A Tide of Secrets & Storms: The Tides of Desire Trilogy Book #1

by Allena Scott, Taila Cantrell

She’s the only female pirate captain in a world ruled by monsters and men.

Una Blackwater was raised by the sea and sharpened by survival. Now she commands the Tide Breaker, a ship feared across Vyresea for its ruthless raids and its untouchable crew. But when a mission goes sideways and a princess ends up dead by Una’s blade, the tides begin to turn and it might not be in her favor.

With the Pirate King watching, and her crew’s loyalty the only thing she can truly count on, Una must navigate more than the pirate code. There’s Porter, her anchor and temptation. Baylen, the servant who sees too much. And Drest the merman prince with a dangerous smile and a hunger that could drown them all.

Magic is rising. The storms are stirring. And Una is about to learn that power always comes with a price.

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2025

About the author

Allena Scott is a multi-genre indie author from Tennessee. She grew up reading all the books she could get her hands on. When Allena isn’t reading or writing, she’s spending time with her amazing family, binge-watching TV series and movies, or baking her next delicious treat.

Reviews

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book that turned into a why choose then oh wow drama that came out of nowhere! All in a little over 100 pages! The twist? A female pirate captain, strong and made her crew mates family absolutely loved. Drama with being a pirate, rules of the sea, and things get twisty when a mer is caught….. I cannot wait for book 2!

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew. What a ride! A Tide of Secrets and Storms by Allena Scott and Taila Cantrell is a jaunty, spicy pirate adventure that hooks you from the start. I knew this was going to be a good one before I even began reading—and I was right. Una, the fierce and commanding captain, doesn’t just steer her ship; she commands the hearts and devotion of her crew. The tension, heat, and danger all blend perfectly into an irresistible tale of power and passion on the high seas.

[Kimberly Rahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! Why choose, pirates, mermen what more can a girl ask for. And that ending?! I didn’t see that coming. You will be on the edge of your seat with this one.

[Stephanie Abelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing pirate story! There was lots of drama and suspense. The spice was on fire! That ending was crazy! I cannot wait to read the next book!

[Brittany Willaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this way definitely a hook line and sinker! There is such a tail spin in this book! Una is so fierce, she is such a strong willed captain that respect just flows to her! Of course the spice was AMAZING. Chapter 8 was by far my favorite. Definitely a great read that you’re not going to want to put down!

[Jenny Lessig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una the Tide Breakers fierce and sexy as sin! I want to be Una when I grow up! The story was great and the spice even hotter 🥵. Allena Scott never disappoints and Ms Taila you've earned yourself another reader! What an awesome time I had reading this! 😍

[Jordynn Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Alpha Review✨

Oh this one’s good!! Only a couple chapters in and I’m beyond hooked!! The closer I got to then ending I was like there is no possible way this is ending so soon then they throw one massive and I mean MASSIVE cliffhanger at you and the end! The frustration is unreal but it was so dang good!!

[Amanda Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked (pun absolutely intended) from the very first chapter all the way to the end. The tension and chemistry between Una, Baylen, Porter, and Drest? Exceedingly hot. Like fan-yourself levels of hot.

And can we please take a moment to appreciate the Pirate Kitty, Princess?! 🐱🏴‍☠️ I swear, that little detail made my whole day.

Una’s such a fierce, unapologetic female pirate captain. A total badass and absolutely commanding every scene she’s in. I’m dying to see if she ends up helping overturn the oldest Pirate Law in the books.

This story is full of action, passion, and that perfect mix of danger and desire that keeps you flipping pages (or, let’s be honest, ignoring responsibilities). I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I’m so not ready to leave this world yet.

[Merriann Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Book Review✨️

Title: A Tide of Secrets and Storms
Authors: Allena Scott and Taila Cantrell
Genre: Pirate Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Tide of Secrets and Storms by Allena Scott and Taila Cantrell is a fast-paced pirate adventure that hooks you from the first page. The character and world building are superb. It has the badass FMC, pirates, raids, mermaids & mermen, smut, and yes, there's a pirate kitty. I have to be honest, this was my 1st pirate book. Not only was it my 1st pirate book, it was also the 1st book I've read by both authors. I have to give Allena and Taila BIG kudos 👏 as this book did not disappoint. I can't wait for the next one. Until then, I will be reading individual books of both authors.

[Courtney Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I am a huge fan of books, movies or tv shows that revolve around pirates and this book didn’t disappoint! It has everything, strong female main character, spice, and adventure. The spice in this book was spicy that will leave you feeling a certain way. There is an air of mystery in this book that you can sense something big is going to be revealed. This book leaves off on a cliffhanger and I need the second book asap to find out what happens next. These two authors did an amazing job on this book and I can’t wait to read to the second one.

[Tesha Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW OH WOW! That’s all I can say about this fast paced, intense, very spicy read. I was hooked right from the start and couldn’t put it down. If you want action at sea and action in the sheets this is the book for you! Our FMC Una knows how to be the BEST female pirate captain giving out orders and also excels at being worshipped. I yelled and almost threw my kindle at the end. What a cliffhanger!!
Ugh, when is book 2 coming out? I need it yesterday!
I was given a free copy to read and I definitely recommend this story.

[Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a quick, short ride that packed an absolute PUNCH. We have Una, a female captain who effortlessly secures her place among the greats, gathering attention from those around her. She not only commands her ship and her crew, but also the men who can’t seem to resist her. The passion in this short book seemed so real, so multi-faceted, and so complex that I truly believed in every aspect of the relationships. We were ultimately faced with a tough decision at the end, and I can’t want to see what’s next!

[Danielle Stricklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short but it was packed full! This pirate adventure hooks you from the start! Una is not only a strong fierce woman but also a captain! She is a woman who is not to be messed with but will protect her crew. This book has a lot of mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat! The adventure in this book was so cool. I did not see that ending coming and could not get enough of this book! I highly recommend it! Can't wait to read the next book!! Thank you so much @authorallenascott and @talesbytaila
for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC Team!❤️

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you about this lovely story… It’s definitely trauma and smut! The characters pull you in from the start and don’t let go till the end. The storyline flows so good that you feel like you’re in the book yourself. Prepare for fun, spice and a whole lot of trauma at the end. I recommend it even if it made me cry and rage at the cliffhanger.

[Kiesha Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! The emotional rollercoaster I went on reading this work of art, I laughed, cried and the heat is a strong 5/5 🥵🌶️. Una is a woman after my own heart, beautiful, confident, sensual, resilient, strong and majestic 😍. A huge round of applause for Allena Scott and Taila Cantrell! Also the ending has me on edgeeeee I cannot wait to know what happens 😩🤩

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Wow just Wow!! What a ride was this story!! This was a short story with spice 🥵🥵!! A pirates life for me, yes please! This had me cry I’m not going to lie and i need more!! Great job to both authors!!

“She’s the only female pirate captain in a world ruled by monsters and men.”

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great book! What a pleasure it was to arc read it and I promise you won’t be disappointed. This was my first pirate book and now I know I like pirates lol. The fmc, Una, is just perfection and Allena created a character that not only is she badass, but relatable. Una is someone that inspires you to step into who you are regardless of what others think and at the same time allowed us to relate to the anxieties, the desires, the need to be free. The ending left me screaming as it ends in a massive cliffhanger and can’t wait for book 2.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy pirate adventure? Signed myself up for that right away and boy it didn’t disappoint. There was a perfect mix of plot and spice, whirlwind of romance and adventure. And that ending? Omg I can’t wait for book 2!

[Kelly Duvenage · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a quick, fun and spicy read. I loved the why choose element to it and was pleasantly surprised at the captain's confidence when it came to her play partners!

At first I got a little confused when I started reading it but once I understood the way it was written, I was hooked.

I can't wait to read the second book!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates? Yes, Please. Female Pirates? Count Me In!

This novella was wonderful in all the best ways. It has spice, dual POV, reverse harem to name a few.
I received this as an ARC. I can't want to see how the journey continues. Fair warning it ends on cliffhanger but still worth the read now!

[Ally Lieffring · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way they write a story that keeps you interested!! I’m totally hooked I need the second book like now, the cliffhanger at the end has me wanting more!!

[Tidra Lolkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes wild fantasy to a whole new level! It will have you fighting for who your favorite character is. The writing is spectacular and will draw you in. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for more!

[iris muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, the plot and characters were really well put together. It was just my first pirate book tbh but it was interesting.4.5 stars

[Nichole Bunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well let me just start off with FMC Pirate Captain and freaking Mermen??? Sign me tf up!!

Allena and Taila knocked it out of the park with this one!! This is hands down my favorite pirate romance ever! It is dark, filthy, funny and emotional all at the same time and I absolutely ate it up! 😮‍💨🖤 Una is the epitome of badaxx captain, not only does she take care of her ship that she built from the ground up but she takes care of her crew, her family and in return they take care of her no matter what the circumstances are! 🥹 The passion, raw power and danger lurking in the book is absolutely magnetic and pulls you in! You won’t want to miss the tale of Una and her family and their adventures through the high seas! 🌊

Oh and uh did I mention this is a why choose anddd the first book in the trilogy?? 😉😮‍💨

[Lavender.and_literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great quick read. it had ot all spice, action, pirates, mer people.
I enjoyed the story and all the action. I love the idea of a women pirate captain, what a badass.
Dres I feel like has a lot of backstory i hope we get to learn about in future books.

And that ending OMG really yall are killing me!!
thank you Tailia and Allena for another great story!
I look forward to the next installment!!

[Madisyn Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! 💯 the best!
I give Allena and Taila props for writing this together! The storyline, every word it was all so good from beginning to end! I can’t wait for the next one and to read their other books! 10/10 recommend this to everyone!

[Katelyn Delone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh what is not to love. Written by two of my girls! Spicy spicy, why choose and make it pirates specially with a female captain! Yes yes please. Did I mention also a merman? Ugh this short little pirate, steamy, why choose romance does not get any better than this and yes there is a little bit of some trauma to go along with that. Not to mention a mysterious pirate king that I’m interested to see more in book two. Now this is a short paced novella that moves quickly but don’t let that fool you you will want to stick around till the end for that lovely cliffhanger in order to get more of the story when book two comes around. I had the honor of being an alpha reader for this book and I cannot wait for more. These girls are amazing and they produced an amazing co-written book! And I mean cmon!! Freaking pirates and why choose. Best of both worlds and lots of spice. 😏 I’ll be waiting for you on the deck of the Tide Breaker. ❤️‍🔥

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, Allena you did it again and Taila I need to check out your other books! This book had me hooked and ending on the cliffhanger is making me impatient for book 2! The story development between Una, Baylen, Porter and Drest was 🥵 but then again I wouldn't expect anything less from the author 😜

[Savanna Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a good book!!! I cannot wait to read the next one. This author has become one of my new favorite

[Karen Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tide of Secrets and Storms had me hooked from the first page. The writing is vivid, the romance is intense, and the spice is everything. An unforgettable start to what's sure to be an incredible trilogy!