Cresting Tide

by Brenda Cothern

Alternate Cover B00895DXSY

Peter, fleeing from an arranged marriage to a woman, stows away aboard a merchant ship only to be discovered and pitched into the sea. Floating upon the current and awaiting death, he is rescued by a mythical sea elf.

Cuke knew his curiosity with humans would only lead him to trouble but he never expected it would lead him to love. A love filled with complications as he is bound to his watery home.

Can the couple overcome the restrictions of their races and be the fathers to their unexpected child or are they destined to be torn apart by their different worlds?

Author Note:
Contains m/m and hermaphrodite sexual practices and is intended for readers of legal age in the country in which they reside.

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Gay, Supernatural, Erotica

Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Brenda is an Amazon and ARe best-selling author and resides in Tampa, FL with her husband, six cats, a dog, a turtle named Tammy, and a rabbit named Alice. She is active in the Tampa Bay GLBT, kink, & leather communities, and the owner of Florida Leather & Fetish Pride Weekend event which includes a Mr. & Ms. title contest.
When not putting the voices in her head on paper, Brenda is attending book and fantasy/Sci-fi conventions to meet fans. She also attends leather/kink events as Ms. Florida Leather & Fetish Pride 2016 and teaches about the leather and kink lifestyle.

She would love to hear from you! Visit her on the following:

Website: www.bcothernbooks.com
(Where you can find several FREE reads!)
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For signed digital autograph, please send her a request through Authorgraph! A personalized autographed PDF for the book will be signed and sent to you!
If you enjoy her books, please show your support by giving them stars and/or writing reviews on the various online sites where they can be purchased.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted at Outlaw Reviews

I love the sea, its mysteries, turbulence and tranquility, and I love its inhabitants, real and mythological. This was the perfect story for me to read on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The story starts with Peter floating on his back in the current. He was stripped of his possessions and thrown off the ship he stowed away on in order to escape a marriage he wasn’t ready for.

Cuke, a sea elf who is curious about humans despite his family’s wishes, saves Peter from certain death.

Through touch, eye contact, and sounds, the human and sea elf gradually learn to trust and love each other. It is difficult for them to be together as often as they wish, because of the limitations in their physiology. Sea elves are unable to live on land, and Peter can spend only limited amounts of time in the water.

Their life on the island is peaceful and their lovemaking is tender, sweet and very moving. Complications disturb their carefree existence in the form of meddling family members, a shipwreck, and an unexpected child.

This was a lovely story that evoked the magic, tranquility and wrath of the sea and the beauty of love in all its forms.

[M'rella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peter is a stow-away on a boat. When the captain finds Peter, he throws him off the boat into the ocean. In the ocean Peter meets Cuke, a sea-elf. Cuke saves Peter. They have great sex while surviving on a remote Caribbean Island. They make a baby. All is well. Good story.

*********************

On the plus side:

- Stranded/marooned/survival set-up. Robinson Crusoe, The Martian are my favorites. Definitely a plus.
- Gender-fluid sea-elf, interspecies. So, so cool! 'Cause Enemy Mine, people!!!! Three pluses :D

On the ...ahem ...other side:

CUKE, the sea-elf. Took me a few (dozen) pages to stop thinking about sea cucumbers :/ But only during the times when Peter and Cuke didn't have sex, cause:









- What century am I in?
At first, for whatever reason, I assumed - present times. But then there are all kinds of mentions of a royal family. A historical, then? 75% into the book Cuke "heard the human surface craft land" - a sci-fi? Cause I have no clue what that "human surface craft" is - a Cessna? a space shuttle? an escape pod? a fisherman boat? a canoe? Noah's Arc? starship Enterprise? крейсер Аврора? what?

- What count... forget country, what planet is Peter from? @.@
We are supposedly in the Caribbean. Yet Peter is an honest to god Prince. Peter and his brother Paul (names used exclusively by royals) are drinking alcohol at the tender age of 16 back home, wherever that is. Peter is also having all kinds of sex and making babies at that same age. Did Peter stow-awayed all the way from Luxembourg or United Kingdom? Belgium? No? Japan??
Here is a quiz for you. Which country:
- still sports a royal family that uses Paul and Peter exclusively AND
- has the age of consent set at 16 AND
- has legal drinking age set at 16 (or possibly even younger)?
Don't know? Me neither. Must be a different planet.

- Star fruit. I read about it enough in the past day or so to be fed up with it for the next couple of years. Thank you very much *burp*.

Bottom line: Could have been a great story if executed better. Adding all my plusses and rounding up to 2 instead of down to 1.

1.5 stars.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got it and decide to read just some pages... Well I couldn't stop, and just finish it. It's a short story (the end is full of sneak peaks of other stories) but WAIT let me finish my thought... It's a short story, but certainly a very intense love story.

I think it's the first time I read about a couple so different. They can't even talk to each other! A human, and a sea elf. One breath air, the other under water... One walk, the other swim... One is a prince, the other... You must read, no way I will tell you more spoiling!

I start it for the curiosity of a freebie with male pregnancy... And end it with tears of joy, after just lovely story.

Give a try, I believe you too will understand the beauty of love. Love is blind... And can overpower anything... The message is clear, and the end... Very poetic and romantic.

I adored this story, and certainly this couple will stay in my heart.

5 stars

[Water Fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, although it did reminded me a bit of the Little Mermaid at times lol. I loved the main characters however I do feel the story was rushed... ESPECIALLY at the end, we don't see the HEA although we know it's coming :/ After being separated for years, I want to see the happy reunion with their child. I'm glad it was free because although I did like it, I wouldn't have wanted to pay for a book which ends so abruptly.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never have I ever been so frustrated at: A) the story ending when my kindle only says 66% complete, and B) the COMPLETE LACK of a solid HEA ending! Arggggg it could have used just one more chapter/epilogue and I would have given this more stars, because I was really enjoying this until the abrupt ending. Love me some mermen stories!

[Jilrene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different. This is a story of two men who can't talk to each other but still communicate. Then they have a daughter. I guess the ending is HFN, but with the strong possibility of an HEA.


FYI: The Kindle edition actually ends at 35%.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad little story but I wished there was more to it.
Peter is thrown overboard off a ship where he was fleeing from being forced to marry. And a woman. He was floating in the ocean close to dying when his, what he thinks are hallucinations, are moving hm to shore. When he realizes that's not the case, he freaks. But then he sees Cuke and is in awe. They like each other but the language boundaries are hard to overcome. They figure some things out but it's still difficult. But the sex they share often has resulted in Cuke having a child, but a human one. She needs Cuke to feed and grow but cannot breathe water. They make it work until some people appear and Cuke has to run for fear of discovery. Peter is taken back home for a bit but returns to build a home back on the island to be near Cuke and for their child to be with them both. But his daughter has spoken with the dolphins and Cuke is extremely sad. Peter only hopes they will get him soon and they can be a family again.
Like I said. It's a cute little story. But it cut off quick to start with and I hate that. Is there more to this story? And plus the book was mainly about sex. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Don't get me wrong. But I just wish there were more. A way to bridge the language. Well, now they can with their daughter, so there is that. But there was barely any history mentioned, and Cuke's family are assholes. At least his father tried to help and be encouraging. I just wanted a little more plot. But anyway. I loved Cuke. He was adorable but fierce. He was sweet and I really loved his personality.
See what you guys think.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/

[Laki Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Mrs. Cothern's earlier works that I had the privilege to read and enjoy.

Novel Breakdown

Characters: 4
I truly enjoyed Peter and Cuke as characters. Sometimes the least complicated characters make for the best stories.

Plot: 3
The plot was very basic so there wasn't much to say about it.

Flow: 3.5
I was thrown off the flow only one time and that was toward the end. I thought it was a time continuity error but after going back and re-reading it, I realized the character was doing a flashback.

Believability: 4
I totally bought into the characters, the romance and the setting.

Sexual Tension: 3
There was just enough to tease and sate the reader without being crude or going overboard.

Romance: 5
The difference in species and communication was well done and the feelings they had for each other came through clearly.

Elements
M/Hermaphrodite

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its probably only 2.5 stars

Great first half......shit second half.

If the author had developed the relationship more at the end instead of ending it, this could have easily turned into a five star book because it was a new fresh idea with good writing.

Its one of those times when I think the author wanted to stick to a smaller word count so the book could be cheaper - thinking they will sell more. But in reality, quality sells more. Write a darn good book and not worry about the word count...that is how you build a rep as a good author :)

[Miriki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people will love this and the others will hate it because of the Mpreg theme. Personally I loved it. The sea elf was actually a hermaphrodite though. It's short and it's cute. But the ending felt a bit too abrupt.
I'd love for an epilogue.

[Maggie Chatterton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cresting Tide by Brenda Cothern is a very imaginative story about a man who fell in love with a sea-elf. This story, while it doesn't have a guaranteed happily ever after ending, it has an open enough ending for the readers to picture some sort of happy ending that suits our personal preference. Cresting Tide reminds me of a The Little Mermaid adaptation. Especially with their inability to understand one another.

While I was rather bummed that the story wasn't longer and the rest (most) of the kindle file was made up of samples from other stories, it was still an enjoyable read. There were a few moments where the flashbacks confused because I didn't realized that was what they were.

[Mak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and even though it was short came to care about the MCs. As such, I wish there was an epilogue or a more fully developed HEA, not just a suggestion that it is coming.

[A Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this was a great story and would have liked it to be longer and it was unique.

[Nathan Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cresting Tide is a wonderfuly well-written book that seems to be a reimagining of The Little Mermaid for the adult audience. Brenda has a real knack for beautifully describing her characters and locations, which is a real plus given the small cast and intimate location. The back-and-forth POV takes a little getting used to, but you'll soon understand it's the best narration given the communication obstacles faced by the main characters. Brenda keeps the focus squarely on her star-crossed couple, though she could easily continue the world-building she briefly conducts on both sides of shore. We do get some good past insight into the main human character, Peter, and his family. There's an implication that there are some good stories to be told about him and his brother Paul. Under the sea, Brenda provides small glances behind the curtain of the elf culture, never reveling too much. I do wish she spent a little more time describing the underwater city of the sea elves, as it seems like a sight to behold. All in all I thought is was a great quick read with some steamy scenes up front that grows tender and more heartfelt as it professes. Keep up the wonderful work, Brenda!

[Leiera Monae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sweet little M/M inter-species romance between a mythical sea elf named Cuke (which is what I call cucumbers, so his name kept making me think of sea cucumbers! LOL!) and his human lover Peter.

This seems to be a historical read based on some of the references made in the book. The story begins with Peter adrift at sea, having been ejected from a ship because he was a stowaway. Just as he is about to sink into the watery depths of the sea, he is rescued by Cuke. Instant physical attraction for these two. A nice little romance ensues. To potential readers, heed the author's warnings: There is mating of a hermaphrodite nature involved.

Other than the fact that this read was over much too soon, and that I wish that there had been a final epilogue to wrap things up, this one was okay. It sort of reminded me of that old cartoon, The Little Mermaid. So in my mind, that means that Poseidon, did in fact, grant Cuke his wish at the end.

As of today's posting, this little book is an Amazon US freebie!

http://www.amazon.com/Cresting-Tide-B...

[Mitern · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several things I enjoyed about this story;

1. There was just enough sex to keep it interesting but not so much that the reader is overwhelmed.
2. I like that it was kept short and concise. Sometimes when reading I will say to myself, "Okay, I get the point. When will this story move forward." There is just enough information, intimacy and so forth that the story was conveyed without bogging me down with various unimportant details.
3. I enjoyed the characters. Cuke is the first sea-elf I have read about and really liked the whole concept. Peter is an easy going character that seems like a guy I would like to meet, were he real.
4. It evokes a variety of emotions in a short time. I went from concern, to aroused, to sad, to happy and back around again.
5. I will definitely read it again. It is that good and the open weave of the story really sparks my imagination.

Thank you Brenda Cothern for another awesome book!

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really irritated me! Not because of the story (although there were moments where it dragged on a bit) but because I paid premium price for this on Amazon and the book is so short that the price becomes a rip off! Just as one is getting into the book (because when looking at the reading percentage on my Kindle it seems like there is at least 20% to go before the book ends) it just finishes! This book has an open end and the author uses the remaining 30% (which you paid for and should therefore be the book you bought) to advertise her other books! I don't mind short books (I have bought my fair share of those over the years!), what I do mind is being mislead!

[Victoria Zagar]

DNF.

I wanted to like this book - I love the sea, and thought this might be a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I made it 30% of the way through, but I just couldn't get into the story. A lack of character development, sex without much chemistry and some very awkward sentences ("Long pale lashes that could barely be seen were at the end of the man's closed eyes") resulted in a lack of interest on my part.

[Tully Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (would have been higher but for rather abrupt ending)
I enjoyed this book's interspecies relationship, but the ending left wishing for more or better yet, a sequel!!! Was hoping to see the lovers finally able to communicate better with each other through their daughter and sad that it didn't come. Also keep wondering why so long (four years) before he returned. . .

[Warconq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mermen are hot and I loved the adaptation this author took. After ship wrecked on an island our prince is startled to find his salvation is a sea elf. Aka merman. They are both in explicably drawn to each other and work through communication barriers. Forewarned there is male preg. But I'm cool with that as long as it's written well. It had a good ending but this author is notorious for leaving you wanting just a little more at the end. Fingers crossed she'll do a sequel.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars. A bit of a departure from the standard Merman book but enjoyable. I ended up rounding down to three stars because of the ending. Not the ending of the book itself which was a bit abrupt but still satisfying.

What ticked me off was my Kindle said there was another hour left. Well, the hour was samples of other books. So I'm reading along thinking there is another hour to wrap up the story and nope. Flip a page and boom, done, fin.

[Straight Girl Goes Gay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd have given 4 stars but for the abrupt ending. I'll up my rating if she decides to finish it one day. Chapter 11 felt like it was the middle of the book, not the end. It ends around 33%; the other half was some other story shoved in at the back. I'm glad it was a free Kindle read or I'd have felt ripped off.

[Kaylee Shyanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great inter-species relationship. Good mpreg. But the end felt rushed and although it ends on a happy note, I would have loved to see an epilogue featuring Cuke after their separation and him seeing his daughter again.

[Lea Blottiaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

I don't often read fantasy, but I liked this one. It was a little hard for me to get a good image of Cuke in my mind. I guess I need to work on that. Peter, Cuke and Magali had a special bond as a little family. A good read.

[Heidi Dover · Rating 4 out of 5]

short, interesting, not really deep, but a light quick read. would have liked more in depth world and character building, a lot of things in both just mentioned and hinted at, but for a light read, decent.

[Hong Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and half stars? Would of been 5 if there was an ending but patiently waiting for the next book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick enjoyable read but the ending wrapped up too easily.

[cmbookdiva]

You have got to be -------kidding me WHERE IS THE REST OF IT? An epilogue at least how rude.

[Sandra]

FREE on Kindle 3/18/16