Charleston author Alexander releases Mean Low Water

A new book by Charleston author Stephanie Alexander titled Indicates low water leveltells the story of a divorce lawyer with paranormal abilities whose seemingly perfect life in the Lowcountry is turned upside down by the reappearance of her first love. Drawing inspiration from the author’s life combined with elements of magical realism, the novel takes a close look at a moment that the author says women over thirty will especially understand.

“The message of this book has to do with how we deal with things in midlife,” Alexander said. “A lot of women in their 30s come to a point where you think, ‘Wow, what am I doing here?’ What is happening in my life, what needs to change, what should I do next? I feel like this is a timeline that everyone eventually encounters. This novel asks the question: How do we deal with this? How does our past and the relationships we have had influence this key point?”

IN Indicates low water levela spin-off of Alexander’s magic-inspired series Tipsy Collins, Charleston-based attorney Lisa “LeeLee” Lightstone Moretz seems to have it all – a beautiful family, a successful career and a coveted address south of Broad – but beneath the calm surface, her marriage is falling apart. She then meets her first love, a recovering drug addict, and is drawn into the disappearance of her estranged best friend Ginny Blankenship.

The story unfolds in two timelines, alternating between LeeLee and Ginny’s individual perspectives over two decades.

“LeeLee and Ginny’s deep bond is rooted in their shared psychic ability to see into the past and the future,” Alexander said. “Ginny pushes the limits of her psychic powers while LeeLee suppresses them. Their different approaches to this unique community – and to a steamy small-town love triangle – ultimately strain their friendship and lead to divergent life trajectories.

Alexander added: “In the heart Indicates low water level is about the power of lifelong relationships.”

Inspirations from real life

In addition to his writing work, Alexander is also a family law attorney. She said this is evidenced by her time in the courtroom and her own divorce experiences Indicates low water level and its heroes.

“Faced with her own marital crisis, LeeLee must reflect on her past relationships and how they have shaped her current conundrums,” Alexander said. “As a lawyer, I have seen similar dynamics with clients many times and even experienced it myself during my own divorce. Meanwhile, Ginny must face her own midlife conflicts and reconsider her choices… Through the process, both women come to life-changing conclusions.