Born in Lebanon, Marlene Zaedyan is a descendant of the Armenian people who fled Turkey during the Armenian Genocide. Zaedyan lived through the Lebanese Civil War and suffered through many hardships over the course of her formative years. In her autobiography, Nine Lives, Endless Dreams, Zaedyan narrates the violence and trauma of a childhood interrupted and displaced by war. "I want to educate readers on the horrors of the war and the genocide that took place in Lebanon as well as illuminate present day struggles," says Mrs. Zaedyan. "I want to bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide that took place from 1914 to 1923.

Despite the ugliness of the war, Zaedyan still believes life is full of beauty and mystery. "Life is really good in spite of its challenges," says Mrs. Zaedyan. "The key is knowing how to react to adversity." Zaedyan hopes to inspire readers to overcome adversity through grit and resilience.