Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA is out now in trade paperback with a beautiful new cover.  There is a scene in the novel where a local artist paints a portrait of young Lizzy looking out at Josh's shrimp boat.  This cover is that painting and I love that it captures the sentiment of worry and longing.

It is the right sentiment for what's happening to shrimpers in the United States of America. The terrible Gulf oil spill tragedy has thrust the plight of America's  fishermen, shrimpers, and oystermen into the headlines every day.  But headlines do not tell the human story.  I hope my book gives you a glimpse into the lives of these families--the men, women, and children-- and how this event is devastating their lives, livelihoods, and the historic culture of this coastal industry.  The oil spill affects all marine species in the fragile ecosystem, from shrimp, to fish, to turtles.  We hold our breaths. 

 Mary Alice Monroe

May: SWEETGRASS re-release
June: LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA paperback release
July: SWIMMING LESSONS re-release

Nov: THE LONG ROAD HOME new release of first novel.