I didn’t suddenly imagine the Peach Blossom Retreat; it grew out of years of memories, encounters, and places that stitched themselves into the vision of a bed-and-breakfast that would eventually become the heart of the Jenna Ross Thriller Series.
The Visionaries
Years ago when I worked in Washington, D.C., I knew a young married couple whose dream was to own a bed-and-breakfast in rural Maryland. They were determined planners who never took their eyes off their goal. They talked incessantly about their small successes and next steps. Nobody listened to their chatter except me, and I silently celebrated with them from the sidelines. It took them seven years, but they reached their goal. Their managers and coworkers were shocked by their seemingly abrupt departure when the couple pooled their resources, emptied their retirement funds, and walked away with a deed in their pocket and a vision in their hearts.
Our Travels
Their courage inspired me, and because of them, my husband and I enjoyed bed-and-breakfasts in our travels when we weren’t camping. Each inn offered more than just a place to stay; it offered a glimpse into the personalities, the quirks, and the warmth of the people who ran them. Those stays left a lasting impression.
The Perfect Barn
When we were considering moving to Georgia, we inspected a house for sale with a massive barn on the property. The barn was in surprisingly good shape, complete with a loft studio apartment above it. As soon as we saw it, we imagined its potential for wedding venues, family celebrations, community events. If the house itself had been a closer fit for us, we would have jumped at the chance to make that vision real.
The House Past Its Prime
Remember the fixer-upper we found that would have been a perfect bed-and-breakfast if it hadn’t been condemned and razed to the ground? (Check the June 27, 2025 blog titled When Life Hands You Peaches. Scroll back in the blogs to read!)
Life Fuels Art
The Peach Blossom Retreat is the culmination of those random touchpoints. It’s the place where all those seeds of inspiration finally found fertile ground. In Jenna Ross’s world, the inn isn’t just a business; it’s a refuge, a gathering place, and a setting full of charm and danger in equal measure.
So while the Peach Blossom Retreat may exist only on the page, it’s built on the foundation of real-life dreams, discoveries, and “what ifs.” That’s what makes writing about it such a joy. It’s both familiar and new; imagined and remembered.
Have you ever stayed at a bed-and-breakfast that left an impression on you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!
What’s New with the Jenna Ross Thriller Series?
Hint: Conspiracy Widow
Jenna Ross Thriller Series, Books 1-5!
Judith A. Barrett - Author 