Five Stars!
July 10, 2014 by Cyrus Webb "Conversations Book Club"(Jackson, MS).
Linda Bello-Ruiz's FROM TEARS TO TRIUMPH shows that with God's help there's no limit to what we can do,
This review is for: From
Tears to Triumph: My Journey to The House of Hope (Kindle Edition)
The great thing about really living life is that we are constantly learning, evolving and---if we are willing---we are becoming better stewards of the world
and those in it. For Linda Bello-Ruiz and many of us this has been a process, but it is one that she shares with the world through FROM TEARS TO TRIUMPH in hopes of helping others along their way.
Linda's book is an inspiring
look at her life, how she learned from situations and choices, and what propelled her forward. Like many of us there were times when she didn't see her way out of the difficulties she faced. "I saw myself running around the rim
of an empty jar," she writes, "wanting so much good from life, but never jumping in, never totally committing myself to good. My hope for a life as I’d once imagined it collapsed under the weight of my bad choices."
Those
bad choices were not just being made by her, as she realized later. Like Linda a girl we named Maritza was seemingly lost, but help from above and individuals like Linda changed all that. "I’m just another example of the power
of God and what a little love and understanding can do for a young girl,” Maritza says. And what hope that gives to others.
Unfortunatley Linda soon learned that not everyone was able to be saved or READY to be saved. It
is a choice, and no matter how hard she tried, it was something that was difficult to understand when others chose to go backwards.
I finished FROM TEARS TO TRIUMPH hopeful, not just because Linda had realized her passion
but excited that her story would continue to inspire others to realize there was hope for them as well. All of us have the ability to do great things. It's just up to us to CHOOSE to do it. If we are faithful in the commission
we have been given, there is no limit to what we can accomplish."
Couldn't Put It Down!
January, 2014
I picked up this book at an author faire, and loved it. I started reading it Saturday afternoon until it was time for bed, then polished it off the next day. One weekend, well spent!
Linda Bello-Ruiz shares a compelling story of what God did in the life of one rebellious teenager who started low as the drug using girlfriend of a pimp, going through a cult, and ending up spearheading a crusade against teen prostitution
in Central America! God can do all things. I highly recommend this book.
Michael L. Faber, Pastor and Author
Gripping & Inspirational! 5 Stars!
January 13, 2014
This is one of the most gripping and inspirational memoirs I have read. It has every quality that makes a page-turner a page-turner—love, loss, betrayal, redemption
and renewal, to name a few. I had to remind myself as I read along that this is a true story and not a novel.
Ms. Bello-Ruiz's journey begins as a rebellious teenager who hooks up with a dangerous drug-using pimp, barely
escaping with her life. She becomes part of a controversial religious commune. Ironically, it's in the commune that she awakens to her full, independent (no brain washing that I could discern), religious potential and where she
is guided to move to Central America to rescue teen girls from a life of prostitution.
The thing I love about this woman's story, and what I will keep in my heart always, is her unwavering faith and dedication to God and
God's guidance, even in the darkest of times. This memoir is enough to inspire even the most cynical reader—which, I admit, I'm not.
Jo Chandler, Young Adult Fiction Author
Author of "This Side of Forever."
I've Never Read a Book This Fast!
"I have been reading your book and should be done today! I have never read a book this fast. It is so true I could not put it down. Your life experience leaves me in awe! It is an incredible
story of faith! I absolutely love it! I feel like I know you now. Even though we have only met a few times. I am like you in spirit always wanting to help people. We connect on that level. I'm so glad to have read your memoir.
It will definitely leave an imprint with me. Have a blessed day and will see you again!"
Desiree.
What a Life Story!
September 20, 2013
"Just finished your book!!!!! It was very interesting and held my attention. So much so that each time I laid it down I couldn't wait to have time to get back to it. What
a life story. Great Job Linda,
Judy M."
A Wonderful Job!
September 19, 2013
"I finished reading it the day after I got it! I couldn't put it down, even though I had heard a lot of it at the writers group. I sincerely mean it when I say you did a wonderful
job of describing an interesting life."
Bev Deen
An Elegantly Written Book
September 15, 2013
A 5-Star rating on Amazon.
"This is an elegantly written book. It is a fast paced, easy read of a compelling story. The exquisite descriptions of people, places,
emotions draw the reader in and keep you engaged."
Mary Smith
A 5-Star Read
September 19, 2013
"A young woman's faith guides her through a challenging period as she grapples with who she is, who she wants to become, and how she can make a significant difference in the lives of
troubled young girls in Costa Rica. I give From Tears to Triumph 5-Stars."
Linda Walsh, Lincoln, CA
Stunning!
November 1, 2013
"Impresionante, sencillamente impresionante esa introducción del libro. Interesantísimos me parecen esos dos personajes: la fundadora y Ana Cecilia. Gracias por compartir este mensaje con
nosotros. Ojalá que lo vendan en la Librería Internacional aquí en Costa Rica.
Juan" English: "Stunning, simply stunning that introduction. I find these two very interesting characters: the founder and
Ana Cecilia. Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully it can be sold in the International Library here in Costa Rica."
Juan.
An Incredible Story of Faith
September 20, 2013
I have never read a book this fast. It is so true I could not put it down. Your life experience leaves me in awe! It is an incredible story of faith and I absolutely
love it! I feel like I know you now, even though we have only met a few times. I am like you in spirit always wanting to help people. We connect on that level. I'm so glad to have read your memoir. It will definitely leave an imprint
with me."
Desiree.
I Couldn't Put This Book Down
Amazon Review on August 27, 2013
I couldn't put this book down. It is a wonderful narrative of overcoming adversity and helping others do the same. Paying it forward. The unwavering faith
of Linda Bello-Ruiz is a tremendous example for all. Thank you for sharing your very personal story. I highly recommend this book."
Valeta F.
An Amazing Journey
One amazing journey. So well written, so very compelling. I am not much of a memoir reader, but this book changed my opinion of memoirs. Really hard to put down-the story grabs you and demands you stay
with it until the very emotional end.
Tony Mariahv
An Inspiring Read
Ms. Bello-Ruiz' account of a young girl's journey from the streets of San Francisco and personal tragedy, surviving the cultish nature of the Children of God, overcoming obstacles that most of us would
judge as too difficult even before we tried, is simply extraordinary. Relying on her unwavering faith to guide her, she saw need and created a refuge of hope in Costa Rica which changed the lives of hundreds of young girls which
might otherwise be hopeless. A remarkable memoir. And an equally remarkable woman. An inspiring read.
Quentin Grady,
Author of "The Ghost Eagle"
Time So Unforgettable
Original Text in Spanish
Linda,
Con solo leer la introduccion y ver las fotos mi corazon mi mente y hasta mi alma se trasladaron a esa epoca tan inolvidable. ¡ ya derrame mi primera lagrima
¡
Estoy recordando esos momentos ahora mas que nunca.
Me siento muy emocionado y muy orgulloso de haber vivido al lado tuyo parte de esa historia tan maravillosa. Un caluroso y entrañable abrazo,
Carlos
The English Translation of above comment:
Linda,
Just reading the introduction (to From Tears to Triumph) and seeing the pictures—my heart, my mind, and even my soul is moved to that time so unforgettable. I have shed my
first tear! I'm remembering those moments now more than ever.
I am very excited and very proud to have lived next to you as part of this wonderful story. A warm and affectionate hug,
Carlo (Jaramillo)
You’ve never read a book like this
You’ve never read a book like this, I guarantee it. From vulnerable innocent on the streets of San Francisco to seasoned rescuer off the streets of Costa Rica, Linda will take you places
you’ve wondered about but never traveled, experiencing a godzillion heart-stopping moments along the way.
Dana Sudboro, author of Fatima’s Fate
Linda Bello Ruiz has lived many lives
Linda Bello-Ruiz has lived many lives—from her middle class childhood in rural California to her edgy rebellion in San Francisco, to joining the Children of God. Linda finally found
her life path in Costa Rica where God guided her to help save girls from prostitution. Her determination and creativity led to her creating the House of Hope. This page-tuner shows how one brave woman’s inspiration and Divine guidance
saved and changed the lives of many.
Linda Joy Myers
President of the National Association of Memoir Writers,
Author of "The Power of Memoir" and "Don’t Call Me Mother"