Blue Mermaid Memories

Ocean Apothecary #0.5

by Amanda Casey

A forbidden art.
An extinct cure.
A forgotten treasure.

Selia Fontaine has cataloged Ancient Egyptian artifacts at the Louvre for as long as she can remember. Working with objects from the past only highlights the fact that she can’t remember her own. Blue memory blindness has plagued her sea nymph memory along with any hope for a cure. She has spent the past decade of her life working in introverted silence—except for the mysterious artifact that has started whispering to her.

When a sea sorceress invites Selia to learn about the forgotten art of salt trance, she travels to the Celtic Sea to concoct a cure for her illness. She soon discovers the primary ingredient she needs to create a salt extract has gone extinct. To learn the art of salt trance, Selia must help the sorceress restore a memory forgotten to the Celtic Sea long ago—a time when pirates sailed the high seas in search of mythical treasure.

Will Selia discover the truth behind the art that could lead to her cure? What dark secrets will blue memories reveal to her? Will the spirits from her past restore her memory, or will she forget more than the past ten years of her life?

Genres: Ebooks, Fantasy

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2022

About the author

Amanda writes about women, water, and magic inspired by nature. She has written and illustrated dozens of stories involving nymphs, nature spirits, and other curious creatures who love getting into mischief. You can find her in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where she is blazing a trail, drumming with her local taiko group, or having a flamboyant conversation with her two cats. She works as both a park interpreter and a children’s library associate at her local library, where she shares her imagination and creative programs with her community.

Reviews

[Lauren Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Mermaid Memories is an exciting adventure filled with possibilities. To be perfectly candid I read this series out of order unintentionally so rather than reading this novella first as was intended, I read Blue Reflections and then read this as soon as I realized I missed part of the story. This novella was fantastic I couldn’t set it down. Without spoiling anything I was so excited to see characters being introduced, seeing how they met or were connected, and learning their backstory, especially a certain sassy hermit crab. This book had everything anyone could possibly ask for in a book adventure, pirates, folklore and fae, memory loss, possible romance, and so much more I’d love to put that would be spoilers. Amanda Casey writes stories that have both the comfort of the Celtic fairytales of my childhood while being so undeniably unique. These books are not like every other mermaid or selkie story they are original to their core and I cannot wait for the second novel. I would definitely recommend every book written by Casey, especially this one.

[Brandi Sylvester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very intrigued with reading this book, as I was excited for Blue Reflections and I was chosen as an ARC reader for it. I'm pretty laid back when it comes to reading and the genres, I usually lean towards romance or thrillers. I've been attempting to broaden my horizon, this seemed like something I might like. For this being a shorter book, it took me a lot longer to read it than I was expecting. I couldn't get into the story and wasn't able to connect to the characters. I felt like there was nothing to grab my attention to keep me coming back. I really struggled to get through it, I am hoping Blue Reflections isn't the same way!

[Rebecca Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and intriguing read. The development of the characters and their environment is deep and complete. The characters are fun and I am looking forward to continuing the series to learn more.

[AuntSassy95 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very intrigued with where this story is headed. I struggled a tad bit to get into it at first but it was well worth it. Can’t wait for the book!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Henrietta is my favorite! The story felt familiar to me, in a good way, not in a "I've read this before" kinda way. It's a little hard to explain, but I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read even more

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 ⭐️. Not the caliber of the 5⭐️s I have read this year but still really good on its own accord.

Great little prequel building you up for the First book of the series. Sea nymphs, pirates, handsome artists, lol. What’s not to love?!?! A little slow in the beginning, but the story took a few small twists and became very intriguing, leaving me wanting to know more. Exactly what I love in a book.

[Jessica Ogram · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the vibe of this book and am intrigued about future books to come in this series. I do wish a little more came from her trip, more for Selia as I feel she didn’t gain much so I was left hoping and a bit disappointed. I didn’t really get attached to the characters and felt there wasn’t much development. But it was a fun enjoyable quick read.

[C R Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

First jaunt into the world of Selia. It is attention grabbing and I will be continuing the series.

[Cali Ravenwing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this debut novel. It gave you enough information to get you into the story. The characters were well written and very intriguing. The suspense and mystery surrounding them keeps you on your toes, wanting to know more. The story is heading in a good direction. I look forward to seeing where the story goes. I love Celtic Mythology. I have read stories featuring Selkies before and am always interested in learning more!!!

[ThatBookishWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story! I read Blue Reflections before I read this one. I love seeing how Henrietta and Selina met. Henrietta, is truly one of my favorite characters and love reading about her! Also seeing her meet Amy was great too. She is such an interesting and fun character too!!

Can’t forget about Damien! Loved him in the other book. Love seeing how they interact with one another. 😍😍

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really easy novella to read! I wished I read this first before the other two but it definitely helped answer some questions of the first 2. I loved Henrietta!! Selia was great like in the first 2 books!

[BeBe LeStrange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read. Great character development leading to intrigue about the future of the story.

[A Girl & Her Books Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this after blue reflections and before Tidal Ancestry's, help in learning a deeper story of Sila

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selia’s forgetfulness is central to the plot, but how does she still have a job? Her boss is annoying yet oddly patient. Taking off on a cryptic invitation? Bold move. She barely tries with the concoctions, but her little companion adds charm. The memory-revisiting twist is fascinating, and I need more of her dynamic with the painter. Curious to see how she handles the Council as the past resurfaces.

[Amanda Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selia's character has grown so much since when I first created her. She's a sea nymph who must rely on the local ocean life to pull her out of her introverted shell. She never expected to befriend a hermit crab obsessed with the color she has spent her life attempting to avoid, nor did she think a man who painted with that color would see her as a mermaid.

Good thing Amy came along and gave her one of her salty sea potions to indulge herself with. Who knew the sea sorceress would expect her to visit what she remembered of the Celtic Sea over a century ago? When pirates sailed the high seas in search of treasure only sea nymphs have memories of?

I hope this prequel novella to the Ocean Apothecary Series will satisfy readers as I bring this series to life!

[Hooli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was cute. I love Henrietta, she’s my favorite character 🦀 I found the concepts of the “magic” really interesting as well as the symbol. I will be happy to find out more in the next book because I’m left with questions. Fairly quick read as well, which served as a nice little palette cleanser between my more heavy reads.