Swimming Lessons: 2 (Beach House)

"An inspirational tale of redemption and…the power of love." —Publishers Weekly

For one woman, a sea turtle rescue leads to a summer of new beginnings…

Toy Sooner kept her vow to her beloved mentor, the original turtle lady of the Isle of Palms. She left behind an abusive, dysfunctional lifestyle to become a strong single mother and an aquarist at the South Carolina Aquarium. But success has taken its toll, leaving Toy fearful of change and risks. It's only been through the enduring love of a close-knit group of women that she's finally started to find her footing.

The turtle season begins the day Toy rescues a sick sea turtle on the beach. When Toy brings the loggerhead to the aquarium, she founds a turtle hospital and spends long nights working alongside her boss, Ethan. As the summer progresses and the sea turtles take their measured steps toward healing and freedom, Toy must find the strength within herself to make it safely to shore.

A deeply satisfying novel written with an eye to nature and keen insights into the connections between women, Swimming Lessons is perfect for fans of Susan Wiggs and Mary Kay Andrews.

Mary Alice Monroe is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of thirty novels, including her NYT middle grade series. Her books have received numerous awards, including the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, Florida Distinguished Author Award, SC Book Festival Award, and the International Fiction Award for Green Fiction. An active conservationist, she lives in the lowcountry of South Carolina where she is at work on her next novel. Visit her at maryalicemonroe.com and on Facebook.