Mary Alice Monroe

Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including The Summer Girls, The Summer Wind, The Summer’s End, Last Light Over Carolina, Time Is a River, Sweetgrass, Skyward, The Beach House, Beach House Memories, Swimming Lessons, The Four Seasons, The Book Club, and Beach House for Rent. Her books have received numerous awards, including the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing, the 2014 South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence, the 2015 SW Florida Author of Distinction Award, the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, and the International Book Award for Green Fiction. An active conservationist, she lives in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Visit her at MaryAliceMonroe.com and at Facebook.com/MaryAliceMonroe.
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Books by this Author

Beach House for Rent
Beach House for Rent
By Mary Alice Monroe
A Lowcountry Wedding
A Lowcountry Wedding
By Mary Alice Monroe
A Lowcountry Christmas
A Lowcountry Christmas
By Mary Alice Monroe
The Summer's End
The Summer's End
By Mary Alice Monroe
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Videos

How Migration and Metamorphosis Inspire Mary Alice Monroe How Migration and Metamorphosis Inspire Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe on her new book, THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER Mary Alice Monroe on her new book, THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER
Mary Alice Monroe: Time Is a River Mary Alice Monroe: Time Is a River

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My Life in 8 Words

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An ever changing whirlwind with moments of serenity.

Author Revealed

Q. What is your motto or maxim?

A. You can make a difference.

Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?

A. I'm a hugger. I can't stop myself... I come from a family of huggers.

Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

A. At the moment...in Okinawa visiting my son in the Marines.

Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?

A. Kate, my heroine from Time is a River. She's strong, independent, a naturalist, and an ace fly fisher. This character spoke so clearly in my mind. I want to be her when i grow up.

Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?

A. Integirty, honesty, kindness.

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Author Interviews

Author Voices

June 07, 2012

It was a tender moment on book tour when a reader came up and nervously asked if I would sign her old book--a copy of the original THE BEACH HOUSE. Remember the paperback with the team picture on the back? I smiled to see it again. I don’t have a copy! She told me she’d never part with it. That’s high praise from a reader and it gave me pause.

It’s been ten years since THE BEACH HOUSE was released. Ten years! It still staggers me how fast the years have flown by. This book marked a pivotal change not only in the way I research and write novels and in my career, but in my life as well. I didn’t know that my... see more

May 18, 2012

What a spring season! A lot is happening and I'm excited to share all the great news with you- book releases, signing events, book recognitions and so much more. Here we go---

THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER, just released last month in trade paperback, and has been selected as a 2012 SIBA Book Award Finalist for the year's Best Book. (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance). I'm proud and delighted this book has wings!

NEW RELEASE: BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES
My new novel, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES, is selected as a SIBA Okra Pick! I'm flattered to be one of only a dozen books chosen by Southern indie booksellers as a summer must-read.
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May 18, 2012

It's the second week of the BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES book tour, and so far it has been a memorable and exhilarating adventure.

One of the most amazing moments happened Monday afternoon during the "Moveable Feast" literary luncheon in Pawleys Island, hosted by Litchfield Books. It filled my eyes with tears.

Before I explain why, let me share a little background first. Most of my readers know I'm passionate about sea turtle conservation. My personal work with these majestic creatures inspired not only BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES, but also my New York Times bestsellers THE BEACH HOUSE and SWIMMING LESSONS. When planning this book tour, I knew... see more

March 13, 2012

Many people ask me why I choose to read my audiobooks, and what is it like to do it? It’s definitely hard work. Very, very hard. To give you some idea, if you think you’d like to become a narrator, do what director Laura suggests: Try going into a small room and read for eight hours. If you can do that, then continue every day for five days.

I had read my books at signings for years and many people had told me, “You should read your books on tape.” When I was young, I took acting classes, as well. So when the time came that an audiobook offer was made, I talked to the head of Brilliance, Eileen Hutton, and told her that... see more

Reading Group Guides

Reading Group Guide for Beach House Memories
Reading Group Guide for Beach House for Rent
Reading Group Guide for The Butterfly's Daughter
Reading Group Guide for Last Light over Carolina
Reading Group Guide for The Summer Girls
Reading Group Guide for The Summer Wind
Reading Group Guide for Time Is a River
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