The Sirens of Oak Creek

by Robert Louis DeMayo

A hidden, sacred canyon. Eight women. Twelve centuries. And a mystical song that connects it all. This is the layout of Robert DeMayo’s new novel, “The Sirens of Oak Creek”, a gripping tale that intertwines local myths with historical facts and the author´s vibrant imagination. The story is also about the different people who passed through Arizona´s magical Oak Creek Canyon over the centuries: Ancient hunter-gatherers, Mayan visitors, Spanish conquistadors, early American settlers and modern-day seekers of bliss. They all will have to face their truth in this remote high-desert canyon. “The Sirens of Oak Creek” is a meditation on the power of immaterial realms, and of nature itself, as perceived through the eyes of these women.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

455 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

Robert Louis DeMayo is a native of Hollis, New Hampshire, U.S.A., but has lived in many corners of the planet. He traveled to nearly a hundred countries before he was thirty, crossing many of them overland. He began writing at the age of twenty when he left his job as a biomedical engineer to explore the world. His extensive journaling during his travels inspired five of his novels and far-reaching work for the travel section of The Telegraph, out of Nashua, New Hampshire, as well as the Hollis Times. He is a member of The Explorers Club and chair of its Southwest Chapter.

His undying hunger for exploration led to a job marketing for Eos Study Tours, a company that serves as a travel office for non-profit organizations and offers dives to the Titanic and the Bismarck, Antarctic voyages, African safaris and archaeological tours throughout the world. For several years following that role, Robert worked as a tour guide in Alaska and the Yukon during the summer and as a jeep guide in Arizona during the winter. He was made general manager of the jeep tour company but eventually left the guiding world to write full-time.

Robert is the author of eight novels that have collectively won ten national awards. His printed books and eBooks are available on Amazon, KDP and Ingram. In addition, several of his stories are available as audiobooks on ACX.

He resides in Sedona, Arizona, with his wife Diana and three daughters: Tavish Lee, Saydrin Scout, and Martika Louise.

Reviews

[Bill Mcgrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Wasn't sure what to expect, but I thought it was well written with an interesting story. I liked the historical side of the book. The setting of the book was in Arizona's Verde Vally, specifically Oak Creek Canyon. If I ever take a cross country road trip around that way, I'd love to see it. DeMayo's description of the place made it seem very serene and beautiful. As for the story itself, It was basically about a mysterious hidden place with a dark background named Itzel Canyon. There were really 4 stories in 1 that revolved around this place. Spanning from hunters and gatherers of old, through the Mayans, and then the Spanish Conquistadors to American settlers and then to modern day each with its own story revolving around this canyon. I kind of liked DeMayo's take on it. Each separate story read quickly and did not drag on, and nicely tied together in the end. Worth a read.

[Isabel McIlhenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it took me a long time to get through, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The ongoing story and slight mystery enchanted me throughout the various short stories of characters existing in different time periods. I loved how women in this book were considered wise and important, and how greed and lust were looked down upon. This book made my historical fiction loving self happy.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as part of a giveaway in exchange for my review. This is an unbiased review based on my actual thoughts about what I read.
Okay so I don’t even know where to begin with this book! It was so good! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it... maybe I had preconceived notions because the book was given to me. I was blown away. It took a few chapters to really get into the story and understand what was happening. I love how the storyline plays out over many decades and through many perspectives.
I was sucked in to the story telling and definitely sad when the book ended... actually I was almost sad every time a few chapters ended and we went into another segment of time with new characters.
However, I quickly got invested in those characters just as I had with the previous ones!
I recommend this book to anyone who likes history, strong female figures, adventure mixed with a little magic.

[Christie Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real page-turner. I loved the interesting depictions of the different time periods starting with the hunter-gatherers right up until the present, the beautiful descriptions of nature, the numerous thrilling and suspenseful incidents and especially the powerful essence of the strong female characters that enchant from the beginning to the end. I couldn’t put it down.

[Sara]

DNF. The writing style and voice of the characters did not feel authentic. The writing was overly simplistic and reading this felt like a chore. Oak Creek is one of my favorite places and I really wanted to like this one, unfortunately it was a let down.

[Marin Jurgens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the way in which Robert Louis DeMayo crafts his short stories to make a larger cohesive story in The Sirens of Oak Creek. This book did not intrigue me all that much personally, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The story begins in a style that I can only describe as something similar to Native American folklore, and ends with a more contemporary narrative following a family in modern times. Yet each chapter connects back to a cave that holds significance to each character. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy historical fiction!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think because I’m currently immersed in nature and these canyons and the history and mysteries they hold are so present for me made me absolutely love this long history traversing tale. Beautiful descriptions and a lot of lovely things about it. It’s a woven story through time. There were elements of some of the “plot” points—- if you can call them that- were a bit weak- I can’t really explain bc it would give spoilers. And I don’t mean the potential esoteric elements, but just re the details/ plot around the thing that some of the folks are after. That aside, the beautifully written narrative did the job I was hoping it would. Immerse me in this place I have never been before- and make some of the history- the petroglyphs and landmarks come alive with their stories . I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that so much of the book is actually based on real people! Not just the places and myths. Am I going to immediately go out and hike up that canyon? Yes I am !

[James Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story and written well. I live in the area this book swirls around. It is always a pleasure to read about a potential history of the place I live. The place and the book are special!

[Lorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sirens of Oak Creek is a beautifully written and captivating story that weaves history, myth, and emotion into something truly unforgettable. Robert Louis DeMayo brings Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon to life with vivid imagery and powerful storytelling. Each page feels alive with mystery and depth. A rare and timeless read that stays with you long after finishing. I came across this book on Book Club through a post by Abigail Taylor.

[Noah Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books about Sedona lean hard into the crystals-and-aliens vibe, but Robert Louis DeMayo goes deeper and older, tying the canyon’s magic to something ancient, feminine, and just a little dangerous. His respect for both the real history and the myths people tell about the place is palpable, and it makes the whole premise feel sacred instead of gimmicky. I’m in awe of the balance he’s clearly struck here.

[MarilynH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading both the historic undertones and ancient mythical stories related to this book. The protection provided by the silver bear and the heroins throughout history of the spiritual and natural good of Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon peaks my interest for exploring the areas surrounding Sedona, Arizona.

[Hayes Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Louis DeMayo writes the desert like someone who’s sat on those slickrock slabs at dusk and listened to the wind move through the sycamores when no one else is around. The idea that eight women over twelve centuries all heard the same haunting song in that canyon has me absolutely captivated. This one’s going to linger.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a total sucker for novels told through multiple women’s perspectives across history (The Hours, The Red Tent, that kind of thing), so when I saw Robert Louis DeMayo was doing it with Oak Creek Canyon as the connecting thread, I actually gasped out loud in the middle of the coffee shop. He’s about to ruin all other Sedona books for me, and I’m weirdly okay with that.

[James Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of “magical Southwest” books that feel like they’re trying too hard, but Robert Louis DeMayo just leans back and lets the canyon do the heavy lifting. The fact that he can make conquistadors, hippies, and ancient hunter-gatherers all feel equally entranced by the same stretch of red rock is honestly wizardry.

[Jackson Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Louis DeMayo has this incredible knack for making you smell the creek water and hear the cottonwoods rustling while simultaneously dropping you into the head of a Sinagua woman or a Spanish nun centuries apart. I didn’t know I needed a time-hopping Sedona novel in my life until about thirty seconds after reading the description.

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when an author respects a landscape enough to let it steal the show, and Robert Louis DeMayo clearly worships Oak Creek Canyon without ever turning it into a postcard. Giving the canyon its own siren song that keeps luring generation after generation? That’s the kind of deliciously eerie concept I live for.

[Haper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise alone—eight women, twelve hundred years, one canyon that refuses to shut up—should be ridiculous, but Robert Louis DeMayo writes it with such quiet confidence that I’m completely bought in. He’s one of those rare authors who can make the mystical feel matter-of-fact and the historical feel personal at the same time.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because of its connection to local history, but it was poorly written and the story simply did not hang together. Who were the sirens? What was the origin of the mysterious song? What was with the crazy organization: Acts, chapters, etc.

[Sophia Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sirens of Oak Creek caught my attention instantly with its stunning cover—it perfectly reflects the mystery within. I came across the book through a post by Abigail Taylor, and I’m glad I did.

[Samuel Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sirens of Oak Creek caught my attention instantly with its stunning cover—it perfectly reflects the mystery within. I came across the book through a post by Abigail Taylor, and I’m glad I did.

[Ryahn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Louis DeMayo has crafted a mesmerizing story where myth and reality converge. The women’s voices echo through the ages, making this a powerful and unforgettable read.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is captivating and the cover draws you in. Through Abigail Taylor’s post I discovered this gem, and it truly exceeded my expectations.

[Olivia Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across The Sirens of Oak Creek through Abigail Taylor’s post, and it instantly drew me in. Robert Louis DeMayo’s storytelling is rich, poetic, and deeply moving.

[Paul Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could sense the passion of First Nation religion. The title should read 'The Guardians of Oak Creek' since the female Sirens who warn off the male Protagonists from entering the sacred cave are also the avengers (in the form of a GREAT bear) who punish plunderers of its treasures. Mayans,Sinaguans, Aztec, Pioneers all come through the ages to seek the sacred cave. However, few truly carry away its real treasure. Great read!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book while in Sedona made me appreciate the holiday even more. The author’s descriptions of the red rocks, mystical energy, and sense of spiritual renewal echoed the landscape around me. As I looked up from the pages, the very scenery mirrored the story’s themes—beauty, reflection, and transformation. It’s the kind of book that feels written to be read here, where nature itself becomes part of the narrative.

[Parker James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both inspiring and educational, blending history with powerful storytelling. A big compliment to the author for such a work. I came across this book on Book Club through Abigail Taylor’s post on Book Club.