Sue Julsen's Blog - Posts Tagged "tragedy"

Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is written like a novel for easy reading, as I tell 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 ...


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 the house on the hill 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 introduce new characters—many you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate ...

While another serial killer, maybe more ruthless than the gang of killers, stalks our little town, I continue my story after my adoption, leaning more toward the way my life could have been IF ... turning tragedy into a fantastic and exciting read with a happy ending!

My Newest Book:

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.


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. It contains strong language and heartbreaking 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, plus my fictional crimes are a bit twisted and sadistic, making for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!


All my books are based on or from actual events in my life and have received 4 and 5 star “not paid for” reviews. To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and my poetry book, plus other books coming soon (just waiting on cover art), please follow the link below to my website:

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

Happy New Year to all my friends, followers and fans! My continuing wish for everyone is: peace and joy, an abundance of love and precious memories, and for 2013 to be the greatest year ever!

Thank you, in advance, for your continuing support! I look forward to meeting many more new friends throughout the year, and bringing all of you many more stories to enjoy.


Books currently available:

THE TRILOGY

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:

Living a life on the run, hungry, abused and terrified ... so terrified that I split into multiple personalities ...

This is a truly unforgettable, unnerving story of extreme child abuse and my fight to survive ...

Dedicated to all survivors of abuse, Bitter Memories was written in the hope that exposing these horrors of my own life would educate people and help prevent them from happening to others.

This book is not suitable for everyone! Please read the "NOTE" at the bottom.


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:

Trying to deal with problems at school, continuing nightmares from my past, and a narrow-minded, bigoted Olivia, brings me to a dangerous low in my life ...

After a gang moves into the house on the hill 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 ...

But, by not telling the truth, he's afraid his secrets will destroy his own life ...


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.

Using many of the same characters, I introduce several new characters — many you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate:

A man believing he has amnesia walks the streets trying to remember who he is; where he came from. In reality, he has blackouts where one or more personalities take over his life, leaving him with no memories of that timeframe ...

As another serial killer, maybe more ruthless than the gang of killers from the previous book, stalks our little town, I continue my story after my adoption, then I lean more toward the way my life could have been IF ...

Officers from area towns join the chase, pursuing a vehicle to a house on a hill. Once inside, the officers stumble upon a delusional maniac hiding in the basement, and a gruesome sight upstairs ...

Henry opens his heart and soul, praying I can forgive him as I learn the truth ...

Turning years of tragedy into a fantastic and exciting read, I bring this part of my story to a close, and with a happy ending!


My Newest Book:

From The Heart (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've never shared with anyone before now ...

Also available as an audiobook, From The Heart is not only inspirational but truly awesome to listen to as Beth MacEwan, the narrator, brings life to each poem and story.


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 struggles to survive. It contains strong language and heartbreaking content, however this was my life and,
to tell it any other way, or to cleanup the language, would take actual truth and turn my story into lies — something I'm not, and wasn't, willing to do!

Trophy Murders and Cutter’s Revenge are 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 only makes for a very exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-the-chair read!

All my books are based from actual events in my life and have received 4 and 5 star “not paid for” reviews.

To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and my book of poetry, please follow the link below to my website:

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

From my memoir that started the bitter memories trilogy to my inspirational book of poems, you'll find it all on my website.

Stop on by and take a look around when you get a chance.

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival took 40 + years to complete. Each time I sat down to write, the memories became overwhelming and I couldn’t continue.

For years I tried to write my story as "fiction" because I wasn’t ready for the world to know those bad things happened to me. But, that didn’t work. I wasn’t telling the truth and truth meant so much to me. I’d lived a life of nothing but hurt and lies, so how could I tell my story if it was all a lie?

I also had to keep the strong language I heard day in and day out, and I had to keep the explicit content as I remember it actually happened because there is no way to “sugarcoat” child abuse.

One day I sat down to try and write and I decided to change my name in the story. Everyone else had a different name to protect their identity, so why shouldn’t I have a different name, too? By changing my name to Sarah I was able to pull back and look at what I was writing through Sarah’s eyes.

By doing this, everything that actually happened to me, I was able to “pretend” it happened to Sarah, not me. In a way, I guess she was like an imaginary friend, guiding me to do what I needed to do.

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.

However, with Sarah’s help, I was able to look at my feelings. I was able to face all the horrible things done to me. But no matter what went down in black and white, I still loved my father so much. And I hated myself for that! Over the years as more and more memories returned, I began to hate him even more than I hated myself for loving him.

The things he did to me…things he allowed others to do to me, were unforgivable.

A parent is supposed to protect their children, not hurt them or abuse them. My father wasn’t one of the good parents. He was cruel. He only cared about himself and his own “needs” that he forced me to fulfill.

The terror I felt the first time Daddy did “things” pushed me over the edge and I developed another personality. As I watched, from a safe place, the things Daddy made her do, I called her my guardian angel.

I believed in my angel who protected me time and again, but I didn’t believe God existed. All I could think was: If God did exist, why would He let me and my angel be hurt so badly?

As the abuse escalated, my angel couldn’t handle it all, so more personalities were needed to protect me. Like my angel, each new protector looked similar to me, and all but one was a little older than I was at the time. My angel became the guardian, not only of me, but the others as well. As time went on she had to protect all of us, and I know if it wasn’t for my angel and the others taking care of me, protecting me, I would have died.

When I finally finished writing my story, I prayed it would help others still suffering. I hoped it would help save another child from abuse. What happened to me was the most extreme abuse, but it doesn’t take extreme to mess up a kid’s head.

Not long after my book came out, my prayers were answered. I received a message from a reader after she’d finished my first book, and I learned all the pain I had to relive during the writing was worth it because one survivor was helped! She had found her path toward healing!

By reading what happened to me, she realized she was not alone and healing was possible for her, too. Today, she is living the life she’d been denied for so long. She is happy, maybe for the first time in her life.

Since that first message, I have received numerous more messages thanking me for having the courage to tell my story; thanking me for helping them. And, I’ve also received messages from people who didn’t know the damages child abuse could do to a kid until they read my heartbreaking story.

These people are now more aware of the children around them. They are aware of the signs that a child is possibly being abused. They can now help prevent child abuse just from their knowledge learned by reading my story.

Hearing these fantastic stories from my readers did meet what I originally hoped and prayed to achieve by sharing my life, but I have received so much more than I asked for in my prayers. I have received the best gift of all…everyone of these wonderful people who’s contacted me are now lifelong friends.

To learn more about me and my story, please visit my website. Read the bitter memories trilogy and tell others about me and my story. By you helping spread the word, knowledge will change the lives of so many still suffering; so many still being abused.

Join with me to help prevent many more children from having to learn what child abuse feels like. Together we can make a difference in a child’s life.

The trilogy: Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival, Trophy Murders, and Cutter’s Revenge

Newest book: From The Heart: A Collection of Poems and Stories

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

In order to help other child abuse survivors I knew I had to tell my story; all those bad things that happened to me as a child on the run, hungry, abused, and terrified.

It was 40+ years writing my memoir. Time and again I had to stop writing because those memories became too painful.

While writing that book I had to relive years of sorrow as I talked about and dealt with all those heartbreaking, painful memories.

But I am a survivor, and from that first book came three more books, listed below with a very short bit about each one:

THE BOOKS:

Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is the book that started it all. Written novel-style for easy reading, this 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 and explicit content.

Other books in this series — creative non-fiction/crime fiction:
Trophy Murders is not only an action-packed fictionalized crime story, but I take you deeper into 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!

Cutter's Revenge continues my story after my adoption, mixing truth with fiction. Anyone who’s read the other two books will know what’s true and what isn’t. While another fictionalized serial killer stalks our little town, I write my story the way it could have been if...turning tragedy into an exciting and happy ending!

My Newest Book — non-fiction:
From The Heart is a collection of fifteen poems written from events in my life, including 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. It is awesome!

NOTE: Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival is NOT a cozy, feel-good book. It's a true story of extreme child abuse and my struggle to survive. It contains strong language and heartbreaking content, but it was my life.

The language is toned down in the other books in this trilogy, and the abuse isn't nearly as intense or as often, plus tossing in the serial killers does make for a very exciting (even a bit twisted and sadistic) read.

Turning to poetry for a time, in From The Heart I expose feelings never shared before.

All my books are based on or from events in my life and have received 4 and 5 star reviews.

To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, my new poetry book, plus other books coming soon (just waiting on cover art to be finished), please follow the link below to my website:

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

All my life I tried to run from myself. I tried to forget the horrible, unspeakable things that had happened to me as a child, 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.

Starting at age three, kidnapped, neglected and molested—a life no child should ever experience—hurt time and again by people claiming to love me, growing up in the shadow of fear, uncertainty and hate, my heart filled with unbearable sorrow.

Thanks to my father running off with me, I lived a life on the run, starving, abused and terrified. So terrified, in order to survive, I split into multiple personalities. This disassociation allowed me to detach from the abuse as if it was not happening to me.

But, without my other personalities I would have died at the hands of all those people who claimed to love me. Without those voices in my head, there would be no Bitter Memories series; no book of poetry. There would be no me at all.

Most of my life I cried inside while faking a smile. I felt ashamed. I felt the way I had been treated was my fault!I felt alone. Unloved. Unwanted.

My life was a living hell; one of the extreme worst.

As more time passed, I felt my life wasn’t worth living. The pain from my abuse became so intense! My hidden pain became so overwhelming I attempted suicide—more than once. However, the last attempt was almost successful. The doctor at the hospital said, “Another five minutes, I wouldn’t have been able to save you.”

Although unnerving, my story is a gripping account of the extremes a child can undergo—and still 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 before it was too late for them.

My story deals with explosive topics former child victims of mental, physical, and sexual violence will understand, while helping others not familiar with child abuse, or it's effects, learn so they too will know how to save a child from years of pain and sorrow.

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.

1) Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival (non-fiction) is written like a novel for easier reading of this difficult subject as I begin the true story of my life after being kidnapped by my father.

2) Trophy Murders (creative non-fiction/crime fiction) delves into my vivid, “where did that come from” imagination to deliver an action-packed crime story; 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 I wouldn’t wish on any kid!

3) Cutter's Revenge (psychological thriller/crime fiction) 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 — and I give you a happy ending! Also, I had more fun writing this book than the other two combined!

My newest book below could be considered a continuation of the series, but without serial killers (darn it). LOL

From The Heart (non-fiction) is a collection of fifteen inspirational poems from other times 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've never shared with anyone before writing this book of poetry. This book is also available in audio with Beth MacEwan narrating.

So, will there be another in the Bitter Memories series? Time will tell, but there just might be.

To learn more about the bitter memories trilogy, and my book of poetry, please visit my website:

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

Sue Julsen









Playing around to see what all I can do on here for an upcoming project.

Please visit my website for more about these books.

http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen

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

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

This month’s Author Spotlight is my friend and fellow author, 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