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Mermaids of Montana #1
Maelstrom
The Intergalactic Dating Agency promised a bride from this small, blue planet…
As an ocean-dwelling Tritonyri warrior, Maelstrom Amyth sacrificed everything he loved in the centuries-long battle against the cruel and careless land-dwellers. So when he and his pod-brothers are sent to Earth to gently woo Intergalactic Dating Agency brides for his world’s survival, he’s definitely a fish-man out of water.
She thought the seas were deep and dark and dangerous, but then she looked to the Big Sky above…Ridley Blake grew up in landlocked Iowa dreaming only of the ocean, but she washed out of Navy SEAL training after nearly drowning during a panic attack that left her with thalassophobia—the fear of deep water. She figures she’ll never dive again, until she is summoned to the middle of Montana under mysterious circumstances.
But the troubles they both left behind have bigger teeth than they knew, and now Mael and Ridley have to sink or swim together...
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2019
About the author
Elsa Jade
96 books159 followersI grew up reading SFF, buying the biggest books I could with my chore money. While I loved the action, adventure, and exciting worlds, most of those stories were missing…kissing! Now I read and write paranormal romance and science fiction romance which I think mix the best of all worlds. I also write urban fantasy romance as Jessa Slade and sexy contemporary romance as Jenna Dales.
I spend most of my time at my computer thinking about stories, in my garden thinking about stories, or walking my dog thinking about stories. Hmm, I think there’s a theme… 🙂
I spend most of my time at my computer thinking about stories, in my garden thinking about stories, or walking my dog thinking about stories. Hmm, I think there’s a theme… 🙂
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 23, 2024
DNF @ 21%. A lot is happening and I’m still so confused. I would stick it out, except the main characters are the worst.
February 28, 2021
Okay. A group of alien men coming to Earth to (basically) show their good faith in attempting to save their war-torn planet. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, it's not. Things are complicated and they're only going to get even more twisty as the truth unfolds.
First off, the bride they've contracted with knows nothing about aliens. Second, their planetary enemies aren't above using trickery and subterfuge to stick it to the Tritonyri warriors one last time. Third, Earth holds a secret that could help the Tritonyri in their rebuilding efforts.
The three women they meet (only one of whom was slated to be a bride) have a lot of hidden layers. While Maelstrom wasn't the intended groom in this scenario, he's drawn to one of the women and that complicates things further. There are secrets and lies they have to unravel and the more they learn the more they realize they have to work together to get out of the situation in one piece.
An enigmatic alien male, a determined human woman, dark water, myths, legends, and more than a little danger. Merfolk in Montana. Who knew they'd be so fun?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
First off, the bride they've contracted with knows nothing about aliens. Second, their planetary enemies aren't above using trickery and subterfuge to stick it to the Tritonyri warriors one last time. Third, Earth holds a secret that could help the Tritonyri in their rebuilding efforts.
The three women they meet (only one of whom was slated to be a bride) have a lot of hidden layers. While Maelstrom wasn't the intended groom in this scenario, he's drawn to one of the women and that complicates things further. There are secrets and lies they have to unravel and the more they learn the more they realize they have to work together to get out of the situation in one piece.
An enigmatic alien male, a determined human woman, dark water, myths, legends, and more than a little danger. Merfolk in Montana. Who knew they'd be so fun?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
October 12, 2019
Following a terrible war, the Tritonyri lost most of their population, and their waterworld was poisoned. They have a hope of saving it, if they can get compatible mates. Maelstrom and a small crew travel to Earth to collect the mate their commander was promised by the Intergalactic Dating Agency (IDA). But all is not what it seems...
Ridley washed out of Navy SEAL training after developing a sudden fear of water. With her hydrophobia getting worse, she's called to an estate in Montana with others who've developed strange water-related maladies. The InterGeneticData Agency (IDA) offers hope for a cure, beginning with genetic testing of those afflicted. But all is not what it seems...
When Maelstrom & Ridley team up to find the answers they seek, they uncover a conspiracy they never expected.
While most sci-fi & sci-fi romances look to the stars, this one delves into underwater worlds. The characters are unique to the story. Mael could be called a "merman," but he doesn't have a fish tail. Plotting is detailed, and the writing descriptive. If you're looking for action-oriented sci-fi romance that is out of norm, MAELSTROM is good pick.
Ridley washed out of Navy SEAL training after developing a sudden fear of water. With her hydrophobia getting worse, she's called to an estate in Montana with others who've developed strange water-related maladies. The InterGeneticData Agency (IDA) offers hope for a cure, beginning with genetic testing of those afflicted. But all is not what it seems...
When Maelstrom & Ridley team up to find the answers they seek, they uncover a conspiracy they never expected.
While most sci-fi & sci-fi romances look to the stars, this one delves into underwater worlds. The characters are unique to the story. Mael could be called a "merman," but he doesn't have a fish tail. Plotting is detailed, and the writing descriptive. If you're looking for action-oriented sci-fi romance that is out of norm, MAELSTROM is good pick.
May 31, 2023
2 & 1/2 stars rounded up.
The flow was a bit wonky, & there was some points that I thought I might quit the book, but powered on. The main characters, Maelstrom & Ridley, were ok. I just never felt the connection between them as real “love”, not a romance per say. I did feel like I missed a prequel or something, there were some parts that weren’t very clear or detailed, like I missed the explanation in the prequel, leaving me puzzled. Another reviewer suggested that there was indication that the males were the ones to get pregnant (& was all outraged at that -when there’s controversy over trans gender stuff going on, etc), but I didn’t see that in this book, only that Maelstrom said he took the precautions so he wouldn’t cause a pregnancy, so maybe a form of birth control for the males instead of females always having to be responsible for preventing a pregnancy, nice in my opinion 😁. I didn’t care enough about the world in general or the secondary characters, to want to continue with the series.
The flow was a bit wonky, & there was some points that I thought I might quit the book, but powered on. The main characters, Maelstrom & Ridley, were ok. I just never felt the connection between them as real “love”, not a romance per say. I did feel like I missed a prequel or something, there were some parts that weren’t very clear or detailed, like I missed the explanation in the prequel, leaving me puzzled. Another reviewer suggested that there was indication that the males were the ones to get pregnant (& was all outraged at that -when there’s controversy over trans gender stuff going on, etc), but I didn’t see that in this book, only that Maelstrom said he took the precautions so he wouldn’t cause a pregnancy, so maybe a form of birth control for the males instead of females always having to be responsible for preventing a pregnancy, nice in my opinion 😁. I didn’t care enough about the world in general or the secondary characters, to want to continue with the series.
September 28, 2020
Marvelous, mysterious merman
Oh, it's gonna get complicated. Figure Elsa Jade for a series of incredibly imagined, slightly mystical, very mysterious and beautifully written alien romances. The ill-fated Big Sky Alien Mail Order Brides franchise of the Ingtergalactic Dating Agency continues to be the wild card aegis of alien-Earth romantic pairings, as a merman from an aquatic planet attempts to retrieve the human bride his commander was promised - but by whom? The IDA is used as a cover for something - nefarious? benevolent? who knows? in this first of a series romantic puzzler. I loved it!! Give me more!!
Oh, it's gonna get complicated. Figure Elsa Jade for a series of incredibly imagined, slightly mystical, very mysterious and beautifully written alien romances. The ill-fated Big Sky Alien Mail Order Brides franchise of the Ingtergalactic Dating Agency continues to be the wild card aegis of alien-Earth romantic pairings, as a merman from an aquatic planet attempts to retrieve the human bride his commander was promised - but by whom? The IDA is used as a cover for something - nefarious? benevolent? who knows? in this first of a series romantic puzzler. I loved it!! Give me more!!
Read
June 3, 2023I’ve read to 23% and it’s not holding my interest. The heroine is prickly and kind of mean. I’m not enjoying the “mystery” - I know she’s human and he’s an alien. He knows she human and he’s an alien. She’s clueless. She sees the guy appear in the fountain then goes in the fountain with him. Like actually some water cave within/beside the fountain. This is despite her being terrified of the water, and she doesn’t stop to think there’s anything odd or to wonder if she should trust him. I’m just not enjoying the unknowns/mysteries - the way stuff is being setup.
June 4, 2023
Ridley & Mael
Hmmm. This was definitely an interesting story! I loved the characters & banter, and there's adventure, a bit of steam, a bit of suspense. The story will continue in book 2, but I'm not sure if I will. The descriptions and writing are rich & well-done, and I truly have no complaints! It just might not be the story for me.
I recommend giving this story a try if it looks interesting to you, bc it is enjoyable! And if you really like undersea stories, I think you'll want to continue with book 2!
😍
Hmmm. This was definitely an interesting story! I loved the characters & banter, and there's adventure, a bit of steam, a bit of suspense. The story will continue in book 2, but I'm not sure if I will. The descriptions and writing are rich & well-done, and I truly have no complaints! It just might not be the story for me.
I recommend giving this story a try if it looks interesting to you, bc it is enjoyable! And if you really like undersea stories, I think you'll want to continue with book 2!
😍
November 14, 2020
Kick Butt Heroine vs. Alien Warrior
This story was interesting from the get go! Though I read the first in this series second, that didn't take anything away from the book "Coriolis" book #2. When I realized my error, I still had the a-ha element. Maelstrom, and Ridley are so much alike, both fighters with their own weaknesses, but in the same level there is an instant attraction. Who will cave in first???
This story was interesting from the get go! Though I read the first in this series second, that didn't take anything away from the book "Coriolis" book #2. When I realized my error, I still had the a-ha element. Maelstrom, and Ridley are so much alike, both fighters with their own weaknesses, but in the same level there is an instant attraction. Who will cave in first???
June 21, 2023
A new twist on Atlantis
We are not alone, we have never been alone. So say the ancient astronaut theorists. This tale takes that idea and explores the competition between two strains of the same peoples that have diverged into separate civilizations. This is a story out of our newsrooms set an alien world. How and why they bring their conflict to our world is the story. Hang on, it’s quite a ride!
We are not alone, we have never been alone. So say the ancient astronaut theorists. This tale takes that idea and explores the competition between two strains of the same peoples that have diverged into separate civilizations. This is a story out of our newsrooms set an alien world. How and why they bring their conflict to our world is the story. Hang on, it’s quite a ride!
March 2, 2024
Delightful!
The story kept turning from a tragic tale of battles fought with assorted terrifying medical situations, to a well told love story for the ages. Add in a reasonable potential Alternative History with the idea of Atlantis and alien merpeople, and you have a nifty romance that hasn’t been told in various forms before.
No cut and dried romance, here! From the settings to the truly interesting characters, this was a breath of fresh air.
The story kept turning from a tragic tale of battles fought with assorted terrifying medical situations, to a well told love story for the ages. Add in a reasonable potential Alternative History with the idea of Atlantis and alien merpeople, and you have a nifty romance that hasn’t been told in various forms before.
No cut and dried romance, here! From the settings to the truly interesting characters, this was a breath of fresh air.
November 11, 2024
Fiction / Fantasy / SyFy / Paranormal / Aliens / Politics / Military
⭐⭐/5 🌶/5
I was confused for a lot of this story and it was nothing like the blurb that got my attention!! I didn't love the characters, except Thomas (the butler) I wanted more of him. He was funny. I wanted to feel a connection or something but I never got it. Also, I'm not here for the, 'I am going to ignore your wants to save you', trope.
I own a lot of books from this author and I will give her another chance.
⭐⭐/5 🌶/5
I was confused for a lot of this story and it was nothing like the blurb that got my attention!! I didn't love the characters, except Thomas (the butler) I wanted more of him. He was funny. I wanted to feel a connection or something but I never got it. Also, I'm not here for the, 'I am going to ignore your wants to save you', trope.
I own a lot of books from this author and I will give her another chance.
May 30, 2023
Trans men
Really! You want to write a romance that straight women read? Most likely us real women had a child or children! If you want to be "woke" with this bogus garbage about trans men getting pregnant!!!!???? DO NOT HELP HER SELL HER BOGUS GARBAGE, WE GET ENOUGH OF THIS IN POLITICS!😡
Really! You want to write a romance that straight women read? Most likely us real women had a child or children! If you want to be "woke" with this bogus garbage about trans men getting pregnant!!!!???? DO NOT HELP HER SELL HER BOGUS GARBAGE, WE GET ENOUGH OF THIS IN POLITICS!😡
June 9, 2023
Great Read!
This was an interesting mix of genres. It was a good story with interesting characters that draw you in. I'm interested in a few of the supporting characters in this one to see how it turns out for them. I enjoyed the read. Wouldn't have minded a bit more steam.
This was an interesting mix of genres. It was a good story with interesting characters that draw you in. I'm interested in a few of the supporting characters in this one to see how it turns out for them. I enjoyed the read. Wouldn't have minded a bit more steam.
June 16, 2023
Unexpected alien romance
This story starts out with women suffering from unusual symptoms and looking for a cute. They get more than they bargained for while seeking help. This leads to them finding out more about themselves than they ever imagined. Well worth reading.
This story starts out with women suffering from unusual symptoms and looking for a cute. They get more than they bargained for while seeking help. This leads to them finding out more about themselves than they ever imagined. Well worth reading.
Did Not Finish
September 28, 2023dnf @ 15%
fam the writings so weird (and not good like someone should’ve done another editing pass) and then the heavy miscommunication came in and i couldn’t do it
if you want to have a good laugh just look up a random quote and maelstrom won’t disappoint
fam the writings so weird (and not good like someone should’ve done another editing pass) and then the heavy miscommunication came in and i couldn’t do it
if you want to have a good laugh just look up a random quote and maelstrom won’t disappoint
October 18, 2020
A very misleading blurb and a jerk for the main hero.
Want to Read
May 26, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (5/26/2023)! 🎁
June 2, 2023
It was ok.
I had a hard time getting into the story. I found I could not concentrate on it. It was a good story, just not my jam today.
I had a hard time getting into the story. I found I could not concentrate on it. It was a good story, just not my jam today.
June 8, 2023
Okayish read.
June 10, 2023
wow
I loved this! Two broken people coming together to help each other and fall in love plus aliens was a fantastic story! Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!,
I loved this! Two broken people coming together to help each other and fall in love plus aliens was a fantastic story! Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!,
June 22, 2023
Ok but found it a bit confusing and boring in parts. Intrigued by the blurb but the book didn’t live up to it in my opinion. Cute ending.
September 9, 2023
I wanted to like it more. The premise is interesting. However the tone is very dark, and it is very hard to follow during the action sequences.
October 30, 2019
Maelstrom believes he has lost everything. Ridley felt she didn’t belong and had no idea why. A twist of fate brought these two together. Mael is from a world mostly covered in water. There has been a war on it that caused much destruction. He’s here on Earth to help renew his planet. Ridley washed out the Seal program. She has been working on reclaiming her life from before the incident. Although, it’s not going quite as she planned. They learn to work together to put an end to the lies and deception that others are causing them.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews