Author Interview – Michele Ashman Bell Media Reviews Families.com

mab Michele Ashman Bell is one of the most popular women’s fiction authors currently on the market in addition to being a genuinely wonderful woman. Despite the busyness of the holiday season, she took the time to answer some questions exclusively for Families.com.

Michele, I’m so glad you could join us. Let’s start our conversation with some background on you. When did you first start writing?

I started “creative” writing about 1987. But ever since 8th grade I kept a journal and have always been more comfortable writing my feelings down on paper than expressing them verbally. I found that writing my feelings was very therapeutic too. Whenever I would get upset about something, I would write my feelings down. I would find I’d feel much better afterwards, so writing has been a big part of my life for a long time.

The catalyst for my first attempt at writing a short story came after reading a short story in Good Housekeeping magazine. I wasn’t impressed with the story and remember saying, “I could write something better than that!” Those words became a personal challenge for me. Within a few days I went to the library and checked out some “how to write” books. That began my journey of writing on a path that was filled with pot holes, obstacles and some very steep hills. I have a file folder full of rejection letter that I kept, just in case some day I did get published I could look back and see proof of all my hard work.

What was your first novel and when was it published?

My first novel was, “An Unexpected Love.” It was published in 1998.

How many novels have you written since, and can you give us a synopsis on each?

I’ve written thirteen adult novels.

“An Unexpected Love” – about a woman named Alex McCarty who suffers with a eating disorder. Alex visits her sister, who’s LDS and lives in Island Park, Idaho. Alex isn’t a member and thinks her sister’s church is a bit kooky. While she’s there she begins to think about her own beliefs and
becomes interested in the church.

“An Enduring Love” – Alex’s story continues as she joins the LDS church and has met a wonderful man she truly loves. But he struggles with commitment and she realizes she can’t wait around for him. Her job as an international exercise instructor takes her on tour to Europe. While there she meets a wonderful Italian man who complicates things a bit. But, Rich is still the love of her life. Unexpectedly, he shows up in Salzburg, and proves his love for her.

“A Forever Love” – this is the story of Alex and Rich’s engagement. And if anything can go wrong, it does. Their love is tested to the limit and so is their physical safety. Alex is being stalked by a crazed fan who is convinced that if he can’t have her, no one can. But through Alex’s strength and Rich’s devotion and love for her, they are able to make it through and become sealed together for eternity.

“Yesterday’s Love” (yes, somehow the word love seems to be synonymous with my
books)- I loved this book. It’s about a woman, named Miranda, whose husband is killed in a plane crash. She finds out, after his death, that he had been cheating on her. She’s trying to raise two kids on her own and to move on with her life. She bumps into a friend from her past who becomes a very important person in her life. This book is definitely about forgiveness.

“Love After All” – this book is about Miranda’s sister Danielle who is an older, single woman in Utah, which isn’t an easy thing. She works for a very grumpy boss and is surprised when she meets his son, Carson, a very handsome, kind person. Carson and his father have a very strained relationship. Danielle is also the Laurel advisor in her ward and is determined to help the Young Women learn the value of service. With Carson’s help she does a sub-for-Santa that becomes a vehicle for Carson and his father to build a bridge and put their differences aside and become close again.

“Love Lights the Way” – This book is about Miranda’s daughter, Ashlyn. She is waiting in the temple to get married and is informed that the groom has changed his mind. Shattered, Ashlyn moves to the coast of Oregon with her friend Cami, to try and put her life back together. She meets a man named Mitch who becomes her friend. Their friendship grows to love as Ashlyn becomes stronger and discovers that trials can become blessings in our lives.

ghju “Pathway Home” – Since I loved writing about the coast of Oregon so much I had to write a sequel to Love Lights the Way. This book is about Cami, Ashlyn’s friend. After one year of marriage Cami’s husband is killed in a car accident. She is devastated and convinced that she will spend the rest of her life alone. With the help and love of family and friends, she heals enough to allow herself to be touched by the love of a young man who comes to stay at her Inn.