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Turbulence and Triumph #2
Ocean's Trial
Smuggled ashore by the kind widow Merry D'Angelo, Maria begins her new life in the colonial port city of Fremantle.
With the help of a young fisherman named Tony, she fights to find her place among a people so different to her own.
Yet danger lurks beneath the surface of the turbulent harbour waters as her past races to catch up with her; threatening her future and her friends, and forcing her to choose between her old love and the new.
With the help of a young fisherman named Tony, she fights to find her place among a people so different to her own.
Yet danger lurks beneath the surface of the turbulent harbour waters as her past races to catch up with her; threatening her future and her friends, and forcing her to choose between her old love and the new.
158 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Demelza Carlton
933 books3,878 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 14, 2017
Agradou-me mais o primeiro livro. Maria continua a agradar-me. A força do mar me fascina ....
Não me agrada muito triangulos amorosos. Me irritam um pouco para dizer a verdade. Como pode Maria ter dúvidas? Entre Tony e William, eu escolheria mil vezes William. Tony é tão chato!!!!!
Não me agrada muito triangulos amorosos. Me irritam um pouco para dizer a verdade. Como pode Maria ter dúvidas? Entre Tony e William, eu escolheria mil vezes William. Tony é tão chato!!!!!
September 6, 2023
Ocean Widow:
As my 4 stars point out I do recommend this book. But in case you want a quick no spoiler opinion the next paragraphs will be such it until I note where the spoilers start.
The premise of this novel could be summed in “How would a mermaid navigate* the roaring 20s in a town by the sea of Australia while passing as a human” If this interests you, this is it, this is your book.
*pun intended
New readers might be asking “Do you need to read the past book to understand this?”, my answer is “ideally yes.” All the events on this second book follow the first though at this moment in time Ocean Justice is free in digital platforms so there are not many obstacles regarding access to that first book of the series.
Also, before you start reading, keep in mind that if you go on with this second novel of the series you are probably committing yourself for the long haul as there are 5 in total directly connected. (Counting the first and this) While there are 9 books in total of the full mermaids series the last 4 are optional regarding this storyline, even if I personally find extremely rewarding reading all / But I am aware that in this economy and situation where we all have limited time to enjoy things it might not be a possibility for everyone.
Here stops the no spoilers section.
It’s been weeks since the end of the last book and Maria has been living in the port of Freemantle with Merry, an elderly woman that was a passenger on the Trevean, which was the ship that found Maria floating on a boat after the events that happened. Merry took her in, and even went the extra mile on telling everybody (including customs officers) that Maria was her niece to save the need of explaining her existence and to give extra help in her new life by being someone vouching for her.
Maria has improved her grasp of English prodigiously; she has been practicing with Merry and working with a capacity of memorization that is way greater than the human one. (Many times on the series, Maria mentions she doesn’t forget not forgive this is confirmed this is not a motto to live by but something quite literal, multiple clues are given in this book and the reading makes a lot more sense when you aware of that fact)
As Maria is able to speak for herself Merry asks her a number of questions, more of concern than of suspicion this is mostly a chance to make a recap of the details that are important to know about the last book, but also shows how the relationship with Merry is going to be. Merry from the very beginning trusts Maria and is more than willing to help her out but does ask for honesty in exchange for that trust. Also Merry while very understanding and willing to overlook how much Maria is not like a young woman of the 20s should be is going to steer her towards that direction though always with good intentions and considering this will be in her best interest.
Maria no matter how fond she becomes of her, won’t tell her everything though, mermaids keep their existence a secret they are willing to kill to keep. So she has to get creative regarding how many information she can omit.
As she learns and works further in understanding the nuances of the language and the meaning of certain interactions in the human world. she has been comparing her newfound knowledge with her memories of past interactions and conversations with the people on the Treversa and confirmed that William wished to marry and share his life with her. Also that he thought she died at sea when she lost his boat.
Given that she is very much alive, and has no desire to let go the chance to be happy with a lover again she proceeds to keep watch for news of survivors of the Treversa. She asks daily to the newspaper seller for news (as she is not yet able to read them herself) and once she knows he is not amongst the dead he finds herself feeling hope once again and vowing to see him again, even if just to know if he still feels as strong for her as she feel for him.
Maria as a detective… is not very good. Some defect she has to have and Maria’s can get overly cautious in her desire not to be rejected by William, Merry gives her a pearl necklace to sell to pay for a (very expensive at the time) telegraph message so she can inquire for him but between her knowing that William thinks her dead, her fear of thinking the message is a fraud an a awful experience with a pawnshop owner when she went to sell the pearls that she could make sense of other than it was bad. (The person thought she was sex worker at the local brothel and that she stole the necklace) and that the job she eventually got didn’t pay that much in cash. She procrastinated a lot in searching for William… years.
What job she got? Fish seller at the market, Merry recommended her and Maria knows how to distinguish fish more than perfectly so she cannot be cheated in that front. She earns the liking of the other sellers and is able to keep her distance by posing as widow (well her first love is dead so she only stretched the truth a little) but she doesn’t make a lot money though she is able to eat well on the daily as she does get a portion of the catch to bring home.
She learns to cook from Merry, learns sell on the market and learns to negotiate from her daily life. She makes some friends, Lucy a young girl she helps when her buying went awry and Tony Basile, a young man from the family that owns the fish stand. Tony wishes he could be something more though.
Not everything can go well at the time. At chapter 7 Maria gets a reminder that exile doesn’t exime her from her past literally coming to look for her. The same mother that order her leave and not return until she was willing to obey her orders reappers and tries to coax her into doing her bidding and gain her return back. Maria prefers a thousand times to live on exile… the company is nicer.
While we knew since past book that Maria is an apex predator that is playing nicer than she is used to socialize with the humans and soothe her loneliness by living in a community, and that she could kill whoever crosses her if she wishes to… and she has done so… well she is one of the nice ones.
Her mother in turn… is not, I won’t mind words. Her mother doesn’t hesitate in telling her she should sing to hypnotize Tony, and that she should mount him and try get pregnant. And kill him afterwards so it looks like at an accident at the sea. Maria does not desire at all the idea of treating anyone like a sperm deposit to get rid of later, and even worse to the idea of doing that to a friend.
Besides learning how different perspectives these two mermaids have respect how to treat humans we learn some things more about Maria, her real name is Sirena (means mermaid), and years back she had a sister (means mermaid in Malay) that died because of the humans. It was she who was supposed to be her mother’s heir and now only Maria is left and her mother, leader of their mermaid community really desires her remaining daughter to join her in the council but more to move to whichever direction she wishes to move.
Maria obviously doesn’t feel to be ordered around and tells her so, if her mother felt so confident on exiling her she better learn with the consequences now that her daughter never tried to crawl back into her side.
We also learn that Maria has a way more potent voice than her mother, She rouses Tony after her mother makes him sleep and in a duel between the two, Maria will win so her mother has to return back without her, not without messing some things up though.
The books returns to be about her daily life with the humans and years pass, she goes on a trip, manages to get an actual money source that gets her enough cash to risk a trip where she thinks William is, and finally gathers the willpower to try.
As I said on the beginning, the book is very enjoyable in it’s descriptions of daily life and how Maria adapts to it. It’s not about Maria finding William quickly but more about learning who she actually is and how she reacts to life, in this book she stops becoming a mystery. This one is all about knowing her better. Not all her decisions are smart, but we do learn where do they come from and it’s quite an adventure see this woman move in the name of love instead of choosing to return to a community she feels uncomfortable with. Here we also learn what happened to Giuseppe.
The only points that might tire some people is that as I mentioned lets a lot of time pass before looking for William, that at times the fear of rejection paralyzes her when few paragraphs before is all “mermaids don’t cry, they don’t beg they feed to the sharks the ones that do her wrong” it’s funny irony but some people might feel it dragging at times.
But I do recommend it, it’s still a great example of a protagonist that is not shy, that is a fish out of water but not an innocent harmless one yet is so earnest about her feelings and wants.
As my 4 stars point out I do recommend this book. But in case you want a quick no spoiler opinion the next paragraphs will be such it until I note where the spoilers start.
The premise of this novel could be summed in “How would a mermaid navigate* the roaring 20s in a town by the sea of Australia while passing as a human” If this interests you, this is it, this is your book.
*pun intended
New readers might be asking “Do you need to read the past book to understand this?”, my answer is “ideally yes.” All the events on this second book follow the first though at this moment in time Ocean Justice is free in digital platforms so there are not many obstacles regarding access to that first book of the series.
Also, before you start reading, keep in mind that if you go on with this second novel of the series you are probably committing yourself for the long haul as there are 5 in total directly connected. (Counting the first and this) While there are 9 books in total of the full mermaids series the last 4 are optional regarding this storyline, even if I personally find extremely rewarding reading all / But I am aware that in this economy and situation where we all have limited time to enjoy things it might not be a possibility for everyone.
Here stops the no spoilers section.
It’s been weeks since the end of the last book and Maria has been living in the port of Freemantle with Merry, an elderly woman that was a passenger on the Trevean, which was the ship that found Maria floating on a boat after the events that happened. Merry took her in, and even went the extra mile on telling everybody (including customs officers) that Maria was her niece to save the need of explaining her existence and to give extra help in her new life by being someone vouching for her.
Maria has improved her grasp of English prodigiously; she has been practicing with Merry and working with a capacity of memorization that is way greater than the human one. (Many times on the series, Maria mentions she doesn’t forget not forgive this is confirmed this is not a motto to live by but something quite literal, multiple clues are given in this book and the reading makes a lot more sense when you aware of that fact)
As Maria is able to speak for herself Merry asks her a number of questions, more of concern than of suspicion this is mostly a chance to make a recap of the details that are important to know about the last book, but also shows how the relationship with Merry is going to be. Merry from the very beginning trusts Maria and is more than willing to help her out but does ask for honesty in exchange for that trust. Also Merry while very understanding and willing to overlook how much Maria is not like a young woman of the 20s should be is going to steer her towards that direction though always with good intentions and considering this will be in her best interest.
Maria no matter how fond she becomes of her, won’t tell her everything though, mermaids keep their existence a secret they are willing to kill to keep. So she has to get creative regarding how many information she can omit.
As she learns and works further in understanding the nuances of the language and the meaning of certain interactions in the human world. she has been comparing her newfound knowledge with her memories of past interactions and conversations with the people on the Treversa and confirmed that William wished to marry and share his life with her. Also that he thought she died at sea when she lost his boat.
Given that she is very much alive, and has no desire to let go the chance to be happy with a lover again she proceeds to keep watch for news of survivors of the Treversa. She asks daily to the newspaper seller for news (as she is not yet able to read them herself) and once she knows he is not amongst the dead he finds herself feeling hope once again and vowing to see him again, even if just to know if he still feels as strong for her as she feel for him.
Maria as a detective… is not very good. Some defect she has to have and Maria’s can get overly cautious in her desire not to be rejected by William, Merry gives her a pearl necklace to sell to pay for a (very expensive at the time) telegraph message so she can inquire for him but between her knowing that William thinks her dead, her fear of thinking the message is a fraud an a awful experience with a pawnshop owner when she went to sell the pearls that she could make sense of other than it was bad. (The person thought she was sex worker at the local brothel and that she stole the necklace) and that the job she eventually got didn’t pay that much in cash. She procrastinated a lot in searching for William… years.
What job she got? Fish seller at the market, Merry recommended her and Maria knows how to distinguish fish more than perfectly so she cannot be cheated in that front. She earns the liking of the other sellers and is able to keep her distance by posing as widow (well her first love is dead so she only stretched the truth a little) but she doesn’t make a lot money though she is able to eat well on the daily as she does get a portion of the catch to bring home.
She learns to cook from Merry, learns sell on the market and learns to negotiate from her daily life. She makes some friends, Lucy a young girl she helps when her buying went awry and Tony Basile, a young man from the family that owns the fish stand. Tony wishes he could be something more though.
Not everything can go well at the time. At chapter 7 Maria gets a reminder that exile doesn’t exime her from her past literally coming to look for her. The same mother that order her leave and not return until she was willing to obey her orders reappers and tries to coax her into doing her bidding and gain her return back. Maria prefers a thousand times to live on exile… the company is nicer.
While we knew since past book that Maria is an apex predator that is playing nicer than she is used to socialize with the humans and soothe her loneliness by living in a community, and that she could kill whoever crosses her if she wishes to… and she has done so… well she is one of the nice ones.
Her mother in turn… is not, I won’t mind words. Her mother doesn’t hesitate in telling her she should sing to hypnotize Tony, and that she should mount him and try get pregnant. And kill him afterwards so it looks like at an accident at the sea. Maria does not desire at all the idea of treating anyone like a sperm deposit to get rid of later, and even worse to the idea of doing that to a friend.
Besides learning how different perspectives these two mermaids have respect how to treat humans we learn some things more about Maria, her real name is Sirena (means mermaid), and years back she had a sister (means mermaid in Malay) that died because of the humans. It was she who was supposed to be her mother’s heir and now only Maria is left and her mother, leader of their mermaid community really desires her remaining daughter to join her in the council but more to move to whichever direction she wishes to move.
Maria obviously doesn’t feel to be ordered around and tells her so, if her mother felt so confident on exiling her she better learn with the consequences now that her daughter never tried to crawl back into her side.
We also learn that Maria has a way more potent voice than her mother, She rouses Tony after her mother makes him sleep and in a duel between the two, Maria will win so her mother has to return back without her, not without messing some things up though.
The books returns to be about her daily life with the humans and years pass, she goes on a trip, manages to get an actual money source that gets her enough cash to risk a trip where she thinks William is, and finally gathers the willpower to try.
As I said on the beginning, the book is very enjoyable in it’s descriptions of daily life and how Maria adapts to it. It’s not about Maria finding William quickly but more about learning who she actually is and how she reacts to life, in this book she stops becoming a mystery. This one is all about knowing her better. Not all her decisions are smart, but we do learn where do they come from and it’s quite an adventure see this woman move in the name of love instead of choosing to return to a community she feels uncomfortable with. Here we also learn what happened to Giuseppe.
The only points that might tire some people is that as I mentioned lets a lot of time pass before looking for William, that at times the fear of rejection paralyzes her when few paragraphs before is all “mermaids don’t cry, they don’t beg they feed to the sharks the ones that do her wrong” it’s funny irony but some people might feel it dragging at times.
But I do recommend it, it’s still a great example of a protagonist that is not shy, that is a fish out of water but not an innocent harmless one yet is so earnest about her feelings and wants.
October 10, 2017
Ocean’s Justice
Ocean’s Gift
Turbulence and Triumph #1
Demelza Carlton
Lost Plot Press, Sep 2014
Kindle, 172 Pages
Also available in paperback
Genre(s) Fairy Re-tale in 6 Parts
Source Author
Ocean’s Trial
Ocean’s Gift
Turbulence and Triumph #2
Demelza Carlton
Lost Plot Press, Sep 2014
Kindle, 158 Pages
Also available in paperback
Genre(s) Fairy Re-tale
Source Author
Other books in this series:
Ocean’s Triumph #3, Ocean’s Ride #4, Ocean’s Cage #5, Ocean’s Birth #6
My Disclaimer:
I was provided complimentary copies of these books. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…Ocean’s Justice
This is the first part of six, so there is no ending to this book. The story stops at a stopping place and picks up in the next book. To get the whole story, you must read all six books. I’m reviewing only the two that I read. This first one finds our main character, Maria, adrift on a raft at sea. She’s nude, speaks no English (the language of the sailors of this ship that “rescue” her), but understands some Dutch. She has memories of a ship’s fire and men died when the ship sunk. She remembers a man named Giuseppe. And she has been turned out of her home for some reason.
William McGregor is a handsome Scotsman. He’s a passenger on the Trevessa, looking for a bit of adventure along with his employment. He’s not adverse to a lovely lady either. Mr. McGregor gives Maria his protection as the superstitious sailors are all for tossing the beautiful woman back to the ocean when she can’t tell them her story. Either that or raping her. But William can’t be everywhere to protect her, even though he tries.
In spite of lifeboats and the Captain’s infamous canned milk, the weather, the sea, and sailors’ superstitions have their way. Once more, Maria is adrift at sea and picked up by another ship. This time she’s better prepared.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is a bit on the plain side to me. Though I liked it. There are two covers, it seems. The one I had is the one with the mermaid on it that I show above. I like the composition and all. I just think it needs more color and embellishment, a bit more drama to make it match the story that’s in the book.
The storyline is good. It’s not totally original as this is a retelling of the fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. I haven’t read the original story. I suppose someday I should do that since there are so many retellings of it these days. I should know what the original is so I can tell what these other authors are changing or embellishing.
The characters were fairly good. It was difficult to really know any particular character. There wasn’t a lot of background on anyone. I think Mr. McGregor got the most detail actually. Maria is still something of a mystery, though you are supposed to “know” her already by knowing what she is. Ms. Carlton added some interesting touches to the crew, like Mr. Kaito, the green-tea drinking cook with the interesting fighting style. And Captain Foster who wanted all lifeboats to be stocked with canned milk. There’s also young Charlie, who thinks Maria should be his because of their age similarities. He keeps interrupting William and Maria to get her to come and do things with him.
The pace was fast. Poor Mr. McGregor was kept really busy trying to keep Maria safe. Between the weather and the other sailors with their ill intent, he really had his hands full right up until the final storm. That’s when Maria took a hand in things, too.
The tension was pretty consistent right up until the end. It was like waiting to see who was going to stick a knife in your back in a dark place. Who’s going to kill William? Or who was going to get their hands on Maria? What will the next rescue lead to?
What it’s about…Ocean’s Trial
This book starts off right where the first one ends. Maria’s been rescued by an English-speaking crew again, but this time there’s no threat to her life. She’s been kept a secret and smuggled to shore in Fremantle to live with Merry D’Angelo, a very nice widow. Her command of English has improved greatly, thanks to Merry, and she’s posing as Merry’s niece, a fisherman’s widow.
She’s working hard alongside the fishermen helping sell their fish and has earned their respect because she really knows her fish. There’s one young fisherman who feels a lot more than respect for her, too. Tony and Maria work closely together and are great friends, and Tony would like to take their friendship further. But her pasts are catching up with her. Yes. Pasts. She needs to find out what happened to William McGregor in that final storm. Is he still alive and does he still love her? But older connections are catching up with her as well. And these may prove deadly.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover wasn’t one that I really cared for. I didn’t feel it said much about the story. There were so many dramatic scenes that could have been depicted on it. What was used was disappointingly drab.
The storyline is again, a continuation of the retelling of The Little Mermaid story. The author has created a wonderful “down under” freedom to the story by placing it in Australia.
The characters continue to develop as the story continues. We learn so much more about Maria’s story when she meets up with a significant person from her past. We learn more about how her species see humans, as well and how different she really is.
The pace continues fast and furious in this second book, especially once Maria decides to take off on her journey.
The tension remained consistent throughout this second book. While some questions were answered from the first book, there were more questions piled on that now need answers and make you want to pick up the third book to get them.
And this is where you STOP reading if you don’t want any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰
I kept trying to remind myself that voyages such as these would take months to complete and that there would be plenty of time for Maria to learn the language. However, there was nothing in the story to make me slow down and keep that thought in my head. Everything was happening fast and furious, so it seemed like she was something of a “Super Woman” learning the language very quickly with William. Then when she was with Merry, she learned to speak and act like a lady in a very short time. That was another leap forward.
It wasn’t just the language, either. She understood the value of those pearls when she found the moaning oysters. She understood the beauty of them for jewelry and had a necklace made, as well the financial aspect of them and how to get the best price for them. All this for a simple girl from the sea? Hhmmmm…
When Maria has her confrontation with her mother, her mother says Maria should just seduce the human male and get pregnant, then kill him and come home to become the head of the Council. Since Maria’s older sister is dead, it is Maria’s duty. There is a comment made about the older sister’s death, but no explanation about how she died. Is Maria responsible for her sister’s death somehow? Is that why she is banned from her home? Is getting pregnant by a human the only way she will be allowed to come home? I’m still confused about that. I still want an answer to that part. But Maria doesn’t see humans as disposable. She’s in love with William. She loves Merry almost as a mother. She loves Tony sort of like a brother, but maybe as more. That’s why she needs to find out if William is still alive and loves her.
BTW, this being adrift thing is getting a bit old. She starts out adrift on a raft and the Trevessa picks her up. Then the Trevessa sinks in a storm and she’s adrift in a lifeboat for Merry’s friends to find her. Then at the end where she stows away on the way to Christmas Island. That’s almost as bad as adrift. One of these days, she’s going to have to buy a ticket and get her own cabin. She probably doesn’t have that kind of luck. Seems to me the story of The Little Mermaid is a sad one all the way to the end.
You need to understand that I really do judge covers! Not with stars, but I love a great cover on a good book. There were so many good things that could have been on this second cover. Maria could have been in a lifeboat. They could have used the pearls somehow and brought that part out. Or Maria perched on the ship as she stowed away to Christmas Island. Maria at the fish market with that huge fish that only she could identify would have been a great cover.
Ocean’s Gift
Turbulence and Triumph #1
Demelza Carlton
Lost Plot Press, Sep 2014
Kindle, 172 Pages
Also available in paperback
Genre(s) Fairy Re-tale in 6 Parts
Source Author
Ocean’s Trial
Ocean’s Gift
Turbulence and Triumph #2
Demelza Carlton
Lost Plot Press, Sep 2014
Kindle, 158 Pages
Also available in paperback
Genre(s) Fairy Re-tale
Source Author
Other books in this series:
Ocean’s Triumph #3, Ocean’s Ride #4, Ocean’s Cage #5, Ocean’s Birth #6
My Disclaimer:
I was provided complimentary copies of these books. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…Ocean’s Justice
This is the first part of six, so there is no ending to this book. The story stops at a stopping place and picks up in the next book. To get the whole story, you must read all six books. I’m reviewing only the two that I read. This first one finds our main character, Maria, adrift on a raft at sea. She’s nude, speaks no English (the language of the sailors of this ship that “rescue” her), but understands some Dutch. She has memories of a ship’s fire and men died when the ship sunk. She remembers a man named Giuseppe. And she has been turned out of her home for some reason.
William McGregor is a handsome Scotsman. He’s a passenger on the Trevessa, looking for a bit of adventure along with his employment. He’s not adverse to a lovely lady either. Mr. McGregor gives Maria his protection as the superstitious sailors are all for tossing the beautiful woman back to the ocean when she can’t tell them her story. Either that or raping her. But William can’t be everywhere to protect her, even though he tries.
In spite of lifeboats and the Captain’s infamous canned milk, the weather, the sea, and sailors’ superstitions have their way. Once more, Maria is adrift at sea and picked up by another ship. This time she’s better prepared.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is a bit on the plain side to me. Though I liked it. There are two covers, it seems. The one I had is the one with the mermaid on it that I show above. I like the composition and all. I just think it needs more color and embellishment, a bit more drama to make it match the story that’s in the book.
The storyline is good. It’s not totally original as this is a retelling of the fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. I haven’t read the original story. I suppose someday I should do that since there are so many retellings of it these days. I should know what the original is so I can tell what these other authors are changing or embellishing.
The characters were fairly good. It was difficult to really know any particular character. There wasn’t a lot of background on anyone. I think Mr. McGregor got the most detail actually. Maria is still something of a mystery, though you are supposed to “know” her already by knowing what she is. Ms. Carlton added some interesting touches to the crew, like Mr. Kaito, the green-tea drinking cook with the interesting fighting style. And Captain Foster who wanted all lifeboats to be stocked with canned milk. There’s also young Charlie, who thinks Maria should be his because of their age similarities. He keeps interrupting William and Maria to get her to come and do things with him.
The pace was fast. Poor Mr. McGregor was kept really busy trying to keep Maria safe. Between the weather and the other sailors with their ill intent, he really had his hands full right up until the final storm. That’s when Maria took a hand in things, too.
The tension was pretty consistent right up until the end. It was like waiting to see who was going to stick a knife in your back in a dark place. Who’s going to kill William? Or who was going to get their hands on Maria? What will the next rescue lead to?
What it’s about…Ocean’s Trial
This book starts off right where the first one ends. Maria’s been rescued by an English-speaking crew again, but this time there’s no threat to her life. She’s been kept a secret and smuggled to shore in Fremantle to live with Merry D’Angelo, a very nice widow. Her command of English has improved greatly, thanks to Merry, and she’s posing as Merry’s niece, a fisherman’s widow.
She’s working hard alongside the fishermen helping sell their fish and has earned their respect because she really knows her fish. There’s one young fisherman who feels a lot more than respect for her, too. Tony and Maria work closely together and are great friends, and Tony would like to take their friendship further. But her pasts are catching up with her. Yes. Pasts. She needs to find out what happened to William McGregor in that final storm. Is he still alive and does he still love her? But older connections are catching up with her as well. And these may prove deadly.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover wasn’t one that I really cared for. I didn’t feel it said much about the story. There were so many dramatic scenes that could have been depicted on it. What was used was disappointingly drab.
The storyline is again, a continuation of the retelling of The Little Mermaid story. The author has created a wonderful “down under” freedom to the story by placing it in Australia.
The characters continue to develop as the story continues. We learn so much more about Maria’s story when she meets up with a significant person from her past. We learn more about how her species see humans, as well and how different she really is.
The pace continues fast and furious in this second book, especially once Maria decides to take off on her journey.
The tension remained consistent throughout this second book. While some questions were answered from the first book, there were more questions piled on that now need answers and make you want to pick up the third book to get them.
And this is where you STOP reading if you don’t want any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰
I kept trying to remind myself that voyages such as these would take months to complete and that there would be plenty of time for Maria to learn the language. However, there was nothing in the story to make me slow down and keep that thought in my head. Everything was happening fast and furious, so it seemed like she was something of a “Super Woman” learning the language very quickly with William. Then when she was with Merry, she learned to speak and act like a lady in a very short time. That was another leap forward.
It wasn’t just the language, either. She understood the value of those pearls when she found the moaning oysters. She understood the beauty of them for jewelry and had a necklace made, as well the financial aspect of them and how to get the best price for them. All this for a simple girl from the sea? Hhmmmm…
When Maria has her confrontation with her mother, her mother says Maria should just seduce the human male and get pregnant, then kill him and come home to become the head of the Council. Since Maria’s older sister is dead, it is Maria’s duty. There is a comment made about the older sister’s death, but no explanation about how she died. Is Maria responsible for her sister’s death somehow? Is that why she is banned from her home? Is getting pregnant by a human the only way she will be allowed to come home? I’m still confused about that. I still want an answer to that part. But Maria doesn’t see humans as disposable. She’s in love with William. She loves Merry almost as a mother. She loves Tony sort of like a brother, but maybe as more. That’s why she needs to find out if William is still alive and loves her.
BTW, this being adrift thing is getting a bit old. She starts out adrift on a raft and the Trevessa picks her up. Then the Trevessa sinks in a storm and she’s adrift in a lifeboat for Merry’s friends to find her. Then at the end where she stows away on the way to Christmas Island. That’s almost as bad as adrift. One of these days, she’s going to have to buy a ticket and get her own cabin. She probably doesn’t have that kind of luck. Seems to me the story of The Little Mermaid is a sad one all the way to the end.
You need to understand that I really do judge covers! Not with stars, but I love a great cover on a good book. There were so many good things that could have been on this second cover. Maria could have been in a lifeboat. They could have used the pearls somehow and brought that part out. Or Maria perched on the ship as she stowed away to Christmas Island. Maria at the fish market with that huge fish that only she could identify would have been a great cover.
May 1, 2018
The ocean/surrounding area had been searched for 3 weeks looking for survivors of the Trevessa.
Maria Stella Maris (widow) found out William McGregor (husband) did not make it.
Fremantle (colonial port city). Yrs. went by & Aunt Merry D'Angelo (widow) ask Mrs. Maria Speranza when she was going to love again.
Lucy came to see if Maria wanted to go with her, Dominic (Lucy's brother) & the Naturalists' Club to the Houtman Abrolhos to watch/observe seas life.
Domenic “Dom”, & Tony would navigate the Stella Maris (boat) for the exciting excursion.
George Paino, Vince, Steven, Williams, West, Lombardi, Davis, & Jenkyns were also aboard.
Every day was a new sea adventure.
Pelsaert. The group had hiked out to the wreck of the Windsor (ship).
A few of them with luck had found some pearls.
Mr. Davy Motor Cycling Association member, announced the winners: 1st. place Wilkinson on his BSA, & 2nd. place Armstrong on his Sun, 3rd. place, Hunter, & a tie for 4th. place Mortlock & Charman.
Maria noticed Tony Basile (fisherman) had not crossed the finish line. He & his Indian finally
showed up.
Tony was madder than a wet hornet.
Charles (jeweler) had designed/made a pearl choker for Maria.
It was time for Maria to go home.
What did Tony ask her?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great romantic movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Lost Plot Press; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
Maria Stella Maris (widow) found out William McGregor (husband) did not make it.
Fremantle (colonial port city). Yrs. went by & Aunt Merry D'Angelo (widow) ask Mrs. Maria Speranza when she was going to love again.
Lucy came to see if Maria wanted to go with her, Dominic (Lucy's brother) & the Naturalists' Club to the Houtman Abrolhos to watch/observe seas life.
Domenic “Dom”, & Tony would navigate the Stella Maris (boat) for the exciting excursion.
George Paino, Vince, Steven, Williams, West, Lombardi, Davis, & Jenkyns were also aboard.
Every day was a new sea adventure.
Pelsaert. The group had hiked out to the wreck of the Windsor (ship).
A few of them with luck had found some pearls.
Mr. Davy Motor Cycling Association member, announced the winners: 1st. place Wilkinson on his BSA, & 2nd. place Armstrong on his Sun, 3rd. place, Hunter, & a tie for 4th. place Mortlock & Charman.
Maria noticed Tony Basile (fisherman) had not crossed the finish line. He & his Indian finally
showed up.
Tony was madder than a wet hornet.
Charles (jeweler) had designed/made a pearl choker for Maria.
It was time for Maria to go home.
What did Tony ask her?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written romance book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great romantic movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Lost Plot Press; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
September 6, 2017
“Ocean’s Trial” is the second book in Demelza Carlton’s series entitled Ocean’s Gift. It continues the tale of Maria, now the survivor of two shipwrecks and on the run from her mother as she adapts to a quiet life in the fishing town of Fremantle. Haunted by both her family history as well as her loss of William McGregor on the doomed Trevessa, Maria has to decide how to move on and continue with her life in two worlds.
Having finished both this book and “Ocean’s Justice”, I have to say that this book here feels more complete on its own than the other. Maria interacts with many more characters as the story is not limited to the confines of a ship, and readers learn much more about the main character in both terms of history and motivation as she adapts more and more to the mundane world. While the first book is a complete story in and of itself, readers get a far better look at the time and place these events are set in as well.
The thing I find the most fascinating is how the author has taken a well-known fairy tale and made it her own by placing it in a very different and realistic setting. She uses the contrast of romantic fantasy and realism very effectively, and the story becomes very distinctive because of that dichotomy. Her use of language is very effective as well, and she has the ability to paint a scene well with just the right amount of text. (I tend to like more descriptive tales instead of less, but she hits a fantastic balance.) Once again, I would recommend this work to people looking for something just a little different in their romance stories…this world will ot be easily forgotten.
(Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock)
March 11, 2018
This is the second part of the story of the girl called Maria, started in Ocean's Justice, and the series is a retelling of The Little Mermaid - but so much better! In this second book we find Maria now living in Australia with her 'Aunt Merry' (the lady from the boat that rescued her at the end of the last book), now able to speak English, and getting a job at the local fish market. I won't give any more spoilers away, but the antics she gets up to made me smile and even laugh out loud at times, though her abiding love and pining for William was sad. And with a cliffhanger ending, I really want to read the rest of the series! Highly recommended for all fairytale lovers, romantics, or those who just like their stories with a touch of the supernatural and a happy ever after!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
April 15, 2018
Ocean's Trial is the second in the series for Maria and she's made her home now in the town where her "Aunt Merry" lives. She provides useful to the fish markets and is learning English and to survive on land. When things from her past start to venture to the surface she is going to struggle hard to handle the truths.
But what is going to be her biggest trial is William McGregor. The man she fell in love with and lost when the ship went down. Multiple face to face and she has no idea what to say. Now is her last chance and she will do whatever it takes to face him.
But what is going to be her biggest trial is William McGregor. The man she fell in love with and lost when the ship went down. Multiple face to face and she has no idea what to say. Now is her last chance and she will do whatever it takes to face him.
January 7, 2019
I actually enjoyed it even more than the first, since in the second one Maria speaks the surrounding language, understands the culture more and more, and is in control of her surroundings. It's well written and edited, and doesn't have the at-best-dubious-consent issue of the first book, while explaining more of the back story without hitting the reader over the head. In the first book she was pretty literally a fish out of water, whereas here she's making decisions and considering others. Ie she's growing up, and I enjoy seeing her growth.
March 29, 2018
This book carries on from the last book where maria is separated from William.
She learns to talk english properly and a lady takes her in and teaches her English and gives her somewhere to live and a job.
She is in love with William but also has feelings for tony.
A wonderful book about mermaids and choosing between 2 men who love her.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
She learns to talk english properly and a lady takes her in and teaches her English and gives her somewhere to live and a job.
She is in love with William but also has feelings for tony.
A wonderful book about mermaids and choosing between 2 men who love her.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
December 29, 2022
We missed a whole bunch of character development in between the last chapter of the last book and the first chapter of this one, but I enjoyed the story. I wished it didn’t leave me hanging so long about the William situation ship and I’m disappointed in the ending but I suppose that’s how she gets us to read the next book 💛
January 18, 2026
Good sequel
Demelza Carlton is easily rising on my top authors list. This series is compelling and fun. I love that Maria's embracing humanity while not losing sight of her heritage. Her journey sees her learning more about herself while she opens herself to a new reality with her hopes on William.
Demelza Carlton is easily rising on my top authors list. This series is compelling and fun. I love that Maria's embracing humanity while not losing sight of her heritage. Her journey sees her learning more about herself while she opens herself to a new reality with her hopes on William.
April 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and the series so far. Maria isn't who everyone thinks she is but she's trying hard to fit in on land. She is looking for her lost love, William. Will she find him or not? You will have to read to find out!
This is my honest review.
This is my honest review.
January 18, 2018
Although this is the second book in the Turbulence and Triumph series, I read it first, but it was not a big deal. I did not expect to be so riveted by a mermaid story, but Carlton made it a fascinating story, and I wanted Maria to find her lost lover. The book answered how her husband had died, and how she coped with living in a strange land using a foreign language. I loved Aunt Merry, who took her in, taught her English, and generally loved her as the neice they pretended she was.
December 13, 2021
Wonderful continuation
Now I cannot spoil things but it is a worthwhile follow up to the first book...Cannot wait to start the next one
Now I cannot spoil things but it is a worthwhile follow up to the first book...Cannot wait to start the next one
March 11, 2017
This book was way better than the first.
Maria's character got a lot more depth here, and a lot of unanswered questions finally got answers (e.g.: Giuseppe and his death).
Not only that, but William managed to stumble upon Maria by himself, rather than her having to search for him across the Indian oceans. Well, she is going after him in the third book, which I sadly won't be reading, bc the rest of books in this series are far too expensive for e-books (334 pages [four more books] in total, equating to £7.28).
A few grammatical errors I found, which are minuscule, yet even more annoying because of that reason alone:
> "Domenic" instead of Dominic*
> "[...] he passed me to me" instead of he passed to me*
> "how many time the men" instead of how many times*
That's all, to be honest.
Tip for the author: use the serial comma in lists. It's there for a reason.
Maria's character got a lot more depth here, and a lot of unanswered questions finally got answers (e.g.: Giuseppe and his death).
Not only that, but William managed to stumble upon Maria by himself, rather than her having to search for him across the Indian oceans. Well, she is going after him in the third book, which I sadly won't be reading, bc the rest of books in this series are far too expensive for e-books (334 pages [four more books] in total, equating to £7.28).
A few grammatical errors I found, which are minuscule, yet even more annoying because of that reason alone:
> "Domenic" instead of Dominic*
> "[...] he passed me to me" instead of he passed to me*
> "how many time the men" instead of how many times*
That's all, to be honest.
Tip for the author: use the serial comma in lists. It's there for a reason.
February 21, 2017
Ocean's Trial is the second story in a series of 6 adult books inspired by the Little Mermaid. This book keeps a slower pace then the first book, with the mermaid character living in a fishing village. Not a lot happens in this book, but it is pheasant and enjoyable to read. Alas, just when things start to get interesting, the book ends.
I received a copy of this book free. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I received a copy of this book free. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 11, 2014
Shipwrecked again, Maria finds herself separated from William, not knowing if he was safe, if he was alive.
Saved by Maria D'Angelo, Maria begins a new life journey as a fish girl--a fisherman's widow. Nope, not openly living as a mermaid, more like working the fish market alongside men where most respect her and some...well, let's just say some like to cause trouble.
As she gains insight on what it is to be human, we learn that Maria was sent to fulfill a duty set upon her by her mother. Let's just say that dear ol' Mum is a force to be reckoned with.
While becoming literate, learning to interact with humans, saving people from collapsing bridges, and working with the goal to eventually have enough funds to leave and search out William, another man enters her life. Too bad she doesn't feel the same way he does about her.
Near the end, we are surprised by a clash of the past and present meeting. Let's just say that Ms. Carlton succeeds at sucking me in and thank goodness the next book is available because there's no way I'm waiting to find out if Maria will find what she's looking for.
In "Ocean's Trial", Carlton does a phenomenal job at portraying our heroine as a solid and headstrong character. The woman reads the Kama Sutra to learn English for crying out loud! And hell, I completely agree with Maria...chocolate goes quite well with that kind of reading! Being serious, the title to the book definitely holds true. Maria is definitely put to the test in this series' installment and I personally can't wait to see what this stow-away experiences next!
Saved by Maria D'Angelo, Maria begins a new life journey as a fish girl--a fisherman's widow. Nope, not openly living as a mermaid, more like working the fish market alongside men where most respect her and some...well, let's just say some like to cause trouble.
As she gains insight on what it is to be human, we learn that Maria was sent to fulfill a duty set upon her by her mother. Let's just say that dear ol' Mum is a force to be reckoned with.
While becoming literate, learning to interact with humans, saving people from collapsing bridges, and working with the goal to eventually have enough funds to leave and search out William, another man enters her life. Too bad she doesn't feel the same way he does about her.
Near the end, we are surprised by a clash of the past and present meeting. Let's just say that Ms. Carlton succeeds at sucking me in and thank goodness the next book is available because there's no way I'm waiting to find out if Maria will find what she's looking for.
In "Ocean's Trial", Carlton does a phenomenal job at portraying our heroine as a solid and headstrong character. The woman reads the Kama Sutra to learn English for crying out loud! And hell, I completely agree with Maria...chocolate goes quite well with that kind of reading! Being serious, the title to the book definitely holds true. Maria is definitely put to the test in this series' installment and I personally can't wait to see what this stow-away experiences next!
September 10, 2014
Maria’s journey continues with the fearless mermaid broken-hearted at the loss of her love. The novel contains a sense of striving as she seeks to learn the whereabouts of William and the reader is ever on the edge of their seat at the hope of word or a sighting. Merry D’Angelo is Maria’s selfless guardian angel, a maternal figure who presents a sharp contrast to the dictatorial matriarch who visits her mermaid daughter with an ultimatum. Maria’s struggles to learn English and understand the ways of men, further display the great character that Ms Carlton has bestowed upon her and she is more likeable with every subsequent chapter. I am loving this series.
October 17, 2014
Ocean Trial is the second book in the Ocean's Gift series. Separated from the man she loves, Maria pretends to be human and a fisherman's widow. She stays with her friend Merry, who's more of a doting mother figure. Here, she learns the language and takes a job at a fish market in order to make enough money to search for William. Tony enters the scene, and the reader wonders throughout whether Maria will find new love or if she'll continue her search for William.
Ms. Carlton's love for the ocean shines throughout the story, and I've already begun reading the third book. A very unique and enjoyable series.
Ms. Carlton's love for the ocean shines throughout the story, and I've already begun reading the third book. A very unique and enjoyable series.
December 22, 2015
The second book in the series find Maria taken in by the Merry as her niece and working as a fish girl to save money to find William. Several years pass by while she builds her life in Fremantle. She learns to read and speak English. She becomes a force to be reckoned with in the fish market. She even garners the eye of young Tony. She never stops loving William though. We learn more about her mother as she pays a not so nice visit and does some rather devastating destruction to the area and her other family. The end of the book finds her reconnecting with William, but not in the way she had hoped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2016
I inadverdantly read this book before the first. Normall I would stop and go back, then continue in sequence but the writing captured me and the prose imprisoned me. Not releasing my attention until the last punctuation mark. Maria's growth was evident and the growing relationship between her and the humans. How she viewed Merry more as a mother than her own poignant. The love Tony held for her heartbreaking. As is the love she feels for her William. Emotional with bits of comedic relief, I leave you to enjoy this series.
September 14, 2014
Maria's journey continues as she learns to live among humans with her adopted aunt, Merry.
I was captivated by this one as much as the first prequel where we see William fall in love with his mysterious Maria. I literally could not put this down and dove immediately into the third prequel story right after this.
Ms. Carlton does not disappoint. Her descriptions and characters are to be envied. I particularly enjoyed Maria in the fish market.
I was captivated by this one as much as the first prequel where we see William fall in love with his mysterious Maria. I literally could not put this down and dove immediately into the third prequel story right after this.
Ms. Carlton does not disappoint. Her descriptions and characters are to be envied. I particularly enjoyed Maria in the fish market.
June 20, 2016
Book 2 of Maria's story continues in this second page turning story of the series. You have to read book one before this one since it continues her story.
She's lost William but has gained new friends and a job. But has she gained a new romance? She's unsure since she still loves William whom thinks that she died on the ship from book one Ocean's Justice.
This is 2 of several books and this story will keep the pages turning.
She's lost William but has gained new friends and a job. But has she gained a new romance? She's unsure since she still loves William whom thinks that she died on the ship from book one Ocean's Justice.
This is 2 of several books and this story will keep the pages turning.
January 24, 2017
A castaway from the storm with no language skills and a totally different way of dressing, she is convinced that she is responsible for the death of the man she loves. She has been befriended by an older woman who tries to help. There are many misunderstandings and difficulties, and another man who loves her. It is written with such empathy that it seems so real. I loved it and can't wait until the next one!
April 8, 2015
I give this four stars. Although I love the story about Maria, this was spread over three books and this middle book somehow seemed a bit of a filler ... the reader knew the story wouldn't be resolved until going on to the third and final book and that somehow made this book just a bit less exciting.
August 20, 2021
A determined young lady (mermaid) has to find out if her beloved still feels for her but where to find him. Her quest to locate him sends her in another direction. She is one determined being though with her heart set on an outcome. Along with some entertaining Dolphin moments and a catch of fish gains her the respect of 1 fisherman in particular.
November 20, 2015
A pleasurable read. The writing is rich in texture and depth. On to read the next installment!
April 6, 2016
3.5 stars
August 28, 2016
Second book, in series, can't wait for the next book. It really is a good book, couldn't put it down. Received FREE for an honest review.
October 3, 2016
Loved it!!! Very interesting approach to sirens.
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