Author: Marlene Bateman Sullivan
Release Date: July 2013
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Genre: Inspiration
Marlene Bateman Sullivan is one of my favorite authors...and I also consider her a friend!
She spends a tremendous amount of time working on her books to give us readers a wonderful story OR wonderful inspirational insight into an other's life. This book is the latter.Story after story is told in this book about amazing people who stood up valiant and strong against great persecutions and against impossible odds.
These stories are all true!
Some of the people you will recognize and some you will be hearing their story for the first time.
They all belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
They all have stories of courage and faith.
They are all "Heroes of Faith."
How blessed we are to have these stories brought together in one book. How blessed we are to have the courage of others to lean on while we endure our own persecutions. How blessed we are to have wonderful writers like Marlene Bateman Sullivan.
Marlene and Cedar Fort have graciously offered a BOOK GIVEAWAY for MY readers
(US address only please)
offer ends 8/30
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About the Author
Marlene Bateman Sullivan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they are the parents of seven children.
Her hobbies are gardening, camping, and reading. Marlene has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and has written a number of non-fiction books, including: Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s From Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering of Angels, and Brigham’s Boys. Marlene also wrote the best-selling novel, Light on Fire Island.A busy writer, Marlene is set to have three books published this year. Gaze Into Heaven, a fascinating collection of over 50 documented near-death experiences in early church history, was published earlier this year. Next came Motive for Murder, the first in a mystery series featuring the quirky private eye, Erica Coleman. Then, Heroes of Faith, a collection of stories about people who acted heroically in the face of grave trials and handicaps was released by Cedar Fort Inc.
Here is an interview with insight into Marlene...ENJOY!
About how long does it take to write a book?
My first book took me three years. But I had seven kids at home and they took most of my time. My first novel (Light on Fire Island—a mystery romance) took me about 2 years to write. If I work hard, I can do a non-fiction book in 6-9 months. I like to keep going over it, polishing and revising until I’m sure it’s as good as it’s going to get and that takes a long time!
Are you working on any more non-fiction, and, if so, what?
Also, since you also write fiction which do you find more difficult—and why?
I just had my first novel in the Erica Coleman series published last month, Motive for Murder, which is about a quirky private eye, Erica, who has OCD is a lot of fun.
I am also considering writing another non-fiction book, since Gaze Into Heaven, which was released earlier this year, has been so successful. Gaze Into Heaven is a collection of over 50 near-death experiences in early church history.
For me, writing non-fiction is easier than writing novels. I don’t have to strain my brain the way I do with mysteries. Researching takes a lot of time, but I love that part. Writing fiction is just harder. It’s difficult to come up with an interesting plot, figure out scenes and the characters.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Never. Give. Up.
People don’t fail because they can’t write, they fail because they stop trying. I have a yellowed newspaper clipping by my computer that says; “For most of us, it isn’t that we don’t have the ability to write, it’s that we don’t devote the time. You have to put in the effort.” Another way of saying that, is if you want to write and be published bad enough, you’ll work for it. And if you work at it, your writing will improve and you WILL be published.
What is your favorite food?
I love Chicken Fettuccine! I also love halibut—could eat that every day!
When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Did you always want to write books?
I’ve wanted to write ever since I was in elementary, although I did not commit to it until I was in Jr. High. After two years of college, I got married and having children set me back for years because—let’s face it—you can’t do everything at one time. To everything there is a season. But I continued writing as I could, starting with a lot of magazine articles, and as the children grew, I started writing books.
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down.
First, I read the newspaper, my scriptures and a few pages in whatever writing book I am studying at that time. Not always in that order. Then I have breakfast. Next comes housework, visiting teaching, grocery shopping, yard work, etc. I do whatever I can until 10:30, which is when I start to write. I take an hour and a half for lunch, to read, and for a 10-15 min. power nap. Then I go back to writing and work until 7 p.m. After that, I get dinner ready, (hubby usually helps) then watch TV till bedtime.
What's your favorite season/weather?
I adore Halloween. I have more cute pumpkins, bats, and adorable ghosts than you can shake a stick at. Last year, my daughter gave me a little sign which pretty well sums it up: “The Queen of Halloween”. I love the fall colors, with the crispness in the air, the hint of wood smoke, apples, and the smell of concord grapes along our fence.
Favorite sport?
Football. Love it. Can’t get enough. I go into withdrawals after the Super Bowl (yes I have a huge party each year) I blame my Dad for hooking me on it while growing up. My husband is soooo grateful to my Dad.
(A digital review copy was provided for this review. However, all reviews are of my own opinion :)
What is your favorite food?
I love Chicken Fettuccine! I also love halibut—could eat that every day!
When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Did you always want to write books?
I’ve wanted to write ever since I was in elementary, although I did not commit to it until I was in Jr. High. After two years of college, I got married and having children set me back for years because—let’s face it—you can’t do everything at one time. To everything there is a season. But I continued writing as I could, starting with a lot of magazine articles, and as the children grew, I started writing books.
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down.
First, I read the newspaper, my scriptures and a few pages in whatever writing book I am studying at that time. Not always in that order. Then I have breakfast. Next comes housework, visiting teaching, grocery shopping, yard work, etc. I do whatever I can until 10:30, which is when I start to write. I take an hour and a half for lunch, to read, and for a 10-15 min. power nap. Then I go back to writing and work until 7 p.m. After that, I get dinner ready, (hubby usually helps) then watch TV till bedtime.
What's your favorite season/weather?
I adore Halloween. I have more cute pumpkins, bats, and adorable ghosts than you can shake a stick at. Last year, my daughter gave me a little sign which pretty well sums it up: “The Queen of Halloween”. I love the fall colors, with the crispness in the air, the hint of wood smoke, apples, and the smell of concord grapes along our fence.
Favorite sport?
Football. Love it. Can’t get enough. I go into withdrawals after the Super Bowl (yes I have a huge party each year) I blame my Dad for hooking me on it while growing up. My husband is soooo grateful to my Dad.
(A digital review copy was provided for this review. However, all reviews are of my own opinion :)
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