244 ratings | 52 reviews | avg rating:4.18

Michael’s Year In Books

Michael’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Michael’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Michael’s 2025 Year in Books

Michael Wells’s Followers (22)

Michael’s Bookshelves

to-read (0)
currently-reading (4)
read (264)
did-not-finish (0)

Michael’s Friends (5)

Sue Richards

0 books | 53 friends

Cara Mcnulty

1,195 books | 37 friends

Terry

24,209 books | 1,557 friends

Harry Lewis

0 books | 91 friends

michelle mullens

1 book | 37 friends

Michael Wells

Goodreads Author

Born

Glendale, California, The United States

Website

https://michaelwells.carrd.co/

Genre

Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy

Member Since

May 2012

edit data

Michael is an author, media producer, and technology consultant who explores the intersection of human resilience and modern innovation. With a background in Mass Communications from the University of California and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology, he brings a strategic yet deeply narrative lens to his storytelling.

His novel, Unbroken Hope, reflects his fascination with the strength of the human spirit. When he isn't drafting his next manuscript or consulting through MWells Media, you can find him navigating the coastal waters of Florida, improving his golf game, or enjoying a night of ballroom dancing with his wife, Dede.

A firm believer in the power of community, Michael is always eager to connect with readers about books, ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Michael Wells questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

How did you go about researching the era of Unbroken Hope?

Michael Wells Bringing the Dust Bowl and the Second World War to life required more than just checking dates and maps; it was about capturing the distinct "texture"…moreBringing the Dust Bowl and the Second World War to life required more than just checking dates and maps; it was about capturing the distinct "texture" of the 1930s and 40s.

My research process was a multi-layered approach designed to find the human story hidden within the historical record.

The Archives as Storytellers
I began by digging into primary sources—not just textbooks, but the raw, unfiltered accounts of the time.
The Library of Congress & National Archives: I spent significant time combing through oral histories, letters, and photographs from the Dust Bowl. Seeing the actual grit on the faces of families in 1934 provided a visual foundation that words alone couldn't convey.
Period Journalism: Reading newspapers from that specific era allowed me to capture the vernacular and the specific anxieties of the day. You learn quickly that people didn't know how history would end; they were living in a constant state of uncertainty.

Sensory Immersion
Historical fiction needs to be felt as much as read. To ground the setting, I focused on sensory details:
Atmospheric Research: I researched the weather patterns, the specific type of radio broadcasts common in the home, and even the nuances of how households managed rationing during the war.
Language and Dialogue: I worked to ensure the cadence of the dialogue felt authentic to the period without becoming inaccessible to modern readers. It was about finding that balance between period-accurate slang and clear, engaging storytelling.

Walking the Geography
While I couldn't visit the past, I could study the geography. Understanding the landscape—the vast, unforgiving distances of the Great Plains and the stark contrast of the environments my characters moved through—was crucial. It helped me understand why Erma & Clay’s choices (and the choices of those they left behind) were so difficult. Geography, in these stories, often acts as its own character.

I also drove the roads of Route 66 trying get a feel of the distances between cities.

The Human Element
Finally, the most challenging part of the research wasn't the history—it was the humanity. Researching the soldiers of the First Infantry Division, for instance, gave me the framework for what Vince would have seen and experienced, but I had to layer that with the emotional weight of what he left behind in Los Angeles. The "research" here was about empathy: asking myself what it would feel like to be separated from home by an ocean and a war, and how that silence would shape a man.(less)

flag

like
Comment

Why does the word Hope appear so often in your novel Unbroken Hope?

Michael Wells In my novel Unbroken Hope, the word "hope" serves as both a central theme and a necessary anchor for the characters as they navigate the immense hards…moreIn my novel Unbroken Hope, the word "hope" serves as both a central theme and a necessary anchor for the characters as they navigate the immense hardships of the Dust Bowl and World War II.

Here is why that word carries so much weight throughout the narrative:

A Counterweight to Despair
The story is set against some of the most grueling periods of the 20th century. For the characters living through the environmental devastation of the Great Depression or the visceral dangers of the European theater, "hope" isn't just a sentiment; it is a survival mechanism. It appears frequently because it represents the only thing the characters can truly possess when their land, homes, or safety have been stripped away.

The Internal Driver
While the world around them feels broken, the word reinforces the internal resilience of the protagonists. Whether it is the hope for a raincloud on a parched farm or the hope for a safe return from the front lines with the First Division, the repetition mirrors the way people often cling to a single, repetitive thought to keep moving forward in dire circumstances.

A Link to Legacy
Since this story is a highly fictionalized version of a real family history, the word acts as a bridge between the past and the present. It underscores the spirit that allowed previous generations to endure and eventually thrive, turning a simple four-letter word into a symbol of the enduring human spirit that defines the book’s title.
By weaving it into the dialogue and internal monologues, the word becomes a rhythmic reminder that even in the darkest chapters of history, the possibility of a better tomorrow is what sustains us.(less)

flag

like
Comment

See all 7 answers from Michael Wells…

Combine Editions
Michael Wells’s books

Average rating: 4.17 · 30 ratings · 2 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	Unbroken Hope 4.17 avg rating — 30 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Keeper of the Light 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

18 posts
Michael Wells's Blog

Big News: "Unbroken Hope" Named a Literary Global Award Finalist!

I am absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news with my Goodreads family today: Unbroken Hope has officially been named a finalist in the Literary Global Independent Author Awards for Historical Fiction!
When I first set out to write this novel, my goal wasn't to chase accolades. I wanted to honor a deeply personal chapter of history—the resilience, grit, and enduring spirit of those who su Read more of this blog post »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 24, 2026 06:45 • Tags: 1930sfiction, authorsofgoodreads, awardfinalist, bookawards, booktok, booktokawards, dustbowlhistory, historicalfiction, historicalfictionbooktok, historicalnovel, indieauthor, indieauthorawards, literaryglobalawards, michaelwells, mustreadbooks, selfpublishedauthor, steinbeckvibes, unbrokenhope, writingcommunity

View all 18 posts »

Michael is Currently Reading

Michael Wells is currently reading

Lonesome Dove (Lonesome Dove, #1)

by Larry McMurtry

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

May 11, 2026 05:10AM

Michael Wells is currently reading

Demarest Kill

by Frank Eberling

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mar 14, 2026 05:44AM

Michael Wells is currently reading

The Complete Novels of Mark Twain: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, A Connecticut Yankee & More American Classics in One Volume

by Mark Twain

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jul 08, 2025 01:17PM

rss
Michael’s Recent Updates

Michael Wells joined the groups Booktok 📚 and Audiobooks
May 31, 2026 03:37AM
Michael Wells made a comment in the group Audiobooks — US & UK Audio Codes for Unbroken Hope topic " I have few US & UK promo codes for my audiobook, Unbroken Hope on Audible in exchange for an honest review. Finalist for the Prestigious Literary Globe ...more "
May 31, 2026 03:34AM
Michael Wells is currently reading Lonesome Dove (Lonesome Dove, #1) by Larry McMurtry	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 11, 2026 05:10AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael Wells made a comment on Kathy Buchko’s review of Unbroken Hope " Kathy, I appreciate your comments about Unbroken Hope. I found your last sentence to be quite amusing! Thank you for sticking with it. "
Apr 28, 2026 05:33AM · see review
Michael Wells made a comment on Barbara’s review of Unbroken Hope " Barbara, thanks for your nice review. I'm glad you enjoyed it! ...more "
Apr 28, 2026 03:18AM · see review
Michael Wells answered Michael Wells's question: How did you go about researching the era of Unbroken Hope? Bringing the Dust Bowl and the Second World War to life required more than just checking dates and maps; it was about capturing the distinct "texture" of the 1930s and 40s. My research process was a multi-layered approach designed to find the human s See Full Answer
Apr 26, 2026 12:31PM · like
Michael Wells rated a book did not like it How to Survive in the Woods by Kat Rosenfield	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 22, 2026 10:55AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of How to Survive in the Woods by Kat Rosenfield. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — How to Survive in the Woods by Kat Rosenfield <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael Wells made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians Group — Multiple copies - ISBN 13 can't be changed on the correct version topic " Unbroken Hope by Michael Wells The ISBN13 9798994773017 for this paperback book was also used by an earlier version of the book. I checked with KDP and ...more "
Apr 19, 2026 07:30AM
Michael Wells made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians Group — Please correct author issues on "Unbroken Hope" by Michael Wells topic " Thnx! "
Apr 18, 2026 02:10AM