Madison’s Mission follows a devoted lady’s maid caring for her mistress and hiding her past, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets the distinguished foreman overseeing the castle’s extravagant construction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Boldt Castle is the most famous tourist attraction in the Thousand Islands Region. Every year, nearly a quarter of a million visitors enjoy its beauty, including me. I’ve always wanted to write a story about it and Heart Island. But it wasn’t until recently that I finally developed a compelling storyline.

Ever since I was a child, Boldt Castle’s story has fascinated me. It’s a story of love and loss and begins with the talented businessman, George C. Boldt, a German immigrant who became proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. In 1900, Boldt embarked on an ambitious project to construct a six-story, 120-room castle inspired by the grand architecture of European châteaux. He meticulously planned every detail as an expression of his love and devotion, with hearts everywhere. You’ll experience its construction throughout my story and wonder at those who put so much of their hearts into it. When you visit there, your perspective will never be the same.

There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?

Technically, the sub-genre I write in is called “faction”—factual fiction. The setting and owners of that castle and mansion are all real characters and stories, and then I overlay fictional servants who tell the story. It’s rather complicated, but it’s oh so much fun. This gives me so much “scope for the imagination,” as Anne Shirley would say. I focus on character growth. But I’m a sucker for romance and happy endings, so if a relationship is part of my main character’s storyline, all the better!

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I hope readers are reminded that no matter the hardships we face, God is always at work behind the scenes—restoring, healing, and guiding us toward His best. Madison’s Mission is ultimately a story of hope, reminding us that love rooted in faith can overcome even the deepest sorrow and that purpose often rises out of pain. Madison is terrified of opening herself up again because of all the pain she’s endured. But God gently leads her to realize that love and community are part of the healing process. Through Emmett, and through unexpected circumstances, she learns that God is not finished with her story. That’s something I think many readers will relate to.

Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?

I have a new series coming out in early 2027 based in the Thousand Islands, so I’ll continue to feature the beautiful landscape, history, and drama set around Boldt Castle and in the St. Lawrence River during the Gilded Age.
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