Mary's Moment

Author: Susan G. Mathis
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Thousand Islands Gilded Age #4
Pages: 358
Release Date: February 21, 2023
Publisher: smWordWorks

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?

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Reviewer: Erin Stevenson

Mary’s Moment by Susan G. Mathis is a delightful historical romance set in the Thousand Islands region of New York State during the gilded age (my favorite personal era). The author draws on personal memories of the many summers she spent there with her mother. Much of the story is inspired by her mother’s recollections of spending summers in Thousand Island Park during her own childhood. Mathis’s deep love and nostalgia for the town and the region shine throughout the story.
 
I was drawn to both main characters, Mary and George, and George’s sweet young son. The main antagonist was despicable—which was the point. The other antagonist of the story was not a person but an ever-present threat of that time—fire. I was impressed with the author’s depiction of the firefighting techniques of the day. At times, the amount of detail was distressing and slowed the pace a bit, but I still couldn’t put the book down.
 
I commend the author for the copious amount of research it must have taken to make the story compelling and believable. The love story was sweet and satisfying. If you enjoy historical romance, Mary’s Moment is for you. 

I was provided a copy of this novel by the author through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Heather L. Jones

This is my first time as an actual book reviewer, and I have had the good fortune to review Mary's Moment by Susan G. Mathis. It is a delightful read featuring a sweet 28-year-old switchboard operator/telegrapher by the name of Mary Flynn, a lovely, kind-hearted lass who cares deeply for those around her and for those who are not.
 
Mary, an orphan, lives with two elderly aunts, one widowed and one a spinster. The widow comes off gruff, but she loves Mary and wants the best for her, as does the kindly, delicate spinster aunt. They live in Thousand Island Park in NY in 1912, an idyllic place surrounded by water. It also features a handsome, strong, yet gentle fireman named George Flannigan, a widower with an adorable six-year-old son and a mother who can test the patience of a saint.

Included are various memorable characters, an obnoxious, insolent villain, danger, and destruction from various fires as it is summer and there has been precious little rain.

Also included is plenty of Scripture, which makes this book even more appealing. It is refreshing to read a book that contains The Word of God. The author did a beautiful job of writing. I truly enjoyed this book, and I'm glad this was my first book review. I recommend it and hope other readers will enjoy it as much.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews.

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