June 25: Patti Calahan Debuts Her New Novel the Idea of Love at the Florence County Library

Friends of Florence County Library will host the following New York Times bestselling author at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, 509 S. Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506

PATTI CALAHAN HENRY

Her new novel

THE IDEA OF LOVE

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 6:30 PM

From New York Times bestselling author Patti Henry, comes a riveting drama about the about the lengths we go to for love.

Screenwriter Harper has had two flops in succession. He needs a hit and he needs it badly. Empty of any new ideas and crippled with writer's block, he decides that he will "steal" a love story. He can’t do that in Hollywood, so he heads to the East Coast for change of scenery, some new ideas, and above all, that good love story he needs. Taking on a fake identity as a historian interested in local folklore, he interviews townsfolk under the guise of getting to know their family stories. And in Bluff, SC he meets Ella, a beautiful young woman who has lost her true love in a sailing accident; he drowned while saving her. Harper believes he has finally found his story: a love big enough to sacrifice your life for. But the thing is, Ella isn't telling the truth. Her husband left her; she has a crappy job selling shoes, and she lost her best friend in the divorce. In desperate need of a love story herself, Ella tells Harper the story of the life she wishes she had, and in the process, starts acting like the woman she wishes she'd always been. Whenever Ella tells Harper more of the made-up version of her life—her idea of love—she thinks, "one more time." But soon they are both too deep into the lies to get out. Add dysfunctional families, small town chaos, eccentric neighbors and exes on both sides, the knot of lies looks too tight to undo.

Can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?

PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY is a full-time writer, wife, and mother. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels include And Then I Found You, Between the Tides, and Driftwood Summer. Patti lives with her husband and three children in Mountain Brook, Alabama, where she is working on her next novel

May 21: Mary Alice Monroe Debuts her New Novel at the Florence County Library

Friends of Florence County Library will host the following New York Times bestselling author at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, 509 S. Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506

MARY ALICE MONROE

Her new novel

THE SUMMER’S END

Book 3 of the LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER TRILOGY                       

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 6:30 PM

In the powerful and heartwarming conclusion to her bestselling Lowcountry Summer trilogy, New York Times author Mary Alice Monroe brings her readers back to the charm and sultry beauty of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, to reveal how the pull of family bonds and true love is as strong and steady as the tides.

It is summer’s end and Sea Breeze, the family’s beloved estate on Sullivan’s Island, must be sold. It is an emotional time of transition as Mamaw and the three sisters each must face loss and find a new place in the world.

Harper, the youngest sister, arrived at Sea Breeze intending to stay only a weekend, but a rift with her wealthy, influential mother left her without direction or a home. During this remarkable summer, free from her mother’s tyranny and with the help of her half sisters, Harper discovered her talents and independent spirit.

But summer is ending, and the fate of Sea Breeze hinges on Harper’s courage to decide the course of her own life. To do so she must release her insecurities and recognize her newfound strengths. She must accept love fully into her life—the love of Mamaw, Carson, and Dora, the love of Sea Breeze and the lowcountry, and most of all, the love of a Wounded Warrior who has claimed her heart.

The third book in Mary Alice Monroe’s trilogy that brims with “stories that touch the mind and heart of her readers” (Huffington Post), The Summer’s End follows three half sisters bound by love for their grandmother and the timeless beauty and traditions of the low country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Alice Monroe's efforts to re-connect human nature with the natural world resonate with her readers. Monroe is a bestselling author of sixteen novels and two children's books.  She has achieved many lists, including the New York Times, USA Today and SIBA.  She has received numerous awards, including RT Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing and was featured at the National Festival of the Book.  The Butterfly’s Daughter won the International Book Award for Green Fiction. Mary Alice is an active conservationist and serves on the Board of the South Carolina Aquarium, The Leatherback Trust, and Charleston Volunteers for Literacy.  She is a frequent speaker at book festivals, conferences, and private events.  Monroe is also a frequent contributor to magazines and online blogs.

"Mary Alice Monroe has become the premier nature writer among southern novelists...  In The Summer Girls she sings a song of praise to the bottlenose dolphins that bring so much joy to the men and women who gaze at the creeks and rivers of the lowcountry each evening.

November 20: Book Signing Featuring Sharyn McCrumb

Thursday, November 20th at 1:00 PM 

Sharyn McCrumb will have a presentation and booksigning for her new book Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past. 

Mrs. McCrumb is an award-winning Southern writer, best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, set in the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains, including the New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills, The Rosewood Casket, and The Ballad of Frankie Silver. 

This presentation is sponsored in part by The Allegro Literary Club. 

Her presentation will be in the Stukes Meeting Room at the Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library.

September 3: Silhouette Artist and Author Clay Rice at Burry Bookstore in Hartsville

On Wednesday, September 3rd, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm artist and author Clay Rice will be visiting Burry Bookstore doing silhouette cuttings and signing copies of his children's books. 

This event is by appointment only. 

Call 332-2511 to make an appointment.

Watch this video to see Clay's amazing work during his visit to Castle Wall:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgu10NPAmXA

Clay Rice is described by author Pat Conroy as a "great talent who combines soul and passion". Silhouette artistry and storytelling have been in his family for more than 80 years. His grandfather, Carew Rice, was described by Poet Carl Sandburg as "America's Greatest Silhouettist" and traveled worldwide, sharing his mesmerizing cutouts with delighted customers.

Each profile silhouette takes Clay about 1 minute and he estimates that in his 32 year career, he has cut over 900,000 silhouettes. Clay's nationwide following has families flocking to have this talented artist create keepsake silhouettes and to have him sign copies of his award-winning children's books, The Lonely Shadow and Mama Let's Make a Moon.

His work has been featured in Country Living, the Washington Times, The Atlanta Constitution, Cookie Magazine, and has appeared in the CBS series Army Wives. Clay is the recipient of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the IPPY Award for Children's Book of the Year.

Clay's landscape scenes and children's illustrations are sought after by collectors worldwide and his work is on permanent display at the South Carolina State Museum.

Visit Clay's website at this link http://ricegalleries.com/index.html