mim and victor u two are truly blessed, may God continue blessing all of your family, and please hug mami for me, she's so cute and mim dont get mad, Love Magic helping Meclo in the shower, lol blessing always

Dear Mr.Rivas/Rivers, I just wanted to say that I just finished your book and it was truly a touching story. No one should have to go through what you and your family went through. As I read the book I found that I couldn't cry at parts that I knew I should be crying at. I felt strange, almost numb, very sick to my stomache. I truly think I was in shock. I do believe though that God made you the strong one though. He gave you strenght that most wouldn't have been able to bear. God Bless your extended families as well as your blood! Keep up all your work and thank you for such a great but sorrowful book. P.S.I really liked the movie Blood In Blood Out seen it lots of times.

I just read your book and I was so deeply touched. I raised by family memember and her boyfriend. My parents never had anything to do with me . The boyfriend was a bad drunk and drug addict and abused us when family was not around. Its nothing compared to the the situations in this book but I was abused physically but more mental. Mentally I became a mess. I wanted to kill my self many times. I think is amazing that you have the courage to speak out on this. Growing up we had to keep our mouths shut and just never bring it up again. I pray you continue to speak out for the ones who are slient and have not healed yet. Dios te Bendiga tu familia para siempre. sophia

Just finished reading your book, I couldn't put it down until I read it all. My father was somewhat violent towards us when we were growing up therefore I can related to some of your stories. Way before I had children I promised and have kept my promise to not allow myself to repeat the cycle of violence. Thank you for your historia, es usted una gran inspiracion! Buena suerte.

Dear Mr. Rivas, I am about 4/5 through your riveting story. How one maintains such a sense of humor, as you have, is beyond me. As horrible as so much of the reading is, I am cracking up constantly at your writing. God has certainly gifted you and, thereby, us. While I have never, thank God, suffered such unspeakable acts, reading your book makes me want to buy a zillion copies and pass them out on the street!!! The very least I can do is see to it that our school libraries in this district each have one or two copies. I look forward to finishing your story this week. Thank you for your courage and honesty. God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Carol B. Castro, La Quinta, California

Dear Victor, It was a pleasure meeting you at the LACAAW event last night. You truly are committed to violence prevention. And you tell you tell your story very gracefully. Having the guts to put it all out there for the whole world to see takes guts. Mine also begs to be told. Perhaps one day soon. Again, it was a pleasure meeting you. Keep up the good work! Rhonda

Victor, I read your book at the urging of my brother who saw your interview on Montel. Child abuse comes in many forms and although the extent of abuse our family endured by our father was not physical, the emotional abuse and the lack of any type of love or affection was enough to destroy our family. Thank God for the courage and healing you received in sharing your life with us. Dios Bendiga tu familia siempre.

Well-organized, wealth of information for us. Great site.

Dear Victor, I remember seeing you on the Montel show, and feeling the urgency to read your book. I finished it this morning at 5AM! I couldn't put it down! I just want to commend you on your strength and courage. And for finally standing up to him! Hopefully your activisim will give more people the strength to stand up for themselves too. you have done a wonderful thing by telling your story. I wish you all the sucess in the world! I 've been a fan since Blood in Blood Out. But now you have a bigger fan in me! From one "happy cuban to another" Dios te Bendiga. Always, Maribel Cepero

Im a 23 year old single mother of 4. And first of all i wanna say that i read ur book and it was very touching. I had never cried when reading a book. But this one did it. I can only imagine the mad love and respect that u get from ur family and friends. You are one hell of a man. I also went through beatings with my first pregnancy and believe that her difficulties at birth were becus of it. My father also had his favorites: my older bro. and younger sis. I was the first to drop out of high school but went back a week later and got my G.E.D. enrolled back in school and became a certified office Specialist. Then went and enrolled in a Pharmacy college. Im now due to graduate in Nov.05. My brother and sister also dropped out and now have no ambitions or goals. I showed him.(my father) But to this day my dad still cant say he's proud of me. O Well! After reading ur book I know i dont need him to tell me what i need to hear. I now know also that he is not going to make my life better, only i can. Thank you so much for every thing that u r doing for us women and children. I just wish there were more men out here like you. "Mim you hit the jackpot girl!" Thank u again for that insperational book. And good luck on ur career. Take care of urself and that great family of yours.