Blog Archives - Mary Alice Monroe

A NOTE OF REFLECTIONS AND HOLIDAY WISHES

December 19, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe 25 Comments

This is a season of traditions and transitions, preparations and celebrations. Parties and quiet gatherings, parades and church services. It’s a busy time of year. But despite the hustle and bustle, I hope you’re finding moments to sit back and enjoy the lights of the tree while sipping hot cocoa (or wine) and savor the season.

REFLECTIONS

Before I transition to a New Year, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the year’s best moments and share them with you.

BEACH HOUSE REUNION became a #4 New York Times Best Seller

CREATING MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

December 6, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe 1 Comment

Traditions are important touchstones in families. They connect us to family values, morals, beliefs. They keep us attuned to our ancestors. One holiday tradition of the season that I treasure is St. Nicholas Day, which we celebrate every December 6th.

St. Nicholas Day is commonly celebrated in Germany and other European countries, as well as many American cities with German roots. My father was born and raised in his early years in Germany. When I was little, my ten brothers and sisters and I polished our shoes in anticipation. Picture a hoard of children kneeling on newspapers spread out on the kitchen floor, covered in polish as we shined our shoes. Delightful mayhem.

Save the Planet? Light One Candle

October 5, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe 8 Comments

As a child I wanted to save the planet, but the problems seemed so large, so many. I am one of ten children and my father attempted to calm me by telling me not to try to save the entire world, but instead to light one candle. I was too young to understand the wisdom of that advice. But now I do. In modern parlance it is “Think globally. Act locally.”

The problems of the environmental crisis seem sometimes overwhelming. It’s easy to tune out. To give up. Please don’t! Never before has it been so important for each person to ask: What can I do, right here, right now, to make a difference? How can I help?

SAVING A VITAL PELICAN ISLAND

August 7, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe 2 Comments

Photo credit: Judy Fairchild, Dewees Island SC

Wild animals and the Lowcountry landscape I call home are woven into my stories. They are so vital they actually become characters in my novels. But they are much more than that. As I bring awareness to the fascinating species in my novels, I hope you come to care—and take care. That is the power of story. These animals, like the brown pelican in my novel BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, do so much more than add beauty to our world. They are essential to the delicate balance of our ecosystem. And they need our care to thrive. Specifically, a vital pelican island.

LADIES’ NIGHT

July 18, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe Leave a Comment

Join us 7/19 on Facebook!

My dear friends Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Kay Andrews are with me this week for a writers’ retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It’s an important time for each of us as we work on our next novels. But as Mary Kay said on a social post “all work and no cocktails = no fun!”

I couldn’t agree more! That’s why we’re hosting a ladies’ night together for all of you, our readers, on #FacebookLive Thursday, 07/19 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

YOU’RE INVITED! Official Book Launch Party at South Carolina Aquarium

May 9, 2018 by Mary Alice Monroe 2 Comments

Join New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe at the South Carolina Aquarium on Thursday, May 24 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. to celebrate the launch of her new novel, “Beach House Reunion.”

Monroe, a South Carolina Aquarium board of directors emerita member and local resident, is well known for compelling portrayals of life in the Lowcountry. “Beach House Reunion” features the South Carolina Aquarium and its sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts, making it the perfect location to celebrate the book release.

7 GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR OWN LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS

December 12, 2017 by Mary Alice Monroe 1 Comment

Starfish Santa says: Books make great gifts!

Recently my publisher Simon & Schuster asked me to write something special for the holidays for their book content site dedicated to women’s fiction and romance. The topic is a fun spin on my novels: If my book characters came to life, what would be the perfect presents they would give this Christmas season?

The items I selected have a connection to South Carolina’s Lowcountry landscape, where most of my novels are centered. And some on the list are my personal favorites, too! I receive no compensation for any of the items mentioned. Click the link to read my guest post:

A MOVIE, A BOOK, AND HOLIDAY GREETING OF GRATITUDE

December 4, 2017 by Mary Alice Monroe 8 Comments

This is the holiday season of love and gratitude. I have much to be thankful for this year!

Thanks to YOU, dear readers, my novel Beach House for Rent climbed to #9 on the New York Times Best Seller List. I’m currently writing a new novel, Beach House Reunion, the continuation of the Beach House Series, available May 22nd. And the Hallmark Channel will air the TV movie adaptation of The Beach House as a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie in the spring!

I saw a commercial for the movie the other night on the Hallmark Channel. It was quite the fun surprise! Click here to see it, too.

A LOWCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS: PAPERBACK EDITION!

November 3, 2017 by Mary Alice Monroe 4 Comments

It’s Christmas come early!

Now available in paperback

The paperback edition of A Lowcountry Christmas recently landed on my doorstep and is available now where books are sold. This year it’s on bookshelves anointed with a special award: the Southern Book Prize. It’s a tremendous honor from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance. Thank you, SIBA!

The Perfect Cocktail for Summer Reading

July 25, 2017 by Mary Alice Monroe 6 Comments

Since the June release of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, I’ve been on a coast-to-coast book tour that has kept me away from home most days. During a book launch celebration at Isle of Palms, attendees enjoyed a complimentary special cocktail provided by Firefly Distillery. First, I must say, my husband and I are big fans of Firefly–a Charleston distillery known for being the home of sweet tea vodka. It’s so good and so southern!

For the book launch party, Firefly served up this cocktail, and it was a hit at the party! The crowd was among some of the first to try Firefly’s Lowcountry Lemonade Vodka featured in this cocktail recipe. And I’m so grateful for the opportunity.