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Shadow in the Sea

Readers will return to Windwaithe Island once again. When sixteen-year-old Sadelyn Hanson washes up on the shores of Windwaithe Island, her beauty and the strange marks on her wrist make superstitious locals suspect she is a mermaid. Feigning amnesia, Sade hides a far worse secret: she was sailing to her own murder trial when she was thrown overboard by the real killer, the cunning and cruel Captain Westwood.

Sade's quiet effort to rebuild her life on the island is threatened when she meets an actual young merman. Unable to speak his language, Sade still longs for the warm companionship he offers, despite the locals' dire legends about merfolk and their dark magic. But her confused feelings for the impossible boy become the least of her problems when Captain Westwood's ship docks at Windwaithe. With nowhere to escape, Sade must trust in the one person who doesn't fear the merfolk. A woman who had dealings with them herself—years ago

Monday, February 22, 2010

Mermaid Sightings (Believe it or Not)

Looks like the real mermaids are stirring in Israel. I wonder if one of them is the mermaid from my story? Click the link below to learn more about this bizarre phenomena.

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/090813-bad-mermaid.html

A one million dollar reward is nothing to sneeze at. Quick, everyone grab your best mermaid costumes and cameras and head to the beach! It's mermaid season.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

How Do You Buy Books?

It has finally happened. Forbidden Sea is offically featured in the summer 2010 Scholastic catalog our library just recieved. It makes it seem more real, somehow, seeing my book in a catalog.

As the day of my book's release draws ever near, I find myself very interested in how people purchase their books. Recently a friend of mine took the time to explain the strange mystery that is Amazon rankings and I discovered that they pretty much don't tell you a whole lot when it comes right down to it. So I've decided to ask all of you expert book purchasers out there how do you buy your books? Online? Which sites? Or do you like going into a bookstore personally to pick up your copies? Which stores do you prefer? At the library I work for, most of our books are ordered from Baker and Taylor. But we do use other providers as well. The other thing I'd like to know is how early in advance do you like to purchase your books? Really early or right after they come out? Or do you like to wait and see reviews of books or check them out of a library first before making a purchase?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Obsessions of a Book Addict

Since most of you following this blog are voracious readers, just like me, I had a question I wanted to throw out there. I find myself obsessed with certain types of books--mainly young adult and middle grade. But I also find myself drawn to the same subjects and topics over and over as I pick the books I want to read. Not that I don't love to break out once in a while and try something new, but certain subjects will definitely make me take a second look at a book every time. I guess you could call this obsessions, since I never seem to grow tired of them. I'm curious what YOUR obsessions are. What kinds of stories always grab your attention? My obsessions include--historical books with magical realism, fairy tale retellings, anything set in the Jane Austen period, good old fashioned ghost stories, any story with a doll in it, and non-fiction involving archeology in any way. I also love non-fiction books about unusual but fascinating subjects. (Ever read The Cosmic Joker by Brian Innes?)

Now it is your turn. What are your obsessions? What subjects have an undeniable pull on you? Leave your answers in comments and if you have any great books to recommend add them as well. I'm always on the look out for more great books to read!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Forbidden Sea is Now on Facebook

For you Facebook fans there is now an official Forbidden Sea Facebook page. Feel free to visit it, participate in discussions, and catch up on the latest Forbidden Sea news. There is currently a discussion on favorite mermaid books going on. Feel free to add your two cents and see what others have been reading. You can start your own mermaid discussion as well.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=300689349440#!/pages/Forbidden-Sea/300689349440

(c) 2010 Sheila A. Nielson

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The ideas and views expressed in this blog reflect only those of Sheila A. Nielson and no other persons, companies, or business entities.