Sue Julsen's Blog, page 17
January 31, 2013
A Trilogy Worth Reading + FREE e-Book Feb. 1 - 3.
Book 1 - non-fiction:
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is written novel style for easy reading, as I relive the true story of my life after being kidnapped by my father, then for six years living a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified...so terrified that I split into my first of four multiple personalities not long after the kidnapping...STRONG adult language and content. VERY GRAPHIC! There is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, but this was my life.
Book 2 - creative non-fiction/crime fiction:
Trophy Murders delves into my vivid “where did that come from” imagination to deliver an action-packed crime story about a gang of serial killers; mixing in truth as I continue the journey after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life, by the way, that I wouldn’t wish on any kid!
Book 3 - psychological thriller/crime fiction:
Cutter's Revenge mixes truth with a ton of suspense to get the heart racing as my imagination runs as rampant as the stalking serial killer bringing terror around every turn! Using many of the same characters, I introduce several new ones — many you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate — plus a happy ending!
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, making for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
FREE! FREE! FREE! For 3 days only!
From The Heart: A Collection of Poems and Stories will be FREE on Amazon February 1 - 3. It's also in audio, but the audio isn't free. It is, however, awesome to hear my words come to life listening to Beth MacEwan, narrator. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/FROM-THE-HEART-...
My current project coming out later this year is a fun-to-read tale of fantasy.
To learn more about the trilogy: Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival, Trophy Murders, and Cutter's Revenge, and also my book of poetry with short stories that inspired each poem, please head over to my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 29, 2013
What would you do?
If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, or if you’ve read my books, have you taken a few minutes to think about what you would do if you knew of, or suspected, a child was being abused?
Would you turn your head and look the other way? Would you bury your head in the sand, and say: “It’s not my problem.” Or, would you step up to the plate and call the police to save a child?
If you saw a child in a car alone, parked in a lot or behind a junk yard, what would you do? We all know leaving a child (or an animal) inside a car during the hot summer months, with or without the windows cracked open, isn’t something to do. It doesn’t take very long for the inside temperature of a car to rise and suck the life right out a child or an animal.
But what about the winter months? Sure, the car isn’t going to become an inferno of heat, but what about the cold? What about that child or animal inside a car, shivering, unable to get warm?
I was lucky, I guess very lucky, since my father didn’t leave me in the car during the hot summer heat (that I can remember), but he did leave me so many times in the cold car while he went off to have his fun with some woman he’d picked up, and I didn’t have warm clothes to wear. I didn’t even have a coat. All I had was a thin dress and an even thinner blanket. Nothing that would even come close to keeping me warm.
The sad thing is: I know people saw me, even though I tried to stay out of sight, but not one person ever called the police. Did they not care? Or, did they just not think? Or, did they think someone else would make that call?
If one person had made that one important phone call, I could have been saved from a life of misery and pain. Six long years of heartache and sorrow and abuse! And all because no one picked up the damn phone!
But my misery didn't end after the FBI found me. I lived for many more years still suffering because I didn't know how to change my life. I didn't know how to accept what had happened, or how to forgive myself for something that wasn't even my fault.
In my book, Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival, I talk openly about my life, as heartbreaking as it was to write, and as difficult as it is for readers to read, I had to write about what happened to me in order to help other survivors know they are not alone, but I also wrote it so everyone could learn what it’s like for a child living with abuse, and so everyone would know how important it is to get involved.
Don’t wait for someone else to do what you know is right, because no one but you might do it!
If you haven’t thought about what you would do, take a few moments to think about it. If you’d seen me in that car, all alone, dirty, cold and scared, would you have called anyone to help me?
After reading all these posts, and/or reading my second book in this series, Trophy Murders, if you saw a child with bruises over and over again, or welts and/or cuts from a belt, would you call the police, and say: “There’s a child I suspect might be abused. Please check into it.”
Think about it. Would you?
It’s only with help from strangers that an abused child can be saved. They need you! They need everyone who suspects child abuse to care! Just remember, YOU could be a lifesaver for that child. YOU could rescue that child from years and years of pain and sadness, from feelings that they are no good, that no one loves them, feelings that they are to blame for the way they are, or have been treated.
It’s not the child’s fault, but an abused child doesn’t know that! So please! Please be one of the people who cares. Be the one to step forward and save that child. After all, it is a precious, innocent child who will be helped.
Should you decide to read my story and learn from it, there is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, therefore be prepared for strong adult language and explicit content because my life was a living Hell.
To learn more about my story in the bitter memories trilogy, please head over to my website, then tell others about my story so they too can learn, and hopefully, get involved when needed.
Thanks to everyone who has read my books and told others, and especially to the ones who have learned from my experiences and know they will not sit back while a child is being hurt, many times abused by people who claim to love them.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 27, 2013
Trilogy Excerpts
From Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival: Taken from the chapter after the FBI found me and my mother had showed up to take me home with her. Out of the blue, after two years of no contact, Daddy showed up.
“Sarah, I know you don’t understand, but I didn’t want to leave you. All this time, since the night I took you from your grandparent’s house, I’ve been running from the cops. Please, stay with me, Sarah. I love you baby.” Tears welled in his eyes.
I’d never seen Daddy cry before, and it broke my heart. I felt torn apart. I cried with him. I loved him so much, but I didn’t trust him anymore, and knowing that, made it feel like my heart was breaking into little pieces.
From Trophy Murders, Book 2 of the trilogy: From the chapter where my uncle went to the prison to talk to my father.
Filled with extreme hate, Eli glared at him for the longest time. “You know if I could get out of these damn shackles, I’d beat you to death, Henry. I’d beat you just like I did those women.” His voice dripped with spite.
“And I’d love for you to try, Eli. I’d relish nothing more than slamming your fucking head into that brick wall.” Henry again moved forward in the chair, gloating at the thought of cracking open Eli’s skull.
From Cutter’s Revenge, Book 3 of the trilogy: From the chapter when I was about ready to give up on life.
“Life really sucks! I’d be better off dead.” I chuckled. “That would sure make Olivia happy! But, Poppy? He’d be sad, like when Mama died, but he’d get over it. He got over Mama’s death.
“I’m glad I’ve been sneaking a couple of his high blood pressure pills each month. I should have enough by now…”
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is written like novel for easy reading, but this is NOT a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive.
There is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, therefore be prepared for strong adult language and explicit content.
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, making for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and my book of poetry with short stories that inspired each poem, please head over to my website:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 24, 2013
A Story to Tell…
There are so many people with a story to tell. Exciting travels, the kids, animals, life in general, fantasies to take us to a fairytale world, or into a land of zombies. There are many great authors with great books to read. My only regrets are that I don't have a ton of time (or money) to spend the rest of my life just reading great books!
However, I too, had a story to tell, but my story, although it involved a lot of travel, wasn't exciting travels. I never had kids, so no real story to tell there. My animals—two dogs, a cat and a bird, plus numerous other wonderful bundles of love that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge—have filled my adult life with so much joy.
As a child, there were no animals to love. There were no happy times for me to sit back and reflect on. No, my early life was filled with heartache and sorrow. Filled with pain and fear. And many times, a desire to give up.
Life for me was not happy at all. I didn’t have loving parents to take care of me. I had a mother who loved me, but I never got to know her. I had a father, but he didn’t love me. Oh, he claimed he did, but in truth, Daddy never loved anyone or anything but himself.
Daddy kidnapped me when I was two years old, then again when I was three. He took me from my bed in the middle of the night. He took me away from my mother and my grandparents. He took me away from everyone I loved, and from the only home I’d ever known.
For the next six years I lived a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified. I was hurt time and again by people who claimed to love me. But, no one loved me! No one really cared if I lived or died! They used me for their own pleasures, and they allowed others to use me.
If pictures of kids were put on milk cartons back in the 1950’s, I would have been on one of those cartons. If there were amber alerts, I would have been listed with other missing children. But, there was nothing back in those days.
All I had was a mother at home who turned to alcohol as a means of escape from her misery, and an uncle, a cop, my mother’s brother who, along with the FBI tried to find me. Unsuccessfully for six years, but at least they never gave up.
You have no idea how much pain a little kid can suffer—and still survive—until you read my book, Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival.
This is not a cozy, feel-good book. Bitter Memories is the true story of my life, living with my father after the kidnapping. This is a story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive.
Let me warn you right now: There is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, therefore be prepared for strong adult language and explicit content.
The other two books in this series, Trophy Murders and Cutter's Revenge, continue my story but are loaded with action, suspense, drama, secrets, a love story, and so much more. And my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic, but all this makes for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
To learn more about the bitter memories series, and my poetry book, From The Heart, plus other books coming as soon as the cover art is finished, please head over to my website and take a look around.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 22, 2013
Excerpt from Bitter Memories
"Hey, who's this little angel?"
"It's Eddie's kid, and she's a little bitch! What are you doing back in here!?" she bellowed.
"I came for my blanket."
Furious, she leaped off the couch and was standing in my face before I could run. "Well, I don't think so! Get outside! NOW!" Her wide nostrils flared even more.
"But, my blanket!" I took a step toward my room, but her hand struck the side of my face so hard it sent me tumbling halfway across the room.
"GET OUT!" she screamed and came toward me again.
Frightened, I bolted up from the floor, and ran outside before she reached me. For hours I sat under the tree, freezing, and waited for daylight...
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is written like novel for easy reading, but this is NOT a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive.
There is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse, therefore be prepared for strong adult language and explicit content.
The other two books in this series are Trophy Murders and Cutter's Revenge. These two are loaded with action, suspense, drama, secrets, a love story, and more, and my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic, making for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, my new poetry book, plus other books coming as soon as the cover art is finished, please head over to my website:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 21, 2013
Kidnapped...on the run...hungry...abused...terrified...
The BITTER MEMORIES Trilogy is an unforgettable, unnerving journey into a world of extreme neglect and criminal cruelty/abuse as I fight to survive under the worst conditions imaginable.
Book 1 - non-fiction:
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is written in novel style for easy reading, as I relive the true story of my life after being kidnapped by my father, then for six years living a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified...so terrified that I split into my first of four multiple personalities not long after the kidnapping...strong adult language and graphic content.
Book 2 - creative non-fiction/crime fiction:
Trophy Murders delves into my vivid “where did that come from” imagination to deliver an action-packed crime story about a gang of serial killers; mixing in truth as I continue the journey after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life, by the way, that I wouldn’t wish on any kid!
Book 3 - psychological thriller/crime fiction:
Cutter's Revenge mixes truth with a ton of suspense to get the heart racing as my imagination runs as rampant as the stalking serial killer bringing terror around every turn! Using many of the same characters, I introduce several new ones — many you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate — plus a happy ending!
NOTE: Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is NOT a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive.
Bitter Memories was 40+ years writing. Time and again I had to stop because those memories became too painful. This book contains strong adult language and graphic content, but it was my life.
Trophy Murders and Cutter’s Revenge are filled with action, suspense, drama, secrets, a love story, and more. The language is toned down and the abuse is not nearly as intense or as often, and my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic, making for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!
My Newest Book - non-fiction:
From The Heart 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 listening to my words spoken. Beth did an amazing job bringing life to each poem and story.
To learn more about these books, and other books coming soon (just waiting on cover art), please visit my website:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 19, 2013
Part Two - Author Spotlight - Winsome Campbell - The Interview
Sue: Where are you from?
Winsome: Beautiful Jamaica
Sue: What are the names of your current books?
Winsome: Ten Life Changing Lessons and The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness and Success
Sue: Tell us your latest news and what projects you are currently working on:
Winsome: Well, I have created an Online Official Inspirational Books 2013 Launch; just completed my 3rd non-fiction book which is a fantastic guide for women about fashion, weight loss, skincare, confidence, love, relationships and marriage. It will be published on Amazon soon so keep checking my Facebook Author page, Twitter for updates; and I am also publishing Ten Life Changing Lessons in paperback which will be available on CreateSpace; I am also in the process of writing a novel about growing up in Jamaica.
Sue: When and why did you begin writing?
Winsome: I began writing when my father passed away from cancer in 2001. At that time I was 15 years old living the life of an ordinary teenager. His death shook me hardest because I was very close to him. I knew I had him for my best childhood years and he had taught me some valuable lessons about life. I can now understand what happens to a family when a parent dies and the void that can’t be filled. The years that followed were not all-smooth sailing but I learned to embrace the process of life and define my goals and myself. I write because I must. I have had so many life changing experiences and learnt many life lessons. I simply wanted a means to share these lessons with people who wanted to make a change in their lives. Becoming an Author is definitely a dream come true.
Sue: What inspired you to write your first book?
Winsome: When I decided to write my first novel I was seriously contemplating whether working in the corporate world was for me. I started writing my novel one evening when I came home from work. I did not know what it was or where it was going but I was writing. The deeper I got into the plot the more I wanted to do the protagonist justice. It was a novel I have been meaning to write my whole life and I was finally doing it. It's quite easy to have someone write it for me but I wanted to write it myself. That was the start. I still haven't finished that book and when I do it will be my best masterpiece yet. It's been through three computer operating systems, one major computer crash that almost destroyed it entirely, and at least 10 major rewrites to count. I've cannibalized it for characters. Since then I've written, and published two books and a third to be published soon. I am also finalizing ideas for a fourth and a fifth. I still work on my novel and the more I do I keep thinking it could become a trilogy. I keep a notepad and pen close to me and when I get an idea for my novel I write them down. The moment I get the chance I open up that first book, read, edit, and write. It holds magic for me and I will keep polishing that manuscript to perfection. So while Ten Life Changing Lessons will be my first published book, it was not the first. When I finish it, I will have said what I have to say.
Sue: Do you have a specific writing style?
Winsome: I would say I try to write from a place of truth and honesty. I want to show my readers who I am and why I came to the conclusions I did. My writing is very candid and I write with compassion. If you want or need a self-help book that doesn't make you feel like you need more help than you originally thought, then my books are for you. Ten Life Changing Lessons and The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness and Success drips with compassion and a unique and true desire to help is the result. They are not condescending in any way. I include not only personal stories, but also quotes from others and several ideas to approach a problem. One of the best things about my books is that I try to engage the reader by asking some thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter.
Sue: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Winsome: Yes. That no matter who you are or what you are going through you have power over the situation. There is no such thing as “failure”. Be confident in who you are, set your goals and pursue purpose. You have a greatness within you that is more powerful than you know. Trust your instincts, appreciate what you have , enjoy the moments and never ever give up.
Sue: Do you see writing as a career?
Winsome: Absolutely! I think if you ENJOY writing, reading, and enjoy being creative then you can have a career in the field of Writing and Editing. What others do not know about me is that I have been writing for years for others. I have written several articles, essays, and presentations for people and they have done spectacular. Now I am writing for myself and will still make myself available to help others develop as well. I think this is an important question because there are so many University students out there who have majored in Creative Writing, Literature and English who are uncertain of their future. I have a degree in English Literature and Cultural Studies and it's one of the most powerful degrees out there. We are living in an information age and people will always need information and books no matter what format or genre. So, yes, I do see writing as a career and I say that with confidence.
Sue: Can you share a little of your current books with us?
Winsome: Absolutely. This is an excerpt from the very beginning of Ten Life Changing Lessons:
Lesson One: Forgive Immediately
“Life is short. There is nothing to be gained by holding on to anger and bitterness. It can be a struggle to overcome feelings of bitterness. Sometimes it may take everything within to retaliate when you feel “wronged.” In succumbing to this destructive behavior, you waste valuable time “plotting revenge.” Instead, you could be doing something positive; something that serves you as opposed to hurting you. When you “forgive” you are making a choice to take back your own power. You decide that you are willing to leave the past behind.”
From The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success:
"A positive attitude is an art that must be continuously re-shaped. You can save yourself the trouble of reacting negatively to a situation by immediately changing your attitude. Start today by changing your attitude and let the transformation begin. Just remember that when something bad happens, you can choose to either let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you."
Sue: Who designed the covers?
Winsome: My loving husband did Ten Life Changing Lessons and I did The Perks Of A Positive Attitude and A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success. We really had fun sharing opinions and ideas. He is extremely supportive of my writing that way! However, I do love technology, enjoy graphic design and currently teaching myself how to use Adobe Photoshop CS6. Look out for my really cool book on “technology”. Details coming soon.
Sue: What was the hardest part of writing your books?
Winsome: Time and writers block. Time when I get so caught up with other deadlines and I have to break writing. Writers block can be frustrating but I find something else to do before returning to the manuscript. It's all about getting a new perspective.
Sue: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Winsome: My advice to "newbies" like myself is just to be patient. Take chances and never stop writing. Write a book that is effective that leaves no doubt in the readers mind about what you are trying to convey. You are investing in your success as a writer one word, one sentence, and one chapter at a time. Trust your instincts and know that good writing comes from within; that aching urge to share something important with your readers.
Sue: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Winsome: Thank you for your support of my journey as an Author. The reviews you left me on Amazon are beautiful and I appreciate every one of them. My books are a global movement. They were written to empower young women and anyone who wish to make a change in their life. I write for you.
This concludes this question and answer session with my friend and fellow author, Winsome Campbell. Check out her books packed with inspiration for all.
Amazon Author Page & All books
http://www.amazon.com/Winsome-Campbel...
Note:
If you'd like to be considered for an Author Spotlight, please visit my website and send me a message from my contact page. You will need to provide the info you want the world to know about you and your books.
Thanks.
Sue
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
January 18, 2013
Author Spotlight: Winsome Campbell
Books & Descriptions
The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success
The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success was written to help bring positive changes into the lives of those who read it (men and women especially young adults). The book brings to the forefront of the reader's mind some proven and time tested methods that has helped many people achieve personal happiness and success. The author, believes that life is something to be celebrated and if we change our attitude our lives will be so much happier.
Ten Life Changing Lessons contains wise advice for everyone of any age, whatever their religion or core beliefs. The lessons teaches you how to balance your emotions, take charge of your life and be happy. The lessons are written in the author's unique style and she includes how these lessons transformed her own life and can help you enjoy every minute of every day of your life.
What can readers expect to find in this book?
The book is written with a deep sense of openness and honesty,and provides numerous guidelines for the transformation of personal relationships, professional life, and some critical essentials to personal happiness.
These simple actions serves as a guide to make change possible in your life and the author invites the reader to examine how each lesson resonate with his or her own life. This book is recommended for anyone looking to change their thoughts, habits, and lives in order to make better life choices.
Message the Author
I would like to thank everyone who has bought and downloaded my books. It has been an amazing journey inspiring young people and anyone who wants to live a life of purpose. Don't be shy about leaving your thoughts on my books. I would love to know what you liked or did not like about them. I think everything in life is about growth and development and I learn something new everyday. If you have a topic you would like me to explore please let me know.
Author Bio
I am a multi-talented young woman who has a passion for writing and inspiring people. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree with very high honors and hope to change thoughts and lives of people with my books. Currently I am working on my first novel about growing up in Jamaica. I hope to inspire young adults(male and female), especially women, who has ever struggled to find their true purpose in life and who now wants to live a life of strength, promises, purpose, power and potential. I am happily married to my best friend who is my loving husband and enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures. I believe in celebrating life and accept each day with gratitude and love. My hope is that my books will continue to inspire and uplift readers from all over the world.
FIND ME ON:
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Twitter
https://twitter.com/ClubWriters
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author...
Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/winsomecampbell/
Google +
https://plus.google.com/1171483093901...
Amazon Author Page & All books
http://www.amazon.com/Winsome-Campbel...
Createspace
Coming soon
NOTE TO OTHER AUTHORS:
If you'd like to be included in an upcoming Author Spotlight, please go to my website and send me a message. You will need to provide the information you'd like the world to know about you and your books. Thanks!
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
A Little Info In Naming the Trilogy
The Bitter Memories trilogy deals with the “do not talk about” subject of child abuse. While most of society doesn’t want to admit children are abused, within a family the abuse that goes on there is a forbidden subject — always.
Being a survivor of extreme child abuse, my first book, Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival was easy to come up with the perfect title even before the book was written. I don’t remember many happy times growing up, but I do remember the bitterness I felt and the heartache on a daily basis. Still, no matter how badly I was treated, I always had this fight inside of me. I was determined to survive.
The second in the trilogy, Trophy Murders, was a little harder to find the perfect title, and I was nearing the end of writing the book before it came to mind. Continuing my own story, remembering the murders from my childhood that had never had closure I needed to bring them into focus, but of course, I also needed to give my uncle, the cop, an important role. So, I expose more about my life after the kidnapping while dear Uncle Henry is fighting his own battles — not only with the secrets and lies he’s kept hidden for so many years, but I give him a gang of serial killers to deal with. Will he bring this gang to justice? Will I find answers to the dark memories of death from my nightmares?
Cutter’s Revenge, the last in the trilogy, was almost as easy to come up with the perfect title as Bitter Memories. While writing this book I decided I'd had enough.
I wanted revenge! And I wanted some happiness in my life!
Introducing another serial killer for my uncle to battle, he continues to struggle with years of secrets and lies that he knows will destroy him if he doesn’t confess, but he also believes if I learn the truth that could destroy me.
Of course, there’s a lot more to Cutter than meets the eye. But, with Cutter’s help in this twisted tale of terror, will I get my revenge? Not wanting to hurt me, does my uncle reveal the long-kept secrets and admit to years and years of lies?
NOTE:
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is not a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme and horrific child abuse and the will to survive. Strong adult language and graphic content!
To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and also my book of poetry, please visit my website:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
A Little Bit About Naming the Trilogy
The Bitter Memories trilogy deals with the “do not talk about” subject of child abuse. While most of society doesn’t want to admit children are abused, within a family the abuse that goes on there is a forbidden subject — always.
Being a survivor of extreme child abuse, my first book, Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival was easy to come up with the perfect title even before the book was written. I don’t remember many happy times growing up, but I do remember the bitterness I felt and the heartache on a daily basis. Still, no matter how badly I was treated, I always had this fight inside of me. I was determined to survive.
The second in the trilogy, Trophy Murders, was a little harder to find the perfect title, and I was nearing the end of writing before it came to mind. Continuing my own story, remembering the murders from my childhood that had never had closure I needed to bring them into focus, but of course, I also needed to give my uncle, the cop, an important role. So, I expose more about my life after the kidnapping while dear Uncle Henry is fighting his own battles — not only with the secrets and lies he’s kept hidden for so many years, but I give him a gang of serial killers to deal with. Will he bring this gang to justice? Will I find answers to the dark memories of death from my nightmares?
Cutter’s Revenge, the last in the trilogy, was almost as easy to come up with the perfect title as Bitter Memories. While writing this book I decided I'd had enough.
I wanted revenge! And I wanted some happiness in my life!
Introducing another serial killer for my uncle to battle, he continues to struggle with years of secrets and lies that he knows will destroy him if he doesn’t confess, but he also believes if I learn the truth that could destroy me.
Of course, there’s a lot more to Cutter than meets the eye. But, with Cutter’s help in this twisted tale of terror, will I get my revenge? Not wanting to hurt me, does my uncle reveal the long-kept secrets and admit to years and years of lies?
NOTE:
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is not a cozy, feel-good book. It is a true story of extreme and horrific child abuse and the will to survive. Strong adult language and graphic content!
To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and also my book of poetry, please visit my website:
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
