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Hope
Mary’s Moment follows a switchboard operator in Thousand Island Park in the year 1912 who loses her memory in a disastrous fire accident. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
My mother, Mary, inspired this story. When she was a young woman, she spent two summers serving her aunts in the Thousand Islands Park. Every summer she’d take me there for an ice cream at the Guzzle and tell me stories of her time in the Park. So, it was always my desire to write about it. When I began researching and discovered the tragedy of the three 1912 fires that nearly destroyed the Park, I had my story, especially because my mom nearly lost her father in a barn fire when she was just fourteen.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
Goodness, isn’t there always an unscrupulous Archibald Reginald of sorts in all our lives? I know there have been such kinds of adversaries in several chapters of my life, and an evil insurance salesman fit the bill well in this fire-ridden story.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
All eleven of my Thousand Islands’ stories have hope as the central theme. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. Mary’s Moment also focuses on healing broken hearts, forgiving those who hurt you, and embracing God’s redemption.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
All of my books are set in the beautiful Thousand Islands Gilded Age. A Summer at Thousand Island House comes out July 25 with Wild Heart Books. It’s part of their Gilded Age series.
About: A Summer at Thousand Island House
Part-nanny, part entertainer, Addison Bell has always had an enduring love for children. So what better way to spend her creative energy than to spend the summer nannying at the renowned Thousand Island House on Staple’s Island? As Addi thrives in her work, she attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy.
But when Jimmy goes missing, Addi finds both her job and her reputation in danger. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the Thousand Islands community?
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Thousand Island Park’s switchboard operator Mary Flynn is christened the community heroine for her quick action that saves dozens of homes from a terrible fire. Less than a month later, when another disastrous fire rages through the Park, Mary loses her memory as she risks her life in a neighbor’s burning cottage. Will she remember the truth of who she is or be deceived by a treacherous scoundrel?
Widowed fireman George Flannigan is enamored by the brave raven-haired lass and takes every opportunity to connect with Mary. But he has hidden griefs of his own that cause him great heartache. When George can’t stop the destructive Columbian Hotel fire from eradicating more than a hundred businesses and homes, he is distraught. Yet George’s greater concern is Mary. Will she remember their budding relationship or be forever lost to him?
Readers of Christian historical romance will enjoy this exciting tale set in 1912 Thousand Island Park, NY.
Mary’s Moment
In Mary’s Moment, author Susan G. Mathis delivers a vivid exploration of life in the picturesque Thousand Island Park. Our heroine, 28-year-old Mary Flynn, finds pride and contentment in her existence amidst her aunts whilst operating as the switchboard operator and telegraph interpreter at the Columbine Hotel. However, a sweltering and parched summer incites a series of fires that not only disrupt the tranquil beauty of the islands but also instigate turmoil in Mary’s life. It is within this chaos that she encounters the heroic firefighter, George Flannigan, and the unscrupulous insurance salesman, Archibald Reginald, both contending for her affection. The sudden ignition of the Columbine Hotel sends Mary’s future spiraling into uncertainty in more ways than one.
This captivating installment in Susan G. Mathis’s expansive “Thousand Islands” series deviates slightly from its predecessors, shifting the focus from the scenic depiction of the Lawrence River’s islands to a more intimate examination of character development. Both Mary and George are expertly sculpted characters with rich backstories that edify their present motivations. Archibald Reginald, though an unprincipled antagonist, never descends into caricature, maintaining a delicate balance of loathsome intrigue. In a commendable feat, Mathis extends this depth to minor characters as well, giving them a significance that resonates throughout the narrative.
This narrative is a romance devoid of unnecessary embellishments, instead relying on a gripping sense of anticipation to maintain momentum. The omnipresent danger of fire adds an undercurrent of tension that ensures readers remain hooked, ever aware that an explosive event is imminent.
Mary’s Moment offers a profound exploration of the theme of forgiveness. Mary must learn to forgive others to achieve personal growth and open her heart, while George grapples with self-forgiveness for past mistakes before he can progress in life. Their journey of faith is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the transformative potential it holds.
Having savored the entire “Thousand Islands” series thus far, Mary’s Moment stands out as a personal favorite. The shift in focus towards character development without sacrificing the allure of the Thousand Islands was refreshing. The suspense woven into the narrative elevates the book, approaching a new genre altogether. Each character shines in their respective roles, contributing to a charming and enthralling tale that I would wholeheartedly recommend to avid readers time and again. Susan G. Mathis has created a compelling read in Mary’s Moment.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0BWH84X9N
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