Mary Alice Monroe, a New York Times bestselling author, is deeply captivated by the beauty and fragility of the wild habitats around her. Her novels often focus on the southern coastal landscape and its endangered species, weaving together extensive research and hands-on conservation work with compelling narratives. Monroe explores the parallels between nature and human nature, drawing inspiration from her experiences with animals and wildlife experts. She is also an active conservationist, using her literary platform to highlight environmental themes through her fiction and children's books.
The story revolves around themes of nostalgia and self-discovery, as characters embark on a journey that ultimately brings them back to their roots. The narrative explores the emotional ties to home and the transformative power of returning to familiar places, evoking a sense of warmth and belonging. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this edition promises to resonate with readers through its heartfelt exploration of family, love, and the significance of home.
"The coming of Spring usually means renewal, but for Linnea Rutledge, Spring 2020 threatens stagnation. Linnea faces another layoff, this time from the aquarium she adores. For her--and her family--finances, emotions, and health teeter at the brink. To complicate matters, her new love interest, Gordon, struggles to return to the Isle of Palms from England. Meanwhile, her old flame, John, turns up from California and is quarantining next door. She tries to ignore him, but when he sends her plaintive notes in the form of paper airplanes, old sparks ignite. When Gordon at last reaches the island, Linnea wonders--is it possible to love two men at the same time? Love in the time of the coronavirus proves challenging, at times humorous, and ever changing. Relationships are redefined, friendships made and broken, and marriages tested. As the weeks turn to months, and another sea turtle season comes to a close, Linnea learns there are more meaningful lessons learned during this summer than opportunities lost, that summer is a time of wonder, and that the exotic lives in our own back yards ... Linnea and the Rutledge family continue to face their challenges with the strength, faith, and commitment"--
"It's been sixteen years since Caretta "Cara" Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again. Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara's niece Linnea returns to Sullivan's Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea's parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter"--
This book is part of the Thorndike Press Large Print series, designed to enhance readability for individuals who prefer or require larger text. It aims to provide an accessible reading experience while maintaining the integrity of the original content, making it suitable for a wide audience.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Charleston, South Carolina, this story explores the challenges and victories of the Rutledge family. With a focus on themes of resilience and love, it offers an insightful look into their lives, highlighting the significance of new beginnings. Mary Alice Monroe's narrative captures the essence of family bonds and the strength found in overcoming adversity.
Originally published in hardcover in 2013 by Gallery Books. Reprinted in paperback 2014 with a readers group guide and an excerpt from the author's forthcoming novel: The Summer Wind, book two in the Lowcountry Summer trilogy.
A monthly book club serves as the backdrop for five women who share deep connections and personal struggles. As they gather to discuss literature, their meetings evolve into a space for vulnerability and support, revealing the complexities of their lives. Through shared stories and experiences, the women navigate friendship, growth, and the challenges they face, highlighting the transformative power of community and literature in their journeys.
Sweetgrass is a historic tract of land in South Carolina that has been home to the Blakely family for eight generations. But Sweetgrass—named for the indigenous grass that grows in the area—is in trouble. Taxes are skyrocketing. Bulldozers are leveling the surrounding properties. And the Blakelys could be forced to sell the one thing that continues to hold their disintegrating family together. In this poignant novel of hope, acceptance and the powerful gift of forgiveness, Mary Alice Monroe paints an intimate portrait of a family that must learn to unravel old patterns and weave together a new future.
From the "New York Times "bestselling author of "Time Is a River "comes a new lyrical and emotionally satisfying novel that will sweep readers away to the seductive southern landscape--in the tradition of Sue Monk Kidd and Anne Rivers Siddons.With a warm voice that brings the South to life, "New York Times "bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe writes richly textured novels that intimately portray the complex and emotional relationships shared among family, friends, and the natural world. Here, in "Last Light Over Carolina," Monroe tells the haunting and touching story of a longtime shrimp boat captain and his wife of thirty years the day he is injured at sea.On an otherwise ordinary day, in a small shrimping village off the coast of South Carolina, a boat goes missing. The entire town rallies as all are mobilized to find the lost vessel. Throughout the course of one day, flashbacks of Bud Morrison, the captain on board, and Carolina, his wife, reveal the happier days of a once-thriving shrimping industry juxtaposed with the memories of their long term marriage.Through her wonderfully evocative storytelling and keen insights into the human heart, Mary Alice Monroe has yet again delivered an exceptional and engaging work of fiction.
Set against a backdrop of personal struggle, the narrative explores themes of redemption and the transformative power of love. Characters face challenges that test their resilience and relationships, ultimately leading to profound growth and healing. This story captures the essence of hope and the impact of love in overcoming life's obstacles.
