Everblue (Mer Tales, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Brenda Pandos (Author)

Book Description

Everblue, Book #1 in the Mer Tales

She wanted her life to change ... he wanted his to stay the same.

Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Swimming and spending time with Tatiana, her best friend, are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college, and Ash hopes to finally ditch her longtime crush for Finley, Tatiana's twin brother. But when Tatiana and her family fail to return home after a family emergency, Ashlyn chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Finley Helton and his family are good at blending in as they run their sailing charter business in Lake Tahoe. But together, they guard an ancient secret. When a not so routine meeting forces Finley, Tatiana and their mother to return to Natatoria and Fin's father on a dangerous mission, Fin can't stay caged up for long.

Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, and a simple lifesaving kiss could change their lives forever.

** Stalk me by joining my email list to find out about new releases, contests, and much more at brendapandos.com or email me at [e-mail] **

More books by Brenda:
The Emerald Talisman, Book #1 - Talisman Series (available now)
The Sapphire Talisman, Book #2 - Talisman Series (available now)
The Onyx Talisman, Book #3 - Talisman Series (available now)
Book #4 - Talisman Series - (coming 2013)
Everblue, book 1 - Mer Tales (available now)
Evergreen, book 2 - Mer Tales (available now)
Everlost, book 3 - Mer Tales (coming Feb 2013)

Product Details

• File Size: 552 KB
• Print Length: 322 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0982903391
• Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing (July 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005FA2YXG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #11 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Fairy Tales
  • #12 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Spin on the Mermaids/Merman Trend! August 11, 2011

By Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf

Format:Kindle Edition

When I first heard about Everblue, the first book in Brenda Pandos' new series, I knew I had to read it. Not only because I really enjoyed Brenda's first two books (The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman), but because Everblue had to do with one of my new favorite trends in YA: mermaids. Luckily enough, Everblue turned out to be everything I was expecting and much more!

Ash and Tatiana (Tatchi) have been best friends for the longest of times. They share nearly everything with the other, and they even plan to go to college together in the fall. However, each has their own secrets to hide from the other for numerous reasons. For Ash, this means hiding the feelings she feels for Tatchi's twin brother Fin whose unreachable in ways she can't even begin to imagine. For Tatchi, this means hiding the biggest, most powerful secret she has, the secret she's been running from for way too long. Everything changes, though, when Tatchi and Fin mysteriously disappear into the night. No one, not even Ash, knows where they've gone and why new people have taken up residency in their house. However, Ash plans to find out, even if it means putting everything in her life on the line....

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was split first person narratives between Ash and Fin, because it allows the reader to get a feel for both sides of the story: the "human" version and the "mer" version. In addition, both were adorable and fabulous protagonists. Ash was resilient and sweet- even managing to break through the small shell she surrounded around her life over the course of the novel. Fin, on the other hand, was more headstrong but still very sweet in the long run. Together they managed to have a sweet romance, even though I was sometimes put off by the insta-love feeling of it. I also enjoyed seeing Tatchi as a character. However, I have to admit I would have loved to seen a bit more of her in the book.

The mer aspect of this was another high point. I loved the new spins Brenda gave to mermaids and mermen as well as the level of development and description she put into their underwater world. I also enjoyed seeing Ash's school and swimming life, because while it wasn't quite as thrilling as the mer aspect, it still provided a great edge at times.

The writing in this one was also great. Brenda is an author whose books I've read since the beginning, and I have to say her writing continues to grow and grow as she writes more books.

Unique and enjoyable, Everblue is well worth a read! However, that ending? Crazy! I need the sequel ASAP.

Grade: B+

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A new favorite mermaid book! :) September 15, 2011

By Jenababy13

Format:Paperback

As soon as I saw this book pop up on my goodreads page, my first thought was 'WOW what a stunning cover!!' and my second thought was 'I have to order that now!' And, I am so glad I did. I fell in love with book from the first chapter. It's a unique, filled with tons of action, beautiful story and I loved every second of it.

Everblue starts off with Ashlyn & Tatchi who are neighbors and best friends. Enjoying an afternoon on the beach - Ash plans to finish her senior year in high school and then her and Tatchi will have college adventures together. Then, Fin shows up, Tatchi's twin brother and also Ash's long time crush, taking Tatchi home. As Ash continues on with her life, she realizes that Tatchi and Fin have left without a trace. Ash, feeling as something terrible has happened, tries to continue to figure out what happened to her best friend and her brother and before she knows will come colliding with a world she never could have imagined.

Firstly, I just noticed the last 'e' on the cover of Everblue is shaped like a mermaid fin! HOW CREATIVE. A little detail that I adore!

As I've said before... I love books that have to do with water or Mermaids. It's something I've always loved. And, I just adored this book. I loved the creativeness of the world, how it's told from duel viewpoints, the romance, the friendships, I just loved it all. Being able to be inside Fin and Ash's head and follow each of their stories was just brilliantly done. Brenda crafted the book beautifully. We watched both Ash's and Fin's worlds start together, be torn apart but only to come crashing back into each other.

Speaking of Ash & Fin... yes I loved them both. Ashlyn (beautiful name by the way) is your normal, swimmer, teenage girl. She's pretty but not popular, captain of the swim team, has friends, and is everything you'd expect in a daughter. You can't help but love her. And Fin... oh Fin! :) Fin is sexxxxxyy. Come rescue me any day! With his blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and totally caring self he's easy for fall for. Also there's Tatchi, Fin's twin sister and Ash's best friend. I have to say I loved Tatchi's character as well. Shes strong and stubborn and I cannot wait to see what happens to all three of them in the next book!

Another quick character I really liked was Callahan. How could you not love the gorgeous, baseball pitcher with a sweet heart? I'm dying to see if he's in the next book!

I was so happy with how the book ended, yet I was also a tad bit like 'Awwww MAN!'. I'm so anxious for the next book. I need to know what happens with Ash and Fin and Tatchi and everything!! I'm so glad I ended up buying and reading this book right away. I loved it SO, so much. Easily a new favorite and I cannot wait to find out what happens with the rest of the series!

PS. I need a little blue vile of essence please!
PPS. I TOTALLY know where I want a tattoo now. ;)

*This review can be found on <...>

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read August 10, 2011

By Matching Socks

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read the ebook but have ordered the print book because my students will really enjoy this book. Conflicts are established early on so that piques a readers interest. It was interesting and unusual to read about characters who had traditional home lives, involved parents etc. That is not the norm in YA fiction but there are still YA readers who come from that background so they'll easily relate. It was a fun read. Looking forward to the next in the series.

More About the Author

Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and spending time with friends and family. Working formerly as an I.T. Administrator, she never believed her imagination would be put to good use. After her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder her life completely changed. Writing paranormal romance became something she could do at home while tending to the new needs of her family, household and herself.

Brenda now has six books published, The Talisman Trilogy and Mer Tales. You can follow what she's working on next at http://www.brendapandos.com or join her email distribution list for new releases and contests at [e-mail]