Mackinac Island: Four Generations of Romance Enrich a Unique Community

by Jill Stengl, DiAnn Mills, Janet Spaeth

- Island Winds Blow Love into the Hearts and Lives of Four Women
- Four Generational Romances for One Excellent Price
- Enthralling Romances by a Talented Team of Authors

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Christmas, Clean Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Jill Stengl is the author of numerous romance novels including Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award- and Carol Award-winning Faithful Traitor, and the bestselling novella, Fresh Highland Heir. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she enjoys her three cats, teaching a high school English Lit. class, playing keyboard for her church family, and sipping coffee on the deck as she brainstorms for her next novel.

Jill is is the mother to Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet light romance that takes place in the magical sounding (I have never been there) Mackinac Island, Michigan. Josie Ryan makes it to the inn where she and her friend, Carol, have reservations but Carol hasn't arrived. Josie is disappointed to find out that Carol's son is sick and won't be able to join her for their trip. Josie is trying to decide what to do because she doesn't know anyone there and it is the holiday time. Josie lives in Detroit but her parents are in Florida and she has no plans other than the visit to Mackinac. She is eating lunch in the local Mustang Lounge when a man walks by and picks up her jacket that had fallen on the floor. Chris Barnes also lives near Detroit and is there visiting his Gramps. She and Chris start talking and he offers to be her tour guide while she is there so that her trip will be a pleasant time anyway. The two develop a friendship quickly and she also gets to know Gramps. Chris is the guardian for his four year old niece, Ellie, since her parents, his brother and sister-in-law, were killed in an auto accident two years ago. Ellie is visiting with her maternal grandparents for the holidays but after coaxing from Josie, he arranges for his parents to bring her to Mackinac. Chris, Josie, Ellie and Gramps get close very quickly but both Chris and Josie have sworn against marriage for different reasons. They are drawn to each other and Ellie wants a set of parents so the pressure in on but not really because they do care for one another. But with reservations. Will they be able to work things out for a permanent relationship? Sometimes, circumstances seem dismal when plans change but sometimes, they turn out to be a blessing in disguise. This story is sweet, the scenery sounds lovely with lots of snow and Christmas decorations and the characters are well developed and likable.

[Brenda Engen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Such a simple story and characters.

[Grace Filer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jo, this book was definitely worth 99 cents.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book of wonderful stories of Mackinac Island.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars--Fair anthology of people on an island over the years.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie is so happy to be on vacation but when her longtime friend can't make it she now is trying to decide if she will stick around or head home early. When she meets Chris she decides to stick around and see what happens. Chris is on the island to visit his grandfather and he miss' his niece who he's raising. Can they come together and have a change of heart over a wise 4 year old who has lost everything but has a love for everyone and everything?
This book remind me of something that was written for or seen on Hallmark in the Christmas line up. I love Christmas and I loved seeing it through a four year old she was so spirited and had a way of making you see Christmas through a child's eyes. I loved Gramps in this book he was fun and added a huge element to the book. I like how both main characters are broken but both seeking healing in different ways. I think the only thing I really did not like about this book was how Josie's seem to have an obsession with divorce. She seemed so hung up on it that she couldn't get past it and it made her come off as if she was self absorbed instead of someone who was understanding of the situation. This book will defiantly put you in the Christmas spirit.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story set in a magical place: Mackinac Island.
Josie and Chris meet quite by accident. Josie was planning a winter get away with a friend , Carol, and her little boy, who she hadn’t seen in some time. But the boy got sick so Carol was unable to make the trip. Enter Chris, who is visiting his Grandfather on the Island. Chris is the guardian of his deceased brother’s little girl. She is staying with her maternal grandparents but Chris decides to bring her up to Mackinac for Christmas.
It is predictable that Josie would fall in love with Chris, Ellie and Gramps but the story was lots of fun. I liked the conversations between the characters and the descriptions of the Island in the winter were very good! A great part was when the trio played in the snow and when they made decorations for the tree. It was cute when Chris explained about adopting Ellie, too.
All in all a great read although I wish the spiritual thread had been stronger.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places I have ever been. I spent many day trips there as a child growing up with my grandmother and cousins and my husband and I honeymooned there in 2012 and had the best time ever and made wonderful memories. I have always dreamed of visiting when it is winter and snowy. This was the perfect book to read around Christmas time and put me right in the spirit and had a really fun, light, easy to read flow to get me back into reading again after having my second child. Now I am intrigued to find more books with a setting on the island or just read more books about the island in general so I can continue to daydream and plan about when we are going to go back for a visit!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captures the essence of Mackinac Island. I love the place and have been visiting it for years. Many unforeseeable things can happen on Mackinac Island. All you have to do is go with the flow and let things happen. The island has a special magic that one sees in this book. Josie arrives on the island expecting to meet her friend and have a "girls' get-away". But her friend cancels on her. She decides to stay one night before she cancels her reservation. But a chance meeting in a restaurant changes her life forever. It's a great story that could happen any time of the year on the island, but it is especially delightful to happen near Christmas.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains four short stories about romances with the background of Mackinac Island. Each one is set in a different time frame, but tell the story of a quick romance between a man and a woman of faith.

I found the stories less than average. They had the feel of a YA book with religion added in. I guess I was expecting more of a single story (which there was some tie in on the last story) and a greater focus on the Island - sometimes that's what I get for not reading the summary of the book first (selected as a book category based on where I would like to visit). I continue to find enjoyment in these short stories with less time for plot and character development.

[Emily Detrisac · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. Like a bad Hallmark Christmas movie. You can see the plot from the first page. The main characters meet on Mackinac Island and their relationship will never work because she’s from Royal Oak and he’s from Birmingham ... which are neighboring cities *eye roll* She will never get married because both of her sisters got divorced and she thinks it’s genetic *eye roll* And there are errors throughout the text. Words spelled wrong, quotation marks in the wrong place. Don’t waste your time.

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough a few years ago to meet Gail. I like reading historical romances mostly but since we have lived in MI for many years & many visits to Mackinac Island, I had to read it. I have read a lot of books by Gail & love when she has them set in Michigan. It is so interesting to see the places the characters in the book will go to & know exactly where they are set. I loved this romance & her characters were very special. So happy for the Happy Ending too..

[Judith Cotcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, poorly proofed book

The story was fine, but the mistakes in punctuation and spelling took away from the enjoyment of reading. Also, since I read this book on my Kindle, I found the download troubling, as the first page of every chapter was blank. I had to guess what had happened as I proceeded to the next page. Overall, a frustrating read, but a nice story.

[Carol S Tikkanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackinac Island Christmas

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is written with joy and romance without being too mushy. A fun read with the history of Mackinac Island right on. Being i have only been a visitor to the island, it was nice to learn about the residents even though it is fiction.

[star scherzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I love this book for several reasons. It first interested me, because of Mackinac Island. The story is very good, and if you have been to Mackinac Island you can picture where things are taking place. If you’re not familiar with the island, it may make you want to visit. I would love to see it in this setting.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage Fears

Josie's girlfriend Carol had to cancel her plans because her little boy got sick. Josie's decided to stay a few days and leave. While eating lunch she meets Chris and tells him what happened. He offered to show her around. Well written Christmas romance story with strong and believable characters. Found some editing errors. But still enjoyed book.

[Vicki Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas book!

I thought the cover just looked like a sweet Christmas read, but inside it showed me all the emotions a person can have! He is raising his brothers daughter, due to a car accident, but he finds a woman who'd make an excellent mommy for the little girl also! Good book!

[Daniel Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Editors are stupid extraneous costs; who needs them?

It's Cadotte Avenue, not cadette.

This book shouldn't have been published. It's a romance novel with subtextual gaslighting Christian themes. There's no actual plot.

You can tell this author hit the Mac Island highlights and didn't delve beyond that.

[Brenda C. McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT!!!!

Good story. It shows how God will work things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. What a beautiful story. And everyone ended with a happy ending!!!!

[jolene rueckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackinac Island Christmas

The book was amazing couldn’t put it down a romance and heartwarming story all at once. It happened at Christmas on my favorite island and had some twists with a sweet gramps and a sweet child

[Krista Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet Christian romance set at Christmas is just what I needed. There were two tiny errors but nothing bothersome. I loved reading this and how real it felt. The characters had flaws and doubts. Definitely a beautiful story!

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

dull...

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great romance

I loved this well written romance. This book has a great plot, characters that I loved and a beautiful setting. I highly recommend this book.

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review posted at:
http://www.momkatreads.com/2018/05/ma...

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island Christmas

Mackinaw Island Christmas is a sweet Christmas story that I really enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Gabi’s Book City · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5. Decent anthology if overly sweet and religious.

[Maureen Bowman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. Sweet but predictable story.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little dorky, but there were some cute parts, too. I was really annoyed with all the typos in this book.