A native of New York, Zayritah Dos Santos has eight children: Gennaro, Thomás, Sarita, Elijah, Mireya, Joaquin, Danilo, and Lola. When asked what prompted her to write this book, Ms. Dos Santos said, ''I believe strongly in the possibility that we can heal our own pain and lead fulfilling lives through personal growth, acceptance, forgiveness, and the refusal to pass our pain on to our children.''