Monday, May 30, 2011

Tessa Stockton's "The Unforgiveable"

Title: The Unforgivable

Publisher: Risen Books

Cover blurb: Accused of the worst war crimes in the history of Argentina, Carlos Cornella is despised by a wounded nation…
“I’m in love with a monster. That’s what people call him anyway: monster, murderer, kidnapper, torturer, sociopath, even the devil. His crimes are so terrible that he may be unforgivable. But I have come to know him as something else. I know him as God’s Treasure. And I’m not sure what to do about that. So, here’s my story.”

1) How did this story come to you?
About 16-17 years ago, I was involved in human rights groups. In fact, I choreographed a dance suite in memory of victims of Argentina’s Dirty War. Then I sort of had an epiphany. God gripped my heart and compelled me to pray for the very people whom acquaintances wanted to see brought to trial. The rest came from dreams and ideas along the way, making its own sort of history.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Well, it took about ten years full of rejections and the attempt to write and explore writing in every genre to find what felt right. I’ve come full circle, now that I’ve received a three-book contract for what sparked my interest in writing in the first place. The entire experience I’d say helped me gain a thicker skin, which I needed, and greater patience, which I needed, I’m grateful for the past experiences, which have finally brought me to this point in my literary journey.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have regular conversations with my vacuum. I used to ride motorcycles, owned my own. And…I’ve eaten anything from ant soup to dog (although not together and not deliberately) during my worldwide adventures.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The Unforgivable is the first in a series, Wounds of South America. Each book in the series is about love and redemption in the midst of some of the desperate political situations in the southern cone. The second manuscript, set in Colombia, is turned in (to be released in 2012) so I’m working on the third installment. And I’m always chewing on other ideas in different genres, as well.

5) Parting comments?
There were times I experienced discouragement in my novel journey and even quit once. But my novel wouldn’t let me. Months later I was writing again. You know it’s a calling if you let it go, but it doesn’t let go of you.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
You can find me on Facebook, or Twitter, or any of those fine online social networks. I do a weekly blog, Pressing Through, on http://www.tessastockton.blogspot.com/. I’m also a monthly contributor at http://www.internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com/. Other than that, come harass me at http://www.tessastockton.com/!



BIO: A former contemporary dancer, Tessa Stockton, who was also active in politics and human rights groups, now writes novels. The Unforgivable is her first book in the Wounds of South America, a political intrigue series. Available in paperback, Kindle or Nook, The Unforgivable is set against the backdrop of Argentina’s Dirty War, where a Christian woman falls in love with a man accused of war crimes.

20 comments:

  1. Definitely interested in reading this book. Please enter me. Thank you.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  2. This is a great interview. My favorite comment from Tessa was, "You know it’s a calling if you let it go, but it doesn’t let go of you."

    Her journey to publication, the message placed on her heart, and the dedication to completing it are being blessed as we speak. I can't wait to begin reading this series.

    Karlene Jacobsen (southpawscribbler@gmail.com)

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  3. This book sounds very intriguing. It also sounds like it would be soul stirring to not only write but to read. I'm curious ~ where did you eat ant soup and are there ants floating in broth? Thank you for taking the time to be on K. Dawn's blog and for the opportunity to win a copy of "The Unforgivable."

    Blessings,
    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

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  4. Very interesting! I look forward to reading this series.

    Brandi
    vi2005@aol.com

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  5. I would like to read this since it was described by a reviewer as edgy. :)

    joyfulhutch[at]msn[dot]com

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  6. I'd really enjoy reading this one. Thanks. ladyoftruefaith@cox.net

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  7. Sounds intriguging
    michellekidwell1977@gmail.com

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  8. I have discovered that nothing is truly unforgivable if we let God have his way with us and the person who offended us. You can check out my website: judithrobl.com or email at judith at judithrobl.com

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  9. This is a very interesting topic and has piqued my interest!! My husband is from Venezuela and he has seen up close and personal the effects of the civil wars that have taken place there. Look forward to reading this and please enter me to win. margieatmijaresdotnet

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  10. I have put this book on my to-be-read list. Please enter me in the draw. christine(dot)d(dot)schmidtke(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Please enter me! I posted a link to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/05/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win_31.html

    I'm a subscriber and a follower by gfc

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  12. I loved the blurb that brought me in the most about loving a monster but overall seeing the God in him regardless of his horrendous titles. This is what most grabbed my interest.

    adriennaturner at earthlink dot net (email)
    www.adriennaturner.webs.com

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  13. I had never heard of the Dirty War until I read about this book. Thanks for sparking the interest. :)

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  14. What an interesting premise for a story...I've not really read much about South America in books so I think this one would be interesting. Thanks for the info about it.
    JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. Awesome comments, you guys - thank you! I take them all to heart. :) @Kameko/Beverly: The proudly served ant soup occurred in Southeast Asia. It was a vegetable-based soup loaded with red ant eggs. You could see the forms of ants in some of them. A few fully grown red ants were tossed in, floating on the top, I suppose, for presentation. Unaccustomed to that type of cuisine, I struggled to down the dinner with grace. My hosts watched my every bite. :/ Now, it's only a memory, but gives me something more to talk about. ;)

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  16. a wonderful posting....thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  17. Sounds very interesting!
    Allenkidz7@aol.com

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  18. Eating ant and dog?! Interesting!

    You are a new author to me and I'd love to win one of your books. I am an avid reader!

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  19. Well, I drew one name from a hat the good old-fashioned way. Und ze vinner is………Adrienna Turner. Congratulations! Adrienna, I’m contacting you privately. To everyone else, thank you for participating—and a big thanks to K. Dawn Byrd for hosting. What a fun site! Abundant blessings, y'all. : )

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