Welcome to buddhaJuan

Carlos Velasquez author of Initiate: Final Hours was recently awarded a 5-Star review rating from Readers Favorites. This may not seem to be a great accomplishment, but for any first-time novelist and in navigating the world of marketing, receiving any review especially one from such a respected book reviewer is noteworthy. The story Initiate is my first writing endeavor since deciding to retire from the workforce and instead take to the pallet, the art of description (colors) and paint a story, instilled on the canvas of life experience. Over fifty years have passed since living the story Initiate, and retelling it as the protagonist has allowed me to share the joy and pain of that experience. However, experiences lived through and persevered, shape our destinies in subtle ways, resulting for me, in a lifetime of exploration, travel, and discovery; backpacking, mountain climbing, wandering in the Grand Canyon, living in a commune, encountering and knowing great people, searching for the meaning of 

God, and finding love, in true, full exalted splendor.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bronx, during the nineteen fifties and sixties when kids played in the streets till dusk, through hard work and honesty, I have a life well lived in California, and Hawaii, before the age of computers and social media. I am now a storyteller sharing those intimacies and Initiate: Final Hours is my first story and by the grace of God there will be many more colorful canvases, depicting the marvels of life and love.