Today I am happy to have as my guests great friends and great writers, Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson, to talk abo0ut the enchanting setting of their new novels. This blog is part of a blog tour you won’t want to miss… Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson have teamed up for a tour of the island, now and then. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries. The Grand Prize winner will be selected August 27, 2012.
Cara Putman: A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island
One of the most recognizable sights on the island is the Grand Hotel. From the ferry, you can see the long, white expanse of the hotel before other buildings and landmarks come into view. Our first visit to the Island we stayed at the Grand because my husband attended a conference there. It maintains the aura it’s had since the late 1800s – a place where certain expectations are met so that the experience is magical. After 6:30 p.m., guests are expected to be in evening wear or asked to return to their rooms and change. The five-course dinner is included in most stays and is an experience. Everything from the geranium scented lotions to the pool, where an Esther Williams movie was filmed in 1947, reminds you that you are staying at a special place with a special history.
Melanie Dobson: Love Finds You on Mackinac Island
The historic Grand Hotel is just as grand today as it was in the 1800s when visitors came for weeks or even months at a time to hear the hotel’s renowned orchestra play on the world’s longest summer porch. More than a hundred years later, it remains the world’s longest summer porch. The hotel employs a historian so when I was there, I learned about the history through his wonderful presentation and then enjoyed an amazing five-course dinner that evening. Where else can you arrive at an elegant hotel by carriage and eat whitefish baked in black truffle broth while enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Huron? It truly was magical.
Join attorney Alanna Stone as she returns home despite her determination to never set foot on Mackinac Island again. Once again in close proximity to Jonathan Covington, her first love, she vows to protect her privacy and her heart from the man who still makes her pulse race. But when her worst fears are realized and history repeats itself—landing her in the midst of a murder investigation—Jonathan may be her only hope. Will they be able to lay aside the past and let God heal their hearts, or will reconciliation come too late? Read the first chapter here.
Love Finds You on Mackinac Island: As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette’s family has lost most of its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, and they spend summers there in hopes of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls at the Grand Hotel, she spends her days walking along the island’s rugged coastline. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who invites her to watch the ships from an abandoned lighthouse. The two begin to meet there in secret, hoping to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary. As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island’s most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes’ financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love. Read the first chapter here.
Join attorney Alanna Stone as she returns home despite her determination to never set foot on Mackinac Island again. Once again in close proximity to Jonathan Covington, her first love, she vows to protect her privacy and her heart from the man who still makes her pulse race. But when her worst fears are realized and history repeats itself—landing her in the midst of a murder investigation—Jonathan may be her only hope. Will they be able to lay aside the past and let God heal their hearts, or will reconciliation come too late? Read the first chapter here.
Love Finds You on Mackinac Island: As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette’s family has lost most of its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, and they spend summers there in hopes of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls at the Grand Hotel, she spends her days walking along the island’s rugged coastline. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who invites her to watch the ships from an abandoned lighthouse. The two begin to meet there in secret, hoping to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary. As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island’s most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes’ financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love. Read the first chapter here.
I have always wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel! It just looks so beautiful 🙂
I loved visiting Mackinac Island, would love to go back thru these wonderful books!
Karen Schulz
aregeetee5162 at yahoo dot com
The Grand Hotel is a magical place. Dressing up for dinner. Being told we have to get dressed up or leave the public areas. 🙂 Thanks for participating, ladies. And thanks for hosting us, Susan!
I loved Mackinac Island. We didn't get to see the inside of The Grand Hotel but hopefully next time that will be doable.
Both books sound like great reads and this tour is fun!
Blessings!
Judy sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
You're so very welcome, Cara. I've been in love with Mackinac since “Somewhere in Time,” – a movie I adore. Love it, love it. Every year I pull the DVD out and watch it and wish I was there…
what a beautiful island and your comments would make anyone want to visit, thanks for tour.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I've lived in Michigan all my life and have been to Mackinac Island many times. That's part of what makes these two books so special to me. I like winning print books of Amish/Christian fiction. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
Nancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Thank you so much for hosting us, Susan! I love that you watch that movie every year. Mackinac Island truly is a magical place!!
I think my first introduction to Mackinac Island was also the movie Somewhere in Time. I've never been able to visit but would love to “visit” through reading the books by Melanie and Cara. It would be such fun to win them and the fudge! Thanks for having this tour and giveaway.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
The Grand Hotel sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I've never been where they had a 5 course meal, sounds like lots of fun.
The Grand Hotel sounds amazing!
laurelprincess12 at gmail dot com
Thank you for this post. How fun. Yes, movie… loved when they passed on the stairs! Kathleen
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
(I have Cara's book. Would love to read Melanie's. Thank you for this review.)
How many of you have seen Somewhere in Time?
How wonderful to pair to books that take place at one of Michigan's finest spots — Mackinac Island. I have found memories of it from frowing up in the Detroit area, though I now live in the South. Just thinking about it brings back the memories of those fudge samples! YMMM!
I remember “Somewhere in Time” — it was filmed at the Grand, starred CHristopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.
I'd have to take out a loan so I could have the proper clothes to wear at The Grande. You are so lucky to have been able to experience this beautiful hotel.
I really enjoyed your book A Sound Among The Trees!
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
thanks for chance to win this book set
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for your nice words about A Sound Among the Trees, Jennifer!
I should put Mackinac Island on my list of places to visit.
That'd be a nice place to visit.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com