SECOND TIME AROUND - Melody Carlson - One Free Book
Bio: Melody Carlson is the award-winning author ofmore than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including manybestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances.She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All SummerLong was made into a Hallmark movie, and the film version of The HappyCamper is soon to be released. She and her husband live in central Oregon.With over 7.5 million books sold, Melody Carlson has wooedher way into the hearts of her many fans with her Hallmarkesque novels.Appealing to readers of Debbie Macomber and Rachel Hauck, each novel offers aperfect balance of romance, small-town feel, and charming characters. Melody’snewest novel, Second Time Around, is a perfect addition to herrepertoire. This winning tale is full of heart, home, and second chances.
About the story: When Mallory Farrell inherits hergrandmother’s run-down tourist shop in Portside, Oregon, she figures the mostsensible thing to do is sell it. But this tiny town has captured her heart. So,when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, offers to buy the property andconvert it into an outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides torenovate the property into an eclectic home decor shop called Romancing theHome.
As the shop rises in popularity, it catches the eye of apopular renovation show producer. The publicity from a special feature would begreat for her shop, but the segment would also include shots of her own home—adepressing apartment on the second floor. How can she live up to her motto of“romancing the home” when her own home is such a sad and dreary place? She istempted to withdraw from the show and abandon her dream for the shop, but,before she can pull the plug, she confesses her reasoning to Grayson.
Grayson’s understanding and vision for her apartment mayjust be the catalyst for not only romancing the home but also romancing Malloryas well.
Pleaseprovide a brief summary of your new novel, Second Time Around. Empty-nester MarleyFarrell inherits her grandmother’s run-down tourist shop in Portside, Oregon.Above the decrepit shop is an equally decrepit apartment—both in need ofserious TLC. While preparing the property for sale, Mallory rediscovers herlove for the ocean and the funky tourist town. So, when Grayson Matthews (asecret crush from long ago) tries to purchase her property to create a mall,Mallory has second thoughts. She decides to remain in Portside and renovate.And, in the process, she reinvents her life as well.There is a huge following of home renovation shows. Howwill Second Time Around resonate with this audience? More thaneighty million viewers get HGTV and about ten million tune in each month.Readers who enjoy house renovation and home decor, whether it’s via TV or reallife, will resonate with Mallory’s struggle to create a new habitat, meet newfriends, and possibly find love.
You new novel has an underlying theme of second chances.Without giving away any spoilers, can you please expand upon how this themeplays out in your book? Mallory’s been hurt by a bad marriage, Grayson’slost a beloved wife, an old store is about to be demolished, a town is slowlyfading away—there’s lots of room for second chances.Are there any lessons that you hope readers gain fromreading Second Time Around? Although it’s a lighthearted story,readers will experience scenes of grace and forgiveness, tucked between thelines. Of course, they might pick up a home design or decor trick along the waytoo.
Canyou tell readers a little more about your female protagonist, Mallory Ferrell,and her background? Malloryhas raised three children by herself. As a naturally creative person, shesupported her family with a design business that she built from the ground up. Life hastaught her to be strong and independent, but she longs for a meaningfulrelationship.Why did you choose Oregon as the setting for your book? Okay,it’s no secret I live in Oregon (fifth generation from pioneer roots). I’vetraveled around the world and most of the US, and you can call me biased but Ithink Oregon is outstandingly beautiful! Since my story involves a small,pretty coastal town, it just seemed to work.
With over 250 novels under your belt, how do you come upwith new plots for your stories? I think stories are as limited as peopleon this planet (past, present, future). Everyone is like a book: peel back somelayers, turn a few pages, and there is a story.
Some of your books have been made into movies. Can youplease tell readers more about this opportunity? All Summer Longpremiered with Hallmark a few years ago (and is still playing it). The HappyCamper will premiere in October on UP TV. I’ve already scripted Lookingfor Leroy, and it’s under consideration now.
How can readers connect with you?
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