This book is the sequel to The Beach House (which is now on my to-read list). The book's beginning reads like a prologue.
Book Beginning:
Lovie Rutledge believed memories were like the tides. Sometimes they rushed in with a pounding roar to topple you over. At other times they gently washed over you, lulling you to complacency and then tugging you back to halcyon days that, with the passing of years, seemed ever sweeter.
Friday 56 (from Page 56 in my trade paperback):
Glancing at her watch, she realized it was not even ten o'clock and the children were asleep. Lowcountry summer days wore them plumb out. In one day's time their skin was as red as a lobster's from overcooking in the sun, and their lackluster expressions were replaced with the bright-eyed enthusiasm she always imagined Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn wore.
Genre: Literary Fiction / Women's Fiction / Environment
Length: 385 Pages
Amazon Link: Beach House Memories
More From This Author: Mary Alice Monroe's Website
Synopsis from Amazon:
Autumn brings haunting beauty to the sun-soaked dunes on Isle of Palms, where Olivia “Lovie” Rutledge lives in her beloved Primrose Cottage. As the seasons change, Lovie remembers one special summer…
In 1974, America is changing, but Charleston remains eternally the same. When Lovie married aristocratic, well-connected businessman Stratton Rutledge, she turned over her fortune and fate to his control. But she refused to relinquish one thing: her family’s old seaside cottage. Precious summers with her children on the barrier island are Lovie’s refuge from social expectations and her overbearing husband’s philandering. Here, she is the “Turtle Lady,” tending the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs in the warm night sand and then slip back into the sea.
Then, in the summer of ’74, biologist Russell Bennett visits to research the loggerheads. Their shared interest brings them together, and soon it blooms into a passionate, profound love—forcing Lovie to face an agonizing decision. Stratton’s influence is far-reaching, and if she dares to dream beyond a summer affair, she risks losing her reputation, her wealth, even her children.
This emotional tale of a strong woman torn between duty and desire, between tradition and change, is an empowering journey through the seasons of self-discovery. Until this autumn, this time of winds and tides, of holding on and letting go…
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Sounds lovely! I like the lines you chose and how they are written.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Your description of the book makes it sound so good. Hope you enjoy it. Anne's Friday Post
ReplyDeleteI really like the beginning, because it's so right about memories. You never know when they're going to hit you. Although I'm not quite sure this one is for me, I hope you enjoy the rest of it! Thanks for sharing :) I hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteMy Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
Beautiful blurb and excerpt. Brings back memories of when I was a child and when my son was young. It flows like poetry.
ReplyDeleteHere is my 56 - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/09/05/the-friday-56-35-cursed-a-guardian-chronicles-novel-by-trakena-prevost/
The book is nicely written and full of beautiful description.
DeleteHa! I actually have read this sandy and really enjoyed it. Our local girl, Mary Alice Monroe, is one talented author. And I loved the setting..because I do live in Charleston now:)
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten that you live in Charleston! This book really gave me a sense of place, and one of these days I hope to visit your part of the world. As I was reading this story (I'm on the final chapters now) I kept thinking about Pat Conroy, another Carolinian and an excellent writer. Then I saw that he's named in the author's acknowledgments.
DeleteBeautifully descriptive! I feel as though I am right there, in that time and place. And it sounds like my kind of story. I apparently missed this one...have to go check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and here's mine: “TEARS & TEQUILA”
I think you'd enjoy this one. I do wish I had read the previous book first, but this one stands alone.
DeleteMakes me wish I was there.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Definitely interesting. The excerpts grabbed me where the premise didn't. I'll definitely have to look for this author.
ReplyDeleteVery descriptive writing in this book it seems. I've never read this author before.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Friday 56
Hmmm. I might have to give these books a shot. They seem interesting, and sort of like a Nicholas Sparks book. I used to read his books all the time.
ReplyDeleteThis book's plot appealed to me, but it was the setting and family dynamics that kept me reading. In a way, it does remind me of books by Nicholas Sparks, but I won't give away any more!
DeleteI love the Friday 56.
ReplyDeleteI love the beginning descriptions. Felt as though I were there.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the book is good. Love the cover.
Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Follow Friday Four Fill-In
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteIf the two excerpts you feature are indicitive of the rest of the writing, then this definitely sounds like a book I might be interested in. I am a complete sucker for descriptive writing and with an opening like that, there is no way I could resist .... especially given the excellent ratings and reviews the book is getting.
The older I am getting, the more important memories seem to be...
Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend
Yvonne
The description in this book was enjoyable, as was the plot. And I agree about memories. They're treasures.
DeleteLOVE the descriptive writing!! This sounds like a good one, especially the sea turtles!
ReplyDeletesounds like a good read
ReplyDelete"Sometimes they rushed in with a pounding roar to topple you over. At other times they gently washed over you, lulling you to complacency and then tugging you back to halcyon days that, with the passing of years, seemed ever sweeter."
ReplyDeleteI love every bit of this, the author appears to write in an inviting elegant manner; I am always captivating by such story tellers :) Have a wonderful weekend Sandra!
That's a nice way to look at memories.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of this one!
ReplyDeleteI can taste the sunshine in my mouth from this description.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting perspective on memories and I like the description of the children, evocative.
ReplyDeleteI like the description used for memories, I never thought of it that way before.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, I like this book!
ReplyDelete