If the cold and snow is getting to you, why not spend some time at the beach with Mary Alice Monroe? Back in July I reviewed The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. The Beach House can be read as a stand-alone; however, it’s the beginning of a wonderful series. If you like the first one, be forewarned, you’ll get hooked on continuing the Rutledge family story in the Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
This series was my escape during the craziness of this CoVid year. Apparently I got so caught up in them, I just realized I hadn’t posted a review since the first book. I’ve finished five in the series! The Beach House is followed by Swimming Lessons, Beach House Memories, Beach House for Rent, and Beach House Reunion. Rather than give you summaries of four books, I’ll just recommend you read them. Really. Go read them! Monroe brings favorite characters back each time with stories that are sometimes sweet, sometimes heart-breaking. It’s all about family relationships, friendships, romances, and, of course, sea turtles.
On Ocean Boulevard is the next installment which was published this year (2020). The Summer of Lost and Found comes out in 2021. You know I’ll be reading these soon! Maybe we’ll cross paths on the beach at Isle of Palms in our imaginations. If we do, be sure to look up from your book and wave at me.
(If you’d like to go back to read my review from July on The Beach House, click here.)
I want to share something with you that shouldn’t be kept a secret. Do you remember in my recent book review on The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe, I mentioned a Facebook group I came across during the pandemic? The Friends and Fiction FB group is sponsored by five women fiction authors: Mary Kay Andrews/Kathy Trocheck (Hello, Summer), Mary Alice Monroe (On Ocean Boulevard), Kristin Harmel (The Book of Lost Names), Patti Callahan Henry (Becoming Mrs. Lewis), and Kristy Woodson Harvey (Feels Like Falling). (The books listed are their most recent.)
During the pandemic these authors felt the need to connect with each other since they couldn’t get together in person. They started connecting through Zoom for a virtual happy hour – enjoying a drink while talking books. They realized how much they were missing in-person book tours and meeting their fans so they decided to open up their weekly chat to fans by making it a weekly live video on Facebook each Wednesday at 7 pm eastern. (You can also view it later at your leisure on the FB page.) In just a few months this Facebook group has already gained 14,000 members! What started as a “limited time event” looks like it’s here to stay.
Sometimes the live chats are the five of them discussing writing and books while other times they invite a special guest to join them. Past guests have included Delia Owens (Where the Crawdad Sings), Jasmine Guillory (Party of Two), Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Dance Away with Me), Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle (Close Up)), Lisa Wingate (The Book of Lost Friends), and Drew Copeland and Ken Block (members of the band Sister Hazel) to name a few. Upcoming interviews on the summer calendar include Elin Hilderbrand on Aug. 5 (TOMORROW!), Karin Slaughter on Aug. 12, Kristina McMorris on Aug. 19, the Friends and Fiction 5 on Aug. 26, and Etaf Rum on Sept. 2. The F&F5 are finalizing other author interviews for the fall.
“The authors quickly make fans feel like good friends just hanging out together.”
I look forward to watching the live video on Facebook every Wednesday. The authors quickly make fans feel like good friends just hanging out together. We can also submit questions for them and for their guest authors. An independent bookstore is highlighted each week as the authors encourage fans to support them, especially while these businesses are struggling during the pandemic.
Friends and Fiction is a closed FB group, but anyone can join. On Facebook type Friends and Fiction in the “search groups” bar. Just ask to join and soon you will have access to their past videos, their live videos on Wednesdays, and comments and recommendations from other fans/readers. (Also check out friendsandfiction.com.) I’m amazed that with all these ladies have on their plates they want to continue doing this, but I’m so glad they do. Come join us!
On Ocean Boulevard is the next installment which was published this year (2020). The Summer of Lost and Found comes out in 2021. You know I’ll be reading these soon! Maybe we’ll cross paths on the beach at Isle of Palms in our imaginations. If we do, be sure to look up from your book and wave at me.