Monroe, who in real life is Loriann Oberlin, therapist and non-fiction author, has written two books in her series thus far, which is popular among Chesapeake women’s fiction fans.
“According to a 2009 study in the UK, reading even six minutes per day is enough to reduce stress levels by more than two thirds. It slowed down heart rate and eased tense muscles in those study subjects,” the author cites. “What’s more, other postgraduate research explored how readers had advanced social skills and more empathy because they tried to fill in the gaps on the page and understand what characters were up against.”
Wearing her therapist hat, Oberlin says that alone is often what human relationships are about and what makes them challenging. She stresses that she always tries to write real scenarios as well as authentic character traits in her books. “Reading provides an excellent distraction from your own problems,” she says. “It can also validate that sense of universality, that you’re not alone in feeling how you do or facing life struggles.” Readers often identify new solutions or see things from another perspective. There’s also fun in merely reading about familiar scenery and pastimes.
Letting Go: The Maryland Shores (Book One) takes place mostly in the Annapolis side of the Chesapeake during the anxious years after 9/11 when a young widow attempts to rebuild her life. Second Chances: The Maryland Shores (Book Two) features a family living on Kent Island, cheering on the Ravens (while other characters are loyal to Pittsburgh’s Steelers). Like most people in daily life, they have their hardships and struggles. The plots of both books intertwine with themes of loss (death and divorce), workplace dating, and difficult people to navigate just as much as their boating on the Bay.
“Loyal fans keep me at the keyboard, which isn’t easy with a fulfilling day job and the two non-fiction books I wrote since my last novel,” Oberlin reports. She co-wrote Overcoming Passive-Aggression (released 2016) and a new writing series launching this fall. In between that time, Oberlin co-coordinated this past year’s Bay to Ocean Writer’s Conference.
On Saturday, May 12, 2018 Book Warehouse will also have crafts for kids and invites everyone, especially dads with children, to visit the store and consider these women’s fiction novels for Mother’s Day. Kids can make mom a nautical bookmark to match the theme. Free gift wrapping of Lauren Monroe’s novels available that afternoon.
For those who cannot make the Saturday signing to get a personalized copy, the author has a website with fun gift ideas and all of her book links at www.laurenmonroenovels.com. Follow her on Instagram and at www.facebook.com/lauren.monroe.novels.