MIRA
Featuring: Ethan Legare; Cara Rutledge; Toy Sooner
368 pages ISBN: 0778324621 EAN: 9780778324621 Kindle: B01N16CSA4 Hardcover / e-Book Add to Wish List
Toy Sooner never expected much from life. Raised by a
mother who never loved her and a stepfather who abused her,
Toy moved in with aspiring musician Darryl Duggans at the
tender age of seventeen, and gave birth to their daughter
at eighteen. But when Darryl abandoned them to seek fame
in California, Toy found an unexpected friend and mentor in
elderly Olivia Rutledge, better known as Miss Lovie who,
along with her daughter Cara and friends Florence and Emmi,
taught Toy to fight for a better life.
Now at twenty-three, Toy has a daughter she loves dearly, a
college degree, a job at the South Carolina Aquarium, and
her cadre of "turtle team" friends who share her passion
for the giant loggerhead turtles. When Toy rescues an
emaciated loggerhead that washes ashore, she finds herself
placed in charge of the turtle, named Big Girl, and is
suddenly thrust into the role of director of a fledgling
turtle hospital. As more injured turtles arrive, Toy must
enlist the help of Ethan, the director of the aquarium's
Ocean Tank, to secure a grant to cover the increased
expenses. The weeks of working together lead to a budding
romance for Toy, and a father figure for Little Lovie,
Toy's daughter. But the sudden reappearance of Darryl on
Toy's doorstep creates a rift between Toy and Ethan, and
Toy must decide between a new life with the man she loves,
or the dream of a family with the father of her child.
SWIMMING LESSONS hooked me from page one. The insight Ms.
Monroe
gives into the plight of the loggerheads adds a wonderful
dimension to the plot, while the struggles of the strong
female characters who lead the turtle team provide a
wonderful counterpoint to the growing pains of the young
and inexperienced Toy. The love and respect they all show
one another through some very difficult situations will win
your heart, and have you cheering them on to achieving
their dreams. This book is a rare treat, especially for
anyone who has enjoyed a life-long love affair with the
ocean.
It's been five years since the original turtle lady, old Miss Lovie Rutledge, passed away, but her legacy lives on with some special women, especially Toy and her daughter, young Little Lovie.
Toy Sooner kept her graveside vow to her beloved mentor. She left behind an abusive, dysfunctional lifestyle to become a strong single mother and aquarist at the South Carolina Aquarium. But success has taken its toll, leaving Toy fearful of change and risks.
Caretta Rutledge, Florence Prescott and Emmaline Baker have all experienced loss. This summer, with each other's friendship and support, they will try to make their dreams a reality.
The turtle season begins the day Toy rescues a sick sea turtle on the beach. When Toy brings the loggerhead to the aquarium, she begins a turtle hospital with the help of her boss, Ethan. As the summer progresses and the sea turtles take their measured steps toward healing and freedom Toy, Cara, Flo and Emmi must find their own strength to face their fears and move courageously toward their futures.
Mary Alice Monroe delivers another deeply satisfying novel written with an eye to nature and keen insights into the connections between women.