Hey y'all!

What was I thinking? I didn’t need another job.

Allow me to introduce you to Bourbon & Bacon®, both of which you’ll find in abundance all over the south, my birthplace and my home. My husband, Randy, and I share a southern heritage along with a fondness for the American crafted spirit. We are a house divided on the doneness of bacon. He likes it cooked through, barely crispy. Mine is nearly burnt, very crispy (same as my Daddy).

My fourth novel, Pink: A Christmas Romance (award winning finally appears next to name because of this book) mentions a stationery and lifestyle shop that bears the name “Bourbon & Bacon” in Charleston, South Carolina. I don’t have a shop there yet, but I do have a penchant for all things PAPER and like my mother, cookbooks.

You see, I’ve had a shop in Franklin, North Carolina, since 2019. I bought Franklin Office Supply (with help from my parents) just as COVID took us all on a journey. Life is the messy bits! God is faithful. We not only survived the financial and emotional strain, but stationery was made out of necessity when I couldn’t get products for my shelves. I didn’t understand at the time that He would use that to help me creatively, and now financially.

There wouldn’t be an office supply, novels, or this new chapter of stationery from a lifestyle brand without my parents. My mother, Carolyn, my favorite chef, is my biggest cheerleader alongside my dad, an Army veteran, who everyone calls Sonny. They’ve helped me pack up novels to send to early reviewers and stood for hours scoring, folding, and packing samples of the Good Dog Collection cards all so I could get this going. I couldn’t do this without them and I wouldn’t want to. Carolyn will be posting content on social media for recipes, tips, tricks, and life here in the mountains of North Carolina. We cannot think of anything better than sharing great food, family, faith, and fun. We’ve envisioned a magazine and YouTube channel as well. Only time will tell how far this goes.

Here’s to following God’s direction even when we’re scared. Here’s to sharing my southern heritage with y’all, and here’s to sharing Bourbon & Bacon with you as we grow. May we both continue to prosper greatly by His hand.

I’m so glad my story now includes YOU!

With gratitude,

Monica Collier Mathis
Founder