THE SUMMER GUESTS by Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe returns once again with a summer book sure to absorb, entertain and educate. Her new novel THE SUMMER GUESTS goes back to the theme that permeates most if not all of her stories. The message is wse are put on this earth to care for, love and protect all creatures great and small. In this particular novel the creatures upon which Monroe is focused are horses and dogs, but she also manages to include messages of how humans must care for each other.
There are many characters included in this story about a hurricane which is bearing down on the Atlantic coast of Florida and South Carolina. People are evacuating their homes and businesses and heading for higher ground. A goal for most of the characters mentioned in this story is to get to the home of Charles and Grace who live in the Tryon, North Carolina area. They have invited their friends to bring their horses and dogs and wait out the hurricane there.
Included are horse owner Gerta and her daughter Elise, equestrian Angel and his partner Hannah, Gerta and Elise’s horse trainer Karl, as well as Charles and Grace’s daughter Moira. These people come with an assorted collection of horses and dogs. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Charles and Grace are very well to do and have cottages available in which these guests may stay.
Meanwhile in a side story, but also connected, Carla Rutledge is in North Carolina but has to return to the Isle of Palms to board up her “beach cottage.” Her new romantic interest David goes with her. Having them included moves the “Beach House” characters’ stories further along.
While all face the physical storm bearing down upon them most of these characters experience some sort of emotional storm in their lives. This is where Mary Alice Monroe excels. She manages to get to the heart of every story and situation and she does it with finesse. You will immediately relate to something within these characters’ makeup and you will find yourself lingering on every word on the page in order to experience the warmth and humanity that fills this book.
Mary Alice Monroe is a master storyteller. She never falters or fails to bring to life a story that will make its way into your heart. THE SUMMER GUESTS is one of her best. She juggles an assortment of stories and keeps them spinning, and she does it with such skill. You never feel any of the characters who appear on the pages get short shrift in any way. All of the stories seem complete.
In addition to her drama and romance between the humans Monroe also manages to fill readers with an uncanny amount of information about the world of horse shows. She knows about jumpers and those who take part in dressage; she knows about the care and tending of horses; she knows everything or at least it seems she does.
Mary Alice Monroe is one of my favorite authors. THE SUMMER GUESTS reaffirms why I feel this way.
THE SUMMER GUESTS is published by Gallery Books. It contains 368 pages and sells for $26.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
Wonderful read , I read all weekend til I finished the book . I too could not put it down ❤️❤️
She is definitely one of my favorite authors and people. If you haven’t read her earlier books go back and give them a try.