Novel Description:
Having
grown up in San Francisco, Calder Brumen is drawn to the ocean, and he's spent
his life trying to capture the beauty of the Pacific on canvas. Over time, he
has become obsessed with painting the image of a dark haired mermaid named
Gaire, and Calder struggles to explain his devotion to these portraits to his
best friend. When Calder finds sandy footprints leading to the edge of his bed,
he suspects that the haunting siren is real.
Pursuing the truth, Calder is dragged into a murderous, underwater
plot that could destroy them all. And he must choose – is the possibility of a
lifetime with Gaire worth risking death for himself and everyone he loves?
Excerpt:
“Hush, Calder,” she whispered.
Pulling the sheet from the floor, she slipped into the bed,
covering them both. The feel of her against his side brought on another
struggle to touch her, another groan of her name.
“You’re dreaming. Go back to sleep.”
The edges of the room twisted inward when Gaire’s fingers
fluttered up his thigh. The scent of saltwater, coconuts and jasmine grew
stronger, lulling him and clouding his mind. He struggled to reach out to her,
but his limbs did not respond and then even his thoughts fell silent, swallowed
by the warmth of her gentle lips on his.
She murmured something against his mouth, but he could no longer
understand her words. He drifted in the confusion her nearness wrought.
*
*
*
He glanced around the room through squinted eyes. Always wake up alone. The glaring sun streamed
through the open sliding door. The white chiffon curtains fluttered in the
wind, but there was no other movement in the room. When he propped himself up
on his elbows, bits of sand jumped along the edge of the king-sized bed.
Real… Mary mother of god, she’s real, she’s always been
real.
He scrubbed his hand over his face. Does she come every night?
Small, sandy footprints led toward the bed from the balcony, but
none led away. Flashes of softness, warmth, bright red lips calling his name,
feathery kisses across his chest and down…
He felt a flush creep across his hardened body.
Oh, good god… I think I’ve finally gone insane.
An Interview with the
Author:
1. What is your favorite mermaid story or myth?
I included the Blue Men of Minch and 1830 Mermaid of Benbecula. Both are
briefly mentioned in history, but they were great for my novella.
2. What was the inspiration for your mermaid
novella? Anna Albergucci, A.R. Draeger, and I were brainstorming during a Write
Day at the Albergucci estate. I joked that I might do something completely
ridiculous this time... My husband and I really like UFC champ Coner
McGregor + I like beards = Calder was born. To be different, I decided
that Cold Water Bridegroom should mostly be written from Calder Brumen's point
of view.
3. Cast your characters. If your novella was made
into a movie, who would play your main characters? Calder Brumen: Gerard Butler
(think: redheaded Leonidas that paints), Gaire: Ayelet Zurer or Alexis
Knapp (but, man, Jenn Proske has the hair), Mike Love: Scott Evans (Captain
America's younger brother) or Brett Tucker, though they are both a bit tall for
the role. Venora: To be honest, she'd be much harder to cast, but I bet Uma
Thurman could pull it off. If Uma was busy that year, I'd choose Cate
Blanchett. I still haven't figured out the twins.
4. What was most challenging thing writing about
mermaids? I think the hardest part was making the characters believable, while
crossing from water to land, or even into the mer-city - just how to make it
all work, think of and answer all the questions.
5. Ursula or Ariel? Ummm.... Can I pick King
Triton? ;)
6. What else should we know about your novella? Set
in San Francisco, Calder is an moody artist looking for his forever. Somebody
dies. (:
About the Author:
Bokerah Brumley is an award-winning freelance writer. In her spare
time, Bokerah enjoys climbing trees, photographing peacocks, and writing flash
fiction. Two novellas and one novel are planned for 2015. She lives with her
husband, five kids, and three dogs in West Texas where she serves as the
blue-haired publicity officer for the Cisco Writers Club.
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