A Love Story
Christian Living / Nonfiction / Inspirational
Date Published: March 18, 2025
Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing
In "I've Got This: A Love Story," Mildred Marshall shares her powerful journey of faith and resilience through a sudden, life-altering cancer diagnosis. What began as a sharp pain one Friday evening in July 2012 quickly escalated into a Stage IV cancer diagnosis, with the odds stacked against her. Yet, through every painful treatment and each challenging prognosis, Mildred found peace and strength in her unwavering faith. Against all expectations, she was declared cancer-free in February 2014. Deeply moved by her journey, the Marshalls launched Voices of Hope, a ministry dedicated to supporting cancer patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Mildred’s story reminds us of the strength that faith and love can provide, even in the darkest times. "I've Got This: A Love Story" is a testament to the healing power of grace, community, and the guiding hand of the Great Physician.
Interview with Robert Marshall
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Having only just published my first book, there was a great deal to learn about the process as well as the “language”. The book was a real-life story detailing my late wife’s journey from birth through marriage to ultimately Stage 4 colon cancer. Since the entire process of publishing was new, when I researched what publisher to use, I had two absolutes – one, a publisher who regularly published Christian books, which my book was, and two, a publisher who was willing to partner with me in the entire process. While the publisher had knowledge and skills, I had the riveting story to tell. Only by joining the two together could we produce an outstanding book.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I graduated from a liberal arts college back in the days of the “blue book”, where you learned how to produce a well-thought out argument/position to a question that you did not get to see until the exam time began. Your response had to be articulate, effective and on-point. Virtually an entire semester of work was dependent upon this effort.
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Being a newly published author, I don’t have enough experience to identify only one thing. Are there things I would do different in writing a second book? Absolutely!! At this point, the review/critic response to my first book will be the most significant item in terms of helping me become a better writer. I will use those points to improve upon how I do/what I do in the second book.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
At my age of seventy years of life, I am not sure there is anything about me, good or bad, that not many people know. However if I had to choose one and only one thing that defines me, I would choose loyalty/commitment. When I say I am going to do something, I will go through brick walls to make it happen. If I care about someone, I will do everything in my power to see that they are protected/cared for/etc. During Mildred and my cancer journey, people would often praise me for standing by her side 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. While I was thankful I did not consider my efforts to be extraordinary. When we took our vows we both said – “always and forever, in sickness or in health’” I was simply honoring my promise.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I cannot say that there is one thing that I would change in my childhood that would make me a better writer. I can say that all of the real-life experiences I had growing up enabled me to have a foundation upon which as an adult I now have riveting stories to tell. My childhood in large part was very dysfunctional, as was Mildred’s. However it is those dysfunctional events that we lived through that capture people’s attention and make them want to know the entire story.
What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?
Hopefully I have yet to experience it. Since I have only been published for less than two months, I hope that the best experiences and events lie ahead of me.
Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?
The book is the life and faith story of my wife Mildred. She had the most rock-solid, unshakable, doubt-free faith of any person I have ever known. She also had the most God-like ability to forgive and extend grace to anyone who ever hurt her. I was blessed to have her as part of my life every day for almost 40 years. Her story is readily transferrable to anyone who reads it. She encountered numerous events during her life that could have devastated her but yet her faith and love enabled her to keep marching forward. This book provides the “how to” that enables others to do the same.
About the Authors
Bob Marshall grew up in a row house in South Philadelphia (Rocky's neighborhood!) before moving to southern New Jersey and later settling in Virginia Beach in 1980, where he resides today. He holds a B.A. in Economics and History from Dickinson College and an M.B.A. in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University. A certified public accountant, he has been licensed in both New Jersey and Virginia and currently serves as a licensed chaplain at New Life Church.
From a young age, Bob developed a deep empathy and resilience through personal caregiving experiences. At age nine when his father was diagnosed with MS, he became a caregiver for him, and by age thirteen he was his primary caregiver until his father passed. In 1980, Bob married his beloved wife, Mildred, and in 2012 became her primary caregiver during her battle with Stage 4 cancer. Together, they founded Voices of Hope, a ministry dedicated to bringing peace and compassion to those facing serious illness.
Marked by resilience and compassion, Bob continues to share his journey and experiences to encourage others. Through his ministry and writing, he inspires hope, faith, and strength in those navigating life’s challenges. To learn more about the author visit www.robertmarshallchaplain.com.
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