Frederick Bourne, President of Singer Sewing Machine Company

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, even as he 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 New York City and made fast friends.

In 1856, Frederick G Bourne changed the face of American business by creating the installment plan. He eventually worked his way up in the company to become the fourth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company at the age of thirty-two. He took the company global and made Singer a household name and their machines an item every young bride longed to have.

At the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Bourne sold sets of souvenir post cards showing women around the world using Singer Sewing Machines, and by 1905, electric Singer Sewing machines were in use around the globe.

Besides owning The Towers (later named Singer Castle) on Dark Island in the Thousand Islands, the Bournes’ family home, called Indian Neck Hall, boasted one hundred rooms on an almost thousand-acre estate in Oak Dale, New York. He loved sailing, driving the new fangled motor cars, and enjoyed horses, hunting, and fishing. He became commodore of the prestigious New York Yacht Club in 1903, and was a member of the infamous Jekyll Island Club in Georgia.

Though he hobnobbed with the rich and famous, Bourne cared for the poor and downtrodden, even giving an elderly couple his estate’s gatehouse after the couple’s home burned. 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.

What strikes you most about the Bournes? Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on May 19th for my next post.

About Devyn's Dilemma:

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.

About Susan G Mathis:

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 times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has seven 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, and her newest,Colleen’s Confession, with Peyton’s Promise and Rachel’s Reunion coming soon. She is also a published author of two premarital books, two children's picture books, seven stories in compilation books, and hundreds of published articles. Find out more at www.SusanGMathis.com.

Thousand Islands Shore Dinners

by Susan G Mathis

I love taking unique local traditions and weaving them into my stories, and the traditional Thousand Islands shore dinner is no exception. As you read Devyn’s Dilemma, you’ll catch a taste of shore dinners. Today, companies still carry on the tradition, inviting us to experience a long-time river tradition. But what is a shore dinner?

Traditionally, it’s a big fishing party. Several skiffs rallied at one island, dispersed to fish until noon, partook of a shore dinner, and then fished again until late afternoon. Fine folk like George Pullman, Frederick Bourne, and J.P. Morgan—and even President Ulysses S. Grant when he visited the islands in 1872— took time to get away from big-city life and find a quiet fishing vacation in the islands. 

The main boat would often be a small steam yacht. They would leave around 7 a.m., towing up to ten skiffs trailing behind them. The captain would choose an uninhabited island to use for a shore dinner, prepare the meal himself or drop off the meal preparers, and send the fishing guides off to row their guests to different fishing spots. 

Around noon, the fishing guides row the guests back to the steamer for a relaxing shore dinner, and then take the fishermen back out for an afternoon of more fishing. 

You’ve likely heard of the shore dinners of New England. But the traditional Thousand Islands shore dinners include fresh fish, French toast, and a sandwich with fried pork strips. And, of course, a salad with Thousand Islands Dressing.

In Devyn’s Dilemma, Devyn and Brice are tasked to prepare the shore dinner for Mr. Bourne, his daughter, Marjorie, and the famous J.P. Morgan who came to visit. While they fished, most of the meal was made in one cast iron skillet, except the salad, of course. Shore dinners took several hours to prepare—the onions and pork fried, potatoes cooked, and the fresh fish cleaned, battered, and fried in the fat. It’s not a meal for dieters, but it’s a treat for hungry fishermen.

Appetizers consisted of fatback and onion sandwiches and a salad with Thousand Islands dressing, of course, and crumbles of fatback. The main meal includes plates of fish and potatoes. And dessert was coffee and French toast. 

When they made the camp coffee—they add a cracked egg, shell and all. That way, the grounds stick to the yolk at the bottom of the pot and the shells remove the bitterness. Hmmm…

Then comes the French toast for dessert, also fried in the same pan as the pork and fish, and topped with lots of local maple syrup. Again, one needn’t count the calories; just enjoy the unique flavors of the shore dinner.

Today, uninhabited islands are few and far between, so shore dinners became a little more complicated. But several companies still serve patrons who want a traditional shore dinner. In fact, the NY State parks were, in part, established to provide a place for shore dinners. Maybe one day you, too, can visit the Thousand Islands and enjoy a traditional shore dinner.   

 

Do you think you’d enjoy this meal? Why or why not? Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19^th for my next post. 

 

About Devyn’s Dilemma:

Longing for love, can she escape the shadows that follow her to Dark Island?

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.

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 20 times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books.

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, and her newest,Reagan’s Reward, are also available. Susan’s books have won numerous awards, including two Illumination Book Awards, the American Fiction Award, the Indie Excellence Book Award, and the Literary Titan Book Award. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Thousand Islands Dressing

by Susan G Mathis

Who likes Thousand Islands Dressing? I do.

You probably use Thousand Islands dressing on your Reuben sandwiches, your salads, even your burgers. I like it on other sandwiches and even as a dip for veggies, chips, and French fries. But how did this creation come to be?

It’s a great story, really. And it began in the Thousand Islands area of upstate New York where there are 1864 islands. During the Gilded Age, the rich and famous bought islands and shoreline, building castles, mansions, and amazing summer homes. Many came from New York City to flee the heat and humidity—and stench—of the metropolitan summers. George Boldt was one of them.

George Boldt built Boldt Castle on Heart Island—in the heart of the Thousand Islands. Boldt was the manager of the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and was in the process of building an elegant stone castle for his wife—which is now a famous tourist stop.

Boldt’s friend and colleague, Oscar Tschirky, accompanied Mr. Boldt to the castle several times. As maitre d’hotel of the famous Waldorf-Astoria, he was always ready to create something special. Once, while on the Boldt’s yacht, Oscar realized that the crew left behind the salad dressing, so he concocted what’s now known as Thousand Island Dressing.

On the yacht, Oscar found the condiments mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce. He chopped some vegetables such as green olives, onions, and bell-peppers as well as a hard-boiled egg, and voila! He created a brand, new dressing. Boldt liked it so well that he began serving it at his hotel, and it became quite popular. And because of this impromptu creation, Oscar’s fame as a famous chef grew as well. He created other innovative and improbable dishes such as Waldorf Salad and Veal Oscar.

At the time, the country was in the midst of a salad craze. Iceberg lettuce was easily grown in California, and it was the dawn of the refrigerated train car. Chefs combined local greens with iceberg, and because mayonnaise cut some of the bitterness from the greens, the dressing was for the culinary elite, the rich and famous, and high-class establishments.

There’s a second, less interesting story about the dressing’s creation that’s largely been debunked but still moseys around the islands. This tale gives an innkeeper and a fishing guide’s wife the credit. Sophia Lalonde lived in Clayton, NY. She’d make food for the tourists who went on her husband’s fishing trips. On one such trip, May Irwin, the popular silent movie actress who had the first on-screen kiss, was said to have tasted the dressing and asked for the recipe, passing it on to Boldt who made it famous by serving it at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Whatever the origin may be, Thousand Islands Dressing originated in the Thousand Islands. There are many variations of the dressing today, but the base is mayonnaise and tomato sauce or ketchup and whatever else the cook puts in it. Because my novels are based in the Thousand Islands Gilded Age, many readers ask for the story. And now you know!

Here’s Susan’s Thousand Islands Dressing recipe:

Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup relish, 2 tbs vinegar, 2 tbs. Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp sugar, ¼ cup diced red pepper, ¼ c diced green onion, 1 diced hardboiled egg.

Combine ingredients in a bowl, stir and refrigerate overnight.

About Devyn’s Dilemma:

Longing for love, can she escape the shadows that follow her to Dark Island?

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.

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 20 times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books.

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, and her newest, Reagan’s Reward, are also available. Susan’s books have won numerous awards, including two Illumination Book Awards, the American Fiction Award, the Indie Excellence Book Award, and the Literary Titan Book Award. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

Three Blind Mice game

Board games were an important aspect of family life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, thanks to the industrial revolution that made them affordable. Families and friends spent countless hours around a lively game of one type or another. 

Traditionally wooden or cardboard “boards” required certain strategies to win, elements of chance to overcome, or purely chance with no skill needed. As time went on and technology developed, they’ve become more complex. Remember the game, “Operation”? It was cutting edge back then and is still popular today.

As a form of family entertainment, hundreds of games have been created. When I was a teacher, as an alternative to a boring book report, I had students read a novel and create a board game with the characters, setting, and plot. They created Little Women and Tom Sawyer games as well as many more. How fun was that? 

In 1893, just miles from the Thousand Islands, a Watertown, NY manufacturer, WR Baker Manufacturing Company, created the “Three Blind Mice” game. The owner of the company, Pitt Baker, dabbled in many ventures in Northern NY and made it quite a hit.

As the co-editor of the first boating magazine published in 1890 targeting the recreational boater, called Rudder Magazine, Baker advertised the game in his magazine. After the magazine’s April 1890 launch and immediate success, the magazine's operations moved to NYC and remained in circulation until 1975. Though Pitt Baker stayed in Watertown, he remained a force with the magazine for the many years he and his father oversaw the manufacturing of brass boat and canoe hardware, distributing their products throughout the United States.

The Bakers also had a seasonal store in Clayton NY where he promoted the game. In 1886, advertising claimed this novelty item to be so addictive that husbands frequently returned home to find their wives playing the game with their "dinners unprepared." Oh my!

Surprisingly, over 100,000 games were made and subsequently sold to a major NYC department store. As I often do, in Devyn’s Dilemma, I integrate interesting inventions, creations, or fun things of the day into my stories. This game is one of them. 

What kinds of board games do you enjoy? I’d love to know!

About Devyn’s Dilemma:

Longing for love, can she escape the shadows that follow her to Dark Island?

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.

 

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 20 times in full-length novels, novella, and non-fiction books.

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, and her newest, Reagan’s Reward, are also available. Susan’s books have won numerous awards, including the Illumination Book Award, the American Fiction Award, the Indie Excellence Book Award, and the Literary Titan Book Award. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com for more.

The End of the World in 1910—Halley’s Comet

The End of the World in 1910—Halley’s Comet 

by Susan G Mathis

In February 1910, astronomers announced that the Earth would pass through the cyanogen-laced tail of Halley’s Comet. Poisonous gas, Cyanide, would snuff out all life and end the world as they knew it on May 19, 1910!

The New York Times ran the story of the French astronomer Camille Flammarion’s theory which reported that poisonous gas, Cyanide, would snuff out all life and destroy the earth! Most astronomers in the scientific community rejected this theory but thanks to this article, the frenzy had begun.

Fearmongering. Sound like today? 

The yellow press took advantage of the people’s concerns and fed on their fears—and papers flew off the shelves creating more and more fear, even suggesting the comet might crash into the earth and obliterate it. People feared for their lives and went into hiding. 

People bought “comet pills” and gas masks. Telescope sales rocketed; at least if they were going to die, they might as well see something wonderful. Newspapers, drug dealers, and gas mask makers got rich, but the terror that was instilled in many cast a pall on the world for several terrible months. 

On May 19, 1910, Halley’s Comet spent six terrifying hours passing through our atmosphere. One Oklahoma group actually planned to sacrifice a virgin to appease the gods, but thankfully they were stopped. A man in California nailed a hand and his feet to a cross. Churches around the globe held prayer vigils.

But the comet came and went and nothing happened. No one got sick. No one died—except England’s King Edward VII. This led to superstitious Britons connecting the two events for generations. Later, few of these crooks were held to account for their fraud, and it was discovered that the anti-comet pills were merely quinine and sugar. 

In my latest novel, Devyn’s Dilemma, Devyn and the Bourne family live through these events, buying a telescope and viewing Halley’s Comet for themselves. Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731

What more would you like to know about Halley’s Comet? 

Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19^th for my next post. 

About Susan: 

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.



Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/devyns-dilemma

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

The Golden Age of Board Games

The Golden Age of Board Games

by Susan G Mathis 

The Gilded Age was also the Golden Age…of board games! From about the 1880s-1920s, playing board games and card games became a favorite pastime. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution and the invention of mass production, games became more available and affordable. And remember, there were no televisions, smart phones, and few movies to distract.

Board games were traditionally wooden or cardboard “boards” that required certain strategies to win, elements of chance to overcome, or purely chance with no skill needed. Eventually, they’ve become more complex as technology developed. Remember the game, “Operation”? 

As a form of family entertainment, hundreds of games have been created. When I was a teacher, as an alternative to a boring book report, I had students read a novel and create a board game with the characters, setting, and plot. How fun was that? 

In 1902, the Parker Brothers published the game of King’s Castle. It’s a beautiful and intricately decorated game created by the Mcloughlin Brothers and is a cherished collectable today. In the early 1900s, the box and the board were often artistically elaborate and became family heirlooms that were past down from generation to generation.

The cover shows a family playing a game together. In elegant attire, they are enjoying time together on a patio with a lovely landscape in the background. Royal shields, elegant script, and knightly costumes hint to the game’s plot. 

The colorful board sits on a wooden box bottom as many games of that period were often paper boards attached to a wooden box. A small box held the wooden pawns, spinner, and game pieces. Players race around the board from start to finish, and, as with most games, the first one to finish wins.

Similar to “Chutes and Ladders,” players follow arrows around the paths the players travel, moving according to the spin’s number. Instead of a chute or ladder, feathers at the end of arrows move the player closer or further from the inner circle’s finish line.  

As an author, I often add such fun games, toys, or experiences to my novels. In Devyn’s Dilemma, three of the characters play this game as well as others. 

Check out Devyn’s Dilemma here: https://www.amazon.com/Devyns-Dilemma-Thousand-Islands-Gilded/dp/1645262731 

What more would you like to know about the board games? 

Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on the 19^th for my next post. 

About Susan: 

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.

Lighthouse Publishing: https://shoplpc.com/devyns-dilemma

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

Singer Castle

By Susan G Mathis

Originally called “The Towers,” Frederick Bourne affectionately dubbed it his “hunting lodge.” Now named “Singer Castle” it’s set on Dark Island, one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. It’s the only fully completed and existing castle of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age era. The castle can be toured from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and you can even spend the night there! I’ve toured the castle several times but still haven’t seen it all. One day, I hope to spend the night there.

Frederick Bourne, a New York resident, self-made millionaire, and the fifth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company (thus the name “Singer Castle”), bought the seven-acre island and contracted Ernest Flagg, a famous architect of the time, to design the magnificent castle to surprise his wife and children. Flagg chose to design it much like the English castle in Sir Walter Scott’s book, Woodstock, complete with eight fireplaces, eight bathrooms, dungeons, secret passageways, a piazza, a portrait of King Charles II that can be opened to spy on guests, and more.

Construction began in 1903, but to support such a massive stone castle, Bourne bought nearby Oak Island and a plot of land in Canada to bring tons of granite to the island over water and the winter ice to build up the island. Two years later the 28-room, four-story castle was a wonder to behold. 

Three towers/turrets, secret panels and passageways, massive stone arches, and the dungeon add mystery to the place. The island also includes three boathouses (one that houses a powerhouse), and an icehouse. 

The castle is completely furnished with furnishings, a library full of books, dozens of sewing machines, period dishware, and all kinds of cool stuff from that era, most of which were actually there during the Bournes’ ownership and residence. Medieval weapons and suites of armor complete the castle’s ambiance.  

Want to add this to your bucket list? Check out more here: https://www.singercastle.com

Leave your answer, comments, or questions on the post below and join me on May 19^th for my next post. 

Check out Devyn’s Dilemma, Book 2 of the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series You can experience this wonder yourself and/or read about it in my latest novel, Devyn’s Dilemma.

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: 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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susangmathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis