About the Book

Book Title: Dare to Begin Again
Author: Rosalinda Rivera
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Life, Woman’s Issue
Release date: September 4, 2018

We all have struggles and challenges in life. Whether they are of our own making or not, things don’t always work out. Sometimes, we just give up on our dreams and goals. But it doesn’t have to be that way! God is a God of new beginnings, and throughout the entire Bible, we read about people who were stuck, disappointed, and faced impossible situations—people God freed. Rosalinda Torres Rivera challenges us to Dare to Begin Again. Using stories from her own life, other people, and biblical times, Rosalinda offers inspirational, down-to-earth advice on beginning again. Each chapter tackles a different issue where you may be “stuck”—such as an inability to forgive, trust, or hope—and examples of people who overcame similar challenges. Practical tasks at the end of each chapter walk you through a DARE challenge (Decide, Allow, Rise, Enjoy) to help you move closer to a fresh start. Rosalinda is the daughter of Victor Torres, an ex-gang member from Brooklyn, New York, and his wife, Carmen, founders of the New Life For Youth ministry. She has seen more than twenty thousand people get out of tough situations and turn their lives around. “They’re people whose tales of transformation prove God is still at work,” she says. “He’s written and re-written their life’s chapters—and He’s willing to do the same for you.” It takes a commitment, but with the help of God, inspiring, true stories, and practical applications, you can Dare to Begin Again.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review:
"Dare to Begin Again" by Rosalinda Rivera is another example of Don't Judge A Book By The Cover. I say this because when I first picked up the book I was thinking it was a love story. Well, I was partially right because it is about God's love for us and how He doesn't want us to stay stuck, disappointed but wants us to begin to live and dream our dreams.

The author shares stories from her own life and others and Biblical characters like

“The man at the Pool of Bethesda was stuck in paralysis.
Naomi was stuck in bitterness.
The man in the graveyard was stuck with his demons.
Daniel was stuck in the lions’ den.
Joseph was stuck in a pit.
Jonah was stuck in a whale.
Moses’s mother was stuck in grief.
Jacob was stuck on a girl.
Hannah was stuck in sadness.
David was stuck in a cave.
The Samaritan woman at the wall was stuck in habit.
Lazarus was stuck in a tomb.
Gideon was stuck on a concept.
Peter was stuck in fear.
Mary was stuck in loss.
Paul was stuck in prison."

She uses their stories to show us that God wants to "Begin Again".

I can honestly tell you this has been the most helpful nonfiction book that I have read in a long time and that I share my print books but guess what, I am keeping this book with me, it will have a permanent place in my purse so I can reread it when I feel stuck. I don't mark and underline in my books as a general rule but I did this one.

There is a chapter on forgiveness and hope, and release as well as other issues and each chapter ends with this

I D.A.R. E. which is Decide, Allow, Rise, Enjoy

This book is not technical and very easy to read and the inspirational ,down-to-earth advice the author gives to start life anew are very easy to follow. We just need to decide to start life again.

I was given an complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Rosalinda Torres Rivera is the executive director of New Life For Youth, one of Virginia’s largest residential facilities helping to rehabilitate people from a life of addiction. She has been reaching out to families in crisis, poverty, and hopelessness for over twenty-five years. Using her business skills, Rosalinda developed a model of social enterprise to sustain the non-profit New Life For Youth by creating businesses that train thousands of young people in job skills and leadership. She is also the president of New Life Enterprises, the founder of Mercy Moms Home, a place for single mothers to find hope and healing, and the founder of Bella Women’s Ministry in Richmond, Virginia, which hosts annual conferences for over five hundred women. Each year, Rosalinda is a featured presenter at various events nationwide. She has ministered throughout the world and has traveled to over twenty-two countries. From the White House to the local community, she has been nationally recognized for her impact in bringing hope to the hopeless. Rosalinda was appointed to the Board of Governors of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives, headquartered in Washington, DC. Style Magazine selected her as a “Top 40 under 40” leader for her impact in Richmond, Virginia. In 2018, the Valentine Museum in Richmond will feature the work of her family as one of the city’s first Hispanic families to impact Richmond in the non-profit sector. Rosalinda is the daughter of Victor Torres, an ex-gang member from the streets of New York, and his wife, Carmen, the founders of New Life For Youth and pastors of New Life Outreach International Church. She served as an associate producer on Victor, a movie about her father’s journey from drugs and gangs to Jesus and redemption. Rosalinda and her husband, Carlos, have three children: Alana, Gabriel, and Victor.