It’s not everyday an author is contacted by the direct descendants of a historical character featured in a novel. I can only imagine the joy and pleasure author Delores Topliff felt when she received a special email related to her book, Wilderness Wife.
Here is a snippet about the book:
Marguerite Wadin MacKay believes her 17-year marriage to explorer Alex MacKay is strong—until his sudden fame destroys it. When he returns from his 1793 cross-Canada expedition, he announces their frontier marriage is void in Montreal where he will go now to find a society wife—not one with native blood. Taking their son, MacKay sends Marguerite and their three daughters to a trading post where she lived as a child. Deeply shamed, she arrives in time to assist young Doctor John McLoughlin in Hudson’s Bay Trading Company employ with a medical emergency.
As their friendship deepens, when McLoughlin declares his love, she dissuades him from a match harmful to his career. She’s mixed blood and nine years older. But he will have no one else.
After abandonment, can a woman love again and fulfill a key role in North American History?
The email Delores received stated, “My mom and sister and I are 4th and 5th generation direct descendants of Marguerite. We love your book and wonder if you’re related to us.” Although Delores is unaware of any relation to the descendants of Marguerite, she would love to be related to this resilient and fascinating woman in history.
Delores relates this about her subject:
“Growing up as a kid in the shadow of Fort Vancouver, Washington, the end of the Oregon Trail, we knew lots about its founder, Dr. John McLoughlin, but the Lord inspired me to research his wife, Marguerite, and I found solid gold. Courageous and clinging to faith, Marguerite raised three daughters alone after being abandoned. She modeled such praiseworthy traits she became a friend—someone I felt I knew.”
After connecting online with the descendants of Marguerite, the family joined Delores for a December ACFW Book Club discussion of Wilderness Wife via Zoom. They hope to meet in person in Ontario, Canada next July. Delores found many qualities she admired in Marguerite are alive and well in her descendants. Delores noted that as choices are made and life seeds planted, they don’t decrease but yield a harvest that blesses future generations.
Marguerite’s relatives have encouraged Delores to write the sequel to her fascinating, inspiring life and she is considering this.
Current and future writing:
I’ve nearly finished an Amish romance inspired by the real-life Amish neighbors surrounding my Minnesota farm. I’m also working on a novella that will be part of a four-novella collection of Contemporary Romances titled, Romancing the Elements, to be published by Scrivenings Press in February of 2026.
How do you relax and recharge when you step away from writing?
I love to travel. Much of that is tied to mission trips throughout Europe, South America, or Asia and to projects connected to those areas. I’ve also had many exchange students live in my home through the years so visiting them in their homes is a wonderful treat to see their nations from a resident viewpoint instead of being a tourist.
Media Links to Delores:
Visit my website delorestopliff.com
Connect on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DETopliff
Sign up for my monthly newsletter – https://mailchi.mp/919a77d66e15/newsletter-sign-up
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