Zoom Interview with John Matthew Walker & A Giveaway
By Deena Adams
Please welcome John Matthew Walker to the blog today. I met John online through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and I’m excited for you to hear our conversation about his latest novel, Moonlight Awakens, which addresses sex trafficking.
One person who comments on this interview by September 28 will win their choice of Moonlight Awakens or John’s previous novel Fire in the Moonlight. Thanks for the giveaway John!
Join the conversation. Do you like reading suspense novels? Does John’s story about sex trafficking intrigue you? What aspect of the interview did you enjoy most?
Be sure to comment by September 28 for a chance to win one of John’s books!
Moonlight Awakens by John Matthew Walker
Click the book cover for purchase link
At only seventeen, Emma is used, abused, and discarded. She runs a thousand miles away from shame and judgment and falls into the arms of a stranger.
One careless mistake, and she plummets into the hellish world of sex-trafficking. “The life” takes everything from her, starting with her name.
Deep in that darkness, Emma must find herself and find a away out.
Her story is a tantalizing suspense that awakens hope.
John is a husband, father, and physician. He started writing when the someday dream of writing a book collided with a moment of inspiration. His ancestors fled persecution in France. Leaving everything behind, they eventually made their way to North Carolina, then Ohio.
They took slaves from North Carolina and helped them gain freedom.
He realized their story needed to be told, so he began to write.
His most recent work, Moonlight Awakens is a story of hope born in the deep darkness of sex-trafficking. You can find him at johnmatthewwalker.com.
Connect with John: Website / Amazon / Blog / Inspirational Podcast / Facebook / Instagram
Please share this post to help spread the word about John’s books!
If you missed last week’s interview with Kimberly Russell, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
17 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Beverly Smith! You’re the winner of John’s book! Look for an email from him soon.
Thanks to all who watched and joined the conversation. Hope to see you engaging on this week’s interview with debut author Alyssa Schwarz!
Steven Rogers
What a great interview. I, like you Deena, love the gritty, real-life stories where the presence of God is revealed. I’ve just added this book to my Christmas list!
Deena Adams
Hi, Steve. Thanks so much for watching and joining the conversation! When God’s presence is revealed in the middle of a mess, even in a work of fiction, it gives me hope in the messes I face in this life. Hope you get John’s book for Christmas!
Debra D. Williams (Debbie)
Deena,
Great interview. Love his family story. I, too, come from Huguenot roots on my Daddy’s side via both of his parents. My DuPree family was part of the Manakin Huguenot Colony in Midlothian, Virginia. My Burdeshaws (Bordajeau) were members of the New Bordeaux Colony in what is now McCormick County, SC.
Just this week, I met a young lady locally who had been sex trafficked. I’ve had an opportunity to meet her at her business a few times. I think John’s book could be a way to open further lines of communication with her. I don’t know if she is saved. What a door-opener!
Thanks to both of you.
Blessings,
Debbie
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for sharing, Deb. I pray God will open the door for you to minister through John’s book.
John Matthew Walker
I love that! Opening doors for His Word is what our God does.❤️
Beverly Smith
Enjoyed hearing John’s writing journey and his heart for his story on human trafficking. Good insight into Christian fiction as well, including both your comments about realistic characters, realistic situations, and realistic stories. Thank you!
Deena Adams
Hi Beverly. Thanks so much for watching and joining the conversation! I appreciate your comments.
Sheila Sprague
Great interview! I read Moonlight Awakens and it was one of those books that you couldn’t stop reading until the last page. Sex trafficking is so very real and people need to be made aware of the horrors and realities that are affecting so many innocent lives. John is a fantastic author and brought so much of this to light in this book.
Deena Adams
Hi Sheila. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. I’m looking forward to reading Moonlight Awakens!
John Matthew Walker
Thanks, Deena. It was my please to be a part of your blog and join you for this interview.
Teresa+Moyer
Loved the interview! I liked his view point on fiction. I at first struggled with Christian fiction as so much came across as sappy or unrealistic. I had some moments where I would think either the author was living in a perfect bubble or most likely the editors/publishers were doing too much “clean up” as like he said, some come across as not realistic. I love mystery, suspense, thrillers the most. My least fav genre is still anything that the focus is a “love” story only because of my own personal background adding bias to that genre. But with that said I have read some really well written fiction that has a love story element and enjoyed it. But it needed to be realistic, not a flowery perfect love story as I do not believe that even exists.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for watching, Teresa! I too want the Christian Fiction I read to be realistic and I like a light romance thread, but not heavy on the romance element with all the touchy feely stuff. And yes on the mystery and suspense genre! Have a blessed week.
Tim Richards
Great interview Deena! John’s latest book sounds great.
Deena Adams
Thanks for watching, Tim! John’s book is on my TBR list and sounds like it’s now on yours! 🙂
Carla
Good interview! I find it interesting to hear what draws the author to write about a certain topic and how they decide to reveal God’s truths through their stories. I agree – the toughest problems or darkest parts of our world are where God’s light and hope shine the brightest. I’ve recently encountered a sex trafficking issue and am realizing exactly what the author mentioned – it’s happening in ways I’ve never considered. I’m looking for more info and understanding of the forms it can take. Thanks for sharing this interview.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading and commenting Carla. Sex trafficking is becoming a very serious and widespread issue, affecting those in our own small communities. I’m grateful for authors like John who tackle this sensitive topic in a format that’s more easily read and understood by some readers. May God continue to shine his light into the darkest places and bring freedom!