Kelly chats with beloved author Melody Carlson about her heartwarming and deeply personal Christmas novella, Once Upon a Christmas Carol. What starts as a lighthearted holiday romance takes on deeper meaning as Melody shares the story’s uncanny parallels to her real life—including the grief of her first Christmas as a widow and the unexpected gift of a new “bonus daughter.” Set against the snowy charm of Michigan farmland, this novella is packed with holiday warmth, romance, and a powerful message of grace. Melody opens up about the book’s serendipitous themes, her favorite Christmas traditions, and how God’s timing is always perfect, even in fiction.
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the movie based on her novel The Happy Camper premiered on UPtv in 2023.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (NKJV)
Melody Carlson’s New Book: Once Upon a Christmas Carol
What will happen when a tropical escape from holiday blues turns into a snowy wonderland filled with joy and cheer?
Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, with a birthday on December 25 and too many dashed childhood expectations, she would rather avoid the holiday season. And working in the design industry where she manages seasonal decor for wealthy, entitled clients certainly hasn’t helped!
So, this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas–by herself–bah humbug! But bad weather and God’s radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt’s farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas–one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit.
Melody Carlson’s Christmas novella delivers all the charm of a holiday Hallmark movie, is rooted in Christian faith, woven with sweet romance, and features A Christmas Carol themes.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
Finding Forevermore is available today!
Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything.
Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth.
Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself.
As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper.
Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace.
Kelly chats with author Christen Krumm, whose latest Christmas romance Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage is full of charm, warmth, and heart. Christen shares how her writing journey took her from YA dystopian to sweet holiday rom-coms, why she loves reverse grumpy sunshine dynamics, and the magic behind Susan May Warren’s collaborative Jonathan Island world. With relatable characters, snowy small-town vibes, and the deeper message of trust and hope, this episode is a cozy must-listen for readers who adore faith-filled romance and second chances.
Christen Krumm lives with her real-life superhero husband and three barefoot wildings in small-town Arkansas. Coffee is the lifeblood, books are her happy place, and creating stories is her favorite. Find her online at christenkrumm.com
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Christen Krumm’s New Book: Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
“If you enjoy a clean read with close proximity, Christmas vibes, the characters watching Christmas movies, and the characters being bookish, Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage is a must read.” Reviewer—Goodreads
She just wants a nice, quiet holiday getaway. Too bad her new—and way too handsome—accidental roommate comes with an annoying dose of holiday cheer.
Successful, but writer’s blocked author Bronte Parker just needs some holiday peace and quiet to jumpstart her brutal writer’s block. Hence her rental at a quaint cottage on quiet and remote Jonathon Island. So what’s the deal with the double booking? And worse…the sudden Santa can’t leave—not with a record breaking blizzard overtaking the island. Suddenly her world is all about eggnog, Christmas movies and decking the halls with all type of distractions.
He’s a soldier who needs a merry Christmas…
After two years away, Army surgeon Jonah White is thrilled to be going home for the holidays. Too bad his parents have escaped the island for a tropical Christmas cruise, renting out their place—his home!—to a seriously uptight author. And thanks to a blizzard, he can’t even escape.
But when he discovers the author has writer’s block, well, the doctor is in. He’ll help her fix it by showing her a real Christmas—something foster kid Bronte has never had. And maybe it’s working because as surprise Santa sweeps her up in the magical Jonathon Island Christmas festivities, a new story starts to come alive inside…one where maybe a happily-ever-after could actually exist.
But is this just a holiday romance? And what happens when the blizzard ends, the air clears, and duty calls. Is the magic over?
Enjoy this enchanting Jonathon Island Christmas story about being snowed in with an unexpected hero…and taking a chance on the happy ending you never saw coming.
The Jonathon Island series is created by USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Susan May Warren.
💞 Tropes in Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
Reverse Grumpy Sunshine (she’s the grump, he’s the sunshine!)
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
Finding Forevermore is available today!
Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything.
Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth.
Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself.
As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper.
Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace.
In this episode, bestselling author Mary Connealy chats about Riches Beyond Measure, the conclusion to her Golden Gate Treasure series. Known for her romantic comedies with cowboys, Mary shares how this treasure hunt adventure brings together faith, family, and a whole lot of fun. They dive into the story of Annie, a grieving widow and devoted mother, who never expected to fall in love again—especially not while chasing gold through the rugged terrain of 1870s California. With charming chaos, reluctant romance, and a strong spiritual thread about storing up treasures in heaven, this book offers both rich storytelling and timeless truth. Mary also gives a behind-the-scenes peek into her writing process, the real-life inspirations behind her characters, and why she always adds a splash of wild humor to her faith-filled fiction.
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!
Matthew 6:19–21 (NKJV) Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mary Connealy’s New Book: Riches Beyond Measure
When they leave the ranch in search of stolen treasure, will the spark between them survive the perils ahead?
When an earthquake strikes Two Harts Ranch, it shakes the life of Annie Lane along with that of Cord Westbrook, who has been working as a cowboy on Annie’s family ranch in anticipation of purchasing his own. The only thing delaying his plan is the deep attraction he feels toward Annie, a widow with a child and an established life as a teacher at the Hart School for Orphans. Unfortunately for Cord, she seems determined to avoid romance.
The aftermath of the earthquake reveals that prized artifacts from the long-sought MacKenzie’s Treasure have been stolen from the ranch. But the return of the MacKenzie family from out east has everyone focused on what other precious finds might be waiting at the end of the legendary two-part map. As Cord, Annie, and the MacKenzies set out in search of riches, they face dangers more treacherous than earthquakes. With gold in their sights and love within reach, Cord and Annie realize that some treasures may fade, but life’s true riches are far more valuable than earthly goods.
Embark on a rousing California wilderness adventure filled with danger, deception, and second chances in this riveting conclusion to Mary Connealy’s Golden State Treasure series–ideal for fans of frontier romances, cowboys, and treasure hunts.
💞 Tropes in Riches Beyond Measure
Treasure Hunt Adventure
Widow Falling in Love Again
Forced Proximity
Orphan Train
Found Family
Reluctant Courtship
Second Chance at Love
Marriage of Convenience
Cowboy Hero + Feisty Heroine
Grumpy meets Sunshine (a bit of a twist with Annie & Cord!)
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
Finding Forevermore is available today!
Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything.
Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth.
Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself.
As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper.
Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace.
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