By Carlos Olivarez
Rick:
Embracing A Second Chance
Novel
After surviving a near-fatal accident in 1989, Rick Ontiveros embraces a second chance at life, love, and faith, discovering the power of family, culture, and redemption in a world he was never meant to see.
Best Selling Author
Carlos Olivarez
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and no matter where life has taken me, Dallas has always been—and will always be—home. I live here now with my wife, Lore, and this year we’re celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary.
We’re blessed to have our adult children living nearby, and we truly enjoy the time we spend together as a family. I come from a large extended family that’s played a big role in shaping who I am. My parents, now watching over us from heaven, gave me a life filled with love, laughter, and strong values. You’ll find traces of that life throughout Rick’s story, along with reflections of the culture I was raised in.
Though I’ve worked in IT for many years, I’ve always had an overactive right brain that keeps my creative side alive. I’m a Catholic dad and a lifelong storyteller. Writing a book has been on my bucket list for a long time, and this marks my first real step into the world of writing.
My hope is that those closest to me—and anyone who picks up this book—will find something familiar, entertaining, and meaningful in these pages, drawn from the many experiences and memories that have shaped my life.
This book is a heartfelt, honest story about redemption and personal growth. Rick’s journey feels raw and real. It is full of struggle and regret but also hope. What stood out most to me was how relatable the character is. He’s not perfect, but he’s trying, and that makes his transformation powerful. Olivarez writes with a lot of heart, and the message that it’s never too late to change really stuck with me. This book is inspiring without being preachy, and it left me thinking long after I finished it. A truly uplifting read. Highly recommend!
– Lucas
This is a book of life, change, and family, and most of all love of each. God is the one who controls each of them, except love. We control that aspect of life.
– Modern Solutionary
Great read. Read the entire book in one day. Couldn’t put it down. Couldn’t wait to see how the next chapter explained the thought of how Rick’s life would have been. Writer keeps you reading. Excellent writing.
– Pam Honeycutt
This was a great read. The storyline and characters are very relatable and real. It perfectly and with the right amount of added humor shows Hispanic families. Sign me up for the next adventure. Get your copy now!
– John Martinez
This book had me laughing at times and crying at times! What a beautiful continuation of a life lost too soon. The author, Carlos, has provided an awesome gift to his brother and family that honors many precious traditions! Thanks for sharing!