T&T national becomes Amazon best-seller with 3 children's books

Your circumstances do not define you, nor do they determine your future.
This sentiment rang true for Reea Dara Rodney, a Trinidad and Tobago national who became an Amazon best-seller for her children's book series Juniper and Rose. 
Ranking #1 and #2 in various categories were:

• Juniper and Rose Children - Sisters First and Best Friends Forever 
• Juniper and Rose Children - One More Bite Please
• Juniper and Rose Children - We Will Always Come Back

The soon to be 42-year-old proudly denoted her experience as an author, publisher, and motivational speaker during an interview with Loop News on Tuesday.
In fact, she noted that she wasn't always interested in becoming a writer. Rodney, who migrated to the United States in 2006, said she initially dreamt of being a pediatric nurse, prompting her to enrol in college. However, two months in, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
According to the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body often causing emotional and mental distress.
Rodney said: "I went through a period in my life feeling lost and uninspired. Then one day, I heard a soft voice who [I] identified as God… whispered 'write for your healing'."
Despite feeling unsure, she combined her love for children with what would become her love for writing and in 2016, published her first book 'Juniper and Rose - Sisters First and Best Friends Forever'. 
Since then, Rodney has published 20 books, 15 of which are tailored for children.

Quoting former Prime Minister of the United Kingdon, Winston Churchill, who said “never let a good crisis go to waste” Rodney ensured that this happened.

Still, things did not come easy as she endured many challenges, her biggest one being a speech impediment.
She said: "I stuttered terribly which had me crippled with fear of failure, fear of the unknown and self-doubt causing me to have low self-esteem and a lack of confidence."
"As I embarked on the path of becoming an author, certified life coach and speaker, I had to diligently work on my mindset and also see my stuttering as my unique marker and own it 100%. Once I was able to do that I learned from my challenges and misfortune and use[d] the knowledge acquired to help me discover more about myself and what I am destined to do here on earth."
The latest trial Rodney encountered was her battle with COVID-19, becoming one of the first to be diagnosed with the contagion in the United States in March 2020. Her health deteriorated rapidly; she was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, was told that she might have lung cancer, her lungs started failing, she had pneumonia, was in heart failure and her liver and kidneys started failing.
Speaking positively despite that scare, Rodney praised God - and thanked her social media prayer warriors - for pulling her through.
She stated: “Over the past year, from childhood to now, I have been going through things and I realised now more than ever, over the past few years, that I was called [by God]. God pulled me through.”
She said to date, she has been healed from every illness.
Turning her attention to her fellow countrymen, Rodney noted that many persons hope to achieve success but pointed out that this may look differently depending on the individual.
She said: “It’s personal; it’s not one size [fits] all. You have the opportunity to make a difference in the world and in yourself don’t allow fear of failure, fear of the unknown and self-doubt to deter you from accomplishing your goals. Write your vision down and make it clear then go for it. Each day is filled with endless opportunities to do better. Choose to be optimistic, see your glass as half full and remember that the darkest part of [the] night is at dawn. Whenever times get rough or you feel discouraged, know that the sun is about to rise very soon and affirm yourself by saying ‘everything always works out for me’.”
Persons wishing to connect with Rodney can reach her at www.coachreea.com or www.darapublishing.co.
She can be emailed at [email protected] and [email protected].
Her social media handles are reearodney1 and darapublishing on Facebook as well as darawisdomandempowerment and @dara_publishing on Instagram.
Meanwhile, the literary pieces composed and published by Rodney are as follows:
Children’s storybooks

• Juniper and Rose: Sisters First and Best Friends Forever (English and Spanish)
• Juniper and Rose: One More Bite Please (English and Spanish) 
• Juniper and Rose Children - We Will Always Come Back
• Juniper and Rose Coloring and Activity Book (Volumes 1 ) 
• Juniper and Rose Coloring and Activity Book (Volumes 2) 
• A Boy Name Tuck: Tuck and His Magical Stick

Dara Wisdom and Empowerment Coaching Personal Development Workbooks for Kids

• I Am Uniquely Made and Exceptionally Beautiful Self-Esteem Workbook
• I Am Fearless, Selfless and Destined for Greatness Self- Confidence Workbook
• I Am Who I Say I Am Self-Talk Workbook 
• Standing in Our Greatness Self-Love Workbook
• If You Are Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands Self- Celebration Workbook
• Bully Here, Bully There, Do You Care Anti-Bullying Workbook

Children and Women Empowerment Journals

• I Am Getting to Know Me Reflection Journal for Kids 
• Learning How to Empower Myself: A 12 Week Guide Toward Self-Empowerment for Women

Self-Help Books

• I Empower Me - Mindfulness and Empowerment: A Guide For Parents and Educators
• 14 Steps To Writing to Self-Publishing Your First Book Without Hassle 
• 14 Steps To Writing to Self-Publishing Goal-Setting Guide
• 7 - Step Writing Process
  

Source: T&T News March 2021