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Berkley, June 17, 2025
This story is a mesmerizing creation of Dorothy’s Auntie Em before Dorothy came to live with her in Kansas and then their life right after. Emily immigrated with her parents from Ireland and her two sisters. She was very close to Annie, Dorothy’s mother, until Emily learns Annie’s secret. Emily feels displaced until she marries Henry and goes from city life in Chicago to being a homesteader. Things are wonderful until the dust bowl. This reimagining of the story of Dorothy from the Wonderful Wizard of Oz is creative, engaging, and taught me a lot about the time period.
Gaynor blends in what we know about Dorothy and makes it make sense in the context of the setting. There was a great drought in the Great Plains and a rainmaker comes with dynamite and pyrotechnics, reminding us of course of the Wizard of Oz, for example. I also enjoyed the theme of the story which is no surprise: home is about being with the people you love.
Hazel Gaynor is a wonderful writer of historical fiction. If you haven’t had a chance to check out her books, this one would be a great start. I really enjoyed it.
I was given an advance review copy from Net Galley and all opinions are my own.
Madison, thank you for joining us. Let’s start at the beginning—what brought you from Ireland to America?
Thank you kindly for having me. It’s been a long road, truly. I came to America after losing my father and brother back home in Ireland and then my mama on the ship over. I was barely holding on, but the Lord opened a door for me to serve as a lady’s maid to Mrs. Louise Boldt. I never imagined how that position would change the course of my life.
You became very close to Mrs. Boldt. Can you tell us about your relationship with her?
She was more than an employer—she was a dear friend, a mentor, and in many ways, a mother figure. I saw how deeply she loved her family and how her strength shone through her illness. Caring for her gave me purpose, especially when I was drowning in grief. But I also feared losing her. After so much loss, my heart wasn’t sure it could bear another goodbye.
]During your time on Heart Island, you met Emmett O’Connor. What were your first impressions of him?
Oh, he was quite proper—and a bit intimidating at first. Always focused, always composed. But there was a kindness in his eyes I couldn’t ignore. He carried his own burdens, though he rarely spoke of them. Over time, I came to see that his strength wasn’t just in his hands—it was in his heart. He’s a man who walks with integrity, even when it costs him.
You and Emmett faced some heartbreaking trials. How did your faith sustain you through those times?
There were moments I felt utterly alone—especially after Mrs. Boldt passed. I questioned everything. But time and again, the Lord reminded me that He was near, even in my sorrow. Sometimes He whispered through Scripture, other times through the quiet support of Emmett or in hope itself. I had to learn to trust that even when I couldn’t see the way forward, God was already at work.
You were hesitant to open your heart again. What helped you find the courage to love?
It was a slow surrender. Grief can be like chains around the heart, but love—true, God-given love—breaks those chains. Emmett never pushed me, never demanded anything. He simply stayed. And through his gentleness and God’s leading, I began to believe that love isn’t something to fear—it’s a gift, even when it comes with risk. The Lord doesn’t ask us to protect our hearts—He asks us to give them to Him and trust that He’ll care for them.
What lessons did you take from your time on Heart Island?
That healing is a process, not a moment. That people are placed in our lives for a reason. And most importantly, that the Lord never wastes our pain. Boldt Castle may have been built for love and abandoned in grief, but even that brokenness was restored in time. That mirrors what God did in me—He took the ruins of my life and began to build something beautiful.
For those struggling with grief or fear, what would you say to encourage them?
Don’t give up hope. Your story isn’t over. The ache in your heart doesn’t mean God has forgotten you—it means He’s preparing to do something new. Lean into His love, even if it feels risky. And let others walk with you. You don’t have to face the darkness alone. God is still writing your story, and I promise, His pen is steady.
And finally, what does life look like for you now?
It’s quieter, simpler—but filled with purpose. I’ve found peace in new beginnings and joy in the little things—sunlight on the water, laughter shared over tea, the sound of Emmett’s voice reading Scripture aloud in the evening. It’s not perfect, but it’s full of grace. And that’s more than I ever hoped for.
About Madison’s Mission:
Step into the captivating world of Boldt Castle in 1903, where dreams are forged in the fires of adversity and love.
Madison Murray, the devoted maid to the legendary Louise Boldt, harbors a singular mission—to care for her ailing mistress while hiding her own painful past. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Emmett O’Connor, the distinguished foreman overseeing Boldt Castle’s extravagant construction. Their connection sparks with promise, yet the chasm of class difference and hidden secrets loom large.
Just as their budding romance begins to flourish, tragedy strikes, shattering their world. A deadly accident leaves Emmett wrestling with guilt and at the center of an investigation that could unravel everything he holds dear. Then Madison finds herself ensnared in a dangerous coverup that threatens her very life.
When Mrs. Boldt passes away, Madison is left reeling—jobless and burdened by the weight of her perceived failures. In a world filled with uncertainty, can she summon the strength to move forward and confront her past? Will Emmett rise above his challenges to forge a future alongside the woman who has captured his heart?
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 thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has fifteen 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, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, Julia’s Joy, Emma’s Engagement and Madison’s Mission. Her book awards include four Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, a Living Now Book Award, and a Selah Award. 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 Northern Virginia 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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