Rachel Kelly Character Interview: Main Character Monday

I’m so excited to have you join me for a character interview with Rachel Kelly on Main Character Monday. And, no. I haven’t lost track of my days of the week. The interview didn’t go up on Monday, and I couldn’t make you wait another week to meet Rachel. Isn’t the picture of her gorgeous? Rachel is the main character from Susan G Mathis’s latest book, Rachel’s Reunion. 

Welcome Rachel. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve worked in the Thousand Islands for several years now. For the past two years, I served the Mr. and Mrs. Charles Emery in Calumet Castle on Calumet Island (you can read more about that in Susan’s novel, Peyton’s Promise, about my best friend). But now, I serve the most elite patrons at the famed New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island.

 

Tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?

I grew up in Clayton, NY, in the heart of the Thousand Islands. The 1,864 islands are shared almost equally between New York state and Ontario, Canada. It’s where Lake Ontario narrows and becomes the St. Lawrence River. Here the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River intersect to become the world’s largest inland navigation system. Huge freighters pass by tiny islands along the main channel and share the waterway with all kinds of boats including kayaks and canoes!

 

After George M. Pullman invited President Ulysses S. Grant to visit his small island during the 1872 reelection campaign, the Thousand Islands became a national event. The press touted the Thousand Islands as THE place to summer for the rich and famous and common man alike. In so doing—and thanks to excited journalists—he launched The Thousand Islands season of the rich and famous buying islands and lots along the mainland and building castles, mansions, and magnificent summer homes. The New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island, where I work, is one of them.

That sounds amazing and beautiful. Now, you said you work for one of these resort hotels. Can you tell us more about that?

The New Frontenac Hotel graces Round Island on the St. Lawrence River. It was one of the grandest hotel resorts in the area. New York City tycoon Charles G. Emery built it, and now I get to stay and work in the hotel’s Annex, where the most elite guests enjoy elegant suites. So far, I’ve met William Howard Taft, Secretary of War in Teddy Roosevelt’s Administration, the Maharaja and Maharani of Baroda, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver and Alva Belmont, the Russian Prince and Princess Engalitcheff, and a famous photographer, Chester Armstrong. It’s simply magical.

Wow! I’ve never met one famous person. I can’t imagine being surrounded by so many important and known people. I heard you also got involved with that famous photographer. What was that like?

Goodness! Having my picture taken by a famous photographer was simply thrilling, and he even gave me a photograph for my mother. On the other hand, it wasn’t all it cracked up to be, for the man turned into a rogue.

When you started working at the New Frontenac Hotel, you reconnected with your old flame, Mitch. How’d did that go?

I couldn’t believe my eyes when Mitch appeared on the dock. Two years earlier, he had hurt me terribly, so we had lots of ups and downs before I finally chose to forgive him and embrace his friendship—but you’ll have to read my story to find out if our relationship grew beyond friendship.

Forgiving someone who hurt you isn’t easy. How did that happen?

Mitch had apologized over and over for hurting me, explaining why he made the choices he did. I still couldn’t forgive him. One day, he quoted Psalm 147 that says, ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names’.

Then he said, “If He can put the infinite stars into orbit and name them, He can heal your precious heart and help you forgive my blunders. Please entrust your heart to the Lord. I know He can heal your broken heart. If you allow Him.”

And guess what? He did!

That’s great, Rachel. If you could leave readers with one message, what would it be?

All nine of Susan’s stories have hope as the central theme. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. I want to give readers hope that God can heal a broken heart and help you forgive those who hurt you. He did that for me.

We’re so happy for you, Rachel. Now, let’s turn a corner and let me ask you a few fun, quick question.

What three things would we find if we looked under your bed?

That’s a funny question. Under my bed you’d find piles of books. I love to read!

What is your favorite hobby? Reading, of course.

Please describe yourself with three words. Joyful, friendly, and creative.

Your secret interest? The suffrage movement.

Your favorite famous guest? Mrs. Alva Belmont who’s a suffrage activist and took time to tell me about the movement.

Readers, don’t say good-bye just yet. Keep reading for more information on Rachel’s Reunion, Susan’s great new release and to find out more about Susan and where you can find her on social media and get your own copy of her book.

 

About Rachel’s Reunion:

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?

 

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 nine 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, Colleen’s Confession, and Peyton’s Promise. Rachel’s Reunion releases October 20, 2022. She just finished writing book ten, Mary’s Moment. Her book awards include two Illumination Book Awards, three American Fiction Awards, two Indie Excellence Book Awards, and two 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.

 

Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Walmart

Social media links: Social media links: Website |Author Central |  Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Goodreads l Instagram| Book Bub|