Learn About The Inspiration Behind Her Novels And The Messages She Hopes To Convey.
Ashley Maureena discusses her Texas-inspired Christian fiction, exploring themes of identity, love, and resilience in her novels “Merridy Christmas” and “The Swedish Bodyguard.”
Ashley Maureena is a captivating voice in the realm of Christian fiction, weaving narratives that resonate with authenticity and heart. Her works, including the beloved “The Swedish Bodyguard” and her latest release, “Merridy Christmas,” showcase her unique ability to blend faith, love, and personal growth within richly detailed settings. Born in southeast Texas and a long-time resident of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Ashley draws inspiration from her surroundings, infusing her stories with the vibrant culture and diverse landscapes of her home state. Her South Hills novels, set against the backdrop of this dynamic region, offer readers a fresh perspective on the complexities of life and faith.
Ashley Maureena’s storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, inviting readers to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the power of relationships. Her characters are crafted with depth and sincerity, reflecting the challenges and triumphs of real life. In “Merridy Christmas,” Ashley delves into the journey of staying true to oneself amidst life’s opportunities and adversities, while “The Swedish Bodyguard” explores love and sacrifice through the lens of duty and personal transformation. With a degree in History and Education from the University of Texas at Dallas, Ashley’s background in education and her passion for storytelling shine through in her work, making her a cherished author in the world of Christian fiction.
What inspired you to incorporate your Texas upbringing into your Christian fiction, and how does it shape the narratives in your books?
“Ashley Maureena captivates readers with authentic storytelling, blending faith and personal growth in richly detailed, heartfelt narratives.” – Editor, Reader’s House
One reason why I incorporate Texas into my fiction is: write what you know! Writing in a familiar setting allows me to jump into exploring the characters and their dynamic, rather than becoming bogged down in the research of the setting. While I still must do this, especially when my characters travel, that research comes later after I have a firm grasp on the characters, their personalities, and their dynamic with one another.
I also love using Texas as a setting because so many pieces of fiction are set in repetitive locations like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris, or London. Books that are set in Texas tend to have a Western flair, and, honestly, most people think of cowboys when they think of Texas. But the state has such a diverse population, and each region has its own distinct culture. This is something I try to display in my work. ‘South Hills’ is a fictional suburb of Dallas which is a very fast-paced, quickly evolving area, and the characters must deal with these constant changes. (A point all of them make throughout the stories). But we also see the ‘picturesque’ Texas when Merridy visits her hometown of Meseta, a fictionalized Hill Country town, and how the quiet ranch-life shaped her values.
Personally, I have lived in the smallest of Texas towns – population maybe 100 if you count the cows – to a mid-sized college town to the thriving DFW metroplex, and I have traveled all over the state. There’s so many interesting places and dynamics within Texas that I am eager to present in future titles.
“Texas has such a diverse population, and each region has its own distinct culture. This is something I try to display in my work.” – Ashley Maureena
Can you share the themes or messages you hope readers take away from your newest title, Merridy Christmas?
A big part of Merridy Christmas and the title character’s journey is the struggle to stay true to herself and her beliefs in the face of both adversity and opportunity. There are many discussions about staying true to oneself in the face of adversity, but it is even more difficult to stay true to oneself in the face of opportunity. When we are given the chance to change our lives and achieve our dreams, how much are we willing to sacrifice? If the outcome is a ‘positive’, are we willing to give up who we are to reach that outcome?
There are other great themes throughout the book, such as body-positivity, the importance of healthy and strong relationships, and overcoming trauma with faith, friends, and family.
How does Merridy’s journey to learn ice skating reflect her personal growth and the challenges she faces in pursuing her dreams in Merridy Christmas?
Ice skating requires balance, a bit of athleticism, and someone to show us how it is done. Merridy must learn to balance her dreams with her beliefs. She must come to terms with her own negative body image. And, most importantly, she must surround herself with the right people that will support her on her journey. We all need someone who understands our dreams, supports our dreams, and becomes our biggest cheerleaders.
What role does the holiday setting play in shaping the characters and themes in Merridy Christmas?
The holiday season is a magical time of year when we focus on family, love, and hope. It is a time where those who are alone long to find their soulmate to share a hot cocoa and a first snowfall. It is a time of year where we fondly recall traditions and share them with those closest to us.
Merridy and Jacob are able to bond due to their shared love of Christmas and that deep desire to share the magical season with someone. Even when they attempt to bury their feelings for one another because of the circumstances they are in, the allure of the season, and all that it represents, forces them to realize they must be true to themselves and their feelings.
“The holiday season is a magical time of year when we focus on family, love, and hope.” – Ashley Maureena
How do the themes of love and sacrifice play out in The Swedish Bodyguard, particularly through the relationship between Brodie and Gunnar?
By the time Brodie and Gunnar find one another, they had both become complacent in their solitary lifestyles. Meeting one another becomes a catalyst. Brodie realizes that she is called to more than the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle she has been living, but she must be willing to leave the dull, status quo of her life for Sweden. Gunnar realizes that he could fall in love again, but he must be willing to overcome his self-doubts about his age and ghosts of his past to be able to do so.
They must both be willing to sacrifice their comfort zones – complacency and security – to find love. And it is that love that strengthens them to form a strong partnership to protect the Crown Prince, stop a terrorist, and save the Royal Family they work for.
In what ways does Brodie’s experience as a nanny for the Swedish Royal Family challenge her understanding of family and duty in The Swedish Bodyguard?
Brodie came from a home broken by the loss of her mother: her father became depressed and an alcoholic, subsequently passing away; her aunt begrudgingly raised her and her sister with emotional trauma; and she became estranged from her sister. When she is presented with the position as nanny for the Swedish Royal Family, she sees another family on the verge of losing their mother. Queen Jonna is the foundation of her family, just as Brodie’s mother was. She decides to not let this family become like her own family, and even realizes that her past makes her capable of fulfilling her duty to the Royal Family. In doing so, she heals from her old wounds and gains a new family with the Royal Family, as well as Gunnar and his mother.
