Mary Alice Monroe's Blog, page 13

THE WORLD OF SHOREBIRDS IN “BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT”

 

ON SALE NOW

My new noel BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT wouldn’t be possible without the brilliant, generous professionals who enthusiastically shared their knowledge with me. One of those people who deserves great thanks is Felicia Sanders of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, for the education she gave me on shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds. Because of her deep passion for these beautiful creatures who rely on our coastline for survival, I’ve invited her to share her knowledge and wisdom (and great photos) on my blog today with hopes that this knowledge will help us all be better stewards every time we visit the beach.

 

BIRDS LIVE ON THE BEACH

By: Felicia Sanders, SCDNR

For many people the beach is an expanse of sand that meets the ocean. I grew up thinking this stretch of coastline is a splendid place for relaxation, recreation and vacation. A place to put a beach chair and throw a Frisbee. Yet I now know, the shore is also a place where birds and other wildlife live. It is often their only home.

In June and July South Carolina’s shorebirds and seabirds have young chicks. In the spring thousands of brown pelicans, terns, black skimmers, gulls, oystercatchers and plovers start nesting on sandy islands and beaches along our coast. Their nests are simple scrapes in the sand or in the case of a pelican, a grass and stick nest on the beach. In April and May, these birds begin courtship behaviors on the beach of intricate dances that involve vocalizations, wing posturing, and bill touching. Male terns strut with a fish to lure a female to become his mate. Male pelicans advertise their territory by waving a stick that the female can use to build her nest. These birds mate on the beach and male terns continue to feed their partner small fish to strength the pair’s family bond. Both the male and female share in duties of incubating eggs in the nest and raising chicks. Parents need time to rest! While one parent is tending the young the other parent needs downtime and will relax at the water’s edge, often on a neighboring beach. This is precious time to re-energize for the next shift. 

Chicks grow up on the beach. The sand is hot in the dunes where eggs are laid so parents bring chicks down to the water to cool off. The beach is safer than the dunes where predators can hide behind grasses and bushes. Parents feed their chicks on the beach and the young mature.

 

The young birds start spreading their wings and eventual take short flights off the beach. Hopefully they will be strong and survive to adulthood to have their own young on the same beach.

Unfortunately beach-nesting birds are declining partly due to human activities on the beach and the fate of the coastal birds is entirely up to us. When you see birds on the beach, don’t get too close to make them fly or run. Nesting birds that are disturbed may not be able to protect and care for their eggs and chicks. Migrating birds may be too tired to finish long flights that require energy reserves. Wintering birds that are constantly disturbed may not survive the cold and wind. Instead take time to observe them from a distance. Learn to identify the types of birds on the beach and notice their behaviors. Are they feeding, resting or trying to distract us away from their chicks? If you watch birds they become captivating parts of the community of creatures that live on the beach. Like the seasons, changes in bird’s plumage colors mark the end of breeding season and beginning of autumn. Knowledge of coastal bird’s lives will add richness and enjoyment to our experience at the beach! 

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THE BIG DAY FOR “BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT”

I can finally share my new novel with you, my dear readers! I’m so excited! I’ve said this before, but this is a book of my heart. BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT returns to the beach I call home and allows me to share with you, through the characters’ lives and experiences, why I love the Lowcountry of coastal South Carolina so much.

I’m honored to see BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT listed on many summer reading lists and to see it selected as an Amazon “book of the month” for June. But most importantly, I’m honored to have this opportunity to share my novels with you, my readers. I hope to meet many of you during my summer book tour. CLICK HERE to see the complete tour schedule. And if you can’t make it out, I do hope BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT is on your summer reading list this season.

Migrating shorebirds and brown pelicans were the inspiration for BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.  Through the power of story I hope to raise awareness about important issues facing the wild. Remember, we can all make a difference. If your summer schedule includes a trip to the beach, remember these simple tips during your visit:   

Stay off sand dunes. It’s a nesting ground for some shorebirds. When the birds feel threatened, they fly up, exposing their eggs to the relentless sun and burning their own limited energy.




Keep your dogs on leashes when you see a group of birds clustered along the shore.




Teach your children not to chase shorebirds. These birds are feeding along the shore to nourish themselves before continuing on their migration.

Always retrieve your fishing lines. They’re deadly to birds and dolphins.


Avoid using plastic bags, straws, and plastic bottles. It’s dangerous to all marine life.

Fill in your sand holes. Sea turtles and hatchlings can get stuck in them.

Pick up your trash. Leave only your footprints in the sand.

No matter which beach you live near or vacation at, the simple actions we take today will help preserve all that we love about our beaches, so that our children and our grandchildren can enjoy the wild beauty of the beach (or even lake or river) for generations to come. 

 

 

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SEE YOU ON THE ROAD DEAR READERS!

ONE WEEK.

JUNE 20TH.

That’s the release date of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.

It’s a return to the beach–my beach–the Isle of Palms, where I call home. And this is a book of my heart.

This week I begin a coast-to-coast book tour to share this special moment with all of you. Thank you, dear readers for your love and support. Without you, this book would not be possible.

 

JUNE 20

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT is the fourth installment of The Beach House series, one that began in 2002 with the release of THE BEACH HOUSE. It was a pivotal book in my career because it was the first time I changed the way I told stories. I decided to develop my story around nature…a species here in the South Carolina coastal landscape. It struck a chord with so many readers. And it added deeper meaning to my storytelling. Today, I still write novels rooted in nature. Loggerhead sea turtles, monarch butterflies, and bottlenose dolphins are a few of the species that have been the backdrop of my writing. And this time in BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT it is the brown pelican and shorebirds that reside or stopover on the Isle of Palms. click here for book overview.

 

Earlier this year I was a guest contributor on a literary website called Great Thoughts Great Readers. I wrote a love letter to my readers. I’m sharing a segment of that letter with you today as I gear up for my summer book tour. This is a cherished time of year for me… re-connecting with longtime readers, meeting new readers, visiting booksellers and their bookstores, and–my favorite thing–hearing your stories.

 

Now with twenty published books, and another coming out this summer, I want you to know this. With every book release, you–my dear readers–lift me up.  I’m grateful for your incredible emails, letters, and book reviews. For showing up at book signings. (It’s become an annual reunion of old faithful friends for some of us). I receive the most thoughtful, unique gifts from you, all of which adorn my home–artwork, photographs, a patchwork handmade shawl, sea glass jewelry, sea turtle figurines, journals, scrapbook pages…I could go on for a couple of paragraphs, seriously. I deeply appreciate every gift– big or small. But what I love most is the thoughtfulness behind the gift-giving. For you to take the time to write to me or stand in line at a book signing is the best gift I could ever hope to receive. Every handshake and hug, every heartfelt story you share with me is exhilarating.

My appreciation is too deep for a mere “thank you.” Too big to express adequately. Let me just say that you give me the inspiration to keep writing. To keep sharing with you my experiences and insights. Every book I send out is a public display of my love for storytelling, for our natural world–and for you.

What book tour event is happening near you? Click here for book tour schedule. See you on the road, dear readers!

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COUNTING DOWN TO BOOK RELEASE AND BOOK TOUR

School’s out for summer and the beach traffic is booming again here on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, as the vacationers, day trippers, and locals alike flock to the beach. There are two things people always want to know when they visit this special beach town… where should I eat and what book should I read.

For food–I recommend Long Island Cafe and Sea Biscuit Cafe. There are many fun places to dine on the island, but these are my go-to spots!

For a good read–I hope you’ll grab a copy of my new novel, BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, in stores June 20th. To celebrate this month’s release, I’m going on a coast-to coast book tour! Author luncheons, cocktail parties, book talks, fundraisers, and a sunset celebration…there are so many special book signing events on the calendar. I hope you’ll join me at an event near you!

One of the book events is right here on the island and will benefit Audubon South Carolina.

JUNE 24th, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

WILD DUNES RESORT

ISLE OF PALMS, SC

RSVP 843-886-2174

Join me at the luxurious Wild Dunes Resort for an outdoor sunset celebration featuring southern food, music, signature cocktails provided by Firefly Distillery, and a book signing. This book event will benefit Audubon South Carolina. All guests will be entered into a raffle to win a 2-night getaway to the pristine and private Dewees Island. It’s my happy place!

Wild Dunes is offering a discounted room rate for guests attending the book party!  CLICK HERE for more information, or call 843-886-2174.

And, the first 100 guests to arrive will receive an eco-friendly tote bag like this one (pug not included).

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT is a book of my heart. It’s the fourth installment of my ‘Beach House Series’ but written as a stand alone, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the others in the series. The majestic loggerhead sea turtle makes a few appearances in this novel (fans of THE BEACH HOUSE; BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES; and SWIMMING LESSONS will appreciate that), but it’s the migrating shorebirds and pelicans of the island that serve as the backdrop of this novel.

CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT NOW

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY 

I wish you all a wonderful summer season! Whether you’re able to escape to the beach, lake, mountains, or some other beautiful view, remember to take along some good books and be kind to nature. Leave only your footprints behind. And I hope to see you during book tour!

 

Much love,

Mary Alice 

 

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT BOOK NEWS, EVENTS, AND GIVEAWAYS? CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST. 

 

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YOU’RE INVITED! ISLAND BOOK LAUNCH PARTY TO BENEFIT AUDUBON

 

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A GLIMPSE OF ISLAND MAGIC IN “BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT”

Photo by: Judy Fairchild (Dewees Island, SC)

My family and I moved to Isle of Palms, South Carolina nearly twenty years ago for my husband’s job. We had been vacationing on the island for years, so what a thrill it was–especially for my three young children–to live at the beach.

Fate brought us here. After my move, my way of storytelling transformed. No longer was I creating novels from archetypal themes, but instead this coastal Lowcountry landscape became my inspiration. Since our move here all those years ago, I feel called to be a steward of the wild…through storytelling.

I must tell you about one special little place, just north of my island town. It’s a place I dream of living. Dewees Island, SC.

It’s the kind of community many of us yearn for…a place away from the busyness of traffic congestion, the noise of shopping centers, a place where neighbors know each other and help each other. Residents and guests are surrounded by miles of pristine forestland that beckons you to explore, where wildlife and people live together in harmony. And the creeks and ocean invite you to catch your meal for the night.

I’m so enchanted with this island that I had to share it with you in my new novel BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.

ON SALE JUNE 20

Pre-order your copy and receive a special gift. Click here for details.

I am lucky enough to call Judy Fairchild my friend. She’s a longtime resident of Dewees Island, a realtor, a state certified naturalist, and a great photographer, too.  I invited her to be my guest blogger today to give you a more intimate look at the magic of Dewees.

Welcome to Dewees Island!  A slightly weathered sign hangs from the ferry dock when you arrive, and it is my regular joy to introduce visitors to Dewees Island. A private barrier island accessible by boat from the Isle of Palms, Dewees has only 150 homesites and over three miles of pristine beach.  To our north, Capers Island, Bull Island, and the lush waters of Cape Romain National wildlife refuge combine to form the largest undeveloped (and protected) stretch of coastline on the Eastern Seaboard.  The entire island of Dewees is in a conservation easement, and it’s kind of like living in a National Park.  We can only disturb 7500 square feet of footprint per home, and only native plants are planted: lawn care is NOT how we spend our time. At full build-out, over 94% of the island will remain natural and pristine. We do have a clubhouse and pool and tennis, but instead of a golf course, we have a nature center and pristine forests, wetlands, and dunes.  Mary Alice Monroe’s readers are introduced to Dewees Island in Beach House for Rent. Here’s a short passage:

Fifteen minutes later she spied the white beaches of Dewees Island and, closer, the island’s dock.  The captain reduced speed and neatly maneuvered the ferry into the dock…

…they bumped along crushed shell roads under the lofty shade of trees.  Heather was enchanted by the wild green landscape.  Everywhere she looked there was something else to see.  On one side of the road creeks meandered through lush cordgrass where egrets and a great blue heron were wading.  Beyond was a glimmering lagoon where a large alligator sat sunning on a floating dock.  Butterflies fluttered in the shrubs and songbirds darted from tree to tree.  She felt she was in some sort of sanctuary.  A safe haven not only for the wildlife, but for humans too.  Dewees made Isle of Palms look about as coastal as Charlotte.                                                     [Excerpt from BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, available June 20]

As a realtor on the island, and as a naturalist, I get to experience the island through the eyes of people seeing it forthe first time.  It’s hard to take it all in: the relaxed pace, the beautiful vistas, the totally natural seashore, the sounds of birdsong. With no paved roads or strip malls, the island is a place to get to know your neighbors, to slow down and savor the otter playing in the road ahead, the birds bringing fish to youngsters, the screech owls peeking out of the box in the freshwater wetland.

I love the way different people are captivated by different parts of the experience: community kayaking or creek floats, solitary beach walks, nesting birds, sandcastle contests, happy hours.  Dewees gives you a chance to unplug and connect differently. 

As a full time resident who raised kids here (yes, they take a boat to school), I love the way they know the secrets of the tides, how to catch dinner with a net and some line, where the eagles raise their chicks, and what an alligator bellow sounds like.

Because our beaches are relatively less traveled, we have a healthy shorebird population that rests and nests here. Volunteers protect nesting least terns and Wilson’s plovers on Dewees Island through the state’s Audubon Shorebird Stewards Program.

We are restoring a wetland on the island to provide foraging habitat for local and migratory shorebirds. When you show residents and visitors a photo of a tiny plover chick, scrambling across the sand, they will understand why to leash dogs on the beach and why to watch their step. That kind of education and conservation is a part of everyday life on Dewees.

But it’s the wonder that I can’t get enough of. Everyday brings something incredible to experience. Tonight at the dock, a young family arrived back on Dewees by ferry after eating dinner on the Isle of Palms.  The stars were sparkling above: with no streetlights to our north, the dark skies can be incredible.  And in the water, early bioluminescence is making its first summer appearance. Awe and wonder and laughter floated past on the breeze as they trailed their fingertips in the water at the dock, creating sparkles in the water.  Just a bit of everyday Dewees magic.

It is that magic of Dewees Island–and the shorebirds against the Lowcountry outdoors–that Mary Alice captures in her new novel. BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT will open readers up to the wonder of the wild, something I see and enjoy everyday through my job and my daily life here on Dewees Island. Come rent for a few nights to experience the island for yourself.  We’re recruiting neighbors!                                                                                       ~Judy Fairchild

 

You have a chance to WIN a two-night getaway to Dewees Island, South Carolina on June 24th, during my BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT book release party at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, SC. All guests are automatically entered into the raffle, and additional raffle tickets can be purchased during the book event. Proceeds benefit Audubon South Carolina Shorebird Stewards Program. CLICK HERE for details. I hope to see you at the party, or at a book tour event near you this summer! 

*All photos provided by Judy Fairchild

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A NOVEL MESSAGE FOR SHOREBIRDS

Isle of Palms, SC (Photo by: Lori McGee)

My island life just outside of Charleston, South Carolina inspires my writing life. The lush landscape teems with life in the marshes and rivers, forests and beaches. The wild is my inspiration. Sea turtles, monarch butterflies, and dolphins have sparked my stories in the past. And this time, migrating shorebirds are the backdrop of my new novel, BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, available June 20.

I didn’t set out to tell a story about these birds. Instead, I like to think the story found me.  It started with a pelican rescue (read that story here), which opened me up to the fascinating world of shorebirds. And when I learned from Audubon that 70% of the shorebird population is in decline, I knew I had to tell this story.

Today I introduce you to guest blogger, Jessica Hardesty Norris, who’s a member of Audubon South Carolina, and shares details about a shorebird stewards program that I’m committed to helping raise awareness about along South Carolina beaches and beyond. A big thanks to Jessica Hardesty Norris for this special contribution today.

Nolan Schillerstrom has learned to start with the positive.  He has to.  His job is encouraging South Carolina beachgoers to share their play-space with the wild birds who need undisturbed access to our shores in order to survive.

Take the typical scenario. It’s an idyllic beach day for a visiting (or local) family.  They have come to the shore, perhaps with kids and dogs and bicycles, ready to enjoy the sun and waves. As they play, they might not notice the feathered families trying to make their living on that same beach.

Most shorebirds, after all, are small and have cryptic coloration that allows them to blend in with the sand and pebbles. So Nolan, who’s on staff with Audubon South Carolina, must make the human family aware of the bird families who share our beaches.

According to the South Carolina Audubon Let ‘em rest, Let ‘em nest webpage, disturbance is one reason for the abrupt decline of species like the Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, and Piping Plovers. Scaring or chasing the birds can quickly create dire consequences.  On a hot sunny day, a newborn chick whose parent has been chased off the nest can die within minutes.

Biologists like Nolan, with his team of “Shorebird Steward” volunteers, work throughout the nesting season to raise awareness among families, dog-walkers, and cyclists.

As they walk the beaches, they have to be able to start the conversation in a friendly way that opens people to learning more.

How do the Stewards keep it positive when patrolling the beaches?  “I end up talking about dogs a lot,” says Nolan. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked up to a stranger on a beach to ask them what kind of dog they have.  And I do love dogs!”

Once the conversation is rolling, he seizes the opportunity to share a little information about shorebirds and how to be a good neighbor on the beach. He also travels with a telescope that allows people to spot birds long range, which delivers his message better than any prepared talk.

Wilson’s Plover and chick

“If you can show a family a nesting Wilson’s Plover, you have instantly fostered stewardship.  The kids love to see the chicks – and I think I can be unbiased in saying they are some of the cutest babies on the planet.”

It always helps if beach-goers have already heard about shorebirds in other places.  That need for education and awareness is what makes Mary Alice Monroe–whose support for sea turtle conservation has helped spur an army of new volunteers to protect nesting turtles–an important partner in shorebird conservation. Earlier this month, she hosted a nature walk to Bull’s Island with Audubon SC.

 

Photo by: Sally Watts Photography

Monroe’s stories, so often set on our beloved beaches, share conservation messages with general audiences. Beach House for Rent, her upcoming book, draws a parallel between the shorebirds and the heroine who paints them – both are easily alarmed, with beauty entwined with vulnerability at their very core.

Audubon South Carolina is hosting Monroe’s Charleston book launch on June 19, but the message needs spreading now. With beach parties and boating celebrations, Memorial Day is one of the worst weekends of the year for our shorebirds, many of whom are just trying to wrap up their nesting for the year.

Please respect the signs on closed beaches, avoid scaring birds, and do your best to be a good neighbor as you enjoy your time at the beach. If you see an Audubon Shorebird Steward, let them know you appreciate their work; they will have a prize on hand to share!

And if you are interested in helping the effort, you can contact Nolan at Audubon South Carolina and sign up to be a Shorebird Steward.

 

 

 

 

 

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HOW A YOUNG PELICAN INSPIRED A NEW BOOK

In just a month, I hit road the for a coast-to-coast book tour to celebrate the June 20th release of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT. Book tour is a favorite time of year for me because I get to meet all of you and hear your stories! I treasure our interactions and your support. One question readers frequently ask during book tour is “What inspired your novel?”. 

The idea for BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT sparked many months ago with a pelican rescue on the beach where I live. My dear friend Mary Pringle, who first introduced me to the Birds of Prey Center several years ago for my novel SKYWARD, took me with her to look into a report of a possible injured pelican on the beach. We found a young female pelican just sitting on the sand, her head drooped, and her beak on the sand. Her wing looked injured. She didn’t move when we approached. We walked up close with a towel, bent down and quickly wrapped her up for her safety and our own, and then put her in a transport box. She didn’t put up a fight one bit, an obvious sign that she wasn’t well.

The rescued pelican from Isle of Palms

We drove the pelican directly to the Birds of Prey Center, which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases all types of birds, such as hawks, eagles, herons, owls, pelicans, and now shorebirds, too. The petite, young juvenile was thoroughly examined, treated for a wing injury and labeled as “failure to thrive.” She was likely late to hatch and didn’t get the time to learn how to adequately care for herself and eventually got left behind.

She was a gentle seabird, who quickly beguiled us all. She would sometimes stroll up and down the hall of the rehab facility with her funny gait, seemingly saying hello to all. She spent the winter in a pelican enclosure and continued physical therapy.

Then in April of this year, she was strong and well enough for release back to the wild. Mary and I had the honors of leading the pelican send-off, so we took to a place on Sullivan’s Island where we knew pelicans frequently gathered. But, on this particular day there were no pelicans–go figure! We let her out of her transport box to see what she would do, but this pelican had no desire to fly away or explore, no matter how much we encouraged her to take off. She only wanted to stay near the humans.

Stretching her wings on release day

I’m trying to encourage her to take flight…

But, the pelican wasn’t in the mood to leave.

Animal rehab staff and volunteers go to great lengths to prevent animals from getting too comfortable around humans so they can be successfully returned to the wild. But sometimes it doesn’t work out, despite everyone’s best efforts. It’s unfortunate, however, there is a silver lining for this non-releasable pelican. She remains in the great care of the Birds of Prey Center, and she will be an important species in the center’s education program.

My early experiences with pelicans opened up the world of seabirds and shorebirds to me. That–coupled with the realization that the United States has experienced a 70 percent drop in some shorebird populations nationwide since the 1970’s*–led to the creation of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, available June 20.

Click here to read an excerpt

 

Like I did for loggerhead sea turtles, monarch butterflies, and bottlenose dolphins, I aimed to write a compelling story anyone will enjoy that will also bring awareness to threats facing our migrating shorebirds. It’s the “why” of my writing. I believe that when you know something, only then do you care. And I can’t wait to share the astounding beauty and fragility of the world of shorebirds with you, this summer through what I think will be a compelling and satisfying story in BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.

I love this photo of the lone pelican surrounded by American oystercatchers

For anyone who’s enamored and interested in pelicans like I am, I leave you with this– pelicam!

It’s nesting season here in Charleston and the pelicans (and shorebirds) are returning to Crab Bank, a tiny island and bird sanctuary in the Charleston Harbor, just offshore from Mount Pleasant. Thanks to the Coastal Conservation League, we can take a peek at the bird life without disturbing their habitat. It’s one of only five active seabird nesting sites in South Carolina, so it’s a rare treat to witness.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

*source: Audubon Society

 

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A CLOSER LOOK AT “BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT”

Summer’s coming! That means migrating shorebirds, such as willets and red knots, plovers and sandpipers, are returning to the shores of my beloved beach, the Isle of Palms.  And this year, their arrival also signals the arrival of my new novel, BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT.

This is the final book of my Beach House Series, which started many years after I moved to the Isle of Palms and fell in love with the majestic loggerhead sea turtle that calls this shoreline home every nesting season. It was the first time a species inspired my story line.

For my longtime, faithful readers, many of you have read the series (THE BEACH HOUSE; BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES; SWIMMING LESSONS).

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT will bring this series to a satisfying conclusion. For those who have not read the aforementioned books, I assure you that you will wholeheartedly enjoy BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, without having to read the other three titles. If you find time before the June 20th release to read the other books, then this story will have added meaning.

Next month, I hit the road for book tour. Here’s a peak at what’s in store just for the month of June.

CLICK HERE to see all book tour dates on my website.

This year’s book tour will be coast-to-coast! I’m returning to some of favorite places and visiting several new spots in Ohio, Tennessee, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. I’m also excited to announce that I’ll be at the Nantucket Book Festival,too, June 16-18th.

I’m happy to say that everyone who pre-orders a copy of BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT will receive this handy little bag, while supplies last. You can use it for anything… to carry your beach snacks, pool towels, library books, or groceries!

CLICK HERE TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE

All of my novels written since moving to my beloved island town always highlight a species. Sea turtles certainly play an important role in this new story (Cara Rutledge is in the book after all, so it had to be!). But I also introduce you to new species–migrating shorebirds and the beloved brown pelican. They are common sights here.

Dare to be different! A brown pelican relaxes among a flock of American oystercatchers.

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT will help raise awareness about the state of migrating shorebird populations along the coast. Did you know that their numbers are dropping? Some, like the intrepid red knot–which travels all the way from the Arctic Circle–have experienced a population drop as much as 70 percent, according to the national Audubon Society.

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT will give you a deeper appreciation of the beauty of these shorebirds and pelicans and how we impact their existence.

It was my own personal experience helping rescue a juvenile pelican here at the beach that opened me up to the bird world. After learning so much, I knew it was an important story to tell! I’m thrilled to share BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT with you this summer, and I hope to see you on book tour!

 

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WELL, THIS IS A FIRST!

Welcome to Isle of Palms, SC
Mural by: Gretta Kruesi

I finally did it! My first Facebook Live video. And I must admit, it was actually pretty fun, and easy (except for the fact that we couldn’t get the Live video feature to work on my Facebook author page, so we did it from my Facebook conservation page instead). I must learn to speak louder next time, but it was truly a live experience, from the part of the island we call “Front Beach” on the Isle of Palms.

In the video, you’ll meet my daughter, Gretta Kruesi, who is the artist commissioned to do the huge mural on the public bath/shower building next door to the popular hangout and restaurant, Coconut Joe’s. The artwork is almost complete, and just in time for beach season. I must say, this is a proud mama moment. I love that she’s using her own unique talents to raise awareness about ocean conservation right here in our own community. You’ll also meet a few of my friends, learn a few facts about my beloved island town, and get the latest on the upcoming Hallmark movie based on one of my books, and details about my new book BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT, available June 20th.

Here’s the video! I hope y’all enjoy it.

I’ll be sure to do a another Facebook Live video again soon before the June 20th book release.

 

AVAILABLE JUNE 20th

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