What is the State of Esperanza?
A Place
A physical place where hope exists, a land that offers a second chance, a home to build and belong.
A State of Mind
A way of moving through life with endurance, purpose, and the willingness to keep building.
In this story, Esperanza is more than optimism. It is the hope of belonging, the work of building a life, and the strength to keep moving forward.
about the book
From war and upheaval to New Mexico, State of Esperanza follows Sophie’s life alongside the lives around her through love, betrayal, danger, loss, and survival.
It is a story of family, immigration, history, and the struggle to build a life in the face of hardship and change.
meet the author
Writing this story, I realized how the feeling of hope for a better future can inspire people not only to persevere, but to inspire success in themselves and those around them. The working title of the book was The Longest Game, more about perseverance. But as the book progressed, hope became the dominant theme. I love New Mexico with its diversity of people as well as economic strata… Esperanza is essential in this state and is most often rewarded.
a featured excerpt
An early passage from the novel, where place and survival begin to take shape.
Finally, Becky, the German speaker who likes me, explains what will happen next. I am so grateful that I grab Becky’s hand and hold on as tight as I can. I don’t want to let go. I will be on an airplane and will get to see the Giant and his friend again… AND…I will get to live in America in a place called New Mexico.
YOUR state of esperanza
We all have memories, places, feelings or moments that carry us forward.
We invite you to share yours.
Probably sounds cheesy but mine is whenever family is all together and nobody is in a rush. That kind of thing means a lot more to me now than it used to.
― Miguel, Las Cruces, NM
Back porch, evening, dog asleep, little breeze. That’s it.
― T. Wilson, Santa Fe, NM
Mine is my garden in late summer. I’m not even very good at gardening. But there is something about taking care of one small thing over time and seeing that it mattered.
― Kate, Boise, ID
