Please welcome Susan Mathis to the blog this week. We’re so happy to have her joining us to share with us the inspiration behind her story Devyn’s Dilemma. Here’s a little bit about the book

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.

What was the inspiration behind the story, Susan?

Devyn’s Dilemma, Book 2 of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series is the story of Devyn McKenna, who 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 for Devyn, the grand Towers castle on Dark Island, it’s not an enchanting summer retreat in 1910 Thousand Islands, New York. It’s a prison.

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

Bourne’s father was a preacher, and they moved to New York City when he was a boy. He got his first job at Singer when he met Alfred Clark whose father, Edward Clark, was president of Singer at the time. The two sang in the choir at Old Trinity Church in NYC.

Frederick G Bourne changed the face of American business by pioneering the installment plan in 1856. Bourne eventually worked his way up the ladder to become the fourth president of the company at the age of thirty-two, and he made the brand a global success. In 1893, Bourne had a set of postcards made as souvenirs for the Chicago World’s Fair that brought global awareness of Singer, and by 1905, electric Singer Sewing machines were common across the globe. 

The Bournes had a family estate in Oak Dale, NY, called Indian Neck Hall that had 100 rooms and nearly 1,000 acres. He was an avid sportsman, including hunting, fishing, boxing, horses, and boats. He also loved motor cars and owned a 253-foot screw schooner called the Delaware and had a crew of over 100, but it burned in 1905. He was a member of several yacht clubs including the Thousand Island Yacht Club. In 1903 he became commodore of the NY Yacht Club (for two years) and a member of the Jekyll Island Club in Georgia. 

In 1905, an elderly blind couple’s house burned down and he gave them the eastern gatehouse of his own estate and moved it at his expense. When the Oakdale railroad station needed improvements, he gave half of the money needed. Bourne was even director of the New England Society of NY, a religious group that erected the statue “The Pilgrim” to honor religious freedom. Frederick G Bourne made Singer a global success and retired in 1905 (with $90 million) but remained a company director until he died. But in 1910, he changed the life of a fearful, abused servant girl, as you’ll read in my story, Devyn’s Dilemma.

Susan G Mathis is an award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Her first two books of The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, Devyn’s Dilemma and Katelyn’s Choice are available now, and she’s working on book three. The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, and Sara’s Surprise are also available. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Susan is also a published author of two premarital books with her husband, Dale, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs, enjoys traveling globally with her wonderful husband, Dale, and relishes each time she gets to see or Skype with her four granddaughters.

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

Website: www.SusanGMathis.com

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

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

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Thanks so much for joining us, Susan! Sounds like a great read!