Sue Julsen's Blog, page 13
July 5, 2013
SEVEN BOOKS - SEVEN EXCERPTS
* BITTER MEMORIES: A MEMOIR OF HEARTACHE & SURVIVAL * Starting at age three, I had a life no child should ever have. It was a life of sorrow, neglect, and abuse. As a kid, I wished time and again to forget all that had happened, but I couldn’t. I’d been left with scars from so many bitter memories, voices in my head, and nightmares. Horrendous nightmares that I felt sure would haunt me for the rest of my life.
* DROWNING IN MEMORIES * Lying in bed, still shaking, I watch the clock on my headboard and listen to the tick…tick…tick… As another minute ticks by, my body stiffens. Panic sets in. The illuminated hand snaps off another minute, then another… Drowning in memories, drowning in another nightmare, once again, bitter tasting memories of the bloody sight on the floor had awakened me. Luckily, before the scream building inside had burst into reality.
* CUTTER'S REVENGE * Laughing, he went up the stairs, leaving her hanging from the chains, crying. Reaching the top of the stairs he listened to her for nearly a minute before switching off the light and closing the door on the pretty lady’s sobs.
* TROPHY MURDERS * Pulling the keys from his pocket, Henry allowed his thoughts to drift back to earlier in the day. It had been just before lunchtime. He’d been sitting at his desk going over the officer’s reports from the grave shift, monitoring the radio calls in the background, when he heard the call that had changed his relaxing day into a nightmare.
* ONE IN A MILLION: A TRUE STORY OF FRIENDSHIP * David was only twenty-two years old when he was told he was going to die. The doctors gave him maybe six months, a year max, if he was extremely lucky. Instead of wanting to crawl into a shell while waiting for this day to arrive, David smiled, looked the doctor in the eye, and said, “Then I better get busy. I have a lot of happiness and love to spread around before I die.”
* FROM THE HEART: A COLLECTION OF POEMS AND STORIES * I hadn’t cried since being told she was dead. Going to bed that night, I had words running through my head, and they wouldn’t stop. Sitting up in bed, I turned on the light and wrote those words down.
* THE ROSE: A TALE OF FANTASY * Her long blond hair blew wildly in the wind as she ran through the woods in a blind fury. Scattering dust like a whirlwind behind her, she ran down the well-known path, through the trees, and into the clearing. She had to get home before it was too late. For more info please check out all the books on my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
Also, please visit my Facebook author/fan pages, and click "like" while you're there. THANKS!
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
June 29, 2013
NOT ALL MEMORIES ARE BAD
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is not an easy book to read since it is a true story of a little girl (me) kidnapped by her father, living a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified...There is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, therefore be prepared for strong language (that I heard daily), and explicit content.Available in Paperback, E-Book and in Audio with Roni Gallimore narrating.
Drowning In Memories continues the true story from Bitter Memories that includes many memories that were not all bad. Told in two parts: Bitter Tasting Memories, part one; After Midnight, part two (dedicated to my big brother), and a bonus short story, One In A Million: A True Story of Friendship.
Some of the dialog has been recreated from memory, and some recreated using known characteristics and actions of the person being quoted, but the stories contained here are as close to the truth as I know them to be.
Available in E-Book. Paperback coming late 2013.
Trophy Murders, written for my fiction fans, delves into my vivid “where did that come from” imagination to deliver an action-packed crime story. Here, mixing truth with fiction, I continue the journey after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life I wouldn’t wish on any kid.
Available in Paperback and E-Book.
Cutter's Revenge continues my story after my adoption, again mixing truth with fiction, but anyone who’s read the other books will know instantly what’s true and what isn’t in this story. While another fictionalized serial killer stalks our little town, I write my story the way it could have been if...turning tragedy into a fantastic, exciting read! Cutter’s Revenge is unrelentingly suspenseful. ENTER CUTTER'S WORLD -- IF YOU DARE!
Available in E-Book. Paperback coming later this year.
Trophy Murders and Cutter’s Revenge are both filled with action, suspense, drama, secrets, a love story, and more. The language is toned down, the abuse is not nearly as intense or as often, and my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic, but all this makes an exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
From The Heart is a collection of fifteen poems written from various events in my life. Included are short stories that inspired the writing of each poem. This book is also available in audio with Beth MacEwan narrating. Beth did an amazing job bringing life to each poem and story. The audio version is totally awesome!
Available in E-Book and Audio only.
The Rose: A Tale of Fantasy is a heartwarming story for all ages, and the perfect story for the inner child. Hollymae is a girl with a "special gift" and powers she isn't even aware of yet. When she learns the animals of the forest that she loves so dearly are in danger, with her faithful companions by her side, somehow, Hollymae must save the animals from sure death. I hope you’ll enjoy The Rose as much as I enjoyed writing the story.
Available in E-Book. Audio coming later this year.
One In A Million: A True Story of Friendship is about an amazing man who changed the direction my life was heading and brought me back from a never-ending abyss.
After I'd attempted suicide, I met David, another patient on the psych ward suffering from deep depression. He'd been admitted on a suicide prevention watch. However, holding a heartbreaking secret, David had a good reason to be depressed.
Becoming instant friends, David shared his secret with me, and after leaving the hospital, he began to show me life through his eyes. With his demons controlled, this young man loved life and saw beauty in everything around him.
David only wanted to be there for his friends and to help others, but no one could help David. No one could change what was to come for my dear friend.
One In A Million is a true story of friendship and love between two friends helping each other deal with spirals of emotions, good and bad.
David truly was One In A Million.
Available in E-Book and also the bonus story included in Drowning In Memories.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
June 9, 2013
Website Updated - Check out what's new!
Bitter Memories, a memoir told from the heart, is the true story of my early life after being kidnapped by my father.I was only three years old.
Now living a life on the run, hungry, terrified and abused, Sarah (my name in the book) doesn't know if I'll ever see my mother or my home again.
As the abuse escalates, Sarah splits into multiple personalities in order to survive.
Although the names in this unforgettable story have been changed to protect the innocent, and the guilty, the events are factual.
Bitter Memories is a heartfelt journey into the world of extreme child abuse, but also the will to survive.
This book is dedicated to all abuse survivors, and is written in hopes that exposing these horrors will help prevent them from happening to others.
Explicit and unnerving, Bitter Memories is not a cozy, feel-good book. It does contain adult language and overt sexual content.
Drowning In Memories is the story my fans have waited for.
With a bonus story at the end, this book is written in two parts.
Part One continues the true story after going to live with my uncle, the cop, and his heavy-handed wife, then moving on to after l left home.
Part Two I talk about many times in my life. I tell about my mother's sister, who I ended up living with and running away from, and of a time I literally ran from an abusive husband with nothing but my Siamese cat and what clothes I could fit into a paper sack, finding I was happier than I'd ever been in my life. I also talk about my big brother who I'd never met in book one.
Included is the bonus story, a very special tribute about a wonderful man who brought me back from a never-ending abyss after my suicide attempt, giving me hope to go on. This man changed the direction of my life.
Cutter's Revenge, the last in the series, is very little truth mixed with crime fiction to complete the series in a way that I wanted my story to end by getting my pound of revenge for some who hurt me.
A man believing he has amnesia walks the streets trying to remember who he is; where he came from, when in reality he suffers from a personality disorder.
Henry Frye is at his wits end after numerous men and women vanish from small area towns, then one of his own officers turns up missing.
He doesn't know a serial killer will soon be stalking his own backyard.
Determined to find out all she can about the missing people, Henry's dispatcher uncovers an old Army report with a picture showing frightening, sadistic eyes of a Stan Clark, later nicknamed "Cutter" by the Army.
When a car fitting Clark's vehicle is spotted on the highway, and he makes a run for it, officers from area towns join the chase, pursuing the suspect to a house on a hill.
Once inside the house, the officers stumble upon a delusional maniac in the basement, and a gruesome sight upstairs. Pure evil lives here!
Before years of lies from the past can destroy him, Henry opens his heart and soul, praying Sarah can forgive him when she hears the truth.
And, for my fiction fans, this book is for you!
Trophy Murders, based on the true story, is the realistic fiction sequel that continues Sarah's story from Bitter Memories, mixing some truth with an exciting crime story.
Munday, Texas: Small town. Peaceful. Quiet. The perfect place to raise a family—or is it?
Henry Frye, the new police chief, is asking himself this question after a gang moves into town and a murdering spree begins.
How many of his townsfolk must die before he catches the ones responsible for turning his town into a place of terror?
Sarah's repeated nightmares
takes Henry to the prison to talk to her father. Henry wants answers, but will Eli tell him the truth? When Jake Miller, Henry's ex-captain and friend, shows up, unannounced, Henry knows something is terribly wrong.
He's been waiting all day for an overdue call from Mona, his mistress; the love of his life. Has something happened to her? What does Jake know?
Things heat up after a fiery car crash leaves one gang member hanging onto life. Can Henry find out all he needs to know before the man dies?
Henry and Officer Holloway enter the gang's house where they find more bodies, a gruesome sight in the kitchen, and a "shrine" that unnerves Henry.
This completes the Bitter Memories series, but please visit my website to learn about my other books.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
Also, please visit my Facebook author/fan pages, and click "like" while you're there:
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
June 5, 2013
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: SIMONE DA COSTA
Author Interview: Simone Da Costa -- Writer & AuthorOfficial Website: www.simonedacosta.com
Blog Site: www.simonesblog.net
Simone's blog offers marketing, advertising and promoting for book, eBook authors, publishers, self-publishers and anyone in the writing arena.
What are the names of your current books?
Remember to Pray: Day Planner, 2013 Day Planner and my recently debut children’s book called A Silly Rhyming Alphabet Book about Animals from A to Z.
What projects are you working on now (or next)?
I have a few things going on, but I am currently working on my next children’s book which will be out soon.
When did you start writing, and why do you write?
Firstly, one of my favorite past time when I was in high school was reading and from reading, I became interested in writing. Writing was a hobby at first and for a long time which led me to gradually writing professionally. Secondly, I write because of the way it makes me feel - happy. I love the playfulness of words and the sky is the limit when I write, there are no boundaries and I enjoy that amongst other things about writing.
What inspired your first book?
My relationship with God.
Your debut children’s book was recently published. Tell us a bit about the book.
It’s a silly, rhyming alphabet book, but educational at the same time.
What makes it silly?
Silly in the sense that there are animals driving cars, ironing, praying and other silly things happening - it’s great imaginative fun. Educational because it is an instructional book in which children will learn the alphabet and be introduced to animals new and known. The illustrations are vibrant and fun, love them.
Whose idea was it to make them so colorful?
It was my idea, as I know that children gravitate towards books with colorful characters, hence the illustrator and I worked closely together to birth my vision for all the characters.
Do you have a writing regimen?
No, but I try to write everyday to keep the writing juices flowing, but I do not always get a chance to.
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
SD: Many-a-times, I know what I want to say, but somehow it did not come out in the same way on paper.
What else would you like to tell your readers?
Make sure that you write for the love of writing and the joy it brings and not for monetary gain. If not, you will be disappointed because not all writers become bestsellers or make any money, if any at all.
Biography
Simone Da' Costa is a writer, author, self-publisher and freelance magazine writer. Simone has written many articles for several North American Magazines. She has self-published two books, Remember to Pray and 2013 Hummingbird Day Planner. She recently debut her first children’s book, A Silly Rhyming Alphabet Book about Animals from A to Z and it has already received stellar.
Simone is a writer who enjoys the compelling feeling that writing brings. In the words of Miss Da Costa ‘Writing is seen as a tool with which to free yourself in a limitless world of playful words while at the same time welcome your ideas, thoughts and imagination onto the page. Most off all, the passion to write is, simply put, inspiring, challenging, enjoying and empowering.
Simone operates a blog called ‘Simone’s Blog – Depicting the writer in you.’ A blog designed to stimulate a writer’s creative spirit in expressive that gives joy to the creator as well as the reader.
Links to website's where my book can be purchased
1. Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Silly-Rhyming-A...
2. My Blog: http://simonesblog.net/
3. Official website: http://simonedacosta.com/?cat=20
4. Book-spot.com: http://book-spot.com/book/spot/index....
5. Sweeties Picks!: http://www.sweetiespicks.com/a-silly-...
Please visit Simone's pages and check out her books.
And, you can visit my website to find all my books.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
June 2, 2013
DROWNING IN MEMORIES, THE SEQUEL
HERE IT IS! The e-book you've been waiting for -- the true sequel to Bitter Memories -- is now available!
Learn about my amazing brother in this sequel, and a lot more!
Find it at the bottom of the "The Series" page on my website.
Enjoy!!
Drowning In Memories continues the true story from Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival. Told in two parts: Bitter Tasting Memories, part one; After Midnight, part two (dedicated to my big brother), and a bonus short story, One In A Million: A True Story of Friendship.
Some of the dialog has been recreated from memory, and some recreated using known characteristics and actions of the person being quoted, but the stories contained here are as close to the truth as I know them to be.
The first in the series tells of my life after being kidnapped by my father (I was only 3 years old) then, for 6 long years I lived a life on the run, abused and terrified. A tear-jerker story. Adult language and graphic content!
The last in the series, based on the true story, tells this part of my story the way I wanted it to be. Complete with a sadistic serial killer I get my revenge! Enter Cutter's sadistic world -- IF you dare!
Also based on the true story, this is the realistic fictional sequel to Bitter Memories. NOTE: The demise of my father "could have" happened this way.
Fifteen poems from different times in my life while searching for peace. In this book I share feelings never shared with a soul until this book, including short stories that inspired each poem.
A cute fantasy, complete with talking animals that try to help their "Queen of the Forest" in her quest when they learn of danger coming to the city and to the forest.
A heartwarming story about a wonderful man who helped change my life while helping me find my way back from a never-ending abyss after my suicide attempt. An awesome story of friendship.
Please visit my website to learn more about my books.
May 24, 2013
One In A Million - New Book on Kindle
My new book, similar to a memoir, just came out today on Kindle. Please check it out!
One In A Million: A True Story of Friendship is a story about an amazing man who changed the direction my life was heading, and brought me back from a never-ending abyss.
After I'd attempted suicide, I met David, another patient on the psych ward suffering from deep depression. He'd been admitted on a suicide prevention watch. However, holding a heartbreaking secret, David had a good reason to be depressed.
Becoming instant friends, David shared his secret with me. Leaving the hospital, he began to show me life through his eyes. With his demons controlled, this young man loved life and saw beauty in everything around him.
David only wanted to be there for his friends and to help others.
But, no one could help David. No one could change what was to come for my dear friend.
One In A Million is a true story of friendship and love between two friends helping each other deal with spirals of emotions, good and bad.
David truly was One In A Million.
Please visit my website to learn about all my books below.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen 
May 19, 2013
ACTION - SUSPENSE - AND MORE!
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is the true story of my life after being kidnapped by my father, then living a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified ... so terrified that I split into multiple personalities … a truly unforgettable, unnerving story of extreme child abuse and my fight to survive…
NOTE: Bitter Memories is NOT a cozy, feel-good book. It's a true story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive. It contains adult language and heartbreaking, graphic content, but it was my life.
Trophy Murders (creative non-fiction/crime fiction) mixes fiction with truth for an action-packed crime story as I take you further on the journey of true events after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life I wouldn’t wish on any kid … Problems at school, continued nightmares from my past, and a narrow-minded, bigoted Olivia, brings me to a dangerous low in my life … After a gang moves into town and a murdering spree begins, Police Chief Henry Frye (my uncle) is asking himself how many must die before he catches the ones responsible for turning our quiet, peaceful town into a place of terror … Still trying to hide his own secrets and lies, Uncle Henry is afraid if I find out the truth it will destroy me ...
Cutter's Revenge (psychological thriller/crime fiction) mixes about five percent truth with fiction. However, anyone who’s read the other two books will know truth from fiction instantly. Using many of the same characters I bring you another serial killer, maybe more ruthless than the gang of killers. As he stalks our little town, I continue my story after my adoption, leaning toward the way my life could have been IF .… turning tragedy into a fantastic and exciting read! This book was fun to write while it provided me with the perfect opportunity to get “revenge” against a few who made my life hell. With a ton of suspense to get the heart racing, my imagination runs as rampant as the stalking serial killer bringing terror around every turn! Although pure fiction on the revenge it does make for a pulse-pounding, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair thriller. If you want a bit of revenge right along with me ... Enter Cutter's World ...
Trophy Murders and Cutter's Revenge are loaded with action, suspense, drama, secrets, a love story, and so much more. And, my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic. I hope you’ll enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing these two books.
From The Heart (non-fiction) is a collection of fifteen poems from events in my life including short stories that inspired the writing of each poem. Starting with my first poem written at age nine after the death of my mother, I expose feelings never shared before … Also available in audio with Beth MacEwan narrating, From The Heart is not only inspirational but truly awesome hearing my words spoken. Beth did an amazing job bringing life to each poem and story.
The Rose: A Tale of Fantasy introduces Hollymae, a young girl with a "special gift," who must save the animals of the forest from a band of men coming to harm them. She doesn't know the full strength of her powers, or the many powers that hasn't even surfaced yet, but with her faithful companions beside her, Hollymae begins her quest...
The Rose is a story for kids of all ages with many special animals (and magic) to bring happiness to your heart. This is the first in the "fantasy" series.
Visit my website for more information on the books, and links to amazon to order:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
Visit my Facebook author/fan pages, and please click "like" while you're there:
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
May 18, 2013
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: NATHAN DANIELS
Author Bio:
Nathan Daniels is the author of, Surviving the Fourth Cycle, a new
non-fiction book about surviving abuse, overcoming suicide, and learning to live with mental illness.
Nathan grew up in Massachusetts, where he lived in fear and suffered abuse at the hands of his psychotic father and older sister. The only source of love in his life was his mother, who did her best to protect him from his ominous surroundings.
Frequently molested by his big sister, beginning when he was six years old, Nathan endured this dark secret for nearly a year. At the same time, he did his best to hide from the verbal emasculation and looming threat of violence that his father had to offer.
Nathan's parents eventually divorced, and he moved across the country to live in Texas. There he would face social isolation, living with his mother, grandmother, and a new step dad.
He did not attend school for a full year, and had no peers in the dusty, forgotten trailer park where they lived for a year.
Next came Maine, where he did enroll in school and tried to fit in with kids who hadn't had sexual relationships with their sisters, or been in bar fights (at eight years old) for their drunken daddy's amusement.
It was here that his mom discovered she had Breast Cancer, and he learned his best friend was going to die.
They moved back to Texas again, and the Nathan continued his downward spiral into madness during another long year of seclusion. He began "cutting" himself on a regular basis, and he developed chronic PTSD and severe insomnia.
After another year the family relocated again, moving back to Massachusetts where Nathan began losing touch with reality, while his mother's health deteriorated. She died within a year, and when Nathan tried to reach out to his estranged father, he found out he'd died as well.
At seventeen, Nathan Daniels found himself orphaned, homeless, and at the brink of madness.
He overcame his desperate situation, doing his best to adjust to the world around him, going back and forth between periods of high functionality and intense bouts of insanity for the next twenty years of his life.
He has managed to achieve success as a warehouse manager, and has worked as a Kung-Fu teacher and tattoo artist. An avid bodybuilder and fan of wrestling, Nathan was a semi-finalist in the WWF's first season of, Tough Enough. He's also a licensed truck driver and nationally certified personal trainer.
Nathan Daniels has been diagnosed with: Borderline Personality Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and he suffers panic attacks, insomnia, hallucinations, self-mutilation, and suicidal tendencies.
Nathan lives with these psychological disorders, and against all odds, he survived a lifetime of trauma.
With a family of his own now, he had to unlock the mysteries of his mind to prevent himself from succumbing to the call of the grave.
He now uses writing to raise awareness for, and fight the stigma associated with abuse, suicide, and mental illness.
Book Description:
Surviving the Fourth Cycle
After a turbulent childhood filled with traumatic events, including the death of his parents, Nathan Daniels downward spiral brought him into hopeless despair and thoughts of suicide.
Orphaned and homeless, he miraculously clawed his way out of the bottom of the barrel and lived a relatively normal life for nearly five years before he felt himself starting to slip into a familiar darkness.
A cycle had begun that would continue to repeat itself throughout his life with ever-growing intensity and threats.
Surviving the Fourth Cycle swings pendulously back and forth between two stories that ultimately bleed into one.
You will experience the author's most recent battle with mental illness through raw and honest journal entries that give you a rare "fly on the wall" perspective from a truly haunted mind.
At the same time, Nathan rips his closet door off its hinges and lets all the skeletons come rattling out through a series of writings that are, in essence, the chapters of his life.
You are in for a bumpy ride as he picks through the bones in these extremely personal essays that examine the intense relationships and experiences that have led to both his struggle to function in society, and his ability to persevere.
Author links:
Main Website
http://survivingthefourthcycle.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Nathan.danie...
Twitter
https://twitter.com/NathanDaniels75
Linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nathan-da...
Google+
https://plus.google.com/1051735556914...
Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/nathancdaniels/
Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPj35...
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Like or Follow Surviving the Fourth Cycle:
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surviv...
Google+ Page
https://plus.google.com/1124284034990...
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
To Purchase Surviving the Fourth Cycle:
From the publisher
http://booklocker.com/books/6455.html
From Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/SURVIVING-FOURT...
From Barnes & Nonble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/survi...
From Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/surv...
I understand the pain Nathan tells about in his book, and I highly recommend Surviving the Fourth Cycle. Like Nathan, I too, am a survivor of child abuse. To learn about my own struggles and my fight to survive, please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
May 12, 2013
Woman Of Purpose Spotlight
I had the honor of being "in the spotlight" this week on Winsome-Campbell Green's blog: Women, Beauty, Purpose And Empowerment (WBPE). This is what was said (with the "Bio" moved to the bottom):
I am the author of the bestselling Bitter Memories series, but there is nothing sensational about my story. Any child who has suffered at the hands of another will know this. My abuse was extreme, but it doesn’t take extreme to mess up a kid. Society tries to sweep child abuse under the rug. Society doesn’t want to admit that children are hurt in those ways, usually by a person claiming to love them.
Any way you want to look at it: child abuse is still abuse. Whether that abuse is physical, mental and/or sexual, the feelings are the same. The hurt is the same. The child thinks what happened was their fault. They think they are “bad” and that’s why those things happened. They are told not to tell anyone about those things that were done to them. They are sometimes told that no one will believe them, or that their abuser will hurt a sibling, a mother, or someone else in the family. There are so many different ways an abuser keeps the child quiet. An abuser will say and do anything necessary to ensure their acts are never revealed.
But, the child is innocent! The child is the victim! The child is too afraid to tell anyone! It’s people like me, and so many more who have found the courage, usually long after the abuse happened, that they can tell their story of abuse.
Of course, no one likes to hear about a child being abused, but people, it happens! Every single day a child abuser strikes, and another innocent child has to suffer! By telling my story, and by all the other survivors of child abuse telling their story, can this epidemic be stopped!
Please! Don’t be one of those who buries your head in the sand. Don’t sweep child abuse under the rug. Read our stories. Feel our pain, our sorrow with us as you read. Then, step up and help us spread the word that child abuse does exist. Step up by telling others about our stories. We need more and more people to care! We need more and more people to help us put an end to the abuse. Our children depend on all the good people in the world to help them.
Child abuse, neglect and/or abduction are national epidemics. Sweeping it under the rug, or choosing to believe it doesn’t happen, won’t make it go away, nor does it change statistics: (1) Almost five children die daily from abuse in the United States. (2) Three million abuse reports—physical, emotional, sexual and/or neglect—are made every year. (3) It’s estimated nearly 10 million cases will go unreported. (4) It’s estimated 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse live in America today. (5) Girls are three times more likely to be sexually abused than boys, however, boys have a greater risk of emotional neglect and serious injury than girls.
MY PERSONAL STORY:
Starting at age three, my life was filled with sorrow, neglect and abuse—a life no child should ever experience. Hurt time and again by people who claimed to love me, I grew up in the shadow of fear, uncertainty and hate. I lived a life on the run, starving, abused and terrified.
My first book that started the series, Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival, took 40-plus years to complete. Each time I sat down to write, the memories became overwhelming and I couldn’t continue. For years I lived a life of hurt and overwhelming sorrow. Deep down I always knew I needed to tell what happened. I needed to admit I was a survivor of child abuse. I needed to find a path toward healing my shame. Yes, shame. I blamed myself for what happened. I felt ashamed and dirty. I felt I was a “bad” kid and that’s why Daddy, his brother and so many more did those things to me. The things he did to me…things he allowed others to do to me, were unforgivable. Although unnerving, Bitter Memories is a gripping account of the extremes a child can undergo—and survive. Written from the heart, taking on a life of its own, I relived those memories of heartache, sadness, extreme hunger, and intense fear in hopes of helping other adult survivors find a path toward healing their “hidden” scars. My story deals with explosive topics that former child victims of mental, physical, and sexual violence will understand.
MY BOOKS:
1) Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is written like a novel for easy reading as I begin the true story of my life after being kidnapped by my father. NOTE: Bitter Memories is not a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme and horrific child abuse and the will to survive.
2) Trophy Murders (creative non-fiction/crime fiction) mixes fiction with truth for an action-packed crime story as I take you further on the journey of true events after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life I wouldn’t wish on any kid.
3) Cutter's Revenge (psychological thriller/crime fiction) mixes about five percent truth with a lot of suspenseful fiction. However, anyone who’s read the other two books will know truth from fiction instantly.
4)From The Heart: A Collection of Poems and Stories (non-fiction) is a collection of fifteen inspirational poems from events in my life. It also includes short stories that inspired the writing of each poem. Starting with a little background, then moving into my first poem written at age nine after the death of my mother, I expose feelings I never shared with anyone before now.
5)The Rose: A Tale of Fantasy (fantasy) is a heartwarming story of a young girl and the animals she loves. Hollymae talks to animals, but she also has special powers that she isn't even aware of yet. Soarbrae is her faithful companion, also with special powers, and Soarwell is Soarbrae's mother who has been dead for five years, brought back to life, to assist Hollymae and the animals of the forest in her quest.
The Rose, a book for kids of all ages, is a story of magic with many special animals to bring happiness to your heart. NOTE: The Rose is a very special book for me because I used many of the same names from the sci-fi I started writing as a kid. The same sci-fi my aunt found hidden in my closet, called it garbage, a waste of time and paper, and then tore it up in front of me. She didn’t bother to read it! But, here, using their names, those special characters live again!
VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR ALL MY BOOKS, WITH LINKS TO AMAZON
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
AUTHOR/FAN PAGES ON FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
http://www.facebook.com/BitterMemorie...
http://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
http://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
This is the link to Winsome's page. Check it out for other women "in the spotlight."
http://womenbeautypurposeandempowerme...
LINK TO MY BLOG
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
BIO:
Sue Julsen was born in Dallas, Texas. Kidnapped when she was three years old, she began her writing career as a means of escape from the emotional scars and repetitive nightmares from her childhood.
She started her first book, a sci-fi, in grade school. She only had one more chapter to write when her aunt found the manuscript hidden in the closet. Without reading it, she called it garbage, a waste of time and paper, then forced Sue to watch as she tore it up and threw it in the trash.
Giving up writing until she had left home at 18, Sue started writing poetry, then wrote her first book, a memoir about her life after the kidnapping. Not stopping there, she wrote two other books in this series, and a book of poetry that exposes feelings never shared before.
She is currently working on a series of short stories, and has another memoir planned that will continue her story. Today she lives in Nevada with her husband, two dogs, a cat and a bird. She enjoys the outdoors, reading and writing.
Visit her website for more on her books. http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
May 8, 2013
DROWNING IN MEMORIES
Trophy Murders, based on the true story, continues where Bitter Memories left off after I went to live with my uncle (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life I wouldn’t wish on any kid! The fictional crimes delve into my vivid imagination to deliver an action-packed story about a gang of serial killers that my uncle has to catch and bring to justice.
Cutter’s Revenge is the story I wrote for my fans to give them a "pound of revenge" for all the feelings invoked while reading Bitter Memories. By turning tragedy into a fantastic, exciting read, this book was fun to write while providing me the perfect opportunity to get my own revenge against a few who made my life hell. With enough suspense to get the heart racing, my imagination runs as rampant as the stalking killer who brings terror around every turn! For your own "pound of revenge," enter Cutter’s Sadistic World...
The Rose: A Tale of Fantasy is a heartwarming story for all ages. The first in this series introduces Hollymae, a girl with a "special gift" and powers she isn't even aware of yet. When she learns the animals she loves so dearly are in danger, with her faithful companions by her side, somehow, Hollymae must save the animals of the forest from sure death.
From The Heart: A Collection of Poems and Stories, is a book written from low points in my life while searching for peace. Exposing feelings never shared before, I include short stories about what inspired each poem. Truly written “from the heart,” this book is non-fiction. To hear my written words spoken by Beth MacEwan who narrated is totally awesome! I highly recommend the audio version for a breathtaking experience.
DROWNING IN MEMORIES is the title of my next book. It will be out soon in paperback!
To learn more about my first five books, please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
You can also visit my Facebook fan pages, and please click "like" while there:
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
