Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan (38 page)

The British took control of the island in 1812, saying it was a “fortress built by nature herself.” Americans who remained on the island had to swear allegiance to King George III. Those who didn’t change their allegiance were arrested and sent away, some of the men leaving behind their wives and children. The Americans returned in 1815 after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

While I try to remain as historically accurate as possible in my novels, I’ve taken license with a few facts in this story. The mansion for Michigan’s governor wasn’t built until 1902, initially as a private residence. Instead of Silas Hull, George Varney of Poughkeepsie, New York, filed for patent for his fishing rod joint in June 1894.

It wasn’t until the 1920s that astronomers determined that Andromeda was actually a separate galaxy instead of a spiral nebula within the Milky Way. While the exact number is unknown, scientists now believe there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in our universe. For some incredible images of these galaxies, check out the Top 100 on
www.spacetelescope.org
.

And the Grand Hotel did hold a dog race in the late 1800s, the village dogs running amok. The hotel never held a dog race again.

As with all my novels, parts of this story reflect my own journey. In the midst of writing it, I joined eighteen other women for a life-changing week outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Each of us was asked to speak about one of God’s many names, and I spoke about our mighty Creator. The beauty of God’s creation was reflected in the eyes of my Haitian sisters, His Spirit clearly moving among them as they spoke of miracle after miracle. In the midst of incredible devastation, God continues to work through each of them and their families in miraculous ways.

Thank you to Diane Comer and Jodi Hughes for inspiring me to learn about the many names of God and love my sisters in Haiti. My American “sistas”—Jodi S., Ann, Caryn, Vicki, Beth, Orlena, Amanda, Liz, Whitney, Allie, Jenna, Kay, Penny, Julie, Mary Kay, and Kathleen. I loved studying God’s names and loved even more sharing these names alongside you.

Writing a novel truly takes a village, and I’m grateful to every person who has journeyed with me in the writing of this book. A special thank-you to:

Rachel Meisel, for her enthusiasm for this story. I love working with you, Jason Rovenstine, Ellen Tarver, Connie Troyer, and the entire Summerside team.

Jim Beroth, my amazing dad and expert fisherman, who is not only a huge encouragement to me but who flew out to Oregon multiple times in the past year to play with his granddaughters while I wrote, had surgery, and spent a week in Haiti. We’re pretty sure Pop Pop might have helped hang the moon!

Michele Heath, Leslie Gould, Nicole Miller, Dawn Shipman, and Kelly Chang, the best of friends and critique partners, for their insight and ideas. My stories would not be the same without your enthusiasm, direction, and honesty when something is just not right.

Bob Tagatz, the historian at the Grand Hotel, for sharing so many fascinating stories from the hotel’s past. Mary McGuire Slevin, from Mackinac Island’s Tourism Bureau, for checking my facts about Mackinac today. Anne St. Onge at the Mackinac Island Public Library, for her gracious assistance in locating a mound of resources. I’ve tried to get my facts straight, but I’m all too aware that I make mistakes. Any errors in this story are my responsibility.

Thank you to my earthly angels—Sarah Wilmot for helping me carry my load. Sandra Bishop for her friendship and insight. Vickie Texada and her father for giving this stranger a ride in the middle of the night.

My dear readers, for your e-mails and letters. Not only do I treasure every one of your notes, I love hearing your stories.

Jon, Karly, and Kiki—the delight of my life. God wove our four hearts together, and your love, prayers, and many hugs overflow my heart daily. I am so blessed….

Words can’t express my gratefulness to the mighty Creator for His many gifts. As I linger under the night skies, savoring the work of the Master, I marvel at His infinite creativity both in the heavens and on this earth.

With joy, Melanie

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of ten novels, five of them historical romances for Summerside Press, including
Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania
and
Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa.
In 2010, Melanie won ACFW Carol Awards for
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
and
The Silent Order
. Also in 2010,
Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana
was chosen as the Best Book of Indiana (fiction). Melanie’s next historical romance,
Where the Trail Ends
, will be published in October of 2012.

Melanie is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, and she worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has lived all over America and now resides with her husband and two daughters near Portland, Oregon.

WWW.MELANIEDOBSON.COM

Want a peek into local American life—past and present? The
Love Finds You
™ series published by Summerside Press features real towns and combines travel, romance, and faith in one irresistible package!

The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with romantic or intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the fifty states. Be sure to catch them all!

Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky

by Andrea Boeshaar

ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5

Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas

by Sandra D. Bricker

ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0

Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado

by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7

Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska

by Irene Brand

ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2

Love Finds You in Humble, Texas

by Anita Higman

ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California

by Miralee Ferrell

ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9

Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

by Tamela Hancock Murray

ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8

Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania

by Loree Lough

ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5

Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida

by Debby Mayne

ISBN: 978-1-934770-80-1

Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana

by Melanie Dobson

ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0

Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio

by Lisa Harris

ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas

by Janice Hanna

ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6

Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon

by Melody Carlson

ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio

by Annalisa Daughety

ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3

Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire

by Lauralee Bliss

ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3

Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska

by Loree Lough

ISBN: 978-1-935416-19-7

Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida

by Sandra D. Bricker

ISBN: 978-1-935416-25-8

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana

by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

ISBN: 978-1-935416-29-6

Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon

by Miralee Ferrell

ISBN: 978-1-935416-63-0

Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania

by Cerella D. Sechrist

ISBN: 978-1-935416-64-7

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa

by Melanie Dobson

ISBN: 978-1-935416-66-1

Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon

by Melody Carlson

ISBN: 978-1-935416-84-5

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

by Lena Nelson Dooley

ISBN: 978-1-935416-74-6

Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii

by Bodie Thoene

ISBN: 978-1-935416-78-4

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington

by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

ISBN: 978-1-60936-000-9

Love Finds You in Calico, California

by Elizabeth Ludwig

ISBN: 978-1-60936-001-6

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio

by Serena B. Miller

ISBN: 978-1-60936-002-3

Love Finds You in Deadwood, South Dakota

by Tracey Cross

ISBN: 978-1-60936-003-0

Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho

by Janelle Mowery

ISBN: 978-1-60936-005-4

Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

by Sandra D. Bricker

ISBN: 978-1-60936-027-6

Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe

by Irene Brand and Anita Higman

ISBN: 978-1-60936-004-7

Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas

by Pamela Griffin

ISBN: 978-1-60936-007-8

Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho

by Angela Ruth

ISBN: 978-1-60936-008-5

Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee

by Janice Hanna

ISBN: 978-1-935416-65-4

Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona

by Miralee Ferrell

ISBN: 978-1-60936-104-4

Love Finds You in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

by Melody Carlson

ISBN: 978-1-60936-110-5

Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island, Canada

by Susan Page Davis

ISBN: 978-1-60936-109-9

Love Finds You in Groom, Texas

by Janice Hanna

ISBN: 978-1-60936-006-1

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa

by Melanie Dobson

ISBN: 978-1-60936-135-8

Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

by Annalisa Daughety

ISBN: 97-8-160936-212-6

Love Finds You in Branson, Missouri

by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

ISBN: 978-1-60936-191-4

Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming

by Miralee Ferrell

ISBN: 978-1-60936-277-5

Love Finds You on Christmas Morning

by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry

ISBN: 978-1-60936-193-8

Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii

by Robin Jones Gunn

ISBN: 978-1-60936-028-3

Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania

by Melanie Dobson

ISBN: 97-8-160936-194-5

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland

by Roseanna M. White

ISBN: 978-1-60936-313-0

Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina