received in the mail this morning. it sounds like it will be a goodread. will update on this book later. this was really a good book. it was also a autographed copy. I won this book on goodreads.com giveaway ( )

THE ISLAND OF DOVES has already received praise from author Kristina Riggle who states it was "unforgettable" and author Susan Gregg Gilmore states, "It was simply gorgeous." I will have to agree with them and include words like captivating and impassioned.

THE ISLAND OF DOVES shares the story of two women in the early 1800's. Magdelaine Fonteneau defies all ideas of what a woman should be by doing the job of a fur trader after her husband died much too soon. After suffering the loss of her husband and then both of her sisters, she sets off to make sure she and her son can survive. Now as a wealthy and powerful woman, she wants to somehow redeem the loss of her sisters by opening her home on Mackinac Island to those who need protection and a new life.

Susannah Fraser lives the life every woman dreams in Buffalo. She resides in the finest mansion and is married to one of the wealthiest and most powerful of men. What those on the outside don't know is that her husband, Edward, is a monster and her home is a prison. Susannah is completely cut off from the outside world with no family left and no friends to talk to. One day she meets a nun who offers her an escape from the world of abuse and she takes the chance at freedom on Mackinac Island.

Even though I found THE ISLAND OF DOVES to be a bit predictable, the vivid characters and scenery depictions held my interest. McNees certainly knows how to plant you in the time and place of her novel and make the reader feel a part of the character's lives. You feel the physical pain and debilitating fear of Susannah, the determination of Magdelaine, and the kindness of each of the strangers in Susannah path to freedom. The descriptions of the remote Mackinac Island make me want to visit and hide away there myself.

Magdelaine and Susannah ended up really helping each other. Susannah saw ways to encourage Magdelaine and Magdelaine had to remind Susannah of her own strength. I loved this quote from Magdelaine:

You did escape him.
You're stronger than you think you are.
Real strength isn't in the fight. It's in the enduring,
the going on even when it seems like all hope is lost. Page 224

Most of the characters in this novel had their own personal battles ahead of them. They each needed strength to face them and the perseverance to find hope and forgiveness on the other end. At the end of the novel, you are left feeling hopeful for each of the characters and their future. ( )

THE ISLAND OF DOVES by Kelly O'Connor McNees is an interesting Inspirational Historical Fiction/Romance set in 1816-1835 Buffalo and Mackinac Island. Follow these extraordinary women,Susannah,Magdelaine, Therese, Esmee, Josette, and Noelle, on a journey of faith, healing, forgiveness,grief and love.

Susannah Fraser, is a courageous woman desperate for freedom from her abusive husband, Edward.

THE ISLAND OF DOVES is the tale of extraordinary women with secrets, seeking redemption, healing, freedom, friendship, forgiveness and the ability to open their hearts to love again.

Susannah's tale, is of an abusive husband, she is desperate to leave, alive, but she has tried before, which, resulted in bad consequences, so when the opportunity arises again, can she risk everything for herself and those who help her escape the clutches of an husband who is abusive, and greedy?

Magdelaine Forneneau and her sisters, Therese and Josette is set on a course no one wanted, one will die from an abusive boyfriend, the one will disappear, and the other, is left to pick up the pieces and continue her life after this great tragedy and hardens her heart. Will she ever be capable of giving love again?

Esmee and Noelle have their own stories to tell.

A heart wrenching tale of love, healing,hope, grief and forgiveness. With vivid descriptions, engaging characters, and a storyline that is dear to so many, Violence against Women. While, "THE ISLAND OF THE DOVES is fictional, three of the characters were inspired in some way, by real historical characters."

ISLAND OF THE DOVES, is an charming, unforgettable, tale of the promise of a new life, second chances, and the power of love. Do pick up this title, you will not be disappointed. An enjoyable read! Received for an honest review.

RATING: 4

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )

This is an inspiring story about the rebirth of two damaged women that begins in 1835.

Susannah Fraser, 23, is a woman living in wealthy circumstances in Buffalo, New York with a cruel husband who beats her. After the fingers in her hand are broken, a nun in the area, Sister Mary Genevieve, offers to help her escape. The sister knows of a refuge on Mackinac Island in the Michigan Territory, and arranges for Susannah to sneak out and be transported there.

Once in Mackinac, Susannah, going by the pseudonym “Miss Dove,” is taken in by the widowed Magdelaine Fonteneau, 46, who runs a successful business and lives alone in a large house with her son, Jean-Henri, and Esmee, her talented and resourceful housekeeper.

Adjustment is difficult for Susannah. She loves it on the island, but she has never experienced making her own decisions or taking her own life in her hands: first she was a daughter, directed by her father, and then she was a wife, with a husband who controlled each minute of her day. Independence is terrifying for her.

Magdelaine has her own demons to overcome; she lost most of her family, and steadfastly refuses to get close to anyone again, even her own son. The two women unexpectedly find they have much in common, but each must be willing to let go of her defenses to be become truly free.

Discussion: The author based her story on two historical figures. One was Magdelaine LaFramboise, who, like the fictional Magdelaine, took over her husband’s fur-trading business after his death and became very successful. The second was Benjamin Rathbun who was a notorious and corrupt builder in Buffalo in the same time period.

It is especially interesting to read about what life for the real Magdelaine may have been like from the author’s reconstruction of her circumstances.

Evaluation: The plot elements are fairly predictable and the characters sometimes a bit too caricatured or given to clichéd dialogue, but that doesn’t detract from the basic charm of this warm-hearted story. ( )

The Island of Doves suffers heavily from predictability. While one should never trivialize spousal abuse or a woman’s flight from an abusive husband, it appears as if all such stories follow certain patterns. The wife fakes her own death and flees, with or without the help of others. The husband cannot believe his wife would leave him until one simple mistake confirms his suspicions. Just when the wife begins to feel herself safe, there is one final confrontation between husband and wife except this time, the wife shows her new-found strength to defeat her husband’s hold. Thus begins her happily ever after. It is not a bad story, but it is a cliched one. Unfortunately, Ms. O’Connor McNees follows this same story pattern without much deviation, creating an enjoyable story that has absolutely no surprises.

The strengths of The Island of Doves lies not in its story, for reasons previously stated, but rather in its characters and even more in its descriptions. Both Susannah and Magdelaine are extremely strong characters. Magdelaine has the fortitude to thrive in the rough world of fur trading, creating a fortune in spite of her status as a widowed single mother. She fully supports women’s rights when women did not have any and uses all of her power and influence to helping young girls become self-sufficient. Susannah too is highly educated. Her fascination with plant life serves her well, as it showcases a scientific mind that is capable of recognizing the dangers of staying with her husband. She may appear frail and weak, but she really does have a backbone of steel when pushed. They are both admirable women, not just for the time period, but for women in general.

The descriptions within The Island of Doves are absolutely exquisite. Mackinac Island is renowned for its beauty, and Ms. O’Connor McNees brings it to life with an attention to detail that rivals a naturalist’s pen. One can hear the water lapping on Magdelaine’s canoe and feel the breeze as it ruffles the leaves of the maple trees. Her skill does not just reside in natural descriptions. Susannah’s domestic life is just as well-defined, from the feel of the various fabrics Susannah wears to the scents of the docks to her nervous tension as she seeks to anticipate her husband’s desires. In a novel where the plot itself is ordinary, the creation of the background is pure delight.

There is nothing overtly wrong with The Island of Doves. The story is entertaining and heartfelt. Susannah and Magdelaine are impressive characters, each simultaneously strong and yet fragile for various reasons. The descriptions of Susannah’s life in Buffalo and especially on Mackinac Island are vibrant and exquisite in detail. Yet, it is missing that spark that would make the story truly memorable. The Island of Doves is ultimately a disappointing read, especially because one recognizes Ms. O’Connor McNees’ writing ability and wishes the story would follow suit.