Join me today as I welcome back my prolific author friend, Susan G. Mathis, as she shares her latest release, Mary's Moment, with us.

Mary’s Moment released last week, and I’d like to give you a little peek at this story that’s set in the fiery 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?     

Here's an excerpt:

At twenty-eight, Mary Flynn had become an old maid, just like her Aunt Maude. Not that Mary didn’t desire marriage. It just never stepped across her threshold or even winked at her. Oh, she’d cast her eye on a boy or two, but they fled as soon as they learned she was a modern woman who enjoyed working outside the home.

No. She’d not permit a sink or a crib or any other domestic doldrum to chain her. She had too much to offer. Too much to accomplish.

Mary startled when the telegraph came to life. Dots and dashes danced in the air as she picked up her pencil and began deciphering the message as quick as a hummingbird’s flight. “Alex Bay here. See smoke. Need help?”

Did they? She tapped out her reply. “Clayton here but please help. Boathouses burning. Wind strong.”

She waited for what seemed a decade before the answer came, the clicks and ticks in the irregular succession of one unsure how to send a proper telegraph message. “Sending help.”

Mary sat back in her chair, folded her hands, and sent up a quick prayer. Whether or not the boys needed it, aid was on the way. She grinned at the satisfaction of making such a lofty decision. If she were a housewife, dinner and diapers would be the only decisions she’d be making.

She stared out the window, wishing once again for a clear sight to the fire. Why couldn’t she settle for the normal course of things? Marriage. Motherhood. Matronly attentions.

She ran her hand along the familiar machines in front of her. The telephone switchboard was a marvel, and she enjoyed connecting with others. But the telegraph suited her fancy best. She’d become quite adept at her work, speedily transcribing wires, even recognizing the senders by idiosyncrasies, much like the tones of a voice. Accuracy was critical in her translations, especially in times of sorrow and danger. Like now. And she’d found a level of satisfaction in her days, tucked away in seclusion with machines as her friends.

Still, if she was honest, she longed to be loved.

But by whom?

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.

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