Teresa's Tale
A romance novel about a Latin American
woman who flees poverty and gang violence
to seek refuge in the United States
Teresa and her family face two bad options: One, endure poverty and cruel gang violence in Honduras. Or two, ride the Mexican freight train, known as the beast, to find a better life in the United States.
The Mara Salvatrucha gang tortures and kills Teresa's father and boyfriend and threatens her and her brother. Her mother, Susana, now a widow, chooses the beast as the best of their bad options for Teresa and her brothers. Teresa travels through Guatemala and Mexico with her teenage brother, José, and her six-year-old brother, Pepe. When José falls from the beast to his death, Teresa abandons the beast, only to fall victim to a rapist.
Her fate changes when a Christian missionary in Mexico helps her overcome the devastation and trauma from the rape and restores her faith in God. Teresa makes it to the United States as an undocumented immigrant and falls in love with Matthew, a soccer star. But just when she sees some hope for happiness in her life, Matthew’s sister, Cynthia, betrays Teresa, and deportation tears them apart.
Click here to read the first chapter
Teresa's tragic life in Honduras and her travel through Mexico on the beast is based on actual events, as related by Mrs. Dora Sorrell. Dora departed Honduras and traveled on the beast to enter the United States as an undocumented migrant. She eventually married and became a U.S. citizen. Dora, a Christian, is not, and has never been, as some accuse, a drug dealer, murderer, or any other criminal. And this is the case for most of the migrants who flee poverty and gang violence in their native Central American countries.
The Mara Salvatrucha gang tortures and kills Teresa's father and boyfriend and threatens her and her brother. Her mother, Susana, now a widow, chooses the beast as the best of their bad options for Teresa and her brothers. Teresa travels through Guatemala and Mexico with her teenage brother, José, and her six-year-old brother, Pepe. When José falls from the beast to his death, Teresa abandons the beast, only to fall victim to a rapist.
Her fate changes when a Christian missionary in Mexico helps her overcome the devastation and trauma from the rape and restores her faith in God. Teresa makes it to the United States as an undocumented immigrant and falls in love with Matthew, a soccer star. But just when she sees some hope for happiness in her life, Matthew’s sister, Cynthia, betrays Teresa, and deportation tears them apart.
Click here to read the first chapter
Teresa's tragic life in Honduras and her travel through Mexico on the beast is based on actual events, as related by Mrs. Dora Sorrell. Dora departed Honduras and traveled on the beast to enter the United States as an undocumented migrant. She eventually married and became a U.S. citizen. Dora, a Christian, is not, and has never been, as some accuse, a drug dealer, murderer, or any other criminal. And this is the case for most of the migrants who flee poverty and gang violence in their native Central American countries.
Sandy Hall, a grand lady
My thanks to Sandy Hall, a published author (gazebo-gatherings.com), astute member of the Florida Writers Associated (FWA), and an active contributor to the Lake Helen Writers Group, (affiliated with the FWA). In the Lake Helen Writers Group, Sandy applies her keen eye for metaphor, simile, and story line as a mentor for many creative writers to produce vibrant and engaging fiction. I specifically thank Sandy for her excellent suggestions to make Teresa’s Tale a better novel. Regarding the novel’s story, she commented, “I love it!”
Ms. Sandra Justice Hall, Professor Emeritus of Literature and Creative Writing (Retired)
New York State University, Oswego, NY
Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
Elmira College, Emira, NY
Corning Community College, Corning, NY
Ms. Sandra Justice Hall, Professor Emeritus of Literature and Creative Writing (Retired)
New York State University, Oswego, NY
Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY
Elmira College, Emira, NY
Corning Community College, Corning, NY
My thanks Reverend Ana Andújar Vélez. As a pastor, she gave me valuable advice on the translation of my novel into Spanish, a language which is not my mother tongue. Even more important, I received recommendations from a pastor who not only knows the importance of good writing, and how to write clearly, she also advised me on the theological validity of what certain characters express in the novel.
Tom Laputka,
Former Mayor, Orange City, FL
Teresa's Tale is the compelling story about the horrific living conditions, due to poverty and gang violence, currently imposed on many communities in Latin America, conditions which drive many to become migrants and risk the dangerous trip north, seeking refuge in the United States. Teresa must overcome unimaginable dangers in her plight as she and her two younger brothers embark on a journey to this end. I found Teresa’s Tale to be a real adventure with all the elements of a good read.
- Tom Laputka, Former Mayor, Orange City, Florida
- Tom Laputka, Former Mayor, Orange City, Florida
Connie Lemon, Christian Dancer
Your earlier novel, Our Love's Rivalry with Religion, was a good read, but I enjoyed Teresa’s Tale even more. I read both books in one setting – just couldn’t put them down. I loved Teresa and her little brother, Pepe. The many tragic events in their lives brought tears to my eyes, and the heartwarming events that brought Matthew into Teresa’s life made me smile and rejoice. A wonderful story.
- Connie Lemon
“Really enjoyed your book. Could not put it down.” - Bonnie Beavers
