Honoring Our Heroes In Word And Deed

Christmas. That most wonderful time of the year that brings to mind visions of sugarplums, sleigh bells and gifts under the tree. So when you hear that Mary Alice Monroe will be at the Vero Beach Book Center the afternoon of October 23 to talk about her latest novel, A Lowcountry Christmas, you figure it’s a merry-merry, feel-good read, right? Figure again. 

“Even though it’s a Christmas story, I didn’t write this as a happy romance,” cautions The New York Times best-selling author. “It’s about a Marine with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] who has come home to a family that is going through tough times. I didn’t pull any punches. It’s pretty hard hitting, but it’s honest.” 

Yet knowing that in advance, rest assured there is a happy ending. This is a story of how one family, the McClellans, overcomes obstacles and looks beyond the glitter and gaiety of the season to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Alternately told by Taylor, the returning Marine; his 10-year-old brother Miller; father Alistair and mother Jenny, it’s a tale that tugs at the heart and leaves you with hope.