Uncategorized – Janet Grunst

June 20, 2023

Why I Wrote a Revolutionary War Series

I’m intrigued by the motivations, means, and results of people who emigrated to the American colonies. Many came to escape circumstances in their homeland, others sought adventure or the potential of a better life.

The ingenuity, courage, and inspiration of our founders in declaring independence and establishing our constitutional republic fascinate me.

A series allows for a more in-depth character examination and circumstances over an extended period.

While historical events are set at a specific point in time, there are often details about them that readers have little knowledge of and find interesting.

Fictional characters in historical novels often experience many of the same issues mankind has struggled with throughout time. While characters’ attitudes and how they navigate life decisions are often a view into the era and culture in which they live, people of any generation can relate to them.

A Heart Set Free

Desperate to escape further deception, disillusionment, and disgrace Heather Douglas flees Scotland in 1770 as an indentured servant. Her life detours when a widowed Virginia planter purchases the indenture and marries her. Through her journey of self-examination and maturing faith, Heather is finally free to experience the life she desires.

It is in the Virginia countryside that she begins her greatest journey, one of self-discovery and faith. She discovers that her emotional and spiritual scars bind her far more than her indenture. Will the liberty she seeks finally provide her with the freedom she longs for?

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Set-Free-Janet-Grunst/dp/1946016012/ref

A Heart For Freedom

By the spring of 1775, antagonism between the colonists and the British has escalated to confrontation. Strife between factions loyal to the crown and those demanding independence is pitting friends, neighbors, and families against each other. Like many others, Heather and Matthew Stewart’s world has turned upside down, and for children, growing up always has its challenges, but war can accelerate and define it.

When Matthew disappears, unexplainable and odd events create doubts and suspicion, and loyalties are questioned. His absence tests the Stewart family in ways they could have never imagined. The characters face heartaches and grief, joys and hope, dangers and intrigue, love and faith.

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Freedom…/dp/B07FB5J172/ref

Setting Two Hearts Free

Donald Duncan joined the Patriot cause for noble reasons. The war has changed him, and now the battle is internal.

Mary Stewart spends the war years with her family at Stewarts’ Green, helping them operate their ordinary, waiting for Donald’s safe return, … until that day the evil side of war touches her.

Two hearts were altered by a war that dragged on for six years. Two hearts left hurting and struggling to find the love and trust they once knew. Is there a path for them to rekindle what was lost and finally find peace? https://www.amazon.com/Setting-Hearts…/dp/B085DRXFZY/ref

March 20, 2023March 11, 2023

Mary’s Moment by Susan Mathis

Reading a Susan Mathis book is like vacationing in the Thousand Islands, an expanse of 1800 islands between New York and Canada. Her stories give us a fascinating glimpse into the gilded age and the history of the area. Mary’s Moment, Susan’s latest treat, takes place during the summer of 1912.

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.

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has ten in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Peyton’s Promise, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Rachel’s Reunion, and Mary’s Moment. Her book awards include two Illumination Book Awards, three American Fiction Awards, two Indie Excellence Book Awards, and four Literary Titan Book Awards. Reagan’s Reward is a Selah Awards finalist. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland but it’s more of a holy day honoring their patron saint.

St. Patrick was born around 385 A.D. in Roman Britain to aristocratic parents. At sixteen he was captured by Irish pirates who took him to Ireland and sold him into slavery. While there Patrick tended sheep, drew close to the Lord, and came to believe his captivity may have been part of God’s plan. He dreamt he was to free the Irish people from their druid beliefs and share the gospel of Christ with them. After six years, Patrick escaped and made his way back to Britain. God gave him another revelation; that he would one day return to Ireland as a missionary. After a brief time in England, he traveled to France where he entered the priesthood and remained for fifteen years. However, he never lost sight of his dream of returning to Ireland to spread “The Good News”. Around 431 A.D., Patrick was consecrated Bishop of the Irish and returned to the island of his captivity.

Patrick eventually convinced the Druids to abandon beliefs that kept them enslaved and convinced them to find freedom in Christ. He built up t

he church in Ireland, establishing monasteries, and organizing the land into dioceses. Patrick died March 17, 461 in Saul, County Down, Ireland where he is said to be buried.

Why is St Patrick’s Day such a big deal in our the United States with all the revelry and hundreds of parades?

Probably because almost 35 million Americans identify as having Irish heritage while the population of the entire island of Ireland is not even 8 million.

When did the Irish make their way to America?

There have been two major diasporas to American shores. The First Wave of Irish Immigration came between 1714 to 1750. Many Presbyterians who had emigrated to the northern part of Ireland from Scotland became known as Ulster-Scots or Scots-Irish. They moved on to America to escape religious discrimination, rising rents and seeking land to own. Many of these educated, skilled workers, and farmers settled in New England while others traveled to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

The Year Without Summer, a novella in The Highlanders: A Smitten Historical Romance Collection https://www.amazon.com/Highlanders-Smitten-Historical-Romance-Collection/dp/1645260631/ref tells the story of a Highlander leaving Scotland during the clearances who traveled to Ireland and was forced off that land to emigrate to the United States in 1816.

The other significant diaspora occurred in the 1840s when the Irish potato

famine devastated Ireland. Up to two million starving Irish sailed to North America during the Famine departing from mainly Belfast, Dublin, and Londonderry. They sailed to the US and Canada, many in what came to be known as coffin ships. They settled mainly in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, but some headed

westward. U.S. immigration records indicate that by 1850, the Irish made up 43 percent of the foreign-born population.

I’ve written a story (yet to be published) that takes place in 1847 during the famine. It’s about a woman and her daughter forced to leave Ulster Ireland seeking restored lives in America.

Our St. Patrick’s Day traditions include shamrocks, a traditional Irish meal, and possibly watching Riverdance or a movie about St. Patrick. How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

October 24, 2022September 2, 2022

Rachel’s Reunion ~Another 1000 Islands story by Susan Mathis

Susan, please tell us a little about your writing background, please.

I’ve been teaching writing, editing, and writing most of my life. I jumped into the fiction world, I served as the Founding Editor of Thriving Family magazine and the former Editor/Editorial Director of twelve Focus on the Family publications. My first two published books were nonfiction. Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage with an Indonesian and Spanish version, and The ReMarriage Adventure: Preparing for a Life of Love and Happiness, has helped thousands of couples prepare for marriage. I’m also the author of two picture books, Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya and Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure. Moreover, I’m published in various book compilations including five Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Ready to Wed, Supporting Families Through Meaningful Ministry, The Christian Leadership Experience, and Spiritual Mentoring of Teens. I’ve also several hundred magazine and newsletter articles.

But when I started writing fiction… I was hooked! My imagination has become my playground and the characters my friends. I love the challenge, the freedom, the fun of creating with the Creator. But…I only tell that to those who love fiction—or they might lock me up as a crazy person. Smiles.

Why do you write about the Gilded Age?

The American Gilded Age (from about 1870-1910) was a time of rapid technical advances, industrialization, and thousands of new inventions. Mark Twain coined the term in his 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today which satirized the era of social problems that were masked by a layer of thin, gold gilding. It’s a fascinating time in history, especially in the Thousand Islands.

Unfortunately, it was also a time of unequal distribution of wealth where the rich got richer and the poor working class suffered. Many young women worked as servants until they married, and that’s what my stories are about—those nameless, faithful women who cooked and cleaned and served tables for the rich and famous. These “downstairs” women had fascinating stories to tell, and I plan to tell many of them.

During the Gilded Age, America led the world in innovation. A half-million patents were issued for new inventions including hundreds by Thomas Edison, Westinghouse, and others. Thanks to inventions such as the delivery of electric power, the world became lighter, safer, more convenient and comfortable, and all around better.

So, this is why I write Thousand Islands Gilded Age stories. To share the rich heritage this era gave us and better understand what it was like.

What kind of research did you do for Rachel’s Reunion?

I grew up just twenty minutes from the Thousand Islands, so I spent every summer and more exploring the beautiful region. I’ve stayed on several of the islands and camped and rented cottages there. So, after I wrote my debut novel about the largest island, Wolfe Island, I was hooked. There are so many fascinating stories to tell.

Now, I take an annual Thousand Islands Book Tour to the islands where I meet with fans, friends, and family. I’ve stayed in Singer Castle, Casa Blanca, and other places that are the settings of my book. I’ve talked with the owners of the islands, local historians, and researched in the Thousand Islands archives.

All my novels are based on a specific place in the Thousand Islands and the true stories of the owners of that island. So, my plot is generally true. Then I overlay the storyline of the fictional servants to create the story. This makes my stories a bit more challenging, but I love a good challenge.

About Rachel’s Reunion:

Summer 1904

Rachel Kelly serves the most elite patrons at the famed New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island. She has wondered about her old beau, Mitch, for nearly two years, ever since he toyed with her affections while on Calumet Island, then left for the high seas and taken her heart with him. Now he’s back, opening the wound she thought was healed.

Mitch O’Keefe returns to claim his bride but finds it more difficult than he thought. Returning to work at the very place he hated, he becomes captain of a New Frontenac Hotel touring yacht, just to be near Rachel. But his attempts to win her back are thwarted, especially when a wealthy patron seeks her attention. Who will Rachel choose?

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has nine in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, and Peyton’s Promise. Rachel’s Reunion releases October 20, 2022. She just finished writing book ten, Mary’s Moment. Her book awards include two Illumination Book Awards, three American Fiction Awards, two Indie Excellence Book Awards, and two Literary Titan Book Awards. Reagan’s Reward is a Selah Awards finalist.

Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands.

Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

June 6, 2022May 17, 2022

Meet Susan Mathis, author of Peyton’s Promise

Susan Mathis has another charming story, Peyton’s Promise, set in the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River.

Please tell us about your writing journey, Susan.

I’ve been teaching writing, editing, or writing most of my life. I taught language arts for nine years, and before I jumped into the fiction world, I served as the Founding Editor of Thriving Family magazine and the former Editor/Editorial Director of twelve Focus on the Family publications. My first two published books were nonfiction. Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage with an Indonesian and Spanish version, and The ReMarriage Adventure: Preparing for a Life of Love and Happiness, both have helped thousands of couples prepare for marriage. I’m also the author of two picture books, Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya and Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure. Moreover, I’m published in various book compilations including five Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Ready to Wed, Supporting Families Through Meaningful Ministry, The Christian Leadership Experience, and Spiritual Mentoring of Teens. I’ve also several hundred magazine and newsletter articles. But then I started writing fiction…and I’m hooked!

What motivated you to set your stories in the Thousand Islands area?

Please tell us a little more about the story.

It’s the summer of 1902, and Peyton Quinn is tasked with preparing the grand Calumet Castle ballroom for a spectacular two-hundred-guest summer gala. As she works in a male-dominated position as an upholsterer and fights for women’s equality, she’s persecuted for her unorthodox ways. But when her pyrotechnics-engineer father is seriously hurt, she takes over the plans for the fireworks display despite being socially ostracized.

Patrick Taylor, Calumet’s carpenter, and Peyton’s childhood chum hopes to win her heart, but her unconventional undertakings cause a rift. Peyton has to ignore the prejudices and persevere or she could lose her job, forfeit Patrick’s love and respect, and forever become the talk of local gossips.

It’s obvious you researched a great deal for this story. Please share about that.

I LOVE researching! There’s a lot of information in Peyton’s Promise about the women’s suffrage movement and upholstery work. But I really enjoyed researching fireworks—how they’re made, how they’re shot off, etc. I connected with the leading fireworks historical and gleaned lots of great information I sprinkled into the story. I’ll never view another fireworks show the same.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

All of my stories have the central theme of hope and redemption. Peyton’s Promise also explores forgiveness.

God often teaches us something through our writing. What did you learn about life, faith, or yourself in the process of writing Peyton’s Promise?

Yes, every book I write is a journey of healing and hope, and this one was no different. Patrick’s journey of forgiving his father paralleled my journey of forgiving my stepdad.

Where can readers find your books?

You can find links to all my books and more on my website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books/

Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/peytons-promise/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Peytons-Promise-Thousand-Islands-Guilded/dp/1645263444

Barnes&Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/peytons-promise-susan-g-mathis/1139839195?ean=9781645263449

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021

Susan Mathis and The Thousand Islands Gilded Age

The books Susan Mathis writes take place in the Thousand Islands area of upper New York. Her fascinating settings are almost a character in themselves Her newest release is Colleen’s Confession.

Susan, why do you write Thousand Islands Gilded Age stories?

Susan: The American Gilded Age was a time of rapid technical advances, industrialization, and thousands of new inventions from about 1870-1910. Mark Twain coined the term in his 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today that satirized the era of social problems that were masked by a layer of thin, gold gilding. It’s a fascinating time in history, especially in the Thousand Islands.

All of my books are set during the Thousand Islands Gilded Age when the wealthy came and scooped up the islands and built lavish summer homes, mansions, and castles. It was an era of economic growth. Since wages were higher than in Europe, massive immigration drew about twenty million to the U.S. shores. Unions fought to stop child labor and establish an eight-hour workday. Social reforms included women’s suffrage, prohibition, and other civil changes. In the cities, labor unions became important in regulating industry, while trusts grew stronger in several industries. Education, prohibition, and racial inequalities dominated politics as did economic affairs of money supply and tariffs.

Unfortunately, it was also a time of unequal distribution of wealth where the rich got richer and the poor working-class suffered. Many young women worked as servants until they married, and that’s what my stories are about—those nameless, faithful women who cooked and cleaned and served tables for the rich and famous. These “downstairs” women had fascinating stories to tell, and I plan to tell many of them.

The Gilded Age titans of industry changed our world—people like John D Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, George Pullman, and others who were sometimes called “robber barons.” But there were others who quietly made a difference—people like Frederick Bourne who took the Singer sewing machine around the globe as highlighted in my novel, Devyn’s Dilemma.

So this is why I write Thousand Islands Gilded Age stories. To share the rich heritage this era gave us and better understand what it was like. What fascinates you about this time? I’d love to know.

About Colleen’s Confession:

Summer 1914

Colleen Sullivan conceals secrets when she joins her aunt on Comfort Island to work in the laundry and await her betrothed’s arrival. She loves to draw and dreams of growing in the craft. But tragedy strikes when her fiancé perishes in the sinking of the ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland on his way to meet her. With her orphan dreams of finally belonging and becoming a wife and an artist gone, what will her future hold?

Austrian immigrant, Jack Weiss, enjoys being the island’s groundskeeper and is smitten by the lovely Irish lass. But Colleen dismisses him at every turn, no matter how much he admires her art, tries to keep her safe, and waters the blossoms of love. Perhaps introducing her to the famous impressionist, Alson Skinner Clark, will brighten her opinion of him. But rumors of war in Europe mean Jack must choose between joining his homeland’s army or staying safe in the Thousand Islands as he makes a life with Colleen. If she will have him.

About Susan:

Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma, and Katelyn’s Choice have each won multiple awards, and book three, Peyton’s Promise, comes out May 2022. Rachel’s Reunion is coming soon. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise, and Reagan’s Reward, are award winners, too. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling around the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Here are the links to connect with Susan: