Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Both Sides of the Border by Terry Overton

January 26, 2022

Book: Both Sides of the Border

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release date: March 30, 2021

Inspired by True Current Events.

Dolores, Ernesto, and Emilio Sanchez are on a quest to America to find work and to save their family, who has been devastated by their father’s accident and the drought in their home country of Honduras. But making their way to America would be too expensive for a family stricken by poverty. With only their faith in God to see them through, the teenaged siblings set off for their new home, despite the threat from the cartel, corrupt police officers, starvation, and death.

Meanwhile, Eva Jordan is determined to start a new life on the American side of the Mexican border, hoping to shake off the scars from a horrible marriage. Despite her mother’s concern for her daughter living so close to the border, Eva decides to take a vacation to the other side to sharpen up her Spanish and relax before her new job begins. She is struck by the beautiful towns of Mexico, but slowly, her eyes are opened to the dangers that are knocking at her front door.

When a hurricane washes away the border walls, will the two sides collide in hatred or unite in perfect harmony?

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I love reading books by "new to me" Authors and Terry Overton is an author whose books I have never read. Also, the synopsis of this book seemed to be a bit of a "challenging" read. I decided to read Both Sides of the Border, by Terry Overton for those reasons.

Dolores, Ernesto, and Emilio Sanchez are siblings who live in Honduras. The siblings are on a trek to America to find work, save money and bring the rest of their family to America. There are many Roadblocks on their trek to America, including threats from Police Officers, the Cartel and not having enough food. Eva Jordan lives in Texas close to the border of America and Mexico. She has just moved into her apartment and ready to start a new job. She decides to take a vacation to Mexico as it will help her with her Spanish before she starts her new job and she can get some relaxation in also. She is admiring all the beauty of Mexico and is enjoying her Vacation. Although she suddenly is awakened to the Dangers that lurk for her in Mexico. Will the Sanchez Siblings make it to America and find the "American Dream"? What does Eva Jordan learn from her time in Mexico? What will be the lessons learned for all?

WOW, this was definitely a "challenging" read. The book is a Fiction book based on True events. I had a hard time understanding the storyline at first, but i finally started to gain a bit of an interest in the book by the 3rd Chapter. I admire the Sanchez Siblings for their quest to live the American Dreams. It broke my heart to see them struggle to get here, and I realized that it the truth for many trying to come to America for a better life. Eva Jordan saw the "other side" and it seemed to click with her why so many try to make their way to America for a Better Life. The theme of the book is Immigration and the struggles so many face trying to "cross the borders". The book did not have an overly "Political" tone to it and I appreciated that. It definitely is very eye opening as to the Immigration struggles. I would highly recommend this book for those interested in this topic. Good Book!

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children and six grandchildren. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. She recently penned her first poetry book in honor of servicemen and women. Her book “Both Sides of the Border” is a Firebird Book Award winner in the categories of Cross-Genre, Socio-Political Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.

More from Terry

As a Christian author, my goals in writing “Both Sides of the Border,” were to have the reader question their own understanding of the people and events of U.S.-Mexico border, analyze these world events through a Christian worldview, and enjoy the plot’s twists and turns. During their travels, the main characters of the story display different levels of their own faith. In the end, both women have increased their faith and understanding of God.