Waterdancer

by Samantha Combs

For Bailey Wasserman, being Bailey has recently become an incredible challenge. It's not enough that she must come to terms with her mother's new husband, their new life, and a new surfer boyfriend. When she meets her real father for the first time, she discovers a secret family trait that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…maybe forever.

Bailey and her mom have always met life’s challenges as a team of two, more like best friends than mother and daughter. But her mom’s recent marriage has changed all of that, and having her little brother Landry is the only good Bailey can find in that union. The move to wealthy Del Mar from their humble beginnings has turned Bailey sour, until a chance meeting with surf hottie Jack West. Then Bailey’s father, with his annoying Zen-surfer lingo and a talking turtle he claims is no less than her spirit guardian, reenters her life and threatens the only relationship Bailey thinks is working in her world. She soon finds out that’s not all his arrival will do. His presence and their shared family trait could ultimately force Bailey to make a decision that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…forever.

Genres: Paranormal

124 pages, ebook

First published September 5, 2012

About the author

Samantha Combs is a multi-published, young adult/middle grade author living in Southern California. The award-winning author of nine books, five are young adult paranormals: Spellbound, Everspell, Ghostly, Waterdancer, and The Deadlies; one is a middle grade horror novel: The Detention Demon; and three are adult horror collections: Teeth and Talons, Way Past Midnight, and Helloween. Samantha has two other completed manuscripts and and so many others planned, she hopes to release in the near future. She publishes with three houses: Astraea Press, Musa Publishing and Sweet Cravings Publishing. 2013 looks even more amazing than 2012 did with three planned releases

When she is not writing or reading voraciously, Samantha enjoys bloggers, the Food Network Channel, reality television and wandering around the aisles at Target. She recently conquered Facebook and is learning how to use Twitter. She is sure she can handle any situation if she has the right shoes and has a mad passion for totally inappropriate earrings. Samantha believes the movement toward technology is the most exciting thing to happen to publishing and can’t wait to see what the industry is going to do next. Anything that makes kids want to read can’t be a bad thing.

Reviews

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waterdancer by Samantha Combs
isbn: 978-1-61937-235-1
I agreed to read and post my reviews and post at my blog, to help out with the blog tour. I had no idea what the book was about, I just really like to read, a lot, a very lot.
I was happily surprised as many emotions ran through me while reading this. I will go find others by the author now.
Bailey Wasserman is starting at a new school. Her mom had o married Warren and he's moved them to DelMar and money is not a problem any more. Then they had Her brother. Her father had just disappeared one day so her mom raised her by herself.
She learned a lot from just approaching the gym where students were tanned and by the brand name of the clothes and lipstick they wore. Bay and her mom do get to spend time together and she knows when to not rock the boat.
She make a date for 6am with Jack West-he was gonna teach her to surf. After dinner her mother tells her about her real father and it comes with warnings of what to look out for as he may have the same genes as him...
I love that Jack teachs her everything she needs to know about surfing-it's one thing I might want to try sometime=on my bucket list. He is so patient and understanding with her.
Under unforeseen circumstances she did meet her father, Kai and he starts to tell her about the transformation and instructs her about other mystical things that might soon occur. Like how the guardian assigned to her smooths things over and educates her while communicating telepathically as he realizes she does have the gene also.
She tries to take everything in while she is also in love for the very first time in her life.
The transformation takes place and she thinks she is going to die... She only has a little bit of time to fulfill her end...
Jack has an awesome gift for her birthday and she appreciates it a lot...
Kai and the guardian hadn't told Bailey everything about the transformation....
Love how Jack accepts her for what's inside, not her exterior.
To upset things more there is a major family health emergency, things will never be the same now...and I love the gift Kia gives to Bailey...

[Delphina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Samantha's since I first read her book Spellbound. I was beyond excited when I discovered her newest YA book was going to be featuring the paranormal of the sea. While I have loved all of her books, this one has officially become my favorite book of hers. It had first love, the surf, a family secret (or two), and even a talking turtle. What more could you ask for.
Here are some of the things I liked about this book:
Samantha, once again, wove a story that is what I call "clean" YA. I would have absolutely no qualms recommending this book to any YA readers. At the same time, she wrote a story that kept me, at almost 40, from wanting to put it down.
Bailey is very likable character. Even though she is struggling with her mom's marriage, moving, a first boyfriend, and her long lost father, she is still someone you just like.
This story contains mythology I have never been exposed to and is very unique.
I loved reading about the ocean and the surf and all of the magic that living near the ocean encompassed.
This book is a complete story in and of itself. I love a good series, but sometimes I just want to know the whole story.
This is a wonderfully woven tale and I recommend it to anyone who loves the ocean, paranormal literature, or stories of first loves. There is no content in this book that would make me put an age warning on this book. If you or your child are old enough for YA, this books should be fine.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not entirely sure what I thought of this book, which is strange for me since I normally have quite strong opinions. There is a bunch of ways I could examine this novel and come up with a variety of different conclusions on it. I have decided to treat Waterdancer like a fairytale, because it certainly reminded me of one.

The surfer-lingo in this book had me laughing at times and gave me a throw-back to the 90s, but I found it hilarious. I don’t know much about surfing, even though I lived by the ocean my whole life. We got the highest tides, not the highest waves.

The characters, for the most part, were likeable. I wish the book had been a little longer only so that we could have seen more character development.

The novel is a short, quick read which I strangely liked. It moves fast and some parts are kind of hard to believe (like reactions from people), but I believed it flowed with the feel of the whole story and worked. There were a few things that I would have liked clarification on, since it went so fast, but since it had a fairytale sort of feel to it, I can forgive it for that. An explanation as to why the whole curse happened in the first place, for instance, would have added.

I enjoyed Waterdancer as a quick, light read. If I had been looking for something more I would have been disappointed. It would make a great addition into the classic fairytales.

Kristal@ owl-read-it.blogspot.com

[Merisha28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a honest review ~WaAr~

I truly fell in love with this book! There was no resisting the surfers, language, or the supernatural curse that was in it! I love the story and how it flows together!! You will just love the characters and how in-depth the story is about surfing. You will not want it to end! Hopefully the author will continue the wonderful story with a side novel or a prequel!I'm dying to read more of this story. Did I mention there is a sea turtle that talks and his name is Kumu!!! I love Kumu! He is to funny!

Bailey and her family move to the coast. She is not happy about being uprooted from her friends and school. While getting register for her school year classes, she meets Jack an incredibly hot beach hunk. He decides to teach her to surf since she is new in the area. Out of nowhere her real father shows up and revels a startling revelation that will force her to face her destiny at age 16. Will she be able to fulfill the curse or will she be doomed to a cursed life? Will Jack stay faithful even when he finds out what is going on with Bailey? I give this a surfers Big Wave 5 star review! Can't wait to read more by this author!

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.

I couldn't put this book down, it was brilliant. Following the journey that Bailey most go on, completely draws you into the book so that you feel like you are right there. I wasn't sure when I started this book how it was gonna turn out but I AM SO GLAD THAT I READ THIS BOOK!!!!
EXCELLENT AND A DEFINITE MUST READ!!!!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. This is a really cute story about a girl who finds out she inherited a gene from her real father that will turn her into a sea creature on her 16th birthday. I loved this story, great job!

[Halyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, pleasant and relaxing book! Loved Landry!

[Janhvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Waterdancer is the story of Bailey. She has just had many big changes in her life. Her mother has remarried and now they have to live in a new place. She has to go to a new high school and adjust to life near the ocean. With all these things happening suddenly her real father shows up revealing a secret that changes Bailey's life forever.

Bailey was a sweet character. She cared about her family and her mother's happiness and was a really likeable character. I loved her relationship with her younger brother Landry. He was the cutest. Bailey then meets Jack, a boy from her new high school. I loved the romance between Jack and Bailey. It was cute with the right amount of hesitance to make it look real.

Jack teaches Bailey how to surf in Waterdancer. I haven't read many books about surfing so I found it interesting. Also, the real reason for it being called Waterdancer is because Bailey inherits a gene from her real father which makes her a sea creature. This book was almost like a fairy tale with the whole curse thing.

I loved Bailey's sense of humor. The way she thought about things was amusing. I only wish Waterdancer could have been a longer read. The book was fast paced and there was never a dull moment. Some things were a little hard to believe but all in all it was a cute and quick read. This was a clean Young Adult book and could be suited for younger readers as well.

*Note: This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review. We thank the publisher.

[Jennifer Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author for my honest opinion and here it is. I loved this book! I finished it within 45 minutes, it was amazing!
Bailey, was just like another other teenager who's mother remarried after a absent father. Her mother remarried a rich man who had them move. Bailey didn't get along with her stepfather, well it wasn't that she didnt get a long with him she thinks he doesn't like her she doesn't know why. Then when she does go to her first day of school she meets a hot new surfer boy who you aren't sure at first if he really likes Bailey or if he is just another typical high school boy. But then it turns out that he really does like Bailey its like love at first sight well after a couple sights. Then when something starts to happen to Bailey that only her real father can explain to her. It just so happens that her real father has come back into her life right when she needs him the most. It will all comes down to if Bailey will chose her love or her life?
This book will leave you guess til the very end of what Bailey will do. But what you are thinking is not how it will come out in the end. It came out differently then the way I was thinking and it shocked me how Samantha Combs wrote the ending, but she did an amazing job once again!

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review at Witchmag's Boekenplank

Oh! A spirit guardian, palm trees on the cover, mysterious family thing and something that has to do with water… Could this book be about an Hawaiian sea-god and Bailey and her father (who come from a long line of protectors slash priests) have to worship slash protect said sea-god? When I read the blurb and saw the cover, my imagination just ran wild. This could be one very original and intriguing book! And although it was a nice read (3 hearts), I was a bit disappointed that none of my crazy thoughts came true. The great mystery was much more mundane than I thought. I’d really preferred something more original, more inventive, even when there were some nice surprises.

That said, the pacing felt a bit off. Sometimes I got the feeling that I was watching an action movie instead of reading a story. There are a lot of things happening, in a very, very short amount of time, but there was little space to feel and process everything. And there were hardly any feelings involved. Even when her mom tells Bailey about the big secret, we only get moments to read about how she felt. The next day it’s like she didn’t feel anything at all, that the secret won’t have a big impact on her life. So everything felt a little 2D for me, I couldn’t totally emerge myself in the story.

The romance was even more fast paced, so fast paced that I didn’t get to experience any romantic feelings at all. I prefer it much more when two people slowly grow to love each other and describe their feelings every step of the way. I love the little gestures, stares, touches and winks. And I couldn’t find anything of it in this book. Here it’s all about the big guns and making progress, aka the instant attraction. Which mad me doubt if they really had feelings for each other.

The main reason I’m still liking this book, even after my initial disappointment, is Bailey. Bailey is an awesome girl who is able to make the most wonderful remarks, which made me laugh every time. Here’s an example:

Okay, take a breath. Try not to scream in his face and make him drive off the road because of the crazy person. Okay, that’s better. Now smile pretty, not like a lifer who just got a day pass from a glitch in the computer system.

And this goes on and on in the book. You’ll understand that I giggled and laughed a lot, don’t you? It’s even better when she’s with her “guardian”. Especially when said guardian tries to “help”. Furthermore, she’s one of the few heroines I’ve read about who managed to keep their head cool when it counts and only become hysterical afterwards ^^ That, in combination with her vivid imagination and remarks, made a very likable person to read about.

Conclusion: 3 hearts. It’s a nice book to read, although I expected a bit more after reading the cover and blurb. Where are my Hawaiian gods and priests? The pacing was a bit fast for my liking and was damaging for the romance. I missed my little gestures, stares and touches. However I still liked this book because of Bailey. She’s got the best imagination and remarks and keeps her head cool when it counts. She made me giggle and laugh throughout the book with her antics. I couldn’t do anything else than keep reading to find out what she’d do next ^^

[Nanette Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg.. i,m loln'g right now. im loving this book.
Waterdancer by Samantha Combs Reviews by Nanette Bradford

This was a fun and cute read. I was laughing so hard at this little turtle named Kumu. He was a tiny little turtle that Bailey had to carry around with her everywhere. Strangely enough Kumu and Bailey could speak to each other telepathically. He was her special guardian. Bailey wasn't a normal teenage girl as she will soon find out. Kumu's attitude in this book was funny as heck and I found myself laughing out loud a lot at the comments he made. You will love this little turtle just like I did. i also enjoyed the whole dynamic of this book. It was unlike any book I've read so far. Totally had me wanting more and more. The characters all fit so well together and I loved that.

Bailey, A young girl who has lived alone with her mom, struggling to make ends meet, but are totally happy and even closer for it, has her world brought upside down when her mom meets and marries a man with money. Warren moves Bailey and her family away from the only home she's ever known. They move to a house by the beach. It's actually great but Bailey isn't really close to her step dad Warren and her mom seems to pay most of her attention to him now.

Bailey has to start over. New friends, new school, and new boyfriend? She literally runs in to this cute surfer dude, Jack West, while going into the school to register for her new classes. Jack and Bailey instantly hit it off and their young romance starts here. Love? Maybe. Friendship? Definitely. Surfing? Totally!

This was a really great read and if you are looking for something fun this is your book.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author to give an honest review.


Waterdancer felt like a fairytale story. It flowed together nicely, but I still had some questions through out. It was a tad bit too short, but maybe there is another book in the works? I can only hope on that part.

Bailey an average teen moves to a new place with her mom, step-dad and her little brother. She ends up meeting a guy named Jack and they hit it off. Before Bailey's sixteen birthday she gets hit with some news that she never saw coming. Her father who left her and mom a long time ago comes back into the picture.

I had questions as to how this "curse" came to be. Or at least more explanation to it.


The love that Bailey had for her little brother was so sweet! It is how we all wish are children could be with each other.

I would so recommend this book for all YA readers. It is a really clean book that will have you in giggles with some parts. By clean I mean no cussing, no sexual intentions written within the book.


One of my favorite parts was : I paddled furiously, but for some reason my legs wouldn't listen to the command to paddle. Were they still there? Awesome. If they were bitten off, then I was spilling blood all over the ocean, and now I would be nothing more than shark chow with GPS attached.


If you want a quick read, something that will have you going awwwww towards the end. Then pick up your copy of this book.

[Stina Rubio · Rating 5 out of 5]

its coming today!