Julia’s Joy is out! Book 2 of the Love at a Lighthouse series

I’m so excited to announce that Julia’s Joy is finally out! It’s book 2 of the Love at a Lighthouse series, and this book is set on Sister Island in the Thousand Islands. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq7XLUohjrA

In Julia’s Joy, the emotional landscape is profoundly shaped by Julia Collins’s experiences of loss. As readers journey with her, they witness the deep scars left by her parents’ deaths and the subsequent passing of my grandmother. This backdrop of grief not only defines Julia’s character but also influences her decisions and relationships throughout the story.

Inflicting pain on beloved characters is always a delicate endeavor for writers. Julia’s sorrow is palpable; her parents’ untimely deaths left her with a void that’s hard to fill. This loss manifests in various ways—through her reluctance to connect with others and her initial determination to leave Sister Island after claiming my inheritance. Her journey is not just about physical relocation but a deeper emotional struggle to reconcile her past with her present.

Julia’s confusion following her grandmother’s death adds another layer to her character. She arrives on Sister Island intending to lay claim to my inheritance, but she quickly finds herself grappling with questions of identity and belonging. The island represents both a sanctuary and a reminder of her losses, creating a tension that is difficult for her to navigate.

William Dodge, the lighthouse keeper, becomes a pivotal figure in Julia’s healing process. His own past betrayal mirrors Julia’s struggles, allowing them to connect on a deeper level. As Julia begins to open up to him, the walls he has built around his heart start to crumble. This vulnerability is both a relief and a source of pain as it forces both of them to confront their unresolved grief.

The journey toward healing is rarely linear, and Julia’s path is fraught with setbacks. As she starts to embrace the peaceful, faith-filled environment of Sister Island, she is faced with moments of profound joy and deep sorrow. This duality reflects the complexity of grief—how moments of happiness can coexist with lingering pain. Julia’s internal conflict amplifies the emotional stakes of the narrative and keeps readers invested in my journey.

Ultimately, Julia’s pain and growth are central to the story’s emotional core. By exploring her struggles with loss, confusion, and the possibility of love, Julia’s Joy invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with grief and healing. It’s a poignant reminder that even in our darkest moments, the potential for hope and connection exists, often in the most unexpected places.

Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books

About Julia’s Joy:

She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious scarred lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans.

When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her wealthy grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life, and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.

William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning.

But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?

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 thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen 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, and Julia’s Joy, the second in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, 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.