The Call of the Deep

The Matchless Deep #1

by Tracy Lane

At the ripe age of 21, happily single Mericle Edwards discovers that her body - her human body - is only a temporary fix. Born in the deep as a princess with fins and gills, she was hidden among the humans, so her father - a corrupt sea king - could not use her to his advantage, or worse, destroy her in order to keep his position as ruler of a kingdom in the North Atlantic.

A mysterious visit from a crystal-eyed stranger, along with the onset of startling abilities brings Meri to a realization that her life is in for a drastic change. Expectations are high and duties aren't taken lightly in the Deep. Thankfully, Meri's true form knows exactly what's expected of it.

With the guidance of her mentor and his unmatched 'charm', and a few others along the way, Meri will have to make some tough decisions. Will she fulfill her dream of becoming a small town veterinarian or give it all up to save a world and a lifestyle she remembers nothing about? Is there someone she's destined to be with after all? Will her deadly fear of water be a problem?

Genres: Mermaids, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Love

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2013

About the author

I'm a married, stay-at-home mother of 3, piano teacher, part-time Old Navy sales associate and author of my first novel "The Call of the Deep". I've had a love for mermaids since I first saw "Splash" as a kid. I enjoy reading, writing, singing, and decorating cakes on occasion. I grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada and now live in Calgary with my husband and three kids. Three things I hate: Winter, soggy french fries, infinite laundry. Three things I love: Good music, springtime, banana peppers.

Update! I've created a Facebook page and also a Pinterest Board for all things related to "The Call of the Deep"!! Check 'em out!

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Reviews

[Lettee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do NOT give 5 stars out lightly. As a matter of fact, I rarely do period. I had this in my "Interesting Books" file for awhile. I finally gave up and decided to read it while waiting on a couple of books to come out. I am SOOOO glad I did. This book is surprisingly amazing!! Before I go into "why" I think so, let it be known to those who don't know my reviews, I don't and won't give out a lot of details from the book. Reason why? I don't think you would want to read a LONG WINDED review and then not have a need to read the actual book. (I DON'T! As a matter of fact, it irritates me! Not to mention, it just ruins it for you. A couple times I read a few positive long winded reviews. I ended up actually looking for those "reviewed" parts in the book while reading it. It ruined it for me!) Okay, sorry about that. On to my review:

Tracy Lane had done a fabulous job jumping you right into an attention grabbing beginning. Then she not only keeps you there, she spins an incredible story going throughout the whole book! You will read about a young girl who, obviously, finds out she is a Mermaid Princess that is destined to do an incredible feat. While you are going along reading about her journey you learn to love and be intrigued by the other characters in the story as well. You will fall in love with her best friend, her "teacher", her love interest and so much more. There's laugh out loud humor, suspense, close calls, excited experiences, adventure, angered filled action and so much more. This book really has so much going on, you won't realize it was a long read. The attention grabbing beginning, the full on attention keeping plot, body and ending is just totally satisfying and will have you crying for more when you are done. And oh, there will be a sequel. And I.can.not.wait!!

So, as you probably already guessed, I definitely, highly, recommend this read. If you love Mermaid stories or are just looking for a good read, this is a HUGE winner to get.

[♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read this review and more on my blog:

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was the first time I've ever read a book about mermaids, but it certainly won't be my last! While deciding whether or not I was going to read this book, I checked  out the authors Goodreads page, and I noticed that she cited Splash as one of her inspirations for writing it. That's what clinched the deal for me! Splash is one of my all time favorite movies. Do yourself a favor and look it up, but wait until you finish my review first. Please!
 

I went into this story not knowing what to  expect. Splash and The Little Mermaid is about as far as my knowledge of Mermaid folklore goes. After reading this, I feel like I'm ready for my fins! The author creates a very interest and creature with her mermaids. They have unique powers and a deep emotional connection to all water not just the ocean.

Because a lot of time was spent on explaining things I could tell that this story was mostly a set up for second in the series. It was a little slow in parts, and I wanted to spend more time experiencing things as they happened and less time being told what had already taken place. I think that the storytelling will really pick up in the next book, and hopefully I'll get to spend more time in the ocean!
 

The thing that I liked about all of the story building though was how well I got to know the main character Meri. When the story begins, she has her whole life planned out and has everything together. She's in her third year of college and on her way to becoming a veterinarian; but when she turns twenty-two, things in her life start to change drastically, and she has no clue what to do or who to turn to for help. Just when her confusion reaches its peak Mat, who has all of the answers, magically enters her life. He tells her that she is the mermaid princess of an underwater kingdom, and that she is needed to overthrow the evil king, her biological father, and reclaim her place as the rightful heir of the throne.
 

Not only has Mat been charged with protecting Meri since she was a baby, but it is also his job to  guide her during her transformation from the average young woman that she always assumed she was into the strong leader that she is destined to become. Their relationship starts off as pure friendship and that's also where it ends up, but if you ask me, that's where it should have remained for the entire book. They have this great chemistry that develops for a while. Even though their relationship will never be anything more than a very strong friendship, that chemistry haunted me the entire time I was reading. I wasted too much time rooting for them. Do not make the same mistake that I did! Meri does have a proper love interest, and I'm sure I would have fallen for Jeff as the leading man if I had been able to spend more time with him. His relationship with Meri begins after he saves her life, and there is an instant attraction but they hardly spend any time together after that. I needed them to share the page more. I know some things about him, but I have no clue why they're in love other than the fact that it's meant to be.

 The author did a much better job of developing the relationship between Meri and Mat than she did the Meri and Jeff pairing. I kept finding myself wishing that Mat was "the guy" because he was the one I knew better and therefore liked more. I hope that I'll get to know Jeff  better in the next book because he's all I have! I must learn to let go of my desire to see Mat and Meri together! I MUST!!!
 

I do like the fact that right now Meri and Jeff are a sure thing. I Prefer that over playing the "who will she choose" game.

The secondary characters are just too much fun! The most notable is Kelsey, Meri's roommate and best friend. She is so bubbly and full of life! I loved her! She was 100% there for her friend!

The book really shined when it was focusing on the development of the mermaids. I was fascinated with how everything worked. The author didn't skimp on the details. She addressed all of the questions that you would have about what it's like to be a mermaid. I can tell that there was a lot of time spent antagonizing over the details. Everything from how they communicate underwater to what made up their diet was explained, and it was done as the story progressed not all at one time. I'm really looking forward to experiencing what it's like to live in the ocean through Meri's eyes in the next book!

I really want to be a part of their world!
 

 Now you didn't think that I was going to let you go without giving you at least one Little Mermaid gif did you? ;)

This book was very clean,  and there is no profanity or sexually explicit material. I would recommend it for ages 13 and up.

[S.K. Munt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Call Of The Deep is only the 4th mermaid book I've ever read and it is nothing like any of the others and nothing like I expected. I'm struggling to review this one, I don't know if it's because I've had no sleep or the plot of this story has just wiped my brain of any comparatives.

Going for honesty-this is an incredibly compelling albeit slightly odd story. And I am constantly on the look out for books to read which break the mould and The Call Of The Deep Does that.

I'll start with the setting. I'm an Australian so I only really know the lay-out of the most prominent parts of the U.S but from what I can gather, this is a mermaid story told from landlocked parts of the continent so that in itself is out there. For me, it's a bit of a stretch of the imagination-I was squinting to envision a mermaid frolicking about in a reservoir but I know that the majority of cosplay mermaids out there right now do in fact, live in the 'middle' of the U.S and have to swim in lakes, dams, chlorinated pools etc etc so I know Tracey Lane's tale is going to resonate beautifully with these ocean-starved folk. For me, it was difficult to relate to because I'm lucky enough to live within ten minutes of ten beautiful beaches so as far as my obsession is concerned, mermaids are synonymous with the ocean and that is where my fascination comes from BUT I think it's wonderful that the story-telling breathes new life and new locations into a very localised and cliche genre the way Twilight rouses vampires from their coffins and into the daylight. And there are parts of it set in the ocean as well so rest assured, you'll get the best of both worlds and my interest is definitely peaked when it comes to some of the towns she features such as Santa Fe.

Okay onto the characters-five stars there. Tracey Lane has assembled a beautiful cast for this story. There is not one character within this book who you're likely to have encountered on the page before. Everything from their looks to their biology and mannerisms is unique. I very much liked the heroine Meri and was head over heals for her champion, Mat. The best friend Kelsey was a winner as well but her loyalty and sweetness and understanding seemed to know no bounds but she wasn't a 'Little Women Beth' either which was a relief.







************Spoiler Alert***************




But the characters are also where I stumbled a bit with this story. Ever been reading a book and pause to think: 'Hmmm...maybe I'm not a very good person?' Because I felt this way often with TCOTD. The characters are a bunch of 'new adults' who have their heads completely screwed on and their wits about them. I've heard of people like this-my mum knows a few who went off to university and got into sweet, long term relationships with sweet young gentlemen. They go out and don't drink, they never linger on the wrong side of the law and never argue with their friends.... but those people look at me funny and I'm kind of okay with that. So it was hard to identify, both as a bit of a sassy-pants and a writer who likes to get her characters into as much trouble as humanly possible with some of the things the characters did within this story. Or rather, what they did NOT do. If I was Mericle, I'm sorry to say, Mat's eyes would have been jet black by the time I was through with him and his little sparrow would have been locked in the toilet cubicle at the movies so I could make out with him. I am ashamed to say how many times I wished death upon a character or two to make the 'Ocean Spirit' rethink some things.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate where the writer is coming from here but maybe she doesn't know her own strengths. The sexual tension within this novel is butterfly inducing but it always fizzes out or is handled so sweetly that I thought it was a bit unrealistic. Halfway through the story I was screaming: 'Charge Meri!' and then...someone else charged. From that point on I started flicking the kindle pages like a madwoman waiting for the moment when sparrow got eaten by a hawk but as another reviewer pointed out, this is what you'd call an 'abortive' romance by the look of things, regardless of how desperately I wish for a different outcome, this is actually going to be a sweet, fuss-free love story with an emphasis on character development. It has a lot of potential but more focus needs to be bestowed upon Jeff to really sell me on this because right now, I'm having a bit of a sad.

However that is me-I have the sweet romance in my life so I'm the kind of reader who's always hooting and hollering for a sexy, scandalous romance I can live vicariously through. So though this book hints towards a love triangle, people who do not love them shouldn't fear sinking their teeth into it because the heroine has a very chaste, pure heart and the love story instead of forking off while our heroine beats through the forest in the middle, splits into two completely separate ones.

I was frustrated at times, but it's a credit to the writer for being able to put some good old fashioned ethics out there. And the only reason I am so frustrated is because Miss Lane had created a to-die-for hero within Mat. Oh my goodness Mat, Mat Mat...he needs a bit of roughing up but what a beautiful man. Though, from the sound of things, he wouldn't like me very much, lol. I'd be testing his eye colour at every turn.

There is definitely romance in this story but it is by no means the central plot. The story centres around Meri getting her tail, and learning how to use that tail, how to breath etc. It paints mermaids in a very new way and though I've said it can be a bit odd it's also very refreshing and believable. Some things were detailed in great description but others were omitted, possibly for future focus. People who long to be mermaids themselves are going to love this as it's almost a 'how-to' guide. I also love love love some of the mermaid 'traits,' such as eye colours that change depending on the purity of the person, the role of hair as a mer stimuli and the watermarks. I wouldn't say there's a lot of world building within the novel but rather 'creature-building' and as I'm a sucker for details, this doesn't disappoint.

There were a few plot flaws but once again-this is just my humble and rather shallow opinion-I don't really get a twist towards the end when Jeff is inserted into the story into a new body. For me it didn't have much relevance and I guess that's because he was changed back so easily-I would have liked to see that climax pulled over into book two. And that is what is lacking in this story-conflict. Though there are bad guys in the offing, the biggest challenge Meri has to overcome is herself and her tail and I got a bit exhausted from all the learn to swim stuff. And thanks to the Ocean Spirit, you know by the end of the book that she's going to win so in that sense, so although I really want to read more and wish I had the second instalment in my hands right now, I'm not actually worked up over it. The solution to every problem they have always seems to be right there at their fingertips so I pray for a bit more evil and action in book two.

The Call Of The Deep is a very impressive debut for an Indie writer. I didn't notice any grammatical errors at all, and I think Tracey Lane writes beautifully. It's original and compelling and once you immerse yourself within it, you probably won't want to put it down. What strikes me the most about this book is how easily I can see it capturing anyone's imaginations-like Merminia I can see this being devoured by YA, New Adult and adults alike, though I'll shelve it under NA because so much of it is about a girl caught somewhere between youth and maturity, trying to get her bearings in life and on her heart. Where Merminia is the very portrayal of the ultimate underwater mermaid fantasy The Call Of The Deep is the very opposite-from an angle that I don't think anyone has come at before and makes it a rule-breaker within the genre and it's exciting in that sense.

I have pointed out a few issues which made the story incompatible with me and yet I was up until 2am reading it last night and have been carrying my ipad around with me everywhere to read at every chance I got and that's just fantastic because I have no time right now but something about The Call Of The Deep demands that you make it a priority. Nothing about it is cliche or typical. The characters do the exact opposite of what you'd expect every single time and it keeps you thinking about it even when you're not reading. Recommend to everyone who loves their romance with a side of sweetness and expectation and who like to be put on the back foot by books!

[Howard Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princesses, mermaids growing up unawares on land, life or death battles for the sanctity of the seas, charming men who show up out of nowhere to inform you of your destiny; all these are common plot devices found in many of the new wave in fantasy stories known as Mer-fiction. Considering the massive upwelling of these stories over the past few years, it almost seems that some authors are choosing one from column A and two from column B. As common as these elements may be, it takes a real artist to take these bog-standard devices and turn them into a fun and entertaining story and that is exactly what Canadian author Tracy Lane has done in her first novel, The Call of the Deep .

Enter Mericle Edwards, a twenty-something student of veterinary medicine living with her pre-med roommate in a one bedroom apartment in Fort Collins, Colorado. Mericle was found floating in the sea by her adoptive parents in an odd sort of water-filled bassinette.  In case you are wondering, she was her adoptive parents’ miracle baby and they substituted Mer for Mir due to the fact she was found at sea.

One may also wonder what brought Mericle to Fort Collins, Colorado and it is definitely not the labs for the National Institute of Standards. No, Mericle is there because although she grew up in Miami, she has an acute case of Thalassophobia and Colorado State University is far enough away from the sea to suit her. Mericle shares a cab one morning with a quite handsome young man named Matt who informs her that they’ve met twice before and that everything in her life is about to change.

One year later, nothing has changed and Mericle has almost forgotten about Matt. Her roommate, Kelsey, coerced Mericle in to going on a blind date that includes a cruise on the local reservoir. Mericle is knocked overboard and her blind date, Jeff, saves her. This is the start of an intense mutual attraction that scares the bejeebers out of Mericle and she pushes him away. Jeff isn’t too happy about this development but he nobly gives her some space.

This just the start of things. Gaining the ability to read minds, learning to control water, deciding that she’s ready to begin exploring a relationship with Jeff – who promptly disappears from the face of the earth – are amongst the long foretold changes to Mericle’s life.

We stood, nose to nose, gasping short breaths for what felt like an eternity, but only a few seconds.   Jeff wrapped his arms tight around me and I found myself lost in his deep green eyes and intoxicating smile.

The atmosphere changed.   I knew we were alone but if felt like someone or something was there with us.   A ghost or a presence of some sort, or maybe an electric current?   I wasn’t sure, but it had to be more than hormones.   But as tempting as it was, I couldn't take my eyes off Jeff – even for a second – to see if the room had been infested with spirits or engulfed in flames.

There is, of course, a certain amount of chemistry between Matt and Mericle. Matt has devoted his life since the age of eleven to her welfare and it stands to reason that he would care for her deeply. For her part, Mericle is hard pressed to ignore the fact that she finds herself attracted to Matt. Things, become even more confused for her when Jeff enters the picture and subsequently disappears. For those readers who are weary of triangles, this is more an abortive romance rather than the old game of “which one do I choose?”

The dramatic tension in The Call of the Deep comes from the very reason why Mericle is where she is in the first place. Mericle’s parents were once the rulers of an undersea kingdom and her father supposedly went his separate way before her birth. In reality, he had taken up with a sub-aquatic sorceress and returned with an army of mutant creatures bent on taking over not only his old kingdom but as many other kingdoms as he can get his hands on. At the tender age of eleven, Matt was charged with carrying Mericle to safety and keeping watch over her until she can return to save life in the sea as we know it.

Matt has been a stand-out protector and guide for Mericle but he’s just not telling her some things she ought to know before she actually needs to know them. For example, her relationship with Jeff would have been off to a much easier start and she wouldn’t have wasted so much time obsessing over Matt if he had simply informed Mericle about just how the mating game works in the deep. This brings up an interesting point in Ms Lane’s telling of her story. In Meri’s post-rescue encounter with Jeff, she is frightened . . . nay, terrified of what appears to be happening and the overwhelming attraction that she suddenly feels for him. Conversely, however, Mericle’s reaction to Matt telling her that she is a mermaid and a princess is almost blasé’ by comparison.

Tracy Lane has developed an interesting cast of characters. There is, of course, Mericle whose character does start out a bit mild in the beginning but picks up steam as the story unfolds. Matt is the ultimate Boy Scout; cheerful, brave and ready to do whatever is necessary for Mericle to realise her true potential. This includes acting as body guard, grand vizier, and court magician all rolled into one.

Jeff, Mericle’s hunk-ah-hunk of burning love,  is a bit of an enigma in that he only has a relatively few scenes with her and, besides the obvious fact that he’s head-over-heels crazy about her, is hard to get a read on. After all, he does appear to vanish from the face of the earth about a quarter of the way through the story. Fortunately, Tracy Lane has provided an intermezzo whereby the point of view switches to Jeff for four chapters so the reader is able to learn the reason for his sudden disappearance and what his role will be for the remainder of the story.

The uneasy sense of mutual attraction between Matt and Mericle is resolved by the appearance of two escaped mermaids from a Southern Atlantic kingdom:  Jayna and her sister Sparrow. It seems that Sparrow is more a perfect fit for Matt and they do have a bit of history together.

Of all the central characters – aside from Mericle, herself – the one that stands out the most is the human; Mericle’s roommate, Kelsey. She is a stand-up kind of girl, protective, loyal to a fault and willing to do anything for her best friend. Once Mericle and company are on their way to kick some tail, it is Kelsey’s task to return to Fort Collins, CO. This reviewer has become rather attached to Kelsey and hopes that Ms Lane will see fit to employ her again.

Ms Lane has created a fun and exciting story in The Call of the Deep and this reviewer is eager to see what comes next in books two and three of the series.  Her novel appears to be aimed at the upper end of the YA market and the lower end of the NA (New Adult) market. It is the firm opinion of this reviewer that anyone above the age of fifteen  with an abiding interest in mermaids and mermen will thoroughly enjoy the story.

Love, fear, change, discovery; The Call of the Deep is about a lot of things but most of all, it is about finding oneself. It is about learning who you really are and where you really came from.

Now I understood.   I was remembering a former life.   I had forgotten how beautiful it was – the diverse array of plant and animal life swaying back and forth with the current along the reef.   The shifting sand of the endless ocean floor and the way the school of bluefish sped along side us one moment, as if to say hello, then off in another direction the next.

The gentle hum of the underwater world was both energizing and calming all at once.

I was home.

Americans are always surprised by the myriad things that come to us from Canada. Excellent Mer-fiction can now be added to that list. Tracy Lane’s sequel, Return to the Deep is expected to release in the spring of 2014.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always looking for New Adult books that are different from the regular contemporaries. You know, the ones that are largely focused on whether or not the guy and girl will get together, and usually makes me angry at least once because the guy makes me jealous and the girl acts clueless, and just AH. I love New Adult, but I like things that are different. So when I got the chance to read The Call of the Deep, I was incredibly excited! New Adult, mermaids, romance...it sounded fabulous. And goodness gracious, let me tell you, IT WAS. It was so fabulous! I seriously loved this book. LOVED.

The main character is Meri, and at first she seemed kind of odd to me. Not sure why. Maybe it was the way she thought or something. But as I spent more time in her head, I ended up really liking Meri. Like, a lot. She's the kind of main character that does all the things we'd want her to. A guy tried to get into deep feelings within a day or two of meeting him? Break it off, because that is not healthy. Sure, Meri didn't exactly understand what was going on completely at the time, but she was logical about it, and I liked that. Later, with Mat, she jumped into believing him, but she was logical there, too. She had REASONS for believing him.

The romance is more complicated than I thought it'd be in the beginning. There is something of a love triangle, but it is one of the good ones. I was legitimately conflicted as to which guy I liked more, and ended up totally fine with the way things straightened out. If you are hesitant to read the book because of this love triangle, don't be. It doesn't last too long. And as I said, for the period of the book in which there is a love triangle (sort of), it is a very good one. But aside from that shape, the romance was just so sweet. It fulfilled my need for sweet romantic things, and made me feel so happy.

I loved both of the guys. There's Mat and there's Jeff. Mat is Meri's guardian, and he's the one who is supposed to help her grow back into being a mermaid. He's such a kind, understanding person, and he won me over super quick. I heart that guy big time. Jeff is another guy Meri meets, and I thought he'd be a jerk at first. I mean, their first outing was a blind date. But Jeff proved himself with the quickness, and soon I was loving all over both him AND Mat. I honestly do not have a team here. I'm on one team for Meri, and I'm on the other team for...well, myself. Ha! But I do love them both. They're both great guys, which is great. Usually there's one fantastic guy and then the other one's a douche. Not the case here.

I feel like this needs repeating--the love triangle is not a huge deal. For the point in time when it plays a part, it is an effective triangle.

Tracy Lane's writing was pretty darn great, too. The world building made me interested in the Deep, and I enjoyed learning more. The romance gave me happy feelings. The characters made me grow to love them, and I became so invested in their story. The plot came with surprises. Oh, yes. SURPRISES. I thought I'd guessed how the story would go down, and then I found out that I was very wrong. Which succeeded in pulling me into the book even more, since I needed to find out how everything DID happen, of course.

Overall, The Call of the Deep was amazing! I got sucked into the world of these characters that I grew to adore so much, and I was riveted by the plot that took me for such a ride. I absolutely loved this book, and it is definitely one I recommend. Especially to people looking for more unique New Adult stories. And I know I will definitely keep an eye out for anything more from Tracy Lane, because I am definitely in need of some more of this brand of awesome in my life.


This review was originally posted on Bookish, and you can find more from me there!

You can also find more from me on my blog: Stuck in Books

[Mace Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and entertaining, keeps you engaged and wanting more right to the end. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! An original storyline in what is becoming a very popular genre. Interesting supporting characters and some spunky Mermen make this a must read!

[Demelza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is more thorough/longer than my usual, as the author was kind enough to lend me a copy and I want to do it justice. There may be some mild spoilers, but I’ve left out names in the important bits so I think it’s mostly spoiler free.

Will you like this book? Try it if you’re looking for something character driven, with laughs, hot guys, and a solid set-up to a second book. It’s world-building lite, so is very easy to understand without having to remember a gazillion “new” concepts.

And now to the part that contains light spoilers…

I’m not going to lie; the resolution of the love triangle in this book totally upset me. I’m still rating it at 3 stars though because obviously I liked the characters enough that it upset me! Go figure. I was rooting for them all and it just broke my heart to see Guy A end up with someone other than Meri, and vice versa. It’s not that Guy B was bad or anything, but to me Meri had a bond with Guy A, and only Insta-love with Guy B. Although the epilogue made Guy B grow on me a bit, so I’m curious to see what happens in the next installment (Spring 2014 I think?)

My favorite scenes in the entire book are when Meri and Guy A go on vacation in Arizona, where he teaches her more about her mermaid self. The part where she imagines cuddling up next to his sleeping form on the couch – so adorable! After Guy A ended up with the other woman, I made a very unattractive scrunched face every time he and this woman did any kissy face, sigh. I kept hoping the Ocean Spirit (that matches soulmates), got it wrong. ALAS! I’m starting to get over it now though. I’m waiting for the showdown with the evil sea king!

One of the random things I liked about this story was also how much Meri trusts her best friend, Kelsey. There are reasons that Meri needs to be suspicious, but she doesn’t use that as an excuse to shut people out, and that is brave.

Since this book was self-published, the author had a lot of leeway, and one thing she did was switch around with POV (I know, it’s nerdy of me to notice). The last time I saw this was also in a self-published book. So here, the prologue is 2nd person, then the chapters start in 1st person (Meri), and in the middle we get 1st person (Guy B), and then back to Meri. Usually publishing houses won’t let you get away with this, so it’s always fun to read something a bit different that lets you see a different side of the story, which this did.

I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that this book was a bit long for the number of things that happen. At the same time, I can’t imagine what could be cut since all the scenes were relevant.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I used to hate mermaids and sappy love stories where everything turns out peachy keen. This book is an exception. I'm not saying that it's a sappy love story (though there is some making out), it's got a bit of adventure too. Plus no one really dies, which is always really annoying for me. I cannot wait until the sequel!!!

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, heartfelt review. I must thank the author for this phenomenal opportunity and, similarly, for the great book she has put to [digital] paper! (And apologize that I am a day late in posting this review! SORRY! ;D )

I won't get into summarizing the book like other reviewers, so I will get straight to the point.....

This book was WONDERFUL!

OK. [*laughs*] With that said:

When I started the prologue, I had my doubts. It began much more like a movie script, essentially panning the scene and directing a mental camera while speaking in third-person POV. It wasn't bad, just too much "tell" and not enough "show."

However, once I got past the brief prologue, I saw how the writer's voice thrives in the first-person POV, and I was thoroughly committed to this book!

The story was very well formed - a web of ideas pointing me in directions that had me guessing at parts as to the true nature of different characters, therein adding depth that I sometimes didn't expect. The characters were developed and all grew and/or changed in some way, which was completely refreshing and simultaneously added a form of complexity to further the plot of the book.

Mericle, the main character, is an older protagonist, not the typical teen "Ohmigosh, I'm a mermaid" type of freak-out that I've seen time and time again. She directs her own life, has serious career ambitions, and has a few big-time decisions to make. She is independent, nearing her Bachelor's degree, and, for the most part, financially self-sufficient. I can't say that I have seen this in a (sadly) very, VERY long time! This made me WANT to respect her and the situation she was unwittingly forced into even more. Since I am an adult in my 30s, it also made for an even more compelling (and daily-life-plausible) read.

Although the main character is older, the book can still be enjoyed by older or younger adults, alike! The themes all have a serious ring to them: be wary of strangers, stay safe, the dangers of drugs/alcohol, true friendship, trust, monogamy, political unrest/upheaval, and the struggle to do the right thing despite your personal fears/consequences BECAUSE it's the "right thing." These were not blatant or overly-insinuated in the book. Hints towards either topic were efficient and well-told to assist in the direction of the plot, just as they also were telling for each character's involvement in the author's story.

Certainly, as a first-time self-published author, Ms. Lane left a few, very minor, grammatical errors - but I could count them on ONE HAND. I was phenomenally surprised, not to mention pleased, at that fact! Not included in that list is the fact that a certain character's detailed backstory was told, perhaps, once too many times - but that is merely my own, personal opinion.

Overall, I gave [hard-working-new-author] Tracy Lane's book 5 stars!

It is original, thoughtful, and completely and UTTERLY entertaining! Oh yeah, and it's got some pretty enthralling, drool-worthy guys in it. *Maybe* some sweet romance. [*winks*] How can a gal complain?

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a Glance/The Cover:
I won this book in a giveaway, so thank you to Ms. Lane for sending it to me. I have to say, I wasn't very fond of mermaids. Or angels. Or werewolves. But this story was fun to read. And I wasn't annoyed of Mericle. There was an interesting plot. :)

The Characters/My Opinion:
Mericle Edwards - She thought she was a normal human being with amazing legs. That was, well, until she met Mat. Now, she learns of her amazing abilities to do telekinesis and breathe underwater. It's ironic that she is so afraid of drowning. :) Mericle was a fun narrator. She is super confused about the things going around her sometimes, but her talks are enjoyable and she does have a little bit of humor. Like a normal person, we see Mericle break down and gain confidence again and again.

Mat - Hmmm. I think Mat was a huge part of this story. Truly, if he wasn't 9 years or was it 11 years? older than Mericle, I would have shipped them so so hard. It would be #Maticle....okay. Maybe that isn't so cute, but really. Their relationship. And he caring about her so much. He's like a guardian angel. And I'm glad to see that Mericle did have the guts to experience and try the romance part of the relationship.

Kelsey - Kelsey is Mericle's best friend/roommate. She is super bubbly and awesome to have around. People like her brighten our days a lot! She kept Mericle up and about and less gloomy. She is so supportive of everything. And all her set ups and hard work did pay off. :)

Jeff - Of course, then we have Jeff. So fulfill the third angle of the love-triangle. At first, I didn't have a huge impression of him. I just waved him off like 'nahhh' I probably preferred Mat more for Mericle. But later on, after more physical features and personality was portrayed, he didn't seem so bad. Honestly, I thought it could have been better. Jeff and Mericle's romance could have been more in depth than just something that is causing the chemistry.

Overall Thoughts:
This was definitely a fun mermaid read. I loved the little details and descriptions of Mericle learning how to use her tail and how she transported to places. :)

This actually isn't even to the main part of the conflict yet. The evil dad. The Call of the Deep is sort of like an introduction to the story and Mericle's first glance at her official future. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel~

The Rating: (1-10): 8~

[Bookish Satty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.

Firstly I would like to thank Tracy Lane, author of The Call of the Deep, for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.

It's definitely one of the best books of 2013 that I read. The whole concept of a mermaid princess living in human disguise on land is great and refreshing. The story is totally believable and I envied Mericle for the awesome gift she has.

Matt is seriously swoon worthy, right girls? He is handsome and hot and on top of that he is a teacher which just adds ti his awesomeness because it gives a forbidden kind of feeling when you have a love interest for your teacher. Well same is the case with Mericle but we have another to-die-for sexy and hot boy out here who completes the love triangle, guess who? Obviously it's Jeff, he made the choice really hard for Mericle and for me as well.

I loved the plot and the efficient way in which the author fit the characters perfectly within the plot. The characters are developed and the way they flourished through out the story was really a great experience to witness.

The unexpected twists and turns really spiced up the read for me and my favourite action-packed scenes will grip everyone's interest as well. The adventure and mystery that the author introduced here is really remarkable and it kept me on the edge of my seat for the full read. The suspense is eerie and it will make your stomach churn in anticipation and in horror as well.

The humorous touch that the author gave to this story really made it a standalone among the other books in this genre. The writing style of the author is really awesome and the use of simple yet enriched words really made the story a fabulous read.

All in all a great read which will give you taste of adventure, well kept secrets, their revelations, cute love triangle, power-packed action, humor,shocking twists as well. So go for it folks and enjoy the ride!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an email by Tracy Lane with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Summary:

At the ripe age of 21, happily single Mericle Edwards discovers that her body – her human body – is only a temporary fix. Born in the Deep as a princess with fins and gills, she was hidden amongst the humans, so her father – a corrupt sea king – could not use her to his advantage, or worse, destroy her in order to keep his position as ruler of a kingdom in the North Atlantic.

A mysterious visit from a crystal-eyed stranger, along with the onset of startling abilities brings Meri to a realization that her life is in for a drastic change. Expectations are high and duties aren’t taken lightly in the Deep. Thankfully, Meri’s true form knows exactly what’s expected of it.

With the guidance of her mentor and his unmatched ‘charm’, and a few others along the way, Meri will have to make some tough decisions. Will she fulfill her dream of becoming a small town veterinarian or give it all up to save a world and a lifestyle she remembers nothing about? Is there someone she’s destined to be with after all?

Will her deadly fear of water be a problem?



What Do I think?:

Even though I was looking for some action along the lines of this book, I thought it was really good. I felt like I was Meri. I felt her emotions within the book. Every other chapter, I had a question and at the end of the book all of my questions were answered. The romance in this book was really on point. Except about Meri and Mat (I thought something was going on there) The book has a lot of good details. Some books don't tell you how the character looks but, this book did and i'm glad because usually when I picture a character without detail they come out all wrong. I tweeted the author about if she was making another book since this book left at a cliffhanger and she said yes and there will be more action! Excited!

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[Marium · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Wow. I don't know if it will sound strange but this book made me feel really good. I mean, after finishing it I was in a very good mood. I kept forgetting it finished. I'd get the urge to read this book and then the reality would hit me. I was really hoping to see more of the underwater world but I guess, we'll just have to wait for the sequel.

My first mermaid novel... And, I have to say I am impressed. I loved everything. Except maybe Jeff. I don't like him and I don't like the matchmaking of Ocean Spirit, too. Sorry, I'm not really a romance person. Plus, I need convincing about Jeff. I loved Mat, though. But, who wouldn't? I mean, the guy had an awesome prologue and was basically perfect. And, I liked Meri. And Kelsey, and Jayna and Sparrow but seriously... the couples!

The story line was obviously good. It was a compelling read. At times I did feel it was long, but all the scenes flowed well and I seriously can't imagine what could have been edited. It just all seemed, as an another reviewer mentioned, relevant. But, the switching POV of Jeff was... well, it should have been mentioned who was talking. It was confusing and I had to read again after finally figuring out who it was. In addition to that, I have to say I loved all mermaid stuff. It was so intriguing. Although, I did want to read a bit more about The Deep.

Well, even though I might have been partial to first person narration, and excited about my first mermaid novel, I would still recommend it to everybody because you simply gotta read it. It's funny and interesting with a good story line and well-written characters.

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meri meets a strange man who tells her to call him if anything strange starts happening to her. First, the recurrent dreams, then the buzzing in her ears. Cute story about a girl who finds out that she is a mermaid and her path back to the ocean.

Likes:
* Meri has Mat to guide her
* Kelsey, Meri's best friend and pre-med roommate
* Irresistible Jeff
* Bright-eyed devoted Mat
* Mermaids are matched for life by the Ocean Spirit

* Limiting their romance to kissing
* Getting their tails after 10 minutes
* Santa Fe weekend house
* Meri being devoted to her studies and school
* Jayna and her sister Sparrow
* Meri's ability to fight back to protect herself


Dislikes:
* Losing her queen mother
* Boy crazy ogling and such

* Didn't like her name Mericle, strange not exotic
* Mind reading and mind blocking were inconsistent
* 275 pages before her tail appears
* How did guards finally find Meri?
* Meri regains her true nature, but not much happens with resistance
* Couples weren't what I expected
* Jeff POV was sudden and not evident at first


With-reservations:
nudity, drinking, violence

For review:
Received a free copy to review for R&R #57 - [David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite!]

[Karen Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meri is a freshman in college with very ordinary problems until the boy with ocean blue eyes comes along. In the prologue, we find out she is a mermaid transformed into a human by magic. I love the unique twist on mermaid life, and how they have special powers, the ability to transform each other into humans to escape the reptilian mutants. I never thought of mermaids having any enemies besides man, and was exited to hear there were some in this book.

The plot is at once mysterious, exciting and genuine. The tension builds as Meri’s life slowly becomes less and less normal, first in her dreams and then into reality. Without giving too much away, her powers build up in an interesting and realistic way. The relationship between Meri and Mat is sweet. He’s her guardian and mentor and seems to really care about her. The attraction to Jeff was intense and though not quite a love triangle it was interesting to see both guys with Meri. Jeff and Mat even come together in an exciting and creative way. Although Mat was incredibly hot, I really liked Meri and Jeff together.

It was a fantastic mix of normal girl stuff and otherworldy stuff. Whether it’s in the real world or the mermaid world or the dream world, the story is told in a well thought out and believable way. Even though I don’t really believe in mermaids, it makes me want to be a mermaid, their life seems so much more exciting than mine.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've always had a fascination with mermaids and think it would be really cool if they existed. This story is about Mericle who is a 22-year-old veterinarian student in Fort Collins, CO. She soon learns that she is a princess who was born in the North Atlantic Ocean and she needs to go back into the ocean because her father the King is cra-cra and is trying to take over all of the ocean. The bad thing is, Mericle has been out of the ocean for 20 years and doesn't remember anything about living underwater.

I found the characters enjoyable, the relationship between Meri and her best friend Kelsey is like sisters. They are very close and will do anything for each other. I liked the character Mat, who is a "pure one" and is there to protect Meri and teach her everything she needs to know about going back to the Ocean.

I thought the writing flowed really well, it pulled you into the story, made you want to know what is going on with the characters. It was entertaining. I can't wait for the sequel to find out what happens to everyone.

I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review.

[Rachel John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Call of the Deep is about a college student named Meri who finds out she's a lost mermaid princess. I loved Meri's friendship with her roommate Kelsey and the gradual way she learns about her past. I liked the telepathy aspect as well, since it wouldn't make sense for mermaids/mermen to talk underwater. There were some lulls in the middle before the the book really got rolling, but then it was a fun, exciting read. There is a love triangle of sorts for those of you into that. Thankfully it doesn't drag on for too long. I am all for love triangles as long as there isn't one mopey guy hanging around indefinitely while the girl flits between the two (my hubs informed me most men won't stand for that, and I've never looked at Twilighty love triangles the same way since.) The ending sets the reader up perfectly for a sequel. I would recommend this for age 15+ with some mild college-age drinking and party make-out scenes.

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[A. R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

To preface my review, this is just not my genre. I had a hard time suspending belief for this one. But if I could take out the mermaid factor, it was a good story, so my rating is 2.5 -3.

I had a few issues, one being how quickly Meri (the mermaid princess) although raised human bought into the news that she was really mermaid royalty.

There was a romantic interest that didn't play out like I wished it had. And there was some over description of kissing - like they kissed for 7 seconds....who counts when they kiss?

But I really liked the creative element in the author's development of the merpeople world, what powers they had, things that they could control. The author also did a nice job building suspense as Meri's mission unfolded and the dangers that that mission created.

A good effort for Tracy Lane and her first novel. There is a sequel - be warned, the book does end with a cliffhanger.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just gotta say i loved this book everything was perfect the characters the plot and the way everything unfolded in the story, but i was a little peeved about something im not a big fan about the ocean spirit matchmaking thing it completely threw me off from reading for a few days because mat wasn't gonna end up with Meri. i was rooting for them from the start thought they would have made an perfect couple instead hes matched to some stranger named Sparrow who ends up getting tied into the plot.I didn't like Jeff for Meri either to me he didn't seem like the one for her like Mat was.I keep rambling about these things cause i love reading romance in a story and i start shipping characters together. For it just didn't feel right the matchmaking and it bothered me, in the end i ended up finishing reading the book and now i am waiting for the 2nd book. Overall Great story, great book.

[Tanya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the beginning I knew i was going to love this book. Meri finds out that she is in fact a mermaid and is living as a human for a disguise. As a mermaid, Meri is a princess and must take control of her Kingdom. Throughout the book Meri has friends that you love and those you want to boot out the door :) She has a lot to learn about her self and must overcome a lot for a young girl.

The story was very well formed and the characters were developed well. I felt that the story flowed great and I am definitely looking forward to book 2

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read. Totally interesting, fun and full of romance. The pot is different and unexpected which kept my attention the whole way through! I stayed up way to late a few nights because I couldn't put it down. Tracy Lane I want more!!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it! Great characters with great relationships. Some really unique ideas. I liked the conflicting love issues that Meri had. There is so much more that I want to learn about Meri's new world. Book #2 let's go!

[Roozie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun and entertaining read! The characters were developed well and the story was exciting. It kept me wanting more. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Kailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I exchanged this book from the author for an honest review.

4 Amazing stars for this amazing book!!!

Wow, where do I begin? I really enjoyed this read. I was never frustrated but once overall, when I found out who Mericle ended up with and the Ocean Spirit, and all that... but my frustration did not keep me from enjoying this book! Even though I didn't like who she chose, I loved the book and will read the next! Anyways, lets go into "depth" (lol see what I did there?) about the book.

The book is about Mericle Edwards, early twenties, she's in college rooming with her best friend Kelsey (gosh I loved Kelsey) and she is studying to become a vet. Mericle gets life thrown at her all at once, finding out not only is she not what and who she thinks she has been her entire life, she's the princess of the North Atlantic and must accept who and what she is to overthrow her vile father, the corrupt king. With the help of her teacher, Mat *swoon* and some other great people along the way, Mericle faces every obstacle thrown her way smoothly and very maturely!

What I really liked:
I really enjoyed Mericle and Kelsey's relationship. They were mature adults but they always had those funny teenage-like moments and their dialogue and jokes were so funny and real! I could picture them walking down the mall together right now, Kelsey trying to dress Mericle in something sexy and oogling guys, while Mericle is looking at jeans and a t-shirt and ready head back to the house to study. LOL, they were opposites but that's what I felt attracted them and make them such great friends!
I also really enjoyed that Mericle did struggle a little bit with the situation she was in. She could not imagine leaving her life and family, and school behind when she was walking into a bizarre situation practically blind. It really made me warm up to her and understand that she was scared, but willing to do what she was called for. I respected her so much! Tracy Lane could not have wrote a better main character than her, she was perfect.
MAT- noun, excessively hot male with white blonde hair, and piercing crystal eyes, sweet and a gentleman.
My definition of Mat. He was amazing!! Not only was he a great teacher to Meri, he genuinely cared about her and put his total faith in her and was a great mentor and friend.

The author did a fantastic job in descriptions of places, features of characters, creatures and of what information we had regarding the deep. I really loved the story line of the Queen and the corrupt king, and where Mericle fit into all of it. The author also did a great job making her merfolk different from other books I have read. I read mermaid books all the time, and I always love reading something with new features, and tricks as I call them. Controlling the water and using it as a super power? Totally awesome. The writing style was funny and quirky, which made for an entertaining read. I was never bored while reading this book.

My reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is I just did not see the chemistry between Jeff and Mericle. It seemed a little forced and kind of unnatural. They didn't really meet but like three times now that I think about it. I just couldn't feel what I wanted to from them, which I guess I am a little biased since I wanted Mat and Mericle to end up together. I did enjoy Jeff as a character and felt his history with the king and his character was important, but other than that he didn't really seem needed, but I'm sure he plays a more prominent role in the second book! Overall wonderful read for anyone who loves mermaid books, and a little sweet romance. Great job Tracy! Can't wait to read book two.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mermaids. I love mermaid stories and everything in between. There are so many wonderful mermaid movies in the world but personally, I haven't read that many good mermaid books.
I don't know if it's just me or if it's common to think that but I decided that the The Call of the Deep would be one of the very last because I've bought, borrowed and read so many mermaid books that disappointed me that I kinda had enough.

But the Call of the deep surprised me. It's exactly that kind of mermaid book that draws you in. The story is pretty simple, a young girl discovers that she's a mermaid princess and has to come to terms with her destiny before it's too late.
But what works so well in this book are the characters; I love Meri. She's funny and doesn't take herself too seriously. She doesn't get annoyed or throw a fit, she embraces her recent discovered hidden life and it's a nice change from a lot of other young adult heroines. (Won't mention names.)

And the most important thing! The mermaid mythology felt "real." I can't tell you how many mermaid books I've read that changes things to make it more original. And even though I understand authors who does it, for me it just doesn't work. I read a mermaid book once were the mermaid didn't even have tails. They had legs but lived under the sea. Another one, the mermaid wore clothes. It's just not how I want to see that world. It's suppose to be different from us and mysterious. If I imagine mermaids swimming around in dresses it would just be too silly to me.
But The Call of the deep didn't do that. They kept the magic that is mermaids and I loved that! I think that was the reason why my rating is so high too.

Anyway, the characters are amazing in this one (and yes I am Team Matt, I wanted them together. I still don't trust Jeff to be honest.) Kelsey is amazing and I wish she was my friend. Like I said Meri is a great character, Matt is super sweet and I love how the characters were a little older than the 17 years old we mostly see in young adult books.

So... yeah. Great book! 4/5 will definitely read again!

[Eks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the beginning of Meri rediscovering who she is and the truth about her heritage and destiny. It follows her learning how to be a mermaid, and whether or not she's ready to return to where she belongs and fight her father for the kingdom.

I've never read anything with mermaids in it, apart from The Little Mermaid, so this was a nice change from what I usually read.

Though there isn't too much focus on mermaid world, as it's mainly all about Meri's life on land, the idea of Meri having to fight her father for the kingdom is fresh and original.

Meri is nice enough, but she's not the most interesting character. Same with Jeff. Mat is the most likeable, probably my favourite character out of everyone if I had to choose. I found it slightly misleading the way Meri and Mat's relationship was set up. They spent so much time with each other and I felt like they had better chemistry than Meri and Jeff. That may be down to how little Jeff is in the book, but I did feel that whenever Jeff and Meri were together it was little more forced to try and convince the reader of the passionate bond between them. I thought it did't feel like it was as natural as when Meri and Mat were together.

Meri and her friend Kelsey react to the news of Meri being a mermaid surprising well. The real big danger of being found by Meri's father wasn't as scary as it could have been, as every slight threat or obstacle is dealt with pretty swiftly. As the focus in this was more about Meri readjusting, the real fight will probably be in the sequel.

It can be a little slow in paces and then a little fast in others, but overall it's an easy read to relax to. Now this book has set up everything for the next part of the story, I hope the sequel will centre more on the mermaid world, Meri and Jeff, Meri and her father and the battle to win back the kingdom.

[Tanya Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read many books about werewolves, ghosts, witches, and vampires. I’ve even read books about vampires who were witches… but never mermaids.

So I had some mixed feelings as I settled down for the night with my new adventure in hand. At first I was doubtful as I noticed some misspelled words. But once I got into the story I easily forgot about a few simple mistakes, and sunk deep inside Tracey Lanes imagination.

I loved Mericle! She’s just like a main character should be, strong, independent, and a life full of adventure. To tell you the truth… I have a crush on Mat, Shhh! Don’t tell my husband.

This was a fun, highly thought out story that opened my eyes to a whole new world, and I can’t wait to read book 2. I recommend this book to all ages.

[Taylor Clenin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book! The characters were really entertaining, and they all meshed together really well! The main focus, Meri, is so entertaining to read about, and Mat, Jeff, and Kelsey all make for a great group of characters!

I'm really interested to see where the storyline goes with not only the kingdom, but also with the love interests. I think there are so many ways the story can go, and I'm excited to see where the author takes it. I'm dying to get the sequel in my hands!

Also, a huge thanks to Tracy for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for a honest review. I appreciate it, and I'm so happy that I stumbled upon this gem!

[Shauna Leonhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! loved this book!! I have never read a book on mermaids before!! This was such a great suprise!! the character development was great!! I love all of them!! I cannot wait for the rest of the story to unfold in the next book. I love Meri and her love. they are so perfectly perfect together. so happy for Mat. I love all the characters and the plot and the back story. It was great!!