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The Orotavan Mermaid Tales #1

At the Heart of the Deep: A Falling in Deep Collection Novella

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Oceanographer Luke McAllister races to figure out why the ocean depth is changing off Florida's Treasure Coast. But before he and his crew discover what’s transforming the deep, he stumbles upon an even greater mystery. Leagues below the waves, he swear he sees…a mermaid?
Anya isn’t allowed to get close to humans. But when a golden-haired researcher gets too close to her island, she can’t afford to stay away.

Together, this unlikely pair will seek to discover what’s causing shifts in ocean floor. While their new alliance is forbidden, Anya will risk everything to save her beloved ocean. The only problem is, she’s not sure what’s really luring her in, her love of the sea or the tempest Luke has stirred in her heart. Either way, Anya knows that the dangers facing the sea are nothing compared to what will happen to her when her father learns she’s broken the merfolks’ most sacred law.

Can Anya and Luke discover what lurks at the heart of the deep before it's too late?

Adult novel. Due to steamy scenes, this novel is best suited for mature readers.
****

All summer long, join the authors of the “Falling in Deep Collection” for unique tales of creatures from the deep!

From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam to folktales, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the “Falling in Deep Collection” are bringing you mermaid tales like you've never seen before.

Every week beginning May 26th, 2015, we'll be releasing one unique, never-before-published novella! Each novella will feature our favorite creature of the deep: mermaids.

The Falling in Deep Collection (May – September 2015 Releases)

Scales by Pauline Creeden
Ink: A Mermaid Romance by Melanie Karsak
Of Ocean and Ash by A. R. Draeger
Deep Breath by J. M. Miller
At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie Wells
The Mermaid’s Den by Ella Malone
The Water is Sweeter by Eli Constant
The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless
An Officer & a Mermaid by Blaire Edens
How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
Cold Water Bridegroom by B. Brumley
A Beyond the Sea Prequel by Emily Goodwin
Immersed by Katie Hayoz
Siren's Kiss by Margo Bond Collins
To Each His Own by Anna Albergucci

Never miss a release! Keep in touch with us online at http://eepurl.com/bdRtbD

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2015

11 people are currently reading
242 people want to read

About the author

Carrie L. Wells

10 books16 followers
Carrie L. Wells writes flirty, fun fiction with a magical, tropical twist. She grew up in New England, relocating to Florida with her family during her teens. She has lived in a variety of regions throughout the country, but never put down roots anywhere soda was called "pop". A subtly tattooed instructor of English, she surrounds herself with funny, happy people any time she can. She lives with her husband, children, and small collection of animals in Central Florida.

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5 stars
34 (44%)
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13 (16%)
3 stars
18 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Jessi.
169 reviews7 followers
March 15, 2017
3 stars

I loved the synopsis. I loved the cover. But the ending left me disappointed.

The first several chapters do a great job of luring you into a story of mer, humans, and their worlds merging. The characters were flat, the plot was thin, and the ending - ugh! - it just, like, ended.

Despite its flaws, I am still intrigued enough to anxiously await the second installment of The Orotavan Mermaids.
Profile Image for Jessica.
61 reviews
March 8, 2016
A little too cliche, a little too vague, too little characterization, not enough background exploration, not enough romance, not enough mystique. The book didn't give me a chance to relate to the characters, so i'm not at all curious what will happen to them (i think there was too many characters in there anyhow).
I'm confused by what this book is meant to be, as a novella, it ended too abruptly and with a really irritationg cliffhanger. As a first in a series, it didn't stir my curiosity or interest enough to go and buy the second book. It feels more like a pilot episode on TV, but lacking that...that something to catch and hold the audience's interest. If it were a TV pilot episode perhaps i'd be sold on the mystical feel of the setting or great visual effects to check out another episode, but this book focuses more on their lives on the island the Mers lived in. Which is weird, because they seem more like people who shifts into Mers than the other way around. You could even forget that they were mer because they just seem so normal... Felt like i'm reading about a group of guys who live on a typical beach resort. If they didn't keep mentioning that they were Mer, i'd honestly have forgotten.
If you are interested in Mermaid stories and that mystical realm, this book might dissapoint.
Profile Image for Akissbeyon.
36 reviews
August 17, 2015
Another series that is wrote like a chapter

It leaves you with nothing, zero endings to all characters. Written like it was dumbed down for the reader with all questions presented in the book with not now... And when the characters discuss issues they are not shared with the reader. Waste of time.
Profile Image for Patricia Lynne.
Author 22 books108 followers
July 12, 2017
I like mermaids so I was looking forward to this story. And while I enjoyed the world building of the mers and their culture, there rest of the story didn't pull me in as much as I'd hoped. It was intriguing enough to keep me reading, but there were things that would throw me out.

Like, it was in alternating 1st person POV and we'd be in one and that character would leave the room, but we'd stay in the room and learn how the other character was doing something. How would the 1st POV know if they left the room!?? There were also instances were characters suddenly knew things but it was like they learned it off page. My impression I got was while the prose and writing was solid, the editing okay despite a few typos, that the author didn't have a crit partner or beta reader go over it and say "hey, this character wouldn't know this was happening." I could be wrong, but that's how it felt while reading.

The ending was an utter cliffhanger, which is evil. LOL. Overall, I thought the story was okay, and without the issues I pointed out, I think I would have enjoyed it much more.
Profile Image for Summer.
84 reviews10 followers
June 13, 2017
Available on Kindle Unlimited.

There was a lot of potential for this story, but it fell flat in the end.

The beginning was great, I love the way Carrie depicted the Mers and how they transform to be on land. It was fantastic at first and then I am not sure what happened. I was drawn in for maybe the first 25% of the book and then I lost interest. There was some insta-love present, which I am not a fan of, but at least, in this case, it was somewhat believable.

In the end, it fell flat and the ended abruptly. I had high hopes for this since it is featured in the Falling in Deep Collection and most of the other novellas are great from what I have read so far.

I do not plan on reading the next book of this series.
Profile Image for Melissa Hayden.
979 reviews120 followers
January 10, 2016
3.5 stars
I did enjoy the story and I'm curious as to what has happened in the sea and the light orbs. Is it in reference to the old stories Anya's people know or something else completely. I'll be waiting for the next tale, The Soul of the Sea, to come.

****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Anya watches the handsome blond dive and swim in the ocean near her family's island each day for the last five days. He's human, but comfortable in the water. Luke is surprised by what he saw so near to his boat. It couldn't be. But he knows what he saw. And maybe she has something to do with the changes of the ocean. He knows there is something with the ocean but doesn't know what. Anya's been studying the changes as well, and fears for her island and home with what she's found. Maybe Luke's research with Anya's will help them all.

Kristin's gentle voice easily transitions between the different people, male and female, with different tones and personalities. I love how she brings them to life for us. Kristin even voices an alarm when it sounds, a small sound affect for us.

This story has a mystery for us, with a purpose other than the romance that blooms between Anya and Luke. The ocean is changing. And more. There are light orbs that Luke's crew sees on their research boat. Then Anya knows where it's coming from, but she doesn't know what cased the energy source or why it's there. I'm really curious of the light orbs from the trench in the ocean!

We rotate chapters between Anya and Luke as they investigate the sea for the same reasons. The attraction between Anya and Luke seems to grow at a nice pace through the story, making it feel as they are connecting on more than a physical attraction level. We see each in their own lives and a growing attraction and connection between them as at first they see and think of each other then brought together with their concerns for the world. I found I was worried for the world and Anya's island because of the crack. The thought that Luke could help was wonderful. But then I worried that the truth of mer-people would get out and destroy the peace they have here.

Anya is a mermaid. There is a whole world and system to mer life we start to see unfold here. I really liked that at a moment of weakness Anya admits she had jumped the gun. People do that but she was able to stop before it went to far and pointed out the influences of it. I really liked her for this as she knows what she should do but what she wants too. And sees deeper than the physical separation of human and mer.

Okay. If you don't like cliffhanger endings, I suggest waiting for the next story to come out. This ends with a bang and I WANTED TO KNOW what happens.

I did enjoy the story and I'm curious as to what has happened in the sea and the light orbs. Is it in reference to the old stories Anya's people know or something else completely. I'll be waiting for the next tale, The Soul of the Sea, to come.
Profile Image for Alicia Barry rosen.
40 reviews
November 22, 2015
not too bad for a mermaid story. leaves you with a major cliffhanger. The only problem I have is there is WAY too much talk about research and there is no real character develop in the relationships and even some no development at all. Even with all the research talk I found myself skipping through it. I'd love to see more character development and the relationship develop rather than the very next page he is all of the sudden in love..., overall its interesting I will continue the story once the next book is released.
Profile Image for Angela(demonsangel) Fitzgerald.
501 reviews35 followers
January 16, 2016
This is a fascinating story. I always like stories of mermaids(merfolk). This story is written by Carrie L. Wells and she has written the perfect story. I do wish it has been longer, anywhere from six to ten hours.

Narrator Kristin James did another fantastic job. She kept me engrossed in this story from start to finish. Overall, I give it a perfect 5 star rating. I do hope Kristin narrates the next story that's coming out this year.
27 reviews
November 27, 2015
Can't wait for the next book!!!

This book really hooked me. At first, I didn't think it was going to be much, but after a few pages my mind blew up. Now I have to wait for the next book and I don't think my mind can take it. This was a really good book. I may have to say that it started off slow but then gradually became more addicting! Totally have to read!!
Profile Image for Katy Rose.
Author 13 books127 followers
February 7, 2016
Beautiful love story!

So beautiful! I loved the romance, drama and overall writing of this great book! Ms.Wells writing is truly wonderful and Interesting!
23 reviews
June 25, 2016
Great

I really like this book. It is so cool.... I really wish it would have finished the story in this book but I still really like it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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