The Mackinac Bride

by Katie Winters

One bride prepares for the Mackinac wedding of her dreams, while another Mackinac bride mourns the wedding that never was. It's autumn on the Island and love is never hard to come by, even if it's where you least expect it to be. Elise has had two of the most tumultuous years of her life. Now, she's weeks away from marrying Wayne, her second chance at love after her ex's affair. As Elise, Penny, Cindy, Tracey, Emma, and Megan prepare for the big wedding, they stumble into familiar Mackinac Island characters, including the whip-smart owner of The Pink Pony Bar and Grill, Marcy. Marcy has always been a fixture on the island. With her father now in a nursing home full-time, Marcy owns and operates the bar mostly by herself, keeping an eye on the many islanders who come by for drinks and good conversation. Marcy knows the ins-and-outs of all the Mackinac Island gossip -- but is generally grateful to stay out of it. In fact, Marcy has had a bit too much of her own drama over the years and is frankly done with it. At twenty-one, the love of her life left her at the altar, which messed her up so badly that she never even considered falling in love again -- not even with her very best friend in the world, Kurt (who has been by her side through thick and thin). When Elise discovers Marcy's deep-held secret about being left at the altar, Elise strikes out to discover the truth behind what really happened on that fateful day on Mackinac Island. What she learns shocks her to the core and makes her understand and appreciate her own life and her own love that much more. Dive in for book five of Secrets of Mackinac Island, that gem of an island between the southern and northern peninsulas of Michigan, where secrets have been kept for the previous forty years.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

168 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

Katie writes women's fiction and clean, wholesome contemporary romance. She looks to everyday, real-life family issues to weave stories of heartfelt emotions, love and loss, and everything in between.

Come transport yourself to Martha's Vineyard: an island of vivid blue ocean, white sand, and a lively community of locals, who celebrate everything from the bright New England summers to the cold, yet cozy, snowcapped winters.

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Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mackinac Bride: Secrets of Mackinac Island Book 5 is by Katie Winters. Once more we are back on Mackinac Island where magic and love seem to be in the air. Elise Darby, a screen writer and a writer, has come back to the Island to get married. She met Wayne Tanton here on the island and planned to create a home on the island for her family. She has made the move from Los Angeles and intends to stay here on the island and commute to LA for business. She plans to spend most of her time here with Wayne.
Marcy Plymouth runs the Pink Pony by herself since her father had to be placed in a nursing home. Although he was a cruel and mean man sometimes, she had no doubt he loved her and she loved him. She hated putting him in the nursing home; but it was time. He was the only one left in her life who loved her and when he was gone, she would have no one. When she was twenty-one, she had planned the perfect wedding; but got left at the altar. She had closed her heart and put her entire life into the pink pony. The only one who didn’t give up on her was her friend, Kurt. He was always there for her.
Elise’s wedding breaks things open on the island. Memories could not be forgotten and they seemed to come back to life. Could Marcy survive their return?

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart…this is without a doubt one of the most amazing books I’ve had the opportunity of reading. You’re going to need a ton of tissues, so grab a whole box. This book will literally rip your heart apart and steal every drop of hope from it! So grab those tissues, settle back and get ready for a killer read…

The storyline is so freakin amazing; the characters are well developed to the point of you wanting to kill a couple of them; plot twists and turns really keep your head spinning; and the HEA spreads the ultimate joy.

Katie Winters has done it again…knocked this book right out of the park! Be sure to grab your copy today. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and absolutely loved it!) ❤️❤️❤️

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mack-in-naw is how it's pronounced. I live nearby in northern Michigan. It's my favorite vacation destination. I've stayed at the Grand Hotel and it's extraordinary in its historical charm and outstanding service. I've been by the Pink Pony and rode on Sheplers ferry boats.

The story had loads of characters and this was my first time reading in this series so I was lost a lot.
Two main female characters with their lives touching because of time spent on Mackinac Island. No cars are allowed. Drunks are sometimes picked up in wheelbarrows and I've stopped by a liquor store by horse carriage.
The governor has a state home there. I've seen a governor on the Shepler ferry dock!!

[Judith Levis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Winters presents us with two different love stories. Elise and Wayne prepare for their new life as man and wife. Marcy suffers from being left at the altar by her "true love" at the age of 21. Now in her 50's, Marcy has a "coming of age" story after years of being lonely and rejecting love. Running her father's bar and surviving his mercurial personality have been difficult, but she has a close friend in Kurt. I really liked having "older" women as the main characters and seeing that love is possible at any age. The message of hopefulness in the book appeals to all readers.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A*R*C for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

Mackinac Bride is book 5 in the Secrets of Mackinac Island by Katie Winters and another look into the mysteries of Mackinac Island.

As we have read in the prior stories, Elise and Wayne are preparing for their wedding and a future together. Getting there has its own problems but hopefully in the end it all works out.

Also in this story we have met Marcy, the owner of the Pink Pony bar and find out what happened to her all those years ago…

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I Wouldn’t Be Who I Am Today Without Your Love. Words New bride Elise shares with her husband Wayne as they begin their honeymoon.

Two stories are intertwined in this book. The reader finally learns how Marcy and Zane’s young love ended on their wedding day. Marcy has become embittered as she continues to work at the Pink Pony Bar. Friend Kurt has always been by her side supporting her as needed.

Meanwhile Wayne and Elise look forward to beginning their love together

Thank you to the author for this ARC. Thos review is my honest opinion.

[Rochelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Mackinac Island story - perhaps the best one yet.

I've loved all of the books in this series but I especially enjoyed this one. It took a different turn than I expected and dove deeper into the details of the lives of characters that had previously been only side characters. As always the author did a wonderful job of holding our interest while keeping the book clean and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

This book is not only about the upcoming wedding of Elise and Wayne it is also the story of Marcy the bartender. Marcy’s story we will hurt your heart. As humans it is amazing how we let someone else’s decisions affect our life. As I get older I’m trying to not let that happen. Life is too short.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story of Marcy and her struggles with abandonment and severe loneliness. Elise and Wayne plan for their future. As usual secrets are revealed and as always with Katie’s story there is hope and love.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about elise and her happy ending! The wedding brings up lots of emotions for many islanders - especially the owner of the local bar. What happened way back then to spoil her off weddings? Love the side story here and seeing elise get her happy ending! Love this series so much!

[Debbie Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a delight!

Such an enjoyable, easy read. Katie Winters puts out series after series, an unending treasure trove of likable characters, nice story lines and wonderful friendships. Give it a go, you won’t regret it.

[Jaid Gutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

always a captivating read

The secrets of Mackinac Island are so captivating and you feel like it’s real. I can’t wait for Book 6. The stories are full of love, hurt and life. Not fake but real.

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I loved the reading about Marcy's story and Elise' wedding. Marcy had a bad experience with love and couldn't bring herself to try to find it again. It is amazing what a little friendship can do for a person. Loved this book.

[Kendyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book in the series! My only complaint is the overuse of the words joyously, cackle, scamper, knowingly, and teased 😂 but that definitely didn’t take away from the book 😊

[Marliss Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one by Katie Winters! I have only one left in this series. Kinda sad about that!

[Carol Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mackinac Bride

What a good story! Lots of love, adventures and problems galore! But went on and most problems and mystery was cleared! Love conquered all!

[Kerry Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series but they are really short easy read in a day

[Carol Poshard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Warming

Loved the love , warm hate winters is a great and captivating author! I am looking forward to her next book

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Brenda]

Easy, light read.