Today is the day! WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE is released! 

What a long journey it has been to bring this epic novel to life. Four years has passed since my last release for adults. I hope when you dive into this story world, you’ll feel that it was worth the wait. 

WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE is my first historical, my first duology, and my first novel for William Morrow (imprint of HarperCollins). It represents a first in many ways that you will discover when you read the book. 

The story opens with a young girl running off to find sanctuary in the hollow of a great oak tree. This ancient oak is an important symbol throughout the novel (both in Book one and Book two). My daughter, Gretta Kruesi, drew the tree of my imagination for me that you see here.

 

My editor, Liz Stein, put this magnificent tree on the title page for you all to see. A small touch that makes this novel extra special. And, I’m proud to say I have the original artwork framed and hanging in my home. 

As you might guess, authors draw upon experiences in real life to spark the imagination. Sometimes it’s a question, a conversation, an observation, a place.

 The tree hollow scene in WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE took root in 2021 during a special visit to explore St. Phillips Island, a 4-mile-long undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina. One particular tree caught my attention. 

Like a magnet, it drew me in. On that day a seed was planted in my mind. I’m grateful to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism for making my trip to this rare and hidden gem of the Lowcountry. 

I feel awestruck to be standing in this moment, seeing how the seeds of an idea grew into the epic saga it is today, out now. 

I am on a long book tour to celebrate this milestone, and I do hope to meet with many readers during my 10-state adventure! The entire tour is available at www.maryalicemonroe.com/calendar.  And you can see it here too:

 

This is a novel of my heart. I hope you enjoy WHERE THE RIVERS MERGE.