Author Interview with Julie Coulter Bellon

Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon

It's an intriguing title: Ribbon of Darkness. If you’re thinking espionage, terrorist plot, danger, suspense, you’re on the right track. There’s also a bit of romance in the air for those who thrive on a love driven plot. A hint of forgiveness and redemption sweeten the package. Julie Coulter Bellon has a number of books to her credit, but Ribbon of Darkness is the first I’ve read. It was enjoyable and kept my interest. I think I’ll try another book from her list. Julie was kind enough to chat with me, and here is a bit of our conversation.


Me: What other books have you published? Do you have a favorite?

Julie: I've published Through Love's Trials, On the Edge, Time Will Tell, Be Prepared: A Parents Guide to Boy Scouts and the Duty to God Award--What You Should Know, All's Fair, Dangerous Connections, and Ribbon of Darkness. Hmmm...I don't know if I can pick a favorite, that's like asking me to pick a favorite child! I'd have to say my favorite right now is Ribbon of Darkness because it's the newest one and I think it's my best work yet.

Me: What do you hope your readers take away from reading your books?

Julie: I hope they're finding some clean entertainment, an adventure that takes them somewhere they've never been before, and that feeling of butterflies in the stomach that we all get when we first fall in love. I really want my readers to experience the story with the characters--all the ups and downs, and the anticipation of wondering what's going to happen next.

Me: What would you most like your readers to know about you? What do you hope they don’t know?

Julie: That's a hard one! I don't know what I want readers to know about me. I love my kids, I love to read, writing is a huge stress reliever for me because everyone in my books always does what I say, and my perfect evening would be sitting on my family room floor, with a fire in the fireplace, playing board games with my family and eating brownie sundaes.

What do I hope they don't know? Well, when someone was mean to my son, I put his name in one of my books as the villain. And when I needed a good terrorist's name I used the great-sounding name of this sweet older man in my LDS ward. (I did ask his permission before it went to print on that one. He was actually thrilled.) So, if you know me, or if you're mean to me, you might see your name in one of my books. (I can't believe I admitted that!)

Me: Who has influenced you the most as a person? As a writer?

Julie: I think my husband Brian has influenced me the most as a person. He is so supportive of everything I do and has really encouraged me to reach for my dreams, even when they look unreachable.

As a writer, I think I'd have to say George Lucas. I was sitting in a theater watching Return of the Jedi (that probably dates me. Eeep!) and I hated the ending. So I went home and rewrote it (so that the ending was actually the celebration of Han and Leia's wedding) and I knew right then I was going to be a writer.

Me: What advice do you have for wannabe writers?

Julie: I've always said the only difference between a published writer and an unpublished writer is that one gave up. I believe that. My advice would be to never give up. Keep going, keep learning, and keep reaching for that dream.

Me: Anything else you’d like to say?

Julie: Thank you so much for this interview! You're a lot of fun, Linda, and I told you all of my secrets! Now can we pinky swear that you won't tell anyone else? ;)

I didn’t pinky swear not to tell, but I might have paid her to say that I was a lot of fun. I can’t remember.

To find out more about Julie check out her website here or her blog here There's a Goodreads Giveaway for Ribbon of Darkness going on right now on Julie's blog. So hurry on over.

You can find Ribbon of Darkness both in print and on the Kindle at Amazon by clicking here.

Linda Garner