About this ebook
Unshaken is a powerful and deeply personal memoir that chronicles the extraordinary journey of a woman who endured the torment of mental illness, the trauma of a near-fatal stroke, and the unrelenting fight to rediscover her identity, purpose, and faith. Through raw storytelling and poetic reflection, the author shares the truth behind her descent into the darkness of bipolar disorder, unfiltered and unflinching, while offering readers a front-row seat to her rise, transformed by the grace of God.
This isn’t just a story about mental illness. It’s about survival: emotional, physical, and spiritual. It explores what happens when the mind betrays, the body breaks down, and life takes a devastating turn. From childhood wounds to euphoric highs that spiral into delusion, Unshaken walks readers through the highs and lows of bipolar disorder with vivid, relatable language. Each chapter pulses with the urgency of lived experience, drawing from the author’s hospitalizations, diagnoses, and unraveling. Yet in the midst of chaos, there is beauty. There is healing. And there is a God who never left her side.
What begins as a chronicle of decline becomes a story of revival. After enduring psychiatric breaks, stigma, and isolation, the author faces a second life-altering event: a massive stroke in December 2024 that nearly silences her voice forever. With new physical limitations, cognitive challenges, and the weight of past trauma, she finds herself fighting again, not just to survive, but to live with purpose.
In the aftermath, something unexpected happens. Through prayer, surrender, and the unwavering love of her husband, children, and God, she begins to heal. Her voice returns. Her passion for writing reignites. Her spirit begins to rise.
Divided into three parts: The Descent, The Breaking, and The Rising, this memoir captures each phase of the author’s battle and rebirth. From childhood flashbacks and trauma to pivotal moments like 9/11, broken relationships, spiritual encounters, and miraculous interventions, Unshaken delivers a deeply human story of resilience and redemption. It addresses mental health, forgiveness, motherhood, faith, and the power of storytelling to heal.
What makes Unshaken unique is its bold fusion of mental health awareness and unshakable faith. The author doesn't shy away from the hard questions: Why me? Where is God in suffering? Can brokenness be redeemed? Instead, she leans in and emerges with hope, a message for anyone who has felt too broken to be whole again.
Whether you’re living with bipolar disorder, supporting someone in crisis, recovering from trauma, or searching for signs of God’s grace in your life, Unshaken offers empathy, encouragement, and truth. It is a clarion call for awareness and spiritual renewal.
In addition to the memoir, this book includes:
A heartfelt Invitation to Faith and Prayer for Salvation
A personal Testimony of Hope
Resources for mental health, stroke recovery, and spiritual support
An Appendix titled Poetic Expressions from 7 East—poems written during psychiatric hospitalization, offering a creative window into the author’s healing process
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Overlook Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center and NAMI FaithNet to support others on similar journeys.
Unshaken is more than a memoir. It is a testimony. A voice for the silenced. A bridge between pain and purpose. A story for anyone who has been knocked down by life, but dares to believe that rising is still possible.
Discover more
About the author
Denise Pimentel is a passionate educator, mental health advocate, and survivor whose life is a testament to faith, resilience, and the power of community. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties and surviving a stroke in her forties, Denise has walked through darkness and emerged with a powerful message of healing and hope. Through her work as a teacher and one-on-one instructor, she’s impacted countless lives with compassion and purpose.
In Unshaken, Denise opens the door to her personal story, breaking the silence around mental illness and offering encouragement to others navigating similar battles. Her journey is not just about survival—it’s about finding strength in vulnerability and beauty in brokenness. Denise lives in New Jersey, where she continues to speak, teach, and advocate for greater awareness and empathy in both faith and mental health communities.
