By: Mary Alice Monroe ASIN: B01E0HQHYQ Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 5/3/2016
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars
Wedding season has arrived in New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe’s next novel in the “distinct, complex, and endearing” (Charleston Magazine) Lowcountry Summer series, set against the romantic, charming Charleston Lowcountry.
Nothing could be more enchanting than a summer wedding—or two!—in Charleston’s fabled lowcountry. A centuries-old plantation, an avenue of ancient oaks dripping moss, a storied ballroom, a sand dune at sunset…
Yet when a stranger arrives, a long held family secret could silence the bells ringing for the Muir sisters. Scandals surface, family bonds are questioned, and promises are broken and renewed. In A Lowcountry Wedding Monroe delves into the heart of marriage, commitment, and family ties. Huffington Post calls the Lowcountry Summer series “the perfect beach read and a whole lot more.
Lowcountry Summer Series
The Summer Girls Lowcountry Summer, Book 1 (Carson Muir) Three granddaughters. Three months. One summer house. In this heartwarming novel, three sisters discover the true treasures Sea Breeze offers as surprising truths are revealed, mistakes forgiven, and precious connections made that will endure long beyond one summer.
The Summer Wind Lowcountry Summer, Book 2 (Dora) The Summer Wind is the second book in Monroe’s Lowcountry Summer Series, following the New York Times bestselling The Summer Girls. This nationally bestselling series is a poignant and heartwarming story of three half-sisters and their grandmother, who is determined to help them rediscover their southern roots and family bonds.
The Summer’s End Lowcountry Summer, Book 3 (Harper) In the powerful and third installment to her bestselling Lowcountry Summer Series, New York Times author Mary Alice Monroe brings her readers back to the charm and sultry beauty of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, to reveal how the pull of family bonds and true love is as strong and steady as the tides.
A Lowcountry Wedding Lowcountry Summer, Book 4 (Surprise Family Member) Wedding season has arrived in New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe’s next novel in the “distinct, complex, and endearing” (Charleston Magazine) Lowcountry Summer series, set against the romantic, charming Charleston Lowcountry.
My Review
Mary Alice Monroe’s highly anticipated fourth installment of Lowcountry Summer series, A LOWCOUNTRY WEDDING —is full of excitement, family, and romance. Readers were sad to see the trilogy end; however, delighted to see this additional installment return following The Summer’s End. #3 . And let me say, it is explosive! What a stunning beautiful front cover, MAM's own trademark style, and the nice media touch with the wedding giveaway promotion in Charleston. No place better in the world for a romantic wedding! Brimming with Lowcountry Charleston charm, elegance, and history--of course, some added Emily Post proper tidbits, and social graces of the South, providing clear answers on a vast range of wedding and entertaining etiquette from one Southern grandmother, PLUS, a little British Debrett's proper; rituals, social manners and characteristics from the England wealthy grandmother —making for a nice twist for their take on today’s modern woman. (love the generational mix). Mixed with an array of emotions, wedding plans, stresses, dresses, locations, homes, identities, independence, love, some juicy secrets, budding romances, a wise voice from the past, a lovable dolphin we fell for, a hidden manuscript, and one extra very special secret (GQ minister) visitor, which will change all their lives—Heartwarming, full of entertainment and lots of laughs! In THE SUMMER GIRLS (Lowcountry Summer #1) we met three-half sisters (Carson, Harper, and Dora), as they find their way back to one another with the help of their loving and aging grandmother, Mamaw and side kick Lucille, the housekeeper. The one link the deceased son/father Parker, an alcoholic whose actions still affect the lives of all today. Mamaw was about to sale the home and move into an assisted living, and she informs all the girls if they do not come home for the summer, she will cut them out of her will. She hopes she can talk them in to returning full time to the south and connect to their roots. In THE SUMMER WIND (Lowcountry Summer #2), we dig deeper into the emotional lives and challenges of the three grown step-sisters, from different walks of life, a grandmother, a wise housekeeper, and a charismatic dolphin who touches the lives of a troubled boy with autism, and his aunt. THE SUMMERS END (Lowcountry Summer #3) brings a mixture of sadness and joy, tying up all loose ends, and reinvention. Lucille, Mamaw’s dear friend has passed on, and now Mamaw is lost without her. She knows Lucille would not like her mourning, having brought the girls to the island to get to know one another, and embrace their roots. She has more work to do. Coming full circle, A LOWCOUNTRY WEDDING (LowCountry Summer #4) Mamaw is living at Seabreeze on Sullivans' Island, SC and of course did not go to the assisted living facility, thanks to Harper. She has moved into the guest cottage. Now enters Emma Jean (Harper's grandmother) from England and she plans on moving in since their family estate has been sold. Lots of women! The girls are here, finally and preparing for the upcoming wedding nuptials of Carson/Blake and Harper/Taylor. Dora (son Nate) is still dating (Delvin) with a lot of pressure of marriage and getting into her real estate career; however, needs some time after her horrible divorce from Cal. One a beach seaside wedding at Wild Dunes and the other an old plantation style historic wedding at Legare Waring House. (BTW-both smashing venues). Neither girl is into the planning and leaving most of the details to the grandmothers, who love all the social graces and planning. Comfort of family and friends. Sharing of stories--better or worse. Dora is also hovering like a mother hen, and Atticus is a nice addition to the story. In the midst of the planning, a deeper story, family ties and bonds- Atticus, the black good looking minister who will performing the ceremonies. A secret between he and Mamaw until after the wedding, unless they are discovered. From dresses, venues, pre-nuptial agreements, careers, drama, pregnancy, conflicts, loves, fears, laughs, and a revisit from the Delphine lovable dolphin. If you have ever lived or worked in the LowCountry (it is mesmerizing) you know how special the culture, art, cuisine, nature, rich in history and its southern roots. Having worked with hotels in Charleston and the CVB, there is nothing like it. The atmosphere changes the minute you step in the historic downtown- I love Charleston! With all Mary Alice Monroe’s stories, she is a master at skillfully weaving into her narrative, significant environmental topics, blending them into the lives of her flawed characters---as they mature, learn, and find healing and acceptance from life’s lessons and experiences. The real meaning of family and friends. One of my all- time favorite Southern authors for many years. Each book is unique with richly developed characters, connected to nature, ones you will not soon forget, even after the story ends. If you have not read Mary Alice Monroe, you are missing a rare treat. Each can be read as a standalone; however, recommend reading them all, to fully appreciate.
For fans of Southern authors: Patti Callahan Henry, Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, Wendy Wax, and Karen White. All my favorites! Highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by the author,Mary Alice Monroe. Her voice was perfect for her own creation, with a winning performance! Listen Here. A Lowcountry Wedding Contest! Win a FREE dream wedding in Charleston, SC! Winner announced June 2016. LEARN MORE. Love her new website!
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About the Author
Known for her intimate portrayals of women's lives, Mary Alice Monroe's writing gained added purpose and depth with her books set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. An active environmentalist, Monroe draws themes for her novels from nature and the parallels with human nature, thus drawing attention to various endangered species and the human connection to the natural world.
Mary Alice is involved with several environmental groups and is on the board of the South Carolina Aquarium, the Leatherback Trust, and Charleston Volunteers for Literacy. Her volunteer work with these and other groups provided the inspiration for her novels, The Beach House Trilogy: THE BEACH HOUSE, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES, SWIMMING LESSONS, and SKYWARD, SWEETGRASS, TIME IS A RIVER, LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA, and THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER. With the same heart of conservation, Monroe has written two children's picture books, TURTLE SUMMER and A BUTTERFLY CALLED HOPE.
The Lowcountry Summer trilogy is her newest endeavor and is set against the backdrop of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. THE SUMMER GIRLS, the first book in the series, was released summer 2013 and introduces the complex relationships between three sisters of the Muir family at Sea Breeze, their historic home on Sullivan's Island, S.C. The second installment, THE SUMMER WIND was released in 2014. Book three, THE SUMMER'S END out for summer 2015.
Mary Alice Monroe is the author of nearly two dozen novels, several non-fiction titles, and children's books. Her body of work reflects her commitment to the natural world through literature. Monroe has served on the faculty of numerous writer's conferences and retreats. She is a featured speaker at events, both literary and conservation.
Her books have achieved several best seller lists, including the New York Times, SIBA, USA Today and are sold worldwide. Her childrens books received several awards, including the ASPCA Henry Bergh award. Monroe was awarded the SC Center for the Book Award for Fiction and the International Book Award for Green Fiction. In May 2014, she was awarded the Career Achievement Award for mainstream fiction by RT Book Reviews, SW Florida's Distinguished Author Award, and the South Carolina Book Festival Literary Excellence Award. Read More
