Welcome to my stop on my the virtual book tour for The Wall by David Pereda. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a very interesting guest post from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: The WallAuthor: David Pereda
Publisher: Drake Valley Press
Publication Date: July 4th 2021
Print Length: 335 pages
Genre: Contemporary Thriller
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THOMAS BERTRAM is an American living in San Salvador with his fiancée CECILIA. They own a popular neighborhood restaurant and plan to wed soon. Thomas's dream is to obtain a resident visa for Cecilia and return to the United States.
DOMINGO JIMENEZ and his wife BLANCA own a small repair shop across the street. Domingo's dream is to move to America as well so that his seven-year-old daughter NANCY can grow up speaking English and have a good education and a better life than he and Blanca had.
When armed gang members invade their neighborhood to demand "protection" money and threaten them with death if they don't pay, Thomas and Domingo's dreams for the future take on a new perspective. They decide to flee the country with their families through Guatemala and Mexico to seek asylum in the United States.
But their journey is more challenging than expected, and they face a myriad of difficulties and must overcome multiple obstacles that put not only their dreams but also their lives at risk.
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BOOK TRAILER:
Watch the book trailer below or by clicking here.
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EXCERPT:
Going through the jungle into Chiapas was harder than Domingo expected.
Damian, the coyote, set a fast pace, and they either followed or were left behind. The trails were narrow through the thick forest, and Damian often had to clear the way with a machete. Blanca was having great difficulties breathing, and Nancy was crying all the time; she needed milk, and there was none. It was hot and suffocating, which gave Domingo a feeling of claustrophobia. It was dark because the vegetation was so dense; he couldn’t see the sun or the sky, which made guessing what time it was confusing. Occasionally, a little ray of sunlight managed to sneak through the foliage, illuminating an isolated plant or trunk of a tree, giving Domingo the impression of being in a prison cell with a tiny window up high that let light in to remind him life existed elsewhere. There were only five people in the group besides Nancy—Damian, José, Blanca, Octavio, and Domingo. Octavio’s two friends, Ramiro and Manuel, had decided to save the little money they had and take a chance at crossing the Mexican border without being stopped by the Federales.
The group had slept overnight on the bare floor of a little hut in the jungle provided by Damian, who woke them at sunrise the following day. Besides the accommodations, Damian hadn’t offered any food or drink.
“What you eat and what you drink is up to you,” he had told the group. “I don’t provide any of that. My job is to get you through the jungle to a place close to Huixtla, where I’ll transfer you to Carlos, the coyote who’ll take you to the US border.”
After munching on nuts and granola bars, or whatever else they carried in their knapsacks that they could eat quickly, the group, led by Damian, started their journey single-file through the jungle trails at around 7:00 AM. They had been going now without rest for several hours. The men were still full of nervous energy and eager to get across to Mexico, but Blanca was exhausted and laboring for breath.
“I need to stop,” she said to Domingo, pale and gasping. “Eat something. Take a break. Anything. I can’t walk anymore.”
“Hey, Damian!” Domingo yelled as he stopped walking to tend to his wife. “Let’s stop for a few minutes. Blanca needs a rest.”
Damian turned around and marched to the back of the file where they were. The rest of the group stopped too and watched.
“Just a little longer,” Damian said. “We need to keep moving. The Indians here don’t like illegals crossing into Mexico. If they see us, they’ll report us to the authorities, and you’ll get caught and sent back to Guatemala.”
“How much longer?” Domingo asked. “We’ve been going non-stop for almost four hours. My wife is tired. She can’t go anymore.”
“We’re almost there. Just a little bit longer.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David Pereda is the award-winning author of eleven thrillers and mainstream novels. His books have won the Lighthouse Book Awards twice, the Royal Palm Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, and the Readers Favorite Awards twice. He has traveled to more than thirty countries around the world and speaks four languages.
Before devoting his time solely to writing and teaching, Pereda had a successful international consulting career with global giant Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, and Qatar, among others.
A member of MENSA, Pereda earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in California. He earned BA degrees in English literature and mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He loves sports and has won many prizes competing in track and show-jumping equestrian events.
Pereda lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where he teaches mathematics and English at the Asheville-Buncombe Community College.
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GUEST POST:
What Made Me Decide to Write THE WALL?
by
David Pereda
by
David Pereda
Readers often ask me two questions, "What was your inspiration for this book?" and "What made you decide to write THE WALL?" Intertwined, like conjoined twins, these two questions are best answered together as a pair.
The answer to the first question is simple, but the answer to the second question is more complex and layered.
Let me answer the first question first. "What was my inspiration to write this book?"
My students were my inspiration. During the past fourteen years, I've taught English to immigrants from all over the world, many of them undocumented. They shared their usually happy, sometimes sad, but always poignant and courageous stories of coming to America. I couldn't have written this novel without them and their stories. THE WALL is a testament to them and all the other immigrants and descendants of immigrants who dared come to the United States and help make America great. THE WALL is dedicated to them.
Now let me answer the second question. "What made you decide to write THE WALL?"
Over the years of listening to my students and their stories, I felt a growing need to write a meaningful yet entertaining novel that would address controversial immigration problems in our country but wouldn't preach. THE WALL is that novel, and many of the most dramatic episodes described in the book happened.
Unlike other novels about immigration, THE WALL is unique in multiple ways. It's both plot-and-character-driven, includes a relatable American individual living abroad whose fiancée can't get a visa, explores the problems faced getting to the border, crossing the border, and the aftermath that lies beyond the border. THE WALL also includes a layered ending with unexpected outcomes.
Too many fictionalized accounts of those fleeing their homeland are stereotypical and one-dimensional, driven by action sequences and violence as in American Dirt. Or, they're first-person narratives that primarily explore the adaptation problems first-and second-generation immigrants face in America, as in The House on Mango Street.
Though enjoyable, THE WALL highlights America's failing immigration policy, and it reveals what immigrants coming to the U.S. contribute. Some of the issues it raises are, for example, are most legal and illegal immigrants hard-working, law-abiding citizens—or criminals? And, are immigrants with money and position more likely to be successful than those who are poor?
These are some of the reasons that made me decide to write THE WALL.
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GIVEAWAY:
David Pereda will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
Looks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Good morning, Slehan. Thank you for your comment. It is an interesting book; it is based on interesting people and real situations. Good luck on the giveaway.
DeleteThank you for having me as a guest on your blog today. Throughout the day and periodically during the coming days, I will be checking in to answer any questions that you or your readers may have.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteLike your books and this one is another to add to my collection. Best of luck with the tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele. It is for readers like you that I write. As for The Wall, I consider this book among my very best. Good luck in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Wall immensely. Reading how you decided to frame the immigration issue was very interesting. I could feel the multiple layers as I read the book, especially as it diverged into the two distinct paths to America. I can't see an immigration report in the news without thinking of the characters in The Wall.
ReplyDeleteThank you, p.m. terrell. I'm delighted that you liked the book, and it left a lasting impact on you. There are several distinct paths to America. I explored only those of two different families from different socioeconomic backgrounds I could contrast from the same region
DeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita. People who have read THE WALL think it's a great book. Since I'm the author, I'll abstain from giving an opinion.
Deletecongrats on the release, this sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Wendy. Good luck on the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued and am looking forward to reading about their adventure.
ReplyDeleteThank for your comment, Katie. Let me know what you think after you read the book.
DeleteSounds like a very good book.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I think it's a very good book--and so do those who have read it and communicated with me. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteSounds like a great thriller! I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. I love that cover too--from my favorite cover designer, Dawne Dominique. Thank you for following the tor.
ReplyDeleteI meant TOUR
DeleteLooks like a lovely book, great tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Calvin. Good luck on the giveaway.
DeleteLooks like a good read
ReplyDeleteHi, Danielle. Thank you for your comment. Good luck on the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSuspense already building!
ReplyDeleteAerokorngal, than you for your comment. Wait until you get to the climax--excuse me, the two climaxes. In my books I always like to have two.
DeleteI so enjoy a good thriller!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Barbara, this is a thriller like no other you have read. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI love a good thriller thank you for the opportunity
ReplyDeleteDreaDrake1, enjoy this thriller--and good luck on the giveaway.
DeleteGreat excerpt, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for following the tour, Victoria. Enjoy the book.
DeleteThis book will definately be on my to be read list-it sounds dramatic and has some thriller added in.
ReplyDeleteHi Satkins, The Wall has a lot of thriller added to it. As best-selling author Paul Levine described it, "Timely, tense, and tumultuous, THE WALL is a family saga, a border thriller, and a novel of sizzling suspense."
DeleteThe book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Deb. I believe it is an interesting book--and so do those who have read it. Enjoy it.
DeleteHow long was the writing process?
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Deborah. Between the moment I come up with the idea for the book to its publication, it's usually two years, sometimes more. I know some authors can crank up books once a year, but I can't. I hope that answers your question. Good luck on the giveaway.
DeleteThis is the first time I've seen a book like this, and knowing that it comes from knowing people who have made this journey makes it a good book to read for learning and understanding. Very impressive background and a unique combo of math ability along with English literature, and Mensa, too, and also seems pretty humble.
ReplyDeleteRose-Marie, thank you for your comment. I try to follow the philosophy of Andre Malraux. I'll paraphrase: "If you're humble, you look up to people and learn from everyone. If you're arrogant, you look down on people and learn from no one--and eventually you become obsolete."
DeleteRegarding my books, they all have a great dose of reality in them because characters, locations and scenes are typically based on actual people, places and events.
This book seems to tell a gripping and engaging story that will keep readers turning the pages non-stop.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Nancy, that was my intention: to write a serious book about an important problem many countries are facing around the world, immigration, but do it in an entertaining fashion that would keep you engaged in the story and turning the pages.
DeleteThis book looks absolutely thrilling! I love the eye-catching cover!
ReplyDeletepippirose, I love the cover too from my favorite cover designer, Dawne Dominique. She always manages to convey the essence of the story with colors and figures. She has done a number of covers for me before, and they have all been outstanding.
Deletesounds like a fun one
ReplyDeleteDaniel (my only brother is named Daniel too), it was my intention to write an entertaining book but with teeth. The ending should be uplifting but the trip will be perilous and full of complications.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait till this book comes out
ReplyDeleteSatkins, this book is already out--and the e-book version is on sale for a limited time.
DeleteHave a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah. You too.
DeleteHow many books do you read in a year?
ReplyDeleteSlehan, I estimate I read about fifty books or so a year. Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeletelildevilgirl22 (I love your handle, by the way "Little Devil Girl 22" -- Ha Ha)-- I believe it is an interesting and, you might even call it, devilish book because of the way I developed the plot. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI love the cover
ReplyDeleteThank you, Danielle. I love the cover too, from my favorite cover designer, Dawne Dominique.
Deletethis is a must read for me-thanks
ReplyDeleteSatkins, let me know how you like the book--thank you for following the tour.
DeleteSounds like an interesting read, may have to get this!
ReplyDeleteDreaDrake1, thank you for your comment and following my tour. Good luck with the giveaway.
Delete