Denise Hunter is the internationally-published bestselling author of more than forty novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 Club and been featured in Southern Living and Woman’s World. Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.
FF: More Than Friends brings readers to the charming setting of Chincoteague Island. What drew you to this coastal town as the backdrop for Jenna and Tyson’s story?
I’ve been wanting to write a story about wild horses for YEARS! When a reader told me how Chincoteague’s volunteer firefighters care for the wild ponies on the barrier island, I couldn’t resist making this the backdrop for my next story.
FF: Jenna and Tyson start out as lifelong friends. What do you enjoy most about writing a friends-to-more romance?
I love the tension that comes into play when one of the characters start catching feelings for the other! It feels out of bounds at first—and then there’s the fear that the other person still thinks of them as a friend. Should they take the risk of letting them know the truth—and possibly finding out their feelings are unrequited? Their heart is on the line, and worst of all, they could ruin an important friendship. It’s such a delicious quandary—especially since I know it’s all going to work out in the end.
FF: Tyson has a unique role as one of Chincoteague’s “saltwater cowboys” who help care for the wild ponies. How did that element shape his character?
Being a saltwater cowboy on Chincoteague is such a time-honored position. There are many people who desire the role, but it is only a select few who are chosen. Tyson watched his father fill this role and grew into it himself. He became a man who takes care of the people he loves. He’s loyal, honor bound, and loves being part of this ritual that’s been a Chincoteague tradition for over a hundred years.
FF: Both Jenna and Tyson are coming out of painful relationships. Why was it important for you to explore themes of healing and trust in this story?
It was important to me to explore themes of healing and trust in More Than Friends because love can’t truly take root without them. So many of us carry unseen wounds—disappointments, betrayals, losses—that quietly shape how we show up in relationships. I wanted to write a story that acknowledges those realities, rather than glossing over them.
FF: There’s also a thread of mystery surrounding Jenna’s mother’s new boyfriend. What inspired you to weave that subplot into the romance?
I needed something that would draw Jenna back to the island—and Tyson! I knew her deep love for her mother would be just the catalyst. They’re especially close since Jenna lost her father when she was young. I thought it would be fun (for me, not Jenna!) if her mother came home from a cruise with a too-good-to-be-true man in tow.
FF: Small-town communities often play a big role in your novels. What do you love most about writing stories set in close-knit places like this?
Small towns offer a close-knit community, the kind that seems lacking in today’s remote world. I think reading about small towns offers that satisfying connection for readers.
FF: Readers love the warmth and humor that run through your books. How do you balance lighthearted moments with deeper emotional themes?
I work on the deeper emotional themes. Most of these are conceived ahead of time, planned out, and researched. The humor is very organic—it just happens in the moment as I’m writing.
FF: What do you hope readers take away after turning the final page of More Than Friends?
At its core, More Than Friends is a story about hope—about the kind of love that doesn’t come easily, but proves all the more meaningful because of it. Jenna and Tyson’s journey isn’t without heartache. They both carry the weight of loss, disappointment, and the fear that opening their hearts again might cost them more than they’re willing to give.
But what I hope readers will see in their story is this: love is still possible, even after life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes the very things that break us are the things God uses to reshape our hearts, to deepen our capacity for love, and to lead us somewhere better than we imagined. Jenna and Tyson don’t just fall in love—they choose it. They step past fear, risk vulnerability, and learn to trust again. And in doing so, they discover that healing and love often go hand in hand.
My hope is that readers will close the final page feeling encouraged—that no matter what they’ve walked through, it’s not too late for a new beginning, a second chance, or a love that feels like coming home.
Buy More Than Friends from the FamilyFiction Amazon Affiliate HERE!
