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Character Growth
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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A Boldt Castle story
By Susan G Mathis
Step into the captivating world of Boldt Castle in 1903, where dreams are forged in the fires of adversity and love.
Madison Murray, the devoted maid to the legendary Louise Boldt, harbors a singular mission—to care for her ailing mistress while hiding her own painful past. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Emmett O’Connor, the distinguished foreman overseeing Boldt Castle’s extravagant construction. Their connection sparks with promise, yet the chasm of class difference and hidden secrets loom large.
Just as their budding romance begins to flourish, tragedy strikes, shattering their world. A deadly accident leaves Emmett wrestling with guilt and at the center of an investigation that could unravel everything he holds dear. Then Madison finds herself ensnared in a dangerous coverup that threatens her very life.
When Mrs. Boldt passes away, Madison is left reeling—jobless and burdened by the weight of her perceived failures. In a world filled with uncertainty, can she summon the strength to move forward and confront her past? Will Emmett rise above his challenges to forge a future alongside the woman who has captured his heart?
Better Than Coffee
Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s Better Than Coffee is a heartfelt novel that captures the essence of faith, family, and self-discovery. Set in the quaint town of Greenville, Kentucky, the story follows Tammy Sky, a young girl raised by her aunt Beverly after her biological parents give her up for adoption. Through a series of revelations, challenges, and heartwarming moments, Tammy’s journey intertwines with her family’s rediscovery of faith and love. Each chapter reveals the complex layers of familial bonds, personal struggles, and the redemptive power of faith, making it a poignant read.
The writing in this book shines when it delves into the intricacies of family relationships. One moment that particularly resonated with me was when Beverly explains Tammy’s origins to her—a tender yet nerve-wracking scene that shows Beverly’s deep love for her niece despite the complicated history. The dialogue feels authentic, and the emotional weight of the conversation is palpable. While the prose is straightforward, it carries a warmth that drew me into the lives of these characters, making their joys and sorrows my own.
At times, the pacing of the story shifted focus to detailed descriptions of coffee rituals, which were delightful but occasionally felt lengthy. These moments added a comforting sense of atmosphere and highlighted the role of coffee as a symbol of connection and reflection within the story. While I sometimes found myself eager to return to Tammy’s more immediate conflicts, such as her relationship with her biological mother, Heather, the coffee scenes ultimately enriched the narrative’s theme of community and belonging.
The faith-based elements are woven into the story in a way that feels genuine rather than preachy. Tammy’s first visit to church, for example, is portrayed with a sense of awe and wonder that reminded me of the transformative power of faith. The pastors at the Light Tabernacle, along with characters like Julia, provide spiritual guidance that feels grounded in love and understanding.
Better Than Coffee is a warm and uplifting story that would appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas with a faith-centered perspective. It’s heartfelt message and relatable characters make it worth the read. I’d particularly recommend it to anyone seeking an inspiring, spiritually nourishing novel.
Pages: 225 | ASIN : B0D9QFKS6D
Think Like an Assassin
Christmas in Evergreen: Heart of Evergreen follows an artist married to a private investigator who discovers her husband is actually an assassin, and she is at the top of his hit list. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I decided to write the first book of a trilogy set in Evergreen, Colorado. The title is Christmas in Evergreen, and I took my main characters out of my memoir, Her Heart, set in Lakewood, Colorado, and added characters from Boston, special women who had flaws, yet loved with their entire hearts. The story took off from there. Knowing and loving the area, plus this being my 49th book in my career, it flowed. I used events in my personal past and events already known, to make the story come alive and pop!
Kim thought things were going great in life till she discovered her husband’s hit list, and now is on the run and trying to figure out her life. What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
In shock, Kim had to run for her life. She had little time to grab water bottles, a backpack with some clothes, her purse, and her mobile phone. She bought three burner phones, and she knew Steve would track her own phone, and she withdrew a large amount of cash right before she dropped her bank and credit cards in the bank’s trash. She had to remain calm and think. Kim tried to put herself in the role of an assassin and try to think like an assassin – not easy to do. She ditched her mobile in a ravine, left her vehicle and keys at her art gallery, and she sought help from one person she could trust.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story, where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
Would you believe it popped into my head? Because it truly did. I drew from personal life and events, a little from how assassin movies were planned out, and it worked. I found ways to add in twists and shocking events, without adding gore and blood because a good book, with the right hooks, has no need for that. I’ll give you my prologue for book two in the next question.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Prologue
“What did you just say? The senior officer (Special Agent Thompson) of the two men from Homeland Security, that both Nancy and Kim knew prior, repeated, ‘Rob and Liza Caldwell were taken out as a hit’ in Boston last night and we think their assassin is the agent handler extraordinaire, who put out the hit job on the President, and on you, Kim, last November. The hit man’s name is Jeffrey Sanders, we don’t know any alias, ethnicity, or if male or female. Security cameras were disabled before the actual hit. Rob and Liza were asleep when it happened early this morning. A silencer was used, and neighbors heard their dog barking non-stop and became worried. The couple checked on them, found them dead in their bed, and called 911. The police detectives could tell it was a professional hit and called us. Special Agent Hughes and I flew directly here from Washington, DC. A note left at the scene read, ‘Two down, eleven to go’ and the eleven to go are most likely both of you, the President, and people unidentified. Make no mistake. The hit man will take out anyone with you, when, NOT if, they find you.”
“How dare you take out my two best assets! I’m coming for you, Kim, and your friend, Nancy! Never mind, my best assets died in a roll-over accident! They were after you, Kim! Now I’m going to finish the job! Both of you and yours are going down! I know where you are and who you have in your life! Tit for tat. The same back to both of you!”
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LITERARY TITAN 