Do you enjoy captivating fiction? Then you\u2019ll love The Thousand Islands Gilded Age series by my friend, award-winning author Susan G. Mathis. Set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate New York (her childhood stomping ground), Susan skillfully weaves historical fact with intriguing story. I\u2019ve invited her to share about her latest Christmas novella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Susan G. Mathis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In my sixth Gilded Age story, Reagan\u2019s Reward,<\/em> it\u2019s 1912. Reagan Kennedy assumes the position of governess to the Bernheim family\u2019s twin nephews, Jacob and Joseph, and her life at Cherry Island\u2019s Casa Blanca becomes frustratingly complicated. Serving a Jewish family when she is a Gentile and tending to the mischievous eight-year-old boys will yield challenges galore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel Lovitz, the island\u2019s caretaker and boatman, tries to help the alluring Reagan make sense of her new world. But she calls into question his own faith background and forces him to face the hurts of his past. In this excerpt, Reagan experiences a Jewish dinner, the Shabbat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs. Bernheim lit the candles and waved her hands over them three times, apparently saying a silent prayer. Then Mr. Bernheim stood and began, \u201cBlessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, you are the author of peace\u2026\u201d He went on to talk about the holiness of the Sabbath, the candles driving out the darkness and lighting our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone joined him with an \u201camen\u201d and Reagan felt God\u2019s gentle presence fill the room as Mrs. Bernheim sat. Then, Mr. Bernheim surprised her by going over to the twins, laying his hands on the boys\u2019 heads, and praying for each one of them before breaking into a song of blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reagan\u2019s eyes stung with tears, but she blinked them back. Never had she seen Mr. Bernheim so loving and tender. She looked at the boys who sat unusually still and quiet and Mr. Bernheim returned to his seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBlessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.\u201d Mr. Bernheim took a sip of a crystal goblet of wine and passed it to his wife. Reagan watched her hand it to Jacob who took a gulp and handed it to her. She took a sip and passed it to Joseph. He took a large swallow then returned it to his uncle. He leaned over to Reagan and whispered, \u201cThat was the Kiddush<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, the butler brought a bowl of water with a towel hung over his arm. From Mr. and Mrs. Bernheim, to Reagan, to the boys, each washed their hands and dried them. Mr. Bernheim prayed for their clean hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBlessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.\u201d The missus repeated this prayer and so did Jacob. Was she to repeat the prayer too? She did, and Joseph followed. Jacob whispered, \u201cThat was the Hamotzi<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two loaves of bread sat on the table covered with intricately tatted cloths. Mrs. Bernheim ceremoniously removed both cloths, and each of them tore off a piece of the bread and ate in silence. How interesting to have only bread for dinner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet just as she was thinking that, the butler set a large, silver bowl before them. He removed the cover and proceeded to ladle a golden chicken soup into bowls and place them before each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When dinner was finished, the butler removed the bowls and set small plates before each of them. Jacob leaned in and whispered, \u201cIt\u2019s honey cake. I just know it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure enough, the butler presented a golden bundt. He cut the cake and served it. Almonds and raisins made it a most delightful treat, and the missus allowed the boys to have a second piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr. Bernheim cleared his throat. \u201cJacob and Joseph, remember that tomorrow is a day of rest. No wild boy nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later in the story, I reveal\u2026the rest of the story. Here\u2019s the unfolding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d like to understand Shabbat better. The prayers. The symbolism. It\u2019s so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jacob started. \u201cThe candles show us when God created light. The wine gives us joy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd we wash our hands before we lift them up to God,\u201d Joseph added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel interjected. \u201cVery good. And what of the bread?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n