About the Book

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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About the Author

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.

My Thoughts

Both Sides of the Border is the first book that I have read by Terry Overton. This book is set in Coastal Texas and brings an interesting look at the US Mexico border. Our main characters are Dolores and Eva. Both from different worlds. Both have different hopes and dreams. Dolores along with Ernesto, and Emilio are on their way to America. They are facing a lot of challenges that include: shady police officers, the drug cartel, and lack of food. The author did a good job showing what real people face when heading to America. Despite doing so illegally. We also see Eva. Who is trying to start a new life. She is coming out of a horrible marriage. She lives very close to the border. She admires the beautiful towns of Mexico so much that she wants to take a vacation there.... until she sees some of the horrors and dangers. Eva's mother is not thrilled with this.

The author wrote her characters well. The point of views of each character were clear. The storyline is interesting and kept my interest. I learned a lot about the U.S. -Mexico border. The author did her research and was familiar with the setting. I hope to read more from this author.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program. All thoughts are my own.