top of page


True Tales Turn Hearts

My purpose is to collect and preserve true stories about real people that teach and inspire as well as entertain. True events of the past and the sacrifices of those gone before must be appreciated for we embrace the truth, or we will lose it.

signing books.jpg

True Tales Turn Hearts

Welcome  

My mission is to find, preserve and share true stories from the past that empower hearts of the present.

Click the music notes for sound.

Noah Knew It front cover.JPG

Noah Knew It!

This delightful book about the Prophet Noah, his family and all the animals was illustrated with what her husband lovingly calls “pop-bottle people.” Susan Billings Mitchell first painted large poster sized watercolors which were reduced with color separations and at last found themselves in a printed book.​ A dream comes true!

Would you believe it? Seeing this book in print at last — and I mean l-o-n-g last, is indeed a dream come true. Back in 1974 my brother challenged me to write and illustrate children’s books. This one has been simmering for a very long time. At last, we have a way to share it. Hope you enjoy.

Coming Soon
Talking Tulips Cover photo.JPG

Talking Tulips

Nineteen-year-old American airman Evan looks out the window of his B-17 Bomber as seven-year-old Mette looks out her cottage window below. Their paths are about to cross during World War II, but the path is one of love and kindness.

This beautifully illustrated true story demonstrates how, while war affects innocent people, those involved can choose to remain good and grateful during difficult times.

Available in hardcover, paperback and as an ebook on Kindle.

Forever Stalwart Book by sbm.PNG

True stories from the past ignite present faith and inflame future courage.

With actual names this true-life account of three pioneer families whose lives span LDS Church History all the way from Kirtland to Manti authenticates actual events with maps, photos, and original documents.

When asked by her father to research and write the biography of an ancestor, Titus Billings, she had no idea the project would take a lifetime. In truth his story cannot be told without including a beloved brother-in-law, Isaac Morley, thus more research, and re-writes. But wait, Edward Tuttle is vital to this story too, so his family was added as well.

With over 800 pages the original one volume version of Forever Stalwart was “too large to read in bed!” One precious reader carefully slit the paperback book in half so she could hold it with her arthritic hands. Such feedback prompted a six-volume series, COMING SOON!

Forever Stalwart

Elegant Title

This message was left on my answering machine . . .

Available in paperback and on kindle.

Audible coming soon!

Click the music notes for sound.

Click the music notes for sound.

1. A Time of Discovery COVER.jpg

Volume 1: A Time of Discovery in Ohio

The original version of Forever Stalwart was too large and heavy to read in bed! With actual names, this volume about three pioneer families reveals the excitement, challenges, and discovery of a new way of life in Ohio.

About the Author:  I grew up knowing that a relative was the second person baptized in Kirtland, Ohio. When at last I visited the place, Visitor Center missionaries pointed to a huge photograph of my great-great-grandfather, Titus Billings, stating just that. Someone asked who was first. They had no idea. Well, that piqued my interest. I always like to discover the rest of the story.

~ Susan Billings Mitchell

Buy Now on Amazon
2. A time of testing COVER.jpg

Volume 2: A Time of Testing
in Missouri

With actual names this volume discloses an authentic account of the heartache, trials, and testing of a humble people determined to do the will of the Lord no matter the cost in the state of Missouri.

About the Author: My parents purchased a piece of the Titus Billings stewardship property in Independence and built a beautiful home with a Titus Billings pioneer guestroom in the basement. I spent hours studying and writing about grandpa in that guestroom on that sacred land. My father, Evan A. Billings, loved the place and the people. He befriended many who taught him much about the local history, much of what is detailed in this volume. He wanted it shared.
~ Susan Billings Mitchell

Coming Soon . . .
3. A Time of Sacrifice COVER.jpg

Volume 3: A Time for Sacrice
in Illinois

With actual names this volume witnesses the true joys and deep sorrows experienced by early Saints in the state of Illinois.

About the Author:  I cannot get enough of Nauvoo. I love to visit there enjoying the authentic shops, live plays in the old time Cultural Hall theater, a taste from the bakery (Edward Tuttle had a bakery there too), and a sacred walk through the grove. With reverence I stand on the Titus Billings’ property where he built a home across the street from his beloved friend, Heber C. Kimball, and where Diantha stood with tears in her eyes as the Prophet tipped his hat to her when he rode past for the last time on his way to Carthage. Two of our grandsons were sealed to us in the Nauvoo Temple. My father served in that temple for a short time. Oh yes, I love Nauvoo because I love what it represents and what it helps us to remember. ~Susan Billings Mitchell

Coming Soon . . .
4. A Time of Enduring COVER.jpg

Volume 4: A Time of Enduring Across Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming

With actual names this volume details in part the perplexing and often perilous journey of a faithful people who pioneered their way West seeking safety and religious freedom.

About the Author: Winter Quarters is a sacred place to me. Edward Tuttle is buried there. His story is detailed in this volume and our finding his burial spot story is referenced in the Historical Notes. I took a photograph there hoping it to be the correct location. This was way before cell phone cameras. Back home, after the film was developed, I was thrilled at the way a ray of sunshine seemed to mark the spot.
~ Susan Billings Mitchell

Coming Soon . . .
5. A Time of Refining COVER.jpg

Volume 5: A Time of Refining in Utah

With actual names this volume documents the struggles, rewards and blessings of a faithful people determined to tame the Wild West in Utah.

About the Author: I have always loved Mormon Pioneer stories and feel privileged to have grown up in Utah where their long journey ended, and a new life began. I was born in Provo the town where Titus died and is buried. When my husband retired from teaching at the LDS Business College Institute (now called Ensign) we were living in West Bountiful. Titus first settled in Sessions Settlement which became Bountiful. My parents were married in Manti, a town settled by Titus and Isaac. When they adopted another brother, we all went to the Manti temple for his sealing. Guess you could say that much of my life-refining occurred in Utah as well.
~ Susan Billings Mitchelll

Coming Soon . . .
6. A Time of Remembering COVER.jpg

Volume 6: A Time of Remembering
DOCUMENTS

This volume is a collection of treasured photos, maps, letters, deeds, and other official documents pertaining to and about the three pioneer families recognized in the Forever Stalwart series. An appendix is dedicated to each family and a full bibliography of the entire series is included in the back.

About the Author: “A picture is worth a thousand words,” they say. I agree and have included all the treasures I could find for each of these faithful pioneer families: Titus Billings, Isaac Morley, and Edward Tuttle. The bibliography for the entire collection is included as well. Hope you find these as meaningful as I do.
~ Susan Billings Mitchell

Coming Soon . . .
NEW Cover Pure Parenting.jpg

Pure Parenting: Raising Stalwart Children

Tidbits contained herein reflect a lifetime of struggle, experimentation, trial and error, successes, and failures.

It is important to learn from the failures. I hope my experiences will be helpful to you, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I made.

Don’t expect to master everything at once. Even the Savior learned line upon line, precept upon precept. And remember, no one is perfect: no parent, no child. We all flub-the-dub sometimes, but I feel like I am a winner on days when I do or say more right things than wrong things.

Bottom line is you and I cannot save our children. We can’t even save ourselves. Only the Savior can save. That is His work, and He paid a dear price for the privilege. Our work is to love. Love your children more than life itself for they are your Eternal Life, your everlasting joy!

Lupus Lou cover FRAMED.jpg

Lupus Lou

“Be thankful it’s not Lupus!” they told us time and again. Then, after nine months of kidney failure complications and admittance into three different hospitals we heard, “Did the other doctor tell you we think she has Lupus?” The diagnosis was disappointing, but it helps to know what you are fighting.

Lupus Lou is the true story of a young woman’s courageous journey through terminal illness.

It is hoped that readers will be inspired by the life of a courageous, determined, and cheerful-no-matter-what little girl whose name means: “Little Follower of Christ.”

Revised Version Coming Soon
COVER Ebook.JPG

Favorite Stories for the
12 Days of Christmas

Nothing warms the heart like a good story.

Catch the Spirit of Christmas with these delightful, clever, faith-promoting stories as you share them (one for each of the 12 days of Christmas) around the Christmas tree while you make new memories of your own.

Available on Amazon in paperback,

ebook on Kindle and/or Audible.

Let's Connect

We would love to hear from you!

bottom of page