At the age of fourteen, most girls spend their time worrying about clothes, friendships, and boys. But for Joyebell, homeless and living on the streets of South Dallas, everyday concerns are much more serious.
This is the real-life story of a teenage runaway, driven onto the streets by a home filled with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. But even when life seems hopeless, Joyebell stays strong by having faith that there is something better, no matter what things look like or how they feel, surviving every drama that comes her way with a spirit that emerges even more beautiful after the storm of her early life has passed.
Combining the dark realities of a troubled childhood with plenty of humor and heart, Hopefully Beautiful gives readers a firsthand look at the trials of living with a parent who has an untreated mental illness, as well as the difficulties of surviving and thriving after years of abuse, molestation, and rape.
Above all, this deeply personal memoir serves as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the ability to overcome obstacles and emerge triumphant-despite what seem like impossible odds-to remain... Hopefully Beautiful.
About the Author: Joye B. Moore is a singer-songwriter, actress, producer, and entertainer who is proud to add "author" to her list. A winner of Showtime at the Apollo, Moore co-wrote and co-produced the "Hopefully Beautiful" theme song as well as her debut album Project Butterfly: The Cocoon. She has performed the album's music on TV One, BET, and The Word Network and several songs are currently in rotation on the Gospel Music Channel. Project Butterfly: The Cocoon and other music by Joye B. Moore is available at joyebmoore.com
Moore was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, raised in Dallas, Texas, and currently lives in Richmond, Virginia where she is Operations Coordinator for an OST (out-of-school-time) System that coordinates consistent, high-quality expanded learning opportunities after school with program providers for low-income high stress background children.
Moore has been married to her husband Eric for thirty years and is a dedicated mother of three, stepmother of two, auntie-mother, grandmother, auntie, sister, and hopefully a good friend.