In Over Her Head [Mass Market Paperback]

Judi Fennell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A New Jersey marina owner finds adventure and romance while conquering her fear of the sea in this playful but uninspired debut. When Erica Peck is forced overboard into shark territory by an ex-boyfriend who wants her to recover his lost diamonds, Reel Tritone, the œspare second son of an undersea king, swims up to save her. Reel gives Erica the ability to breathe water and introduces her to talking fish, sea monsters and strange landscapes. Reel's growing interest in Erica's œshell-fillers and hers in his œgono lead to a night of island lust (conveniently, Reel has legs rather than a tail). Fennell's sincere wit is overshadowed by stilted writing full of fishy wordplay, and Erica's self-consciousness turns her visit to an exotic undersea fantasy world into pretty window dressing on a thoroughly traditional romance story. (June)
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Review

IN OVER HER HEAD is a delightful, quirky blend of humor, adventure and passion. (Lynda K. Scott Star-Crossed Romance 20090513)

In Over Her Head is a heartwarming, but action-packed story of two people–one human and the other of the seaworthy body–joined together in an adventure. (Dawn M. Ekinia Armchair Interviews 20090518)

Fennell takes readers on a delightful underwater adventure in her debut. A cross between Splash and The Little Mermaid, this tale is full of good-natured humor and fun... this is a strong first effort by a promising new talent. (Devon Paige The Romantic Times 20090518)

In Over Her Head is the perfect summer beach read - one that might prompt you to cast the occasional glace out onto the briny horizon to catch a possible glimpse of a Mer Man all your own! (Martina Bexte BookLoons.com 20090518)

With a gender bending of the movie Splash, In Over Her Head is a fun romantic fantasy starring two likable lead characters... a fun under the sea romance. (Harriet Klausner Genre Go Round Reviews 20090518)

Nora Roberts? Danielle Steel? Much acclaimed romance writers should step aside. There is a new romance writer in town and she is certainly causing a great splash with her debut novel, In Over Her Head. (Bella McGuire A Bibliophile's Bookshelf 20090519)

This book also does a great job portraying what sea creatures might actually be saying about humans if we could only understand them. (Debbie Suzuki Debbie's World of Books 20090519)

This is a fun story based under the sea. (Heather Eye on Romance 20090522)

Filled with absolutely breathtaking ocean details, characters that will have your head spinning, and a fun romance that will have you cheering! This debut has grabbed me hook, line, and sinker! (Wendy Hines Wendy's Minding Spot 20090522)

[I]t's fantastic... The action is very quick paced and held my attention completely. I can't wait for the next book in the series. (Carrie Zimmerman The Book Girl 20090526)

Judi Fennell has done an incredible job of creating the underwater kingdom in a way that makes sense to my logical side. (Robyn Roberts Once Upon a Romance 20090526)

In Over Her Head is an aquatic wonderland that will have you wanting to explore under the sea for a merman of your very own. (Hibiscus Long and Short of it Reviews 20090527)

Ms. Fennell pens a fun and often humorous tale as the myths and legends of the ocean come to life. (Darque Reviews 20090529)

Whether you're at the beach, at the pool, or closed up in your comfy ACed house this summer, if you're looking for a great romance I'd highly recommend In Over Her Head (Kristi Lewandowski Passion for the Page 20090602)

You know when you are looking for something cool and refreshing that hits you in all the right places? Well that is exactly what Mrs. Fennell did for me. (Cheryl Koch Cheryl's Book Nook 20090603)

[I]f you love to see sparks fly - especially between two unlikely characters - In Over Her Head is your book! (Anita Morgan I Loves To Read 20090604)

This is a great one to take to the pool or beach chicks! A fun, light romantic read! (Amy Castellano Chic Book Reviews 20090610)

In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell is over the top! I've never read anything like it and I really enjoyed it. (Darlene Smoliak Peeking Between the Pages 20090617)

If you love sexy adevnture tales with fantasy mixed in along with plenty of danger and seriously scary moments this is a book you won't put down until the very last page and even then you'll want more. (Roxanne Rhoads Fang-tastic Books 20090731)

[A] great, imaginative story. (Andrea Mason So Many Books, So Little Time 20090731)

The romance sizzles in this one that no splash in the ocean can cool off. (Marta Hoelscher Marta's Meanderings 20090831)

Fennell has created an undersea world that's a lot of fun. (Ann Marble All About Romance 20090921)

In Over Her Head was a wonderful surprise of adventure, wonderment and steamy fun. (Anna Lemkau Anna's Book Blog 20091118)

[P]lenty of action, just the right amount of dialogue and scene set up, and most of all the romance was great! (Amy My Overstuffed Bookshelf 20091207)

Using elements of Greek mythology, lost lands and old pirate tales, Fennell submerges the reader into a world of blues, greens and iridescent light. (Bloody Bad Books 20100126)

Action, adventure, romance and humor that Judi Fennell blends together effortlessly in an engaging story that will keep readers completely entertained. (Bitten By Books 20100128)

Her undersea world building is incomparable... If you enjoy humorous, extremely well written paranormal mermaid romance, this is an excellent choice. (Joey W. Hill )

A uniquely different love story. (Dee Dailey The Romance Studio )

Fans of the romance genre or even fans of The Little Mermaid will appreciate Ms. Fennell and her storytelling abilities! (Julie Peterson Booking Mama )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402220014
• ISBN-13: 978-1402220012
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judi Fennell has had her nose in a book and her head in some celestial realm all her life, including those early years when her mom would exhort her to "get outside!" instead of watching Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie on television. So she did--right into Dad's hammock with her Nancy Drew books.

These days she's more likely to have her nose in her laptop and her head (and the rest of her body) at her favorite bookstore, but she's still reading, whether it be her latest manuscript or friends' books.

A three-time finalist in online contests, Judi has enjoyed the reader feedback she's received and would love to hear what you think about her Mer and Genie series. Check out her website (www.JudiFennell.com) for excerpts, reviews, contests and pictures from reader and writer conferences, as well as the chance to "dive in" to her stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, Wet, Hilarious!, May 22, 2009

By 

PShaw - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Over Her Head (Mass Market Paperback)

Find a shady spot near something watery and dive into this great summer romance. I won't spend time recapping what other reviewers have already said about the plot. Judi is a mistress of being both hilariously funny and ratcheting up the tension (on all levels!)

The internal conflicts of both the hero and heroine are believeable and genuine, as is their attraction to one another, and their reasons for shying away from that attraction. The external conflicts (yes, there's more than one!) are also believable and well-executed. She creates a complete world, with rules, traditions, language and history, and "peoples" it with characters both hilarious and villainous. The characters are "relatable", even one of the villains, for whom one can feel a measure of sympathy.

The sexual tension is sensual and breathtaking. The heroine is courageous and bold, and the hero, though he outwardly has a cavalier attitude, is a deep, thoughtful, troubled (and very sexy!)creature. The epilogue made me laugh out loud!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun adventure under the sea, May 18, 2009

By 

Debbie's World of Books "Debbie's World of Books" (Union City, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Over Her Head (Mass Market Paperback)

More accurately I would rate this a 3.5 stars.

This was my first time reading a book about mermen or mermaids and it was a great initiation into the under water world. Reel cracked me up although he was so full of himself sometimes you do want to smack him. From the beginning you feel the chemistry flowing between he and Erica. Not only do you have romance, sea monsters and talking sea creatures but this book also was filled with humor. At first the names of the characters seemed a bit campy, I mean come on a merman named Reel with a brother named Rod? As you meet more and more sea creatures with those ridiculous names you have to laugh. This book also does a great job portraying what sea creatures might actually be saying about humans if we could only understand them.

The ending did surprise me. I figured there were two pretty obvious possible outcomes but it wasn't the one I was expecting. The story is fast paced and keeps you going until the end.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give me more, May 18, 2009

By 

Cheryl Koch (CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Over Her Head (Mass Market Paperback)

Reel Tritone is the son of royalty but even being the son of royalty can't help him from receiving slack about being born with legs instead of a tail. Just his luck, Reel is the only mer-person to be gifted with legs instead of a tail. Reel has lost count how many times he has wished to be normal. The only thing that has kept Reel's mind off of the issue is...her. Ever since Reel first laided eyes on her as a little girl, he hasn't been able to get her off his mind. He thinks about her all the time.

Erica Peck vowed she would never set foot in the ocean again. Especially not after "The incident" that happened to her when she was a little girl. That was also the last time she was in the water. Now years later Erica finds herself facing her dears head on but not be her choice. Erica's ex-boyfriend Joseph Domenic Camparo has lost some diamonds at the bottom of the ocean. Diamonds that he needs to get back otherwise some very bad men will be after his hide. Being the big macho man that he is, Joey forces Erica at gunpoint to dive down and retrieve them or become shark food. When things go from bad to worse very quickly, Reel comes to Erica's aid but by doing so he puts all of the mer-people at risk.

Come take a splash with Reel and Erica in In Over Her Head. Judi Fennell's debut novel. I loved this book. You know when you are looking for something cool and refreshing that hits you in all the right places? Well that is exactly what Mrs. Fennell did for me. Reel and Erica are the updated version of one of the most famous couples...Eric and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. So if you loved The Little Mermaid then you will really enjoy this book. Plus it doesn't hurt that Reel is very good looking or that he and Erica have really good chemistry together.