Book Review: The Perfect Fit by Michele Ashman Bell

Whoops! I did it again! Every now and then I let the rest of the world go by and lose myself in a book which I will read practically non-stop until it is finished. Contemplating a 200 mile ride with my husband (he was working; I was keeping him awake—and telling him how to drive), I dashed into the public library and grabbed three books off the latest arrivals shelf. The one that caught my eye the most was “The Perfect Fit” by Michele Ashman Bell. 

Two hundred miles and more than seven hours later we were back home, I had made us a little something to eat and had settled comfortably on the sofa. I was completely enthralled with the life of Andi, her friends, and The Butterfly Box. I finished the book at 10:30 p.m. 

Mystery, excitement, and romance—a proven combination for a “good read.” A trip to Hawaii, a reality show (Mrs. Right), a murder mystery, handsome men and beautiful women—who could ask for more. However, in amongst all of this, Andi holds steadily to her beliefs and standards and through her, the author manages to convey two or three specific messages that lead to a better life. 

If you aren’t already a Michele Ashman Bell Fan, you will become one after reading this novel. 

Michele grew up in St. George. Her roots are definitely planted in the red rock countryside of this Southern Utah town. She lives in Sandy now but plans to move back to St. George when retirement time comes. 

A telephone visit with this delightful author revealed just how deeply imbedded her Southern Utah roots are. She is the daughter of Cedar City natives Nolan Ashman and Yvonne Bauer Ashman, and she too was born in Cedar City. She and her husband Gary are the parents of four children ages 12-27 and the grandparents of two beautiful little girls. 

Michele’s love for reading began in third grade when her teacher read “My Father’s Dragon” to the class. “It was magical and from then on I felt like I was an author waiting to happen,” explained Michele, and even though it was in a telephone interview, I could see her eyes sparkle with the memory of that book.

By the time she was in eighth grade, she was keeping a journal for one of her classes and knew that she was absolutely fascinated with the written word. 

However, she didn’t become a published author overnight. It was a 10 year journey from the time she began her first novel until she had it published. In 1998 her book, “An Unexpected Love,” became her first published novel. (Somehow that’s one of the few of hers I haven’t read, but have it sitting on top of my “to read” stack of books right now.) 

The road to publication for Michele was filled with reading such books as “How to Write a Book”, a Community Education Class in writing, joining the League of Utah Writers, workshops, and conferences.

Her advice to prospective writers is “Do not give up! The key to success is three-fold: passion (desire), hard work, and persistence. ”

She will have a new book out in 2012, and I am definitely looking forward to it!