In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, I’m thrilled to welcome bestselling author Melody Carlson to discuss her heartfelt new novel, WELCOME TO THE HONEY B&B. With a deeply personal connection to the story, Melody weaves themes of caregiving, second chances, and the power of community into a touching tale that balances both heartache and hope. Inspired by her own experience caring for her late husband, she brings authenticity and warmth to this moving family drama. Join us as we dive into the inspiration behind the novel, the fascinating role of beekeeping, and what’s next on her writing journey.
Jen: The theme of caregiving - particularly for a parent with early-onset dementia - is both timely and touching. What inspired you to explore this challenging family dynamic in your new release, Welcome to the Honey B&B?
Melody: My husband Chris was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) in 2022. Like my character CT in this novel, Chris was an outdoorsy, Mr. Fixit, guy’s guy… and early onset dementia was tough to take—for both of us. I was his caregiver until he passed at home, shortly before Christmas 2024. I wrote WELCOME TO THE HONEY B&B partly to inform others about this form of early dementia, and for my own personal therapy. Much of CT’s wife Honey’s story is really my own, fictionalized. I realize it’s a heavy subject, but I tried to handle it lightly, with the same kind of humor Chris was known and loved for.
Jen: Beekeeping is a key element in the story. Did you have to do specific research on it? What drew you to include this particular hobby/profession?
Melody: I have a nephew who’s a beekeeper and I think it’s interesting and environmentally important. I grow a lot of lavender, and we have hundreds of honeybees that visit and gather pollen. They feel like tiny busy friends to me. And bees always fascinated Chris—plus he loved honey (especially on a peanut butter sandwich!). So the pieces just fell into place.
Jen: Both Jewel and her neighbor are single parents of teenagers. How did writing the parallel parent-child relationships help you develop these characters and their eventual connection?
Melody: I wanted the story to be multi-generational, since dementia usually impacts all of an extended family. Most families have some inner relational problems that become more evident, more in need of resolution as family members become aware that a loved one’s “clock” is ticking faster. Having Jewel simultaneously deal with her angst-ridden teen daughter and struggling parents seemed to demand some sort of ‘outside’ help, and the neighbors provided it. Miguel, who’d also been through loss, had developed skills for functioning that he was willing to share.
Jen: The idea of turning a family home into a bed and breakfast is intriguing. Was this inspired by any real-life experiences or properties you've encountered?
Melody: We used to toy with the idea of a B & B, and actually have two rentable suites that would make great short term vacation rentals, but my life got too complicated with caring for Chris to manage it. Although, the units came in handy for visiting relatives while Chris’s illness took him downhill. But maybe I’ll pursue it someday… I’ve always loved creating welcoming spaces and showing hospitality. I’m now sharing one of the units with a homeless woman trying to get back on her feet.
Jen: Second-chance romance is always compelling. What made you decide to bring Jewel's high school flame back into her life as a contractor, and how did you balance their history with their present circumstances?
Melody: I guess I like throwing in a romantic triangle to spice things up. Plus, it’s fun to show an old relationship, perhaps one that seemed important in youth, but maybe not so much later in life. Plus, I liked juxtaposing two very different characters with very differing character traits. Unfortunately, real life’s not always that simple. What if we were able to see a love interest with the clarity we can see in a novel? But maybe we can learn to look deeper after reading a novel.
Jen: Was there a particular character in the book who surprised you as you were writing - perhaps taking on a bigger role or going in a different direction than you initially planned?
Melody: When I started the book, I’d planned for CT to be more in the background. After all, who wants to write about, or read about, dementia? But, like in real life, CT’s illness took center stage. Not because he wanted to get all the attention, but because his illness necessitated it. As Chris’s illness progressed, I witnessed close up how real that becomes over time.
Jen: What do you hope readers take away from this story about family, community, and new beginnings?
Melody: I hope they’ll be encouraged to face whatever challenges are headed their way. And we know that challenges are coming—that’s life. But perhaps seeing how a troubled family came together, worked together, fought together, and grew stronger—both individually and relationally—will leave the reader with a sense of hope.
Jen: What’s the best way for readers to stay connected with your latest news and book updates?
Melody: I have an assistant helping me with my social media right now. But they should be able to find me on Facebook, Instagram, my newsletter, and eventually my website, which is being remodeled. And I try to answer reader letters sent to me via email.
Jen: What's next on your writing horizon? I'd love to hear about your current project and any details you can share with readers.
Melody: I have a new Christmas novella releasing in September of this year called Once Upon a Christmas Carol that I think will put readers in the mood for the holidays. And I’m just finishing my bigger novel for 2026—which ironically is about a widow ‘of a certain age’ who’s trying to find her place in the world by opening up her oversized Victorian home to four other single women with a variety of problems and challenges related to growing old gracefully and finding Mr. Right to do it with them. And naturally, it’s not smooth sailing.
Jen: One last question! What’s on your TBR stack?
Melody: I just started A Three Dog Life (memoir by Abigail Thomas) and I have some old Catherine Marshall books I’ve wanted to reread in the pile. Plus a couple of new novels—Calling for the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund, and The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barrat. As soon as I finish my novel, hopefully in a couple of weeks, I’m going to read and read.
Jen: Thank you for writing a story that explores the complexity of family relationships while maintaining hope and humor. Best of luck with your new release!
Melody: Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. WELCOME TO THE HONEY B&B might be the most “autobiographical” novel I’ve written, and I hope and pray it resonates with readers!
A Contemporary Clean Romance Novel about Family and New Beginnings
After years in San Jose, Jewel McKerry is going home to Oregon to help care for her father who has early onset dementia. Easier said than done. Jewel's 13-year-old daughter is upset about the move. Her absentminded beekeeper dad is a humorous handful. Her mom is overworked and overwhelmed. Her finances are stretched tight. And, according to her father, the neighbors are troublesome.
To make some needed money, Jewel convinces her parents to turn the decrepit farmhouse into a B&B. Soon her old high school flame turned contractor steps in to help, but Jewel questions whether he is trustworthy. Those "troublesome" neighbors--a handsome widower and his teenage daughter--just might be the key to making all this work?
Along the way, they'll all discover that it takes a village to keep a man with dementia (and a goofy sense of humor) from unraveling everything!
Romance Contemporary | Christian [Baker Publishing Group, On Sale: March 4, 2025, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9780800746025 / eISBN: 9781493448647]
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington’s, The Christmas Cat, The Christmas Joy Ride, and The Christmas Angel Project. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, "Serendipity by the Sea," secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido's talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy