos momentos. La narración en primera persona aporta un toque íntimo a la historia, como si Akito mismo nos contara su extraordinaria vida personalmente.
Esta novela me atrajo completamente, no solo como una historia cautivadora, sino también como una puerta de entrada para descubrir un país, una ciudad y una cultura distintos a los míos. La experiencia de lectura inmersiva dejó una impresión indeleble de Japón en mi mente, permitiéndome visualizar los acontecimientos en desarrollo con una claridad vívida. El estilo de escritura claro y accesible del autor facilitó una experiencia de lectura fluida, aunque debo advertir que la narrativa contiene elementos crudos y ásperos que pueden no ser adecuados para lectores sensibles. Rito de Iniciación es una lectura cautivadora que recomiendo a cualquier persona que aprecie la cultura japonesa y tenga el deseo de embarcarse en un viaje literario absorbente.
Pages: 198
LITERARY TITAN 