Whelan is, according to Liz Rosenberg in the Chicago Tribune, 'an accomplished, graceful, and intelligent writer.' Her stories have appeared in several anthologies and in Prize Stories: the O. Her collection of short stories, Playing with Shadows, was published by the Illinois Press. Whelan is also the author of short stories which have appeared in The Ontario Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, The Gettysburg Review, and other literary quarterlies. Whelan's books include many historical fiction novels, including a trilogy set on Mackinac Island and a quartet series set in communist Russia. She also won the 2013 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction for her short story What World Is This? and the work became the title for the independent publisher's 2013 collection of short stories. She won the annual National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2000 for the novel Homeless Bird. In this dazzling conclusion to The Island Trilogy, Mary must uncover the truth of her won heart in order to discover what her future holds.Gloria Whelan (born November 23, 1923) is an American poet, short story writer, and novelist known primarily for children's and young adult fiction. Will she journey across the Atlantic to live a life of elegance and ease with James, or will she remain on her beloved island and wait for White Hawk?

James, traveling across America to sketch the land and its people, appears at her doorstep to ask for her hand and declares he will not leave until she consents! Now her future, which once seemed as certain as the ebb and flow of the tides, is cast into stormy waters. Then suddenly Mary's plans come into question. And although White Hawk is often called away to defend Indian claims to native lands, Mary anticipates his visits, hoping that one day he will stay forever. Mackinac Island is also home to Mary's dearest friend, White Hawk, an Indian raised by white settlers. But love of the land isn't the only reason Mary chose to return to her farm after a taste of England's high society.

Mary is delighted with her life on the farm and knows she chose wisely in declining a marriage proposal from James Lindsay, a young duke she met during her travels in London. The small island Mary knew as a child is now a booming town: Brigades of traders bring their precious furs from far-off western lands and hundreds of Indians camp on the shore, filling the island night with bonfires and the constant sound of beating drums.

It is the spring of 1818 and Mary O'Shea is once again living on beautiful Mackinac Island, set like a glittering jewel in the vast Great Lakes.

Once on this island by gloria whelan