DEVYN'S DILEMMA - Susan G Mathis - One Free Book

Welcome back, Susan. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

All of my books explore faith, hope, and redemption. Devyn’s Dilemma deals especially with the spiritual challenges of overcoming family abuse and the spirit of fear.

What are you working on and what other books do you have?

I’m currently working on Reagan’s Reward, book three of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series.

I have five published historical novels on the market. All are set in the enchanting Thousand Islands in Upstate New York during the Gilded Age era.

The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy is the story of a 1850s Irish immigrant and a 21st-century single mom who are connected by faith, family, and a quilt.

Christmas Charity is the story of Susan Hawkins and Patrick O’Neill who find that an arranged marriage is much harder than they think, especially when they immigrate from Wolfe Island, Canada, to Cape Vincent, New York, in 1864, just a week after they marry—with Patrick’s nine-year-old daughter, Lizzy, in tow.

Katelyn’s Choice is book one of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age with Lighthouse Publishing. It’s the story of nineteen-year-old Katelyn Kavanagh who leaves her family’s struggling farm to work on Pullman Island for the famous George Pullman. There she finds herself serving powerful men such as President Ulysses S. Grant, and General Sheridan—and falling in love with her best friend’s brother, Thomas, the handsome boatsman. Katelyn gains popularity with her friends by spilling the sensitive high society gossip she’s privy to. But when she overhears possibly damaging presidential conversations, she knows she can’t tell anyone. She could lose her job—and endanger her president’s 1872 reelection—and jeopardize her relationship with the man of her dreams.

Sara’s Surprise is the story of Sara McNully and Sean Graham who must navigate the challenging waters of work and romance. Sara befriends Sean’s 6-year-old daughter, Madison, but when Sara’s trust is shattered, can Sara learn to trust Sean with her heart or will she break two hearts and run away?

They all sound wonderful. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

I’d love to meet Frederick Bourne, owner of Singer Castle—the setting for Devyn’s Dilemma. Though a Gilded Age titan, he was a godly, kind, and giving man as you’ll experience in my story. He was one of the wealthiest men in the world and known for giving much of his wealth to charity. He rubbed shoulder with the likes of J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, and others—some of which you’ll also meet in my novel.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

If you feel that God is leading and guiding you to write, don’t give up. Keep learning! Read books. Take classes. Join webinars. Grow. Grow. Grow in your craft! 

Tell us about the featured book.

Devyn’s Dilemma, book two of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, just came out April 3, 2020.

Here’s the back-cover copy: 1910, Thousand Islands, New York. Others may consider The Towers castle on Dark Island an enchanting summer retreat, but to Devyn McKenna, it’s a prison. Yet as she works as a maid for Frederick Bourne, former president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, her life blossoms under the kindness of his family and fascinating entrepreneurs such as J.P. Morgan, Thomas Lipton, and Captain Vanderbilt. But more than anything, the growing friendship of Mr. Bourne’s valet, Brice McBride, begins to pry away the painful layers that conceal Devyn’s heart.

Brice is drawn to the mysterious Devyn even though he’s certain she’s hiding a secret, one far more dangerous than the clues they find in The Towers that hint of a treasure on the island. When Devyn is accused of stealing Bourne’s investment in Vanderbilt’s New York City subway expansion, he might not be able to protect her.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Devyn McKenna trembled as her brother, Falan, beckoned her into the skiff. She gazed at the choppy river, the dark clouds scuttling across the sky. Yes, she had to admit that the mighty St. Lawrence River was beautiful. But that same majestic water was also deadly—as she knew all too well.

She scowled and huffed as she shifted from one foot to the other. Why could she not work in Watertown or somewhere else far from the river? Why? She glared at Falan. This was his doing, just to spite her.

She turned her back on him before he could mock her angst as he always did. Before he could resurrect her pain. Her nerves prickled with memories she’d rather forget. Her burning eyes joined in the rebellion, threatening to spill tears.

She hated the river and what it had done to the ones she loved.

Falan scowled. “Come on, Devyn. We don’t have all day. They’re waitin’ for ya, and there’s a dinner party tonight.”

She heaved a ragged moan and gathered her skirts to climb into the small, rocking boat. “I shan’t be able to cross this divide too often.”

He chuckled. “Y’re such baby. What happened before ain’t got nothin’ to do with today. I’ve lived on the island on and off near two years now, and I’m the better for it. Ya’ll be too, if ya grab hold of it instead a fearin’ it.”

Devyn had nothing left to say, at least to him. Instead, she sat down in the middle of the seat and held on for dear life. She had to remind herself to breathe, to swallow. As Falan shoved the boat off from the dock, every wobble and wave frightened her more. What if they capsized? She couldn’t swim. She wouldn’t survive. And this folly would be all for naught.

In sheer panic, Devyn began to stand up, but the rocking waves plunked her down on the hard bench. “Take me back. Take me back now! I cannot do this.” Devyn’s heart beat so fast that she feared it would leave her chest. She held her hand over it, but then she broke into a sweat, and a large knot that threatened to choke her filled her throat. “Take me back now!”

Falan gave her an annoying shake of his head and grunted. “Not on yer life. Or mine. I promised the Bournes, and Mama needs the money ta feed the young ’uns. Just stop yer hysterics, girl, or I’ll slap it out of ya.”

“I’m not a slave! Surely, I can find work inland. I can’t live on an island. I beg you. Take me back.”

Falan laughed at her. He actually threw back his head and laughed hard. Loud and boisterously.

He was mocking her. Again.

Her eyes narrowed, and she dug her fingernails into her fists. “What kind of brother are you, that you have no compassion? You know my story. And you don’t care?”

“I care. A bit.” He quirked a brow and shook his head. “I put yer name forth fer Mama, not fer you. Ya gotta grow up sometime. Y’re twenty years of age and need ta let go and move on. This can be yer ticket out of the hell ya caused.”

Wow! How can readers find you on the Internet?

Here’s how you can connect with me:

Website: www.SusanGMathis.com

Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/devyns-dilemma

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanGMathis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SusanGMathis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

Thank you, Susan, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read the book and find out her secret and the other intriguing things.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Devyn's Dilemma (Thousand Islands Gilded Age Series) - Paperback
Devyn's Dilemma (Thousand Islands Gilded Age Series Book 2) - Kindle

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