New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful author with six books to her credit, she was captivated by the beauty—and fragility—of her new home. Her experiences living in the midst of a habitat that was quickly changing gave her a strong and important focus for her books. Since then, she has explored the problems of endangered sea turtles (The Beach House), raptors (Skyward) and the indigenous grass and endangered ecosystem (Sweetgrass). In Swimming Lessons, her new novel and a sequel to The Beach House, Mary Alice returns to the southeastern coast to explore the rehabilitation of injured and sick sea turtles. Mary Alice is an active conservationist. She is a dedicated member of the Isle of Palms/Sullivan's Island Turtle Team, a volunteer at the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey, and she serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium. A source of pride for Mary Alice is the fact that thousands of dollars have been raised to support environmental causes, specifically through her books. Mary Alice continues to write richly textured books that delve into the complexities of the human psyche and the parallels between the land and life. Her ten novels are published worldwide and have won acclaim and awards. She also has the honor of being a four-time RITA Award finalist, she's published her first children's book, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and private events. Mary Alice lives with her family on a barrier island off South Carolina.