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Luck is Just the Beginning
by
This title is published by Floricanto and Berkeley Presses. When nineteen-year-old Ramón León wins the Puerto Rican lottery, he believes his promise to establish the first dental and medical clinic in his village will be achievable. But a chain of catastrophic events intervenes. Luck is Just the Beginning is not only an enchanting story of the joys and sorrows of family, b
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Paperback, 350 pages
Published
October 7th 2015
by Floricanto and Berkeley Presses
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Start your review of Luck is Just the Beginning

When young Ramon wins the lottery he soon learns that money doesn't solve all one's problems--it often invites more.
I enjoyed this rags-to-riches story which is based upon true events. The author instantly plunked me down into a poorer Puerto Rican world, brought to life through vivid imagery, language, and delicately detailed descriptions. Ramon proved to be a captivating character; strong willed, and filled with youthful innocence, yet possessing a fiery, often short-fused temper and occasiona ...more
I enjoyed this rags-to-riches story which is based upon true events. The author instantly plunked me down into a poorer Puerto Rican world, brought to life through vivid imagery, language, and delicately detailed descriptions. Ramon proved to be a captivating character; strong willed, and filled with youthful innocence, yet possessing a fiery, often short-fused temper and occasiona ...more

In Luck Is Just the Beginning, Celeste León draws on the true story of her father. Ramón León is a young man living in a village in Puerto Rico towards the end of World War II when he decides one day to play the lottery. In fact he has a premonition so strong he spends his savings on a whole page of tickets. Generally in fiction you would assume this was a key sign that everything was about to go very wrong. However, Ramón wins.
For Ramón it means he will be able to fulfil his dream of going to c ...more
For Ramón it means he will be able to fulfil his dream of going to c ...more

Based on a true story, Celeste Leon’s beautifully written debut novel is the story of a young man in 1940s Puerto Rico who wins the lottery, only to realize that, as the title states, luck is just the beginning.
Young Ramon is able to see visions, a gift he inherited from his mother. When he sees a number flash across the sky, he decides to buy a complete lottery ticket. At first, he’s thrilled to have won a fortune, for his plan is to go to college, become a dentist, and make the world a better ...more
Young Ramon is able to see visions, a gift he inherited from his mother. When he sees a number flash across the sky, he decides to buy a complete lottery ticket. At first, he’s thrilled to have won a fortune, for his plan is to go to college, become a dentist, and make the world a better ...more

I was in utter amazement of how well written this book was, that I couldn't put it down! I was drawn immediately into the fullness of this true story, it's depth of emotions, struggle, family, God and how service to others comes into play in our lives. It definitely will get you to reflect on moments in your life where perhaps you've struggled and have wondered the purpose of it. It shows how we can find our way out of any challenges in our lives with faith in God, ourselves, support of our fami
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Feb 14, 2016
Vanessa Roth
added it
This book written by Celeste Leon is a compassionate and educational read that will warm your heart. The novel is set in Puerto Rico in the 1940s and outlines the scenario that Ramon Leon goes through to achieve his dream. It shows what one can achieve in life with determination and skill. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about history and family in the Latina commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Leon's debut novel places her among the most exciting Latina writers today. Vane
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I heard this story for 10 years before we encouraged Celeste to write it and then supported her for the next 10 while she did. It is a story that needed to be told and that we all need to hear. It restores us no matter who we are or where we come from.
It's a true tale about Celeste's father and at it's heart is the true determination of the human story. Ramon Leon, a poor boy in Puerto Rico, wins the lottery and struggles with the emotions--excitement, hope, and some guilt--to ultimately accomp ...more
It's a true tale about Celeste's father and at it's heart is the true determination of the human story. Ramon Leon, a poor boy in Puerto Rico, wins the lottery and struggles with the emotions--excitement, hope, and some guilt--to ultimately accomp ...more

"Brava" to the author, Celeste Leon, on her first novel!
The reader is pleasantly transported, as if in a time warp, to a small village in Puerto Rico in the 1940's. All the sights, sounds & sentiments are poetically recreated as the complications of winning the lottery for a single man and his village is revealed in this poignant story. I found myself not wanting to put this book down and was both inspired and teary-eyed when it was over....perhaps she'll write more? I highly recommend it for a ...more
The reader is pleasantly transported, as if in a time warp, to a small village in Puerto Rico in the 1940's. All the sights, sounds & sentiments are poetically recreated as the complications of winning the lottery for a single man and his village is revealed in this poignant story. I found myself not wanting to put this book down and was both inspired and teary-eyed when it was over....perhaps she'll write more? I highly recommend it for a ...more

Luck is Just the Beginning is the heart-felt and moving story of a young man's determination and struggles to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a dentist and helping the residents of his small Puerto Rican hometown. I would recommend it for young adults and adults looking to be inspired. I also thoroughly enjoyed the depiction of World War II era Puerto Rico and the nuances of the language and culture in a close knit family struggling with economic hardship and doing so with grace.
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May 22, 2016
Jane
added it
Recommends it for:
my sisters , family and friends
Recommended to Jane by:
Vanessa Roth
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Luck is Just the Beginning, in fact I did not want it to end. It was a heartwarming read in which I laughed, cried and smiled. I enjoyed the author’s writing style in which I was captivated from the first chapter. I so appreciated the depiction of the main character’s tenaciousness and love of family. I am hoping for a sequel!
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Making Connections: 5580. - Luck is Just the Beginning by Celeste León | 6 | 18 | Oct 31, 2019 04:33AM | |
Making Connections: 4360. - LUCK IS JUST THE BEGINNING by Celeste León | 6 | 22 | Jun 06, 2016 02:53PM |
Luck is Just the Beginning earned a Mariposa Award for Best First Book in the 2016 International Latino Book Awards and Finalist in Multicultural Fiction in the 2016 International Book Awards. The book is inspired by the true story of author Celeste León's father and was released by Floricanto Press in November 2015. (www.floricantopress.com)
When nineteen-year-old Ramón León wins the Puerto Rican ...more
When nineteen-year-old Ramón León wins the Puerto Rican ...more
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