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An African American Mermaid Paranormal Series #1

The Perfect Waters: Odessa. Book One

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A Prince, a thousand-year-old Blue Whale, and the race against time to find the single most important thing to the waters' survival.

For the waters to be perfect, an Odessa must connect to all life within them, and if the reigning Odessa loses her life, her sorcery is always passed to her first-born daughter.

Only, the daughter the waters know of, is not the first.

Asia's mother went missing eighteen years ago and since then, Asia has feared the one thing she always dreamt of working with.The ocean.

So instead, she's been living life as a lab tech. She doesn't exactly love her job, but it pays the bills and she has money to spend on nights out with her girls. However, her most recent night out ends up with her gaining markings on her skin and losing body parts...

Prince Zale is son to Emperor Ecthelion and Empress Océane. They rule Ocêllus, also known as the Royal Waters. News quickly arrives of O'Marilla's murder and the waters become a state of panic.

Darya, the daughter of O'Marilla, arrives in Ocêllus to take her position as Odessa but unawares to anyone, she is not the first-born daughter.

A single member of royalty and Priestess Noelani are always pulled to the next Odessa, but so are the murky sea witches who use hounds to do their dirty work. So, with a woman up on land unawares to how important she is, the hunt for her begins before she gets into the wrong hands.

Who will find her first? And will Asia be able to find the one thing she needs in order to claim her sorcery so she can make the waters perfect again?

196 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2020

426 people are currently reading
635 people want to read

About the author

LeeSha McCoy

70 books224 followers
Mother. Author. Wellness Blogger.
Lover of Music. Believer of Romance. Dirty Minded.

LeeSha McCoy is the author of all things African American Romance. She released her first book in 2012 and currently writes African American Urban Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romantic Comedy, and Steamy Contemporary Romance under the pen name Karmen Kane.

With over 40 books published to date, representation is important to her, so you will always find positive representations of black men and women in her books, with a focus on family bonds, growth, and above all, strong fiery heroines and the heroes that love the hell out of them for it.

Writing novels that make her readers 'feel' is her mission; she does not just write stories to be read, but for her readers to experience. As someone who has lived through many up and downs in her personal life, she uses those experiences in all of her stories, priding herself on the realism in her work, regardless of genre.

She began writing in the late 90's, although it was mostly song lyrics she wrote to escape her loneliness. As one of only a handful of bi-racial children living in her small hometown of Banbury, she struggled to make friends and to be accepted, so she spent most of her childhood alone.

She currently lives in England, but her family is spread all across the United States, including the states of Baltimore, Colorado, and Texas.

As a mother to four beautiful children, she spends her spare time playing Roblox and finding new places to walk with them, helping others discover self-love through her wellness blog, binge reading dirty romances, or watching food review shows on YouTube.

Find her on...

https://linktr.ee/Leeshamccoy
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/leeshamccoy.7
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leeshamccoy...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LeeshaMcCoy
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leesh...
Radish Fiction, iReader & Clubhouse.

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5 stars
311 (70%)
4 stars
79 (17%)
3 stars
37 (8%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Joan.
481 reviews51 followers
November 21, 2020
What a wonderful find this book has been. I’ve pretty much purge a lot of paranormal books and rarely read the genre thus day. But I loved The Perfect Waters, the story is pure enchantment and lovely fantasy reading.

LeeSha McCoy is a new author to me and I am so very pleased to have found a new favorite author and series to add to my reading collection.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
January 31, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/31/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Julia971.
339 reviews34 followers
July 19, 2020
The Perfect Waters is a fantasy romance with an erotic undertone. It tells the story of Asia, a blue eyed black woman who learns at 28 that she belongs to the Ocean.

It was a nice fast read, a bit predictable.

Too many merpeople swearing and devouring scallops and oysters to my liking but I liked the world building.
Profile Image for Anniken Haga.
Author 10 books90 followers
September 2, 2021
This book wasn't for me. While the writing wasn't bad, I felt like the rest was a tad unfinished. I found the characters one-sided, and the story kept skipping over parts that could have been interesting, then talked about them off-scene, or even jumped back and forth in time to include minor scenes that ended up taking away from what little mystery there might have been. That was another problem I had; there wasn't really any story, because everything was explained in the first chapter and then we just followed the events we were told would unfold.

EDIT: I will say this, however; it had some interesting pointers at the difference between humans and merfolk. While I didn't agree with all of it - some was too magical, some didn't make sense - it was interesting and kind of an eye-opener I'll point out to my friend when she starts writing her mermaid book.
Profile Image for Shanelle.
1,486 reviews22 followers
October 8, 2020
GREAT READ

I've read quite a few paranormal books but not only is this my first read by the author, it's also my first paranormal read dealing with mermaids. This book has definitely gotten my attention and I'm even more intrigued by the mermaid life and all the things they can do. Very well written and the character development is amazing. Now that things have been turned up with that ending, I can't wait to read part two of Zale and O'Asia's new life in Mira.
Profile Image for Ciera Mona’.
105 reviews10 followers
August 28, 2023
book one

Leesha McCoy is amazing at world building… i can’t wait to get into book 2. This was too good of a beginning.
Profile Image for Kelley | Foxwood Press.
80 reviews9 followers
March 2, 2023
I read this book after seeing a negative review and thought, "That sounds like something I'd like." 🤣

This book spends a lot of time on world building and set up for the next book, so bit of a slow burn. Kind of slow middle as we learn about the world through Asia's eyes, but the promise of what will happen next kept me going. The first book feels like a teaser and I'm guessing that there's going to be a lot of pay off in reading the whole series. The world is really interesting and I'm excited to see where the next books develop it further.

While not exactly a monster romance, it feels monster adjacent so if you enjoy monster romance you should check this out. Spice is a slow build, but there is a promise of more to come.

Also, diamond dicks, people. Diamond dicks.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🔥🔥

(Rounded up to 4 for Goodreads)
Profile Image for Bree.
473 reviews34 followers
July 16, 2021
Interesting Paranormal.

When Asia’s mother dies, strange things start happening and she learns who she really is. From there she goes on a journey of self discovery and love.

This is hard for me to review. I like the overall story and world building but I felt like nothing really happened. This story just felt like a lot of build up. Even in the end I’m not really worried about the H, he’ll be fine. Also the dialogue is as little jarring at times. Half the time they speak pretty formally and then there’s a line where they speak like they’re from the hood and not the sea as if we need that to remind us they’re black.

Definitely check this out for yourself, those things stand out to you and like I said, the overall world and story is interesting. Solid 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Falecia McKinney.
334 reviews4 followers
September 10, 2019
This book waa so well told.

OMG book one has me screaming yeeeesss Zale and Asia I'm so ready for book 2 anybody that knows me knows that I'm addicted to reading anything and everything paranormal and this book right her hit the spot it did not disappoint me at all if anything I'm left needing more i sure hope book two is in the works. This author most definitely has a new follower
13 reviews
September 29, 2019
Thumbs up!!

This was a really good story to read. Solid storyline and plot. But, I couldn’t get past the language. The slang and vernacular were too much and takes away from the dialogue. Also, there are ways to express the characters thoughts and emotions without being repetitive for the reader. Write with intention. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to the next installment and would read more from this author.
Profile Image for SunShine.
934 reviews
October 3, 2019
Caught off guard

I happen to run across this book and love the title and cover. It started out slow but the more I read it the more I was into it and couldn’t put it down. It’s slow to give you the full details of the book. The way she described one of her characters changing for the first time was amazing. It really made me feel like I was right there with them. I really enjoyed this book and I’m read for book 2. She has definitely gained a new reader in me.
Profile Image for Tasha P..
573 reviews3 followers
September 9, 2019
OMG!! I can't believe that ending. This was the best mermaid book I've read this year. Zale is bae for real and I can't wait to read book 2.
Profile Image for Red.
522 reviews26 followers
January 22, 2023
I don't hate this book, I ended up laughing at it a lot and I feel like it might have been funnier if it was taken in the way that Dean Koontz tends to. Like instead of the romance to this fantasy romance we just had fantasy comedy, this book would have been so good if it had focused on comedy.

It cannot stop explaining mermaid pussy which a lot of people call mermussy. That's funny as hell. The pussy obsession and talk will slay you.

There is so much swearing and body horror and weird nasty eating of raw food in the book. Like they swear so unnaturally often that I was a little Jarred by it but also I found it funny and they could have leaned into that.

The plot line is a bit predictable and I know this is only apparently book one of a series, but it is very predictable in a lot of ways once all of the exposition and build up is laid down within the first part.

The main character fixates on the fact that she loses her vagina due to slowly becoming a mermaid and this is a point where she just keeps thinking she doesn't have a butthole. It's really funny and I really wanted them to lean into this and just drop the romance aspect, or even drop the full fantasy aspect of just go into that comedy of oh my gosh her butt is gone. At one point she sits on the toilet and really wants to take a poop but can't and just fixates on the fact that she's eight so much and her butthole is so small she doesn't even know if she can get anything out of it. That's comedy gold.

The forbidden romance aspect of this book was completely unneeded, and it definitely damaged it along with the swearing and how this book was definitely not what most people who picked it up were hoping for. Mermaid books are so rare, but a mermaid comedy? Yes, please.

This girl says pussy so often I need a pussy counter. It's nonstop.

2.5 stars. Interesting idea, neat writing, a bit too distracted at some points, but also really good at body horror.
Profile Image for KayBee's Bookshelf.
1,823 reviews58 followers
July 11, 2020
This was a pleasant surprise. Leesha McCoy did a good job of creating this new world of formal marine and informal human life. The verbiage created for the characters was a mix of formal and informal /slang that was used. McCoy took her time bringing us into the world of Aisa and her Prince. I found humor in her realization when certain parts of her human anatomy retreated and her mermaid anatomy came forward. There was also murder and intrigue found in the "whodunnit" involving the previous Odessa.
As with any new series, book 1 is about creating and setting up the world in which you want your readers to become immersed and I think McCoy accomplished that for me by using the descriptive language employed to describe such beings as the murky sea witches and the Corals. A few characters stood out and among them was Calder. This is a great start to a new series and I'm happy to have discovered not only a new urban paranormal author but a new narrator to "fangirl" over in Erikah Nelson aka Batman. (Inside joke) I look forward to the audiobook for part two. The only reason this wasn't a 5 star was that if there was a bit of repetition.
Profile Image for Lexie.
112 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2023
really glad I gave this a chance.

Definitely one of the best mermaid stories I’ve read in a long time, and I’ve been reading a lot of them recently trying to find something to scratch that itch. Sometimes in these stories, the melodrama and contrived conflicts overwhelm the characters and muddies a plot that requires you to suspend disbelief to a great degree. This book allowed the characters and their relationships shine through, even though it was very exposition heavy. So there was a bit of skimming involved, especially when character’s internal monologues repeated information we just learned from another monologue. Otherwise, this was a great story of budding love and coming into a birthright with nice world building and a strong structure for more additions to the lore. I’m actually really excited for the next book which shows me I’m finally out of my slump!
Profile Image for Tracy - loves to read .
1,013 reviews
June 29, 2021
Wow

This was so good! A whole new spin on mer people!
All these rules and regulations and history and so many emotions!
The world that was created for this story is amazing from the fish to the different kingdoms, the corals, the monarchy, to the witches and the sea goddess! Well thought out and written. The characters are written well as well. Their vulnerable when they should be, brave when they have to be, open and honest especially under the circumstances.
Asia is literally forced into a life unknown. Hell
She thinks her drinks were drugged! Zale has a pure heart and follows the laws by the book even to his emotional detriment.
I really enjoyed book 1 so now on to book 2!
1 review1 follower
July 18, 2025
This book was a game changer for me. I've always loved paranormal, but it was always from the perspective of other races. To read a genre I love from my own race and language and still be interested, is a first. Granted, I have not read a lot of African American paranormal, but that was because the storylines rarely grabbed me.

This book is fun, lite, sexy, and gripping. I'm ready to dig into the next one. It was a quick read, which I appreciated, and left just enough for me to want to know about this diamond equipment and what it can do. Kudos Mrs McCoy!!
63 reviews
June 16, 2020
I just finished listening to the audible and it was amazing. I'm very picky when it comes to audible. A lot of them are boring, the voice don't fit, etc but this one kept me interested the whole time. The narrator pulled me in and it flowed so well. I read a lot of books by this author but I haven't finished this series yet. After listening to book it's time to rectify this issue. Lewisham McCoy never fails to deliver and she wrote another amazing book.
292 reviews6 followers
November 14, 2022
This story is a fun fantasy about mermaids navigating old laws and ancient principles that govern their world. The story always maintains a lighthearted quality, even when the plot veers into more serious territory, and the character banter is informal and amusing. I enjoyed escaping into this underwater world and I look forward to seeing how things turn out for the characters throughout the rest of the trilogy.
Profile Image for ✨JZG✨.
156 reviews48 followers
February 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book more than I thought. Strange things start happening after Asia’s mother dies. She learns who she is, and she goes on a journey of self-discovery and love. I'll be honest, this book was a bit hard to get into, but most first-series books are. The author has to present a world the reader never has visited and inform you of the key figures, but the book does get better the more you read on.
5 reviews
March 17, 2020
BREATH OF FRESH AIR!!! LOVE THIS BOOK

I have been Searching for a book to read for a very long time and I am over the moon but I found this book. This book was everything She wrote this book to vacation and I definitely cannot wait to read the second part of this book and all the others that she has written. Good job sis !!!!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Antoinette (_literaryaura_).
442 reviews91 followers
January 17, 2023
This is my first time reading this author and my first African American Mermaid 🧜‍♀️ story. I loved the premise, the characters and the world building. However I did find myself skimming through some of the books. I feel like most of the story could have been told in less words. The only real complaint I have is the author switching back and forth between British and English language. I also read a couple of reviews speaking on the amount of profanity and the fact that the merms were cursing 😑. This series had no more profanity than any other average book or tv show. It appeared to be your average dialogue. Nothing was over the top or over done with it. I have decided if I want to continue with books 4 & 5, the contaminated waters series.
Profile Image for Beth (Romantic_murder).
365 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2023
Surprisingly I was obsessed with this book.

The characters are great. I love the lore, I'm happy there finally a kingdom with good and moral royals. The insta attraction almost gave me the ick but then I realized its a hero complex kinda love and I get that.
I'm so excited to keep reading. I'm obsessed.
Profile Image for sinag.
1,552 reviews22 followers
August 13, 2023
5/5 stars!

This is probably my favorite mermaid lore of all-time! I loved the worldbuilding, the characters, and the plot so much I can't wait to finish this series and re-read it over and over again. I loved the forbidden romance aspect and how it kind of affected everything and this book is just so good! Definitely a favorite for me!
28 reviews
May 3, 2025
I was underwhelmed by this book. It wasn’t bad just I was underwhelmed by The Perfect Waters. It wasn’t bad but I thought it was just okay. Does it make me want to move on to another fantasy? NO. I can see myself mixing in one here or there but it may be far between unless I’m forced by the book choices of my club. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
36 reviews
September 14, 2025
For the love of Black folks

You don’t need to use “Ain’t” in ever word spoken. It made me cringe how many times it was used and didn’t need to be there.

Also why would mermaids use ain’t? Sure they can blend in but majestic mermaids aren’t going to use these words.

The story was interesting but the conversations made this a DNF for me.
Profile Image for Racquel Nycole .
287 reviews15 followers
February 18, 2020
Really enjoyed this !

This was such a great read. It gave me bits of urban all while telling a blossoming love story. As I was reading this it played out to me like a movie. I loved the details that weren’t spared in describing not only the characters but the settings also.
75 reviews
February 29, 2020
Great read

This book was a delightful surprise. It was so different than anything I’ve ever read however I loved every bit of it and was saddened to see it end looking forward to part 2
Profile Image for Shannon L Powell.
199 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2020
All I can say is WOW

This was book was amazing. I couldn’t put it down. I felt as if I was there seeing the ocean and all it’s glory and beautiful colors. This author has a way of writing that makes you feel as if you are actually present. Can’t wait for book 2
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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