Written in the Stars: An Adventure Story With a Message

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Oct 30, 2001

LDS women will recognize a kindred spirit in Michaela Reynolds, the heroine of Michele Ashman Bell?s new novel, Written in the Stars. Michaela could be any of us?struggling to care for six children, tackling mountains of housework, making ends meet on a tight budget, and supporting her bishop-husband, who works so hard at his job and his calling that she rarely sees him. Trying to be a good wife, she silences her complaints and presses on. She and Ben have always been best friends, but as Michaela notices marital problems in her closest friends, she begins to wonder if her marriage can stand the pressures of their frantic lives. She decides then and there that she must do something to keep her sanity and to save her relationship with Ben. When a travel agent suggests an exotic vacation, Michaela knows it?s just what she and her husband need. Knowing Ben will not come willingly, Michaela takes a risk and ?kidnaps? her husband for a week?s vacation to the Bahamas. Against the backdrop of a lush tropical island, Ben and Michaela find themselves fighting against a sea of anger and resentment, all of which threaten to destroy the dream getaway. When a heavy storm catches them on the open sea, they must overcome their individual gripes and work together in a desperate battle against the elements. What started as a trip to save their marriage soon becomes a fight to preserve their lives.

Although Bell doesn?t delve too deeply into Michaela?s psyche, she becomes a character with which LDS women can identify. Like many of us, she shoulders countless duties and struggles to find fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother. Although her marriage seems sound, Michaela still worries that it may not be strong enough to withstand all of the pressure life puts on it. Surely, many of us have wondered the same thing. Michaela comes across as a true kindred spirit?someone who knows exactly what you are going through because she struggles with the same problems. So, even though Michaela is a somewhat flat character, readers still find themselves caring about her.

The plot gets a little farfetched when Michaela decides to ?kidnap? her husband and take him on a surprise vacation. Miraculously, she is able to book a tropical vacation without Ben?s knowledge, even though he has been portrayed as a penny pincher who keeps a close watch on his accounts. Everything else falls into place perfectly, which the book explains as a sign that God endorses the trip. At least, Michaela and Ben start running into some problems once they arrive, and the storyline begins to become exciting, if not entirely believable. In the end, of course, the couple mends their differences and becomes a stronger unit because of their struggle for survival.

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The copyright of the article Written in the Stars: An Adventure Story With a Message in Mormon (LDS) Literature is owned by Eric Jordan Jensen. Permission to republish Written in the Stars: An Adventure Story With a Message in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.