About Marilyn Perks

Marilyn Perks’

Biography

Marilyn Perks was born in Zambia, Africa where her father worked as a land surveyor for the British government. When she was two, her family immigrated to Victoria, British Columbia. She graduated from Norfolk House School, and three years later, obtained her Registered Nurse diploma from Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital.

With her husband and sons Tom and Matthew, Marilyn lived for seven adventurous years in remote coast guard stations on the B.C. west coast. There, in the misty rainforests and windswept beaches her eyes were opened to God’s creative power and intelligent design revealed in the natural world. Later, through studying fulfilled Bible prophecy and Christ’s redeeming work on the cross, she became a born again Christian.

In the past, Marilyn has been a beachcomber for shells, a gardening enthusiast, and a fish pond creator. She enjoys reading historical novels by Thomas Hardy, Jane Austin, and Elizabeth Gaskell. She’s self-taught in acrylic painting and plays piano pieces by her favourite composer, Frederick Chopin.

Following her retirement as a registered nurse, Marilyn invested five years of daily writing, including three years of mentoring by award-winning novelist and editor Jeanette Windle.

Her love of England stems from her parents influence plus numerous holidays where she soaked up the pastoral landscape and rich history of her ancestory.

The historic Athelhampton House in rural Dorset, and its local history of underpaid farm labourers rebelling in the Swing Riots of 1830, became the template for her novel Ravensmere.

The story’s spiritual message was birthed from her lengthy experience with bitterness and is based on Hebrews 12:14-15: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness… lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.” Only when she repented of her unforgiveness could God bring healing and renew joy in her life.