Blog Tour ~ "Heroes of Faith" by Marlene Bateman Sullivan

Heroes of Faith: True Stories of Courage and Strength by Marlene Bateman Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: LDS Non-fiction

Book Description:  Our fast-paced society loves adventure and it loves a hero—but what about Latter-day Saint heroes?  Are there any?  There are plenty!

Heroes of Faith, True Stories of Faith and Courage, is a collection of twenty-four riveting stories about people who rose above difficulties and impossible odds to emerge triumphant. You’ll read about stalwart men and women who stood firm and valiant in the gospel in spite of dangerous mobs, flying bullets, physical handicaps, extreme hardships, and dictatorial regimes.

It's fascinating to read about the exploits of real heroes and when that hero is acting in accordance with the principles of the gospel, the adventure is not only thrilling, but inspiring as well. In these days of increasing trials and tribulation, we can all use some worthy role models, especially those that strengthen our faith and increase our testimonies.

My thoughts:  What makes a hero? Is it someone who does an act of valor? In Heroes of Faith Marlene Bateman Sullivan tells the stories of 24 people who are heroes by guarding their faith.

The stories are diverse. You can read of boys who stood by Joseph Smith when members of the LDS church threatened to kill the prophet. Go to Samoa with a man who fulfilled his calling as a missionary while his family was threatened with death. How about the mother who left her home and children to study medicine in the 1800's. A young man who lost his legs when he was electrocuted, but managed to keep moving forward and competing in the Olympics.

The wonderful thing about each of these stories is that they are true. They happened to real people. I'm sure that they didn't think they were amazing while they lived through them, but their stories inspire courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The book is written as a biography. Instead of focusing on one person's life, little stories are written about different people. To me it makes the book more interesting.

Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret  Book * Books & Things

About Marlene:  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. Recently, 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. 

Visit her at www.marlenebateman.info.