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
