Thousand Islands Life, Interview with Susan G. Mathis

Yes, Susan G. Mathis has written a dozen books about our region – the type of books that are perfect for a summer holiday – or as a gift! As always, Susan has a charming way of answering questions and sharing her love of writing and the islands.

Q. Susan! I hear you have a brand new three-book Thousand Island lighthouse series called Love in a Lighthouse. Tell us about that, please:

A: In my newest novels, I invite you to join the Row family women, Libby, Julia, and Emma, as they navigate the isolation, danger, and hope for lasting love at three different Thousand Island lighthouses in the St. Lawrence River.

Libby’s Lighthouse - Book One, coming July 16, 2024

When a lighthouse keeper’s daughter finds a mysterious sailor with amnesia, the secrets she uncovers may change her life forever.

Elizabeth Montonna, daughter of the Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse keeper, thought she’d love the lighthouse life forever—until her mother, on her deathbed, reveals a long-buried secret. Now Elizabeth’s world has been turned upside down, making her question if she’ll ever truly belong and be loved. But when a dashing young sailor appears on her shore, wounded and disoriented, she finds purpose in helping him recover. Although the man knows nothing about his past or identity, his kindness and character steal a little more of her heart each day. If only she knew his full name.
When Owen awakes on the shore of Lake Ontario with no knowledge of who he is, or where he was headed when he was ship-wrecked, he has no choice but to accept the hospitality of the lighthouse keeper and his lovely daughter. But as Owen works to repay their kindness, and his relationship with Libby turns into something more, he knows their budding romance can go no further until he uncovers his past.

With each passing day, Owen inches closer to discovering the secrets of his identity, but will the revelations bring him closer to Libby or tear them apart forever?

Julia’s Joy - Book Two, coming October 29, 2024

She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious Sister Island lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans.

When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life, and connects with the handsome lightkeeper William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.

William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning.

But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?

Emma’s Engagement - Book Three, coming January 21, 2025

Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other, to weather the storm at Rock Island Lighthouse.

Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?

For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island?

Q: What inspired you to write the first book in the Lighthouse Series?

A: My grandmother, Libby, inspired this story. When she was a young woman, she and her family lived in Cape Vincent, near Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, whose stories I tell in my first two books, The Fabric of Hope and Christmas Charity. During my childhood, every summer we would visit the lighthouse and after Grandma died, my mother continued the tradition. I did the same, and I still visit the lighthouse every summer. When I started writing about the Thousand Islands, I knew I had to tell its story.

Q: What kind of research did you do for Libby’s Lighthouse?

A: I visited the lighthouse, but I also researched online, in books, and with interviews. With all the details I collected, I wove a story that is visceral, interesting, and I think, memorable.

Q: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?

A: Because I write about real places and people, I want to be as accurate as possible, so I have Thousand Islands historians who read my story for accuracy. I also like to incorporate as many historic details to make sure my details were correct. Though it’s extra work, it always helps to check with the experts, and because there wasn’t a whole lot of information, my creativity went to work.

Q: Of course, we want to know why do you write about the Thousand Islands?

A: I grew up just twenty minutes from the Thousand Islands—the setting for all my stories—in upstate New York. 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 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 have stayed on several island including in Singer Castle on Dark Island, the setting for "Devyn’s Dilemma"; Casa Blanca, setting for "Reagan’s Reward"; and Calumet Island, setting for "Peyton’s Promise". All my novels are based on a specific place in the Thousand Islands and are 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.

Q: What’s the best part of your life as an author?

A: I love connecting with my readers, whomever they are. Whether I hear from them in person, through my website or email, on Facebook groups such as 1000 Islands River Rats Now And Then, on Zoom (I love doing book talks and meeting with book clubs), hearing the stories of how my work has touched their lives, keeps me going and helps me remember why I do what I do.

Q: Do you have any underlying themes that you want your readers to come away with?

A: All twelve of my Thousand Islands stories have hope as the central theme. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. Libby’s Lighthouse also focuses on forgiving betrayals, adoption, amnesia, and healing broken hearts.

Q: Ok Susan – when can we expect your visit this year?

A: This year, I’ll be in the Thousand Islands the first week in August. I hope to see many of you in Clayton, Alex Bay, and in Cape Vincent. Happy summer!

Q: Where can people find you online?

A sampling of Susan G. Mathis' Book described on thousandislandslife.com

More about Susan G. Mathis: Susan 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 thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has twelve 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, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House and Libby’s Lighthouse, the first in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, a Golden Scroll Award, and a Selah Award. 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 Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling around the world. Be sure to visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Visit with Susan G. Mathis: Sat Aug 3: The Little Bookstore Clayton 2-4 p.m.; Mon Aug 5: Cornwall Museum 1 p.m.; Wed Aug 7: Thousand Island Park 1 p.m.; Thur Aug 8: Clayton Museum 11-1 p.m.; Sun Aug 11: Tibbetts ice cream social 2 p.m.