Good Monday Morning, reader friends!
Today, we’re hosting Denise M. Walker who is here to talk about her book, Hannah’s Hope.
Enjoy!
Interview with Denise M. Walker about her book, Hannah’s Hope:
Alexis: Why did you write this book?
Denise: I wrote Hannah’s Hope to bring awareness to the reality of child abuse and the struggles of our youth. We need to protect our children.
Alexis: What is the significance of your book’s title?
Denise: One night I had a dream about this book before writing any words. God gave me the name. The name Hannah in Hebrew means grace or favored. Despite our struggles and pain, I believe God shows us His amazing grace. He turns our tests and trials into testimonies, and he wants to use us to help others. Hope reminds me of Jesus. He is our only hope and will see us through. He will also send others to shine His hope in our darkest hours.
Alexis: Tell us about Hannah Monroe, the heroine of your story. What does she look like? Does she speak with an accent? What sets her heart on fire? What gives her hope?
Denise: Hannah is an African American middle school girl. She is dark skinned with natural hair. She’s hardworking and loves reading and writing but finds it difficult to focus on school. Hope comes to Hannah through her best friend and father. As a middle school student, Hannah never thought she would experience such pain. She just wants to be a kid but wonders if her other peers might be experiencing similar things they don’t want to talk about.
Alexis: What role does Hannah’s Aunt Loretta and her husband, play in this book in relation to how they affect Hannah’s story?
Denise: Hannah experiences abuse in their home.
Alexis: What role does Hannah’s friend Monet play in this story? How did they meet? Is Monet a good friend to Hannah? Explain.
Denise: Monet plays the role of a true friend. When Hannah feels that she can’t take it anymore, Monet is right by her side encouraging her to tell someone. They met in elementary school.
Alexis: What can you tell us about the darkness that gripped Hannah’s childhood innocence, without giving away the story?
Denise: Hannah comes to realize that she can’t trust those she is supposed to trust the most. Trying to endure such pain and not get anyone in trouble is destroying her emotionally.
Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this story?
Denise: I want readers to remember that our middle school girls endure more than we can ever know, and they don’t know what to do about it. Therefore, they result to acting out.
Alexis: Would you like to see more stories like yours published by CBA? Why or why not?
Denise: Yes, I love to learn more about other authors.
Alexis: Now for the fun questions…write your answers in italics.
- Who is your favorite actor?
I guess I would say my favorite actor is Idris Elba.
- Who is your favorite actress?
My favorite actress is Angela Bassett.
- What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is teal.
- How do you take your coffee (or tea)?
I take my coffee with creamer and natural sweetener. I love my tea with natural sweetener as well.
- Who is your favorite author?
I do not have a favorite author. I love to read many different authors in Christian Literature.
- What is one book (besides The Holy Bible) that you cannot live without?
It is not a book. However, I take my calendar everywhere. Otherwise, I would forget something.
- Which Bible verse keeps you going when times are tough?
Psalm 91 (ESV) is one of my favorites. Here are the first few lines: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Denise! Do you have closing comments?
Denise: In closing, I pray that you all would come to realize and embrace your true identity in Christ. You are not your past, your pain nor your fears. You are the image of Christ. Be Blessed!
*Interview conducted by Alexis A. Goring, contributor
About the Book:
Hannah’s Hope (“My True Identity” Teen Series)
Since she could remember, young Hannah Monroe has endured pain and struggles.
Now, she’s moved in with Aunt Loretta and her husband.
After arriving, Hannah was delighted to just be a kid and hang out with her friend, Monet, steering clear of all the girl drama but griping about the mounds of homework and their annoying peers.
One day darkness creeps in, securing its grip on her childhood innocence.
At only twelve years old, Hannah wonders if she will ever find hope to overcome the darkest moments of her life.
Will any one ever believe her? Will anyone even care?
Buy this book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
About the Author:
Denise M. Walker is a pastor, wife, mother, minister, podcaster, experienced educator and entrepreneur.
Denise has educated youth for over 18 years and served in the field of education for 22 years. Most of her career has been serving middle school youth.
She is the founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries, Inc. and the owner of Armor of Hope Writing & Publishing Services, LLC. In addition, Denise M. Walker is the creator and facilitator of the Hope-in-Christ Book Club Facebook group, the host of the Book Review Radio Show, Hope-in-Christ w/Denise and Building Literacy & True Identity podcasts. Her ministry’s mission is to lead others to the truth of Christ, build literacy, and assist individuals in walking in their true identity in Him.
Denise has written several blogs on the Hope-in-Christ Ministries platform. She has penned three books, Re-Presenting God, a youth journal on the deity of Christ; Hannah’s Hope, a teen novel about overcoming abuse and The S.C.R.I.P.T. journal for aspiring Christian writers. She has also co-authored several anthologies.
Currently, she working on her second novel, Hannah’s Barren Womb, a Bible study journal called Is This English Class or Bible Study? and another journal for women and girls.
Denise also has a passion for designing her own curriculum in order to build reading comprehension and grammar skills in others.
Follow Denise online: Ministry Website, Business Website, Author Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
Diversity Between the Pages 