Thousand Islands Fiction
Books for lovers of romantic historical fiction
set in the Thousand Islands Gilded Age.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
NEW!
Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas
Prequel to Irish Rose Orphans: A Thousand Isla
nds Gilded Age Series
Release date: November 18, 2025
Buy links: Amazon Barnes&Noble
Brooklyn, 1876
At the Irish Rose Orphan Asylum for Girls, seven young women are about to experience a Christmas that will change everything—their last one together before stepping into lives of service among strangers in the Gilded Age. United by trials and an unbreakable bond, they’ve pledged to remain “forever sisters.” But as the season of parting approaches, buried wounds rise to the surface.
Twin sisters Annie and Taryn remain divided by a silent rift. Fiona grapples with the ache of abandonment. Vivian hides her fear of being left behind beneath a cheerful façade. Cassie, ever the want-to-be teacher, tries to steady the group as Isabel and Gloria struggle with the agony of separation.
When Sister Rose invites the girls to prepare their hearts during Advent for a deeper calling, each young woman must face the truth of her past and the hope of her future. A final gift—tin lockets adorned with the Irish Rose—become tokens of hope, courage, and an everlasting sisterhood. This Christmas, seven orphans will discover that no matter where life leads them, love and faith will go with them.
Check out the book trailer!
~ ~ ~
Madison’s Mission—A Boldt Castle story!
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles |
About Madison’s Mission:
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?
Check out the book trailer!
Amazon Review: An incredible work of Christian fiction. It’s such an exciting adventure that I actually felt like I was with Madison during all of her courage during difficult times. It is a true love story of perseverance in the face of evil. I highly recommend it and you won’t be disappointed.
~ ~ ~
Love at a Lighthouse series!
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 1 
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books
AUDIOBOOK LINK: Audible
Next Generation Book Award finalist!
About Libby’s Lighthouse:
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 his 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?
Amazon Review: Mathis crafts characters who are like beacons themselves. Libby’s journey of personal growth and Owen’s search for his past are so beautifully handled that you find yourself enthusiastically rooting for them. Their growing relationship is sweet and demonstrates the power of love, faith, and a little soul-searching. And that lighthouse? It’s not just sitting in the background—it pulses with life, a beacon of guidance and hope that echoes the story’s core themes of faith and forgiveness.
Julia’s Joy
BOOK 2
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books
Audiobook link: Audible
Illumination Book Awards Gold Medal winner!
About Julia’s Joy:
She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious 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?
Amazon Review: Imagine standing at the edge of Sister Island with waves crashing against the cliffs and the lighthouse casting its steady glow over restless waters—like a beacon calling out to every lost heart in the fog of life’s trials. Julia’s Joy by Susan G. Mathis spins a tale that romantic and deeply rooted in faith, healing, and the power of God’s presence amid both calm and storm. All readers who crave stories that blend heartfelt romance with spiritual depth, Julia’s Joy is for you!
Emma’s Engagement
BOOK 3
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books
Audiobook link: Audible (coming soon)
About Emma’s Engagement:
A lighthouse. A new wife. A jealous daughter. Can love shine through the darkness?
Emma Row yearns for a fresh start and a chance to build a loving family. But as she steps into her role as the Rock Island Lightkeeper’s wife, she finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of isolation and the bitter rejection of her new stepdaughter, Ada.
Michael Diepolder, the widowed lightkeeper, had hoped securing a companion would brighten his life and be a needed mother figure to his eleven-year-old daughter. Yet, as Emma struggles to adapt to the challenges of her new life, Michael realizes that the path to happiness is far more turbulent than he ever anticipated.
As a storm brews on the horizon, Emma and Michael must confront the tempestuous waves of doubt, jealousy, and isolation that threaten to extinguish the light of their love. Can they weather the storm and find the strength to keep their family together, or will the darkness consume them all?
Amazon Review: I can’t begin to express how wonderful this story is. It starts with an engagement and follows a couple as they join together in marriage. Emma is a sweet woman who is kind, loving, nurturing and filled with God’s love. I enjoyed seeing how she blossomed on her journey as a wife.
~ ~ ~
A Summer at Thousand Island House
with Wild Heart Books!
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
Golden Scroll Award Winner!
About A Summer at Thousand Island House. It’s part of their Gilded Age series. She came to work with the children, not fall in love.
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?
Check out A Summer at Thousand Island House trailer (and share).
Amazon Review: Mathis has delighted this reader with the character, Addison Bell, schoolteacher and hired nanny for the summer at Staple’s Island in the famed Thousand Islands. Her story brings to life the Gilded Age as she weaves history into her book.
~ ~ ~
Mary’s Moment
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
Living Now Silver Medal & Literary Titan
Gold Book Award winner!
Summer 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?
Check out Mary’s Moment trailer (and share)!
Amazon Review: Susan’s books just get better and better. I could not put down Mary’s Moment. It is set in the beautiful Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island. This book has the heroin, Mary, as an independent working woman. When Mary tried to assist in the Park when the fire is raging a plot twist happens that had me turning the pages until I finished the book. It is a great read and cannot wait until Susan’s next book is released.
~ ~ ~
Rachel’s Reunion
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
Literary Titan Gold Book Award winner & Next Generation BookAward finalist!
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?
Amazon Review: Susan has such a way with writing that makes you want to finish her books right away once you start. I love the old fashion courtships and wonderful character. Another great book. Thank you and I can’t wait for the next one.
~ ~ ~
Peyton’s Promise
Buy links: Lighthouse Publishing | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart | CBD
Gold Medal Illumination Book Award &
Gold Medal Literary Titan Book Award!
Summer 1902
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 of 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.
Check out Peyton’s Promise trailer (and share)!
Amazon Review: What a beautiful book that shows how one woman wanted to prove that she could do any job that a man could. Peyton is perhaps one of my all time favorite characters. She is spunky, determined and is very gifted in her craft. I loved the time period which shows that women were beginning to fight for their right to vote. This has been a wonderful adventure where forgiveness, unconditional love and finding your worth make for a touching story.
~ ~ ~
Colleen’s Confession
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
Literary Titan Silver Book Award winner
Summer 1914
Colleen Sullivan has secrets as she joins her aunt on Comfort Island to work in the laundry and await the arrival of her betrothed. 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 fancies her art, tries to keep her safe, and waters the blossoms of love. When Jack introduces her to the famous impressionist, Alson Skinner Clark, Colleen seems to find hope.
But rumors of war in Europe prod Jack to choose between joining his family’s Austrian army and staying safe in the Thousand Islands to make a life with Colleen. Will she finally embrace his love for her, or will Jack lose the battle and join the war? With the Thousand Islands’ summer ending, he hopes she will.
Check out Colleen’s Confession book trailer and share!
Amazon Review: Susan’s talent in writing made it a joy to read her book. I am no literary critic but she made you feel that were there in her descriptions of Comfort Island and River life. Always love books that capture your interest in that way. Looking forward to more of her Thousand Island stories!
~ ~ ~
Reagan’s Reward
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
Selah Award Third Place finalist &
Literary Titan Silver Book Award winner
Summer 1912
Reagan Kennedy assumes the position of governess to the Bernheim family’s twin nephews, and her life at Cherry Island’s Casa Blanca becomes frustratingly complicated. Service to a Jewish family and tending to eight-year-old mischievous boys brings trouble galore.
Daniel Lovitz serves as the island’s caretaker and boatman. When he tries to help the alluring Reagan make sense of her new world, her insecurities mount as her confidence is shaken―especially when she crosses the faith divide and when Etta Damsky makes her life miserable. As trouble brews, Daniel sees another side of the woman he’s come to love.
Amazon Review: Read this yesterday, all the way through! I couldn’t put it down! The angst that each of them experienced just bears out the idea that true communication is key in any relationship! Thank you, Susan, for continuing to send messages that warm my heart and fill my soul!
~ ~ ~
Devyn’s Dilemma
Buy links: Amazon | Iron Stream Media I Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
Illumination Book Awards Silver Medal winner & Literary Titan Gold Book Award winner
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.
Amazon Review: My book club read this and had the privilege of having lunch with Susan to discuss the novel. A tour of the 1000 Islands and Singer Castle is a must either before or after reading this book! We love all of the historical information in Susan’s books and look forward to reading the next installment.
~ ~ ~
Sara’s Surprise
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
AUDIOBOOK link: Audible
American Fiction Award & the Readers’ Five Star Favorite Award winner
July 1873
Sara O’Neill, works as an assistant pastry chef at the magnificent Thousand Islands Crossmon Hotel where she meets precocious, lovable, seven-year-old Madison and her charming father and hotel manager, Sean Graham. But Jacque LaFleur, the pastry chef Sara works under, makes her dream job a nightmare.
Sean Graham has trouble keeping his mind off Sara and Madison out of mischief. Though he finds Sara captivating, he despises LaFleur and misreads Sara’s desire to learn from the pastry chef as affection. Can Sean learn to trust Sara and can she trust herself to be an instant mother?
Amazon Review: Absolutely adored this Christmas novella by Susan Mathis. Meet two people who face seemingly insurmountable situations. Delightful period details and a tender romance mingle to create a sweet surprise indeed for readers.
~ ~ ~
Katelyn’s Choice
Buy links: Amazon | Iron Stream Media I Barnes&Nobles | Walmart |
Illumination Book Awards Bronze Medal winner
& American Fiction Award finalist
June 1872
Katelyn Kavanagh’s mother dreamed her daughter would one day escape the oppressive environment of their Upstate New York farm for service in the enchanting Thousand Islands, home to Gilded Age millionaires. But when her wish comes true, Katelyn finds herself in the service of none other than the famous George Pullman, and the transition proves anything but easy.
Thomas O’Neill, brother of her best friend, is all grown up and also working on Pullman Island. Despite Thomas’ efforts to help the irresistible Katelyn adjust to the intricacies of her new world, she just can’t seem to tame her gossiping tongue—even when the information she’s privy to could endanger her job, the 1872 re-election of Pullman guest President Ulysses S. Grant, and the love of the man of her dreams.
Amazon Review: The author did such a wonderful job of character development that I felt like I knew the characters personally. From an historical aspect, I loved learning about the 1000 islands and their place America’s past. The aspect of faith interwoven through the story also contributed an interesting facet. It’s an easy read that was hard to put down!
~ ~ ~
Christmas Charity
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart
National Indie Excellence Award finalist &
Readers’ Five Star Favorite Award winner
December 1864
Susan Hawkins and Patrick O’Neill find that an arranged marriage is harder than they think, especially when they immigrate from Wolfe Island, Canada, to Cape Vincent, NY, just a week after they marry—with his nine-year-old daughter, Lizzy, in tow. Can 23-year-old Susan Hawkins learn to love her 49-year-old husband and treat her angry stepdaughter with charity? With Christmas coming, she hopes so.
Amazon Review: Loved this story. Can’t imagine how I’d feel being married off to a man twice my age–with a rebellious daughter to boot! This story is based on the author’s great-grandparents’ love story, and is full of emotion, feeling, and history. I felt as though I was right there. Love the way the main character Susan grew through this situation, and particularly am amazed at how God worked it all out for His glory and their good. Highly recommended.
~ ~ ~
The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy
Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart
AUDIBLE link: Audible
National Indie Excellence Award finalist &
Readers’ Five Star Favorite Award winner
Two women. Two centuries. One extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, and love.
In the wake of Ireland’s Great Famine, Margaret Hawkins clings to faith and family as she boards a ship bound for America. With every stitch of the Irish quilt she’s crafting, she threads her prayers, dreams, and the unspoken fears of starting over in a strange new world. Her journey is perilous, but her hope is fierce—and the quilt becomes a symbol of both where she’s come from and where she’s going.
Over 160 years later, Maggie Hawkins, a single mother, is struggling to hold her life together. Betrayed the loss of her family’s treasured heirloom quilt, Maggie embarks on a desperate search to recover it. Along the way, she uncovers her great-great-grandmother’s story—a legacy of strength and resilience that speaks across generations.
As their stories intertwine, Margaret and Maggie—bound by blood but separated by time—must each confront grief, fear, and faith. And in doing so, they’ll discover that hope is not just something you find—it’s something you choose to hold on to. Will a quilt stitched in faith lead them both to healing, forgiveness, and the courage to embrace the future?
The Fabric of Hope is a heart-stirring dual-time novel that celebrates the enduring power of faith, the strength of family, and the legacy of love passed down through generations. Perfect for fans of historical and contemporary women’s fiction.
Amazon Review: The Fabric of Hope is a beautifully written historical novel, depicting the power of love, family and hope. Susan is able to expertly weave two plots together making this book a real page turner that you will not want to put down until finished. I especially enjoyed the strong female characters Susan has created in Maggie and Margaret. Their perseverance, faith, courage and love serve as current day models for all of us. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story, Susan.
~ ~ ~
Follow me on social media!
Looks like I have some new reading material. Thank you.
i just love love love all the Thousand Island books by Susan.
i have read them all multiple times on my reader and have even purchased them in paperback for my sister who does not have an electronic reader.
since i have a cottage on an island in these same Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River, her books are even more special to me.
i recommend these for good, clean romance. cant wait for more
I’ve just started reading Susan’s books, so excited I found them. I’ve read first 3 books of Thousand Island series. Love them!! I’ve recommended them to my friends. Can’t wait to read them all.
What treasures await in
reading these novels!
Eager to begin!