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Mary Monroe

    Drawing from her roots as the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and a self-taught writer, this author crafts literature that resonates with profound authenticity. Her stories, often infused with autobiographical elements and inspired by current events, delve into the depths of the human experience with unwavering honesty. Dedicated to her craft for most of her life, she has cultivated a distinctive voice that has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Her narratives offer insightful explorations of life, emotion, and relationships, providing readers with a powerful and enriching literary journey.

    God Don't Play
    Bad Blood
    Across The Way
    Never Trust A Stranger
    God Still Don't Like Ugly
    Deliver Me from Evil
    • 2025

      Double Lives

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Set in Depression-era Alabama, this novel follows identical twin sisters who expertly swap lives, navigating the complexities and scandals that arise from their daring antics. Their unique bond and talent for deception lead them into increasingly risky situations, ultimately culminating in a life-altering twist that challenges their relationship and forces them to confront the consequences of their choices.

      Double Lives
    • 2025

      Bent But Not Broken

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Alabama, this novel follows a mistreated wife who discovers the love she's been yearning for. However, her newfound happiness quickly spirals into a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder, filled with unexpected twists and scandals that keep readers on edge. Mary Monroe's storytelling captures the complexities of love and survival during a tumultuous time, making for a gripping and emotionally charged narrative.

      Bent But Not Broken
    • 2023

      "With mysterious serial murders putting peaceful Lexington, Alabama, on edge, Jessie and Hubert Wiggins' steadfast calm and devotion to each other reassures everyone that faith will see them through. But Jessie and Hubert have paid a terrible hidden cost to maintain their devout facade and respectable standing. Nothing can allay the guilt they feel--or stop the growing distrust between them ..."-- Provided by publisher

      Love, Honor, Betray
    • 2022

      Cry Murder, Baby

      You're Next...

      • 214 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      At 29, Michelle Heywood is a rising star in the competitive world of advertising, recently promoted to Senior Account Executive at a prestigious Chicago agency. With her talent, beauty, and newfound financial rewards, including a significant raise, bonus, and company car, she appears to have it all. However, her journey may reveal challenges and complexities that come with success in a high-stakes industry.

      Cry Murder, Baby
    • 2022

      Empty Vows

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      3.6(1459)Add rating

      In this scandalous follow-up to the Depression-era tale Mrs. Wiggins , award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe brings even more period drama as a proper church-going woman ensnares a widower living too many secrets—and lies.Reminiscent of Monroe’s classic, captivating, scandalous Mama Ruby series. Forty-something widow Jessie Tucker is beloved throughout Lexington, Alabama, for her kind heart and endless generosity. But she feels it's past time she rewarded herself— especially when upstanding Hubert Wiggins tragically loses his wife and son. Making herself indispensable, yet discouraged by Hubert’s lack of romantic interest, Jessie cooks up a deception she knows will make pious Hubert do right by her . . . Hoax or not, Hubert couldn’t be happier. The passionate self he’s long hidden from everyone has a new,much-riskier secret love. And the unsuspecting second Mrs. Wiggins will help him maintain hisever-so-devout image in the community . . . But when Hubert is not the ardent lover Jessie always dreamed he was, she turns to handsome younger man Conway. Suddenly the “good church wife” can't resist temptation at all. And someone is watching:  Conway’s new girlfriend—and Jessie's longtime rival--Blondeen. Now Blondeen has the perfect opportunity to destroy Jessie’s reputation--then become the wife Hubert should have had all along. Unless all their secrets destroy them first. 

      Empty Vows
    • 2021

      Once In A Lifetime

      • 208 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      3.4(92)Add rating

      Beloved, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe delivers a hopeful and heartwarming story about an impossible Christmas dream, an unexpected act of goodwill—and a surprising chain of events that could gift joy far beyond the holiday season… Free-spirited, living on the fly, Vanessa Hayes is still always down for traditional family holiday fun—until now. She’s making her oft-delayed wish finally come true: Christmas in Paris, the glittering City of Lights. But when her passport gets delayed, it's too late for Vanessa to rebook. Now it looks like the Yuletide she longs for won't happen. Until a stranger suddenly enters her life, and changes it forever… Overwhelmed by responsibility, Judith Guthrie is too busy worrying about her seriously ill brother to have time to celebrate. She's taken a leave from her teaching job to care for him as he's on the waiting list for a life-giving transplant. A trip to France is a kind of happiness she can't imagine. But when she accidentally receives Vanessa's passport, Judith can't resist delivering it in person so Vanessa will at least have her holiday dream. She can’t anticipate that her small gesture will result in a series of big choices, big miracles, and lifelong rewards that all will be thankful for over many Christmases to come...

      Once In A Lifetime
    • 2020

      The Gift of Family

      • 239 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      "From acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe comes the captivating and heartfelt tale of a couple who has everything--except the dream they long for most. But this Christmas, a reunion with someone from the past could gift them a once-in-a-lifetime last chance. Successful, secure, and still very much in love, middle-aged couple Eugene and Rosemary Johnson have never given up on one special wish--to be parents. And while Christmas always brings happiness and a whirlwind of holiday fun, their hopes for children of their own seem further away than ever. Especially this year, when Rosemary must have emergency surgery and home help to recuperate. Wanting to lift his wife's spirits, Eugene suddenly has an inspiration from back in the day. Faithful and sensible, Ethel Perkins raised Eugene and his brother. Unforeseen tragedy has left the sixty-something widow struggling with little money and two jobs to keep her great-grandchildren off the streets. She's glad to help Rosemary back on her feet. But she can only stay until Rosemary is well enough to resume her normal routine. For Ethel, survival means keeping to her grueling schedule, being there for everyone but herself, and, as always, handling her troubles all on her own. As Ethel's problems go from bad to much worse, Rosemary and Eugene find themselves helping her more and more--and growing close to her lively youngsters. Soon, there's only one way both families can salvage the season: by celebrating it together. But will their temporary family work into the future ... and possibly mae a lifetime of happiness?--provided by publisher

      The Gift of Family
    • 2020

      Across The Way

      • 288 pages
      • 11 hours of reading
      4.3(92)Add rating

      "Odell would do anything to be free of his bootlegging, blackmailing, money extorting neighbors and recover the peaceful - and financially prosperous - life he and Joyce once had. But Milton and Yvonne seem to always bounce back from bad luck, and this time they've returned angrier, and greedier, than ever. Determined to get what Odell 'owes' them, the Hamiltons have a big surprise for Joyce too, one that shows how far they will go to get revenge"-- Provided by publisher

      Across The Way
    • 2019

      I Didn't Sign up for This . . .

      One Dementia Caregiver's Personal Story and How She Survived

      • 80 pages
      • 3 hours of reading

      Facing the harsh reality of her husband's Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's, Mary Monroe candidly shares her journey through caregiving over six years. She reflects on the loss of her dreams for their golden years and the establishment of a new normal. With honesty, she addresses often-taboo topics and offers practical tips, tricks, and strategies to navigate the challenges of caregiving. Monroe's insights provide hope and encouragement, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and find strength in difficult circumstances.

      I Didn't Sign up for This . . .
    • 2017

      Never Trust A Stranger

      • 384 pages
      • 14 hours of reading

      New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe takes you on the ultimate twist-filled ride with her Lonely Heart, Deadly Heart series. For two restless women looking for satisfaction, too much of a good thing is never enough—even as a lethal passion closes in . . . Best friends Lola Poole and Joan Proctor-Riley have finally found the love and excitement they’ve always longed for. Online-dating an endless line of wealthy, no-strings-attached lovers is the perfect escape from their unfulfilling lives. And between Joan’s selfish husband and Lola’s hateful, demanding relatives, the hotter these ladies’ secret activities get, the more they crave—and the more reckless they become . . . When rugged trucker Calvin Ramsey comes into Lola’s sights, he’s a surprising answer to all her prayers. He’s kind and responsible—and delivers sexual healing like she’s never known. What Lola doesn’t know is that Calvin loves women to death—literally. And every caring moment and seductive promise draws her deeper into his inescapable, fatal fantasy . . . Praise for Every Woman’s Dream “An epic novel that spans a generation. . . . There’s a great twist in the final chapters that will have readers pounding the table.”— Library Journal “Engaging, provocative, disconcerting and shocking, as the author shrewdly characterizes the hazards when adults play dangerous games with strangers.”— RT Book Reviews

      Never Trust A Stranger