Prisoners of Hope: - a story about pain and healing

We are all going to die, eventually. Even though we are hoping for heaven, we are not eager to die immediately. We still have much to do while here on Earth, and we hope it will meet with favor in God's eyes. We are strengthened by hope and yet confined within the limits our hopes and beliefs set for us; we are "prisoners of hope," in author Fortune Nwaiwu's captivating phrase. In this well-crafted novella, minister and teacher Fortune E.C. Nwaiwu tells of the last days of respected Elder Levi, a man whose faith inspired many of his fellow church-goers, a man doomed to a premature death due to lung cancer and pneumonia, likely caused by his smoking habits. During Levi's last days, much occurs, including the sexual abuse of a God-fearing woman, the making and breaking of marriage plans, and a shoot-out between the police and some murderous kidnappers. In the end, the wisdom of her parents is confirmed for one of the central characters. Fortune Nwaiwu writes easily, clearly, wisely, and prolifically. I have been pleased to edit his book to fit the format expected by American readers, which I hope will be attractive to others all over the world. Professor Douglas Winslow Cooper, Former Faculty Member, Harvard University Walden, NY, USA

Fortune Emerence Chinemerem Nwaiwu is a published author of both literary and religious books. He did not come into writing because he was good at writing or he knew what to write. His writing skill came up as a manifestation of God’s benevolent gift bestowed on him. When he was an undergraduate student reading works written by people, especially Horace Walpole, Wole Soyika, and William Shakespeare, he desired to be a great author like them, and then he prayed to God to make him a great author. If he has nothing to write about and puts his pen on paper, some ideas and novel thoughts flow out from his imagination. After writing a Bible study guide titled Echoes of the Widows, he was touched, having felt the pains and agony of widowhood, then he set out to extend such sufferings and griefs of which widows experience into his novella titled Widows In The Web Of Grief. He has written many unpublished books. Due to lack of funds, he is unable to publish some of them them. The Devil in the Cathedral: A Shadow of Death was published in 2016, along with Echoes of the Widows with 400 copies produced for each. Since there was no finance or help, he decided not to write anymore...until Dr. Douglas Winslow Cooper, a former professor at Harvard University, USA, helped by writing the Foreword to Widows in The Web of Grief. Dr. Cooper’s assistance then motivated the author to write this heart-rending novella, Prisoners of Hope, a book Dr. Cooper has edited according to American conventions, for which the author thanks him. The author can be reached at: F.E.C. Nwaiwu Port Harcourt Nigeria Fortune.nwaiwu.fn@gmail.com