Tag: Zooloo’s Book Tours

Fight For Freedom
by Marisa Noelle
Publication Day: 30th March 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance

MERMAIDS HIDE ON ATLANTIS.

THE MAINLAND IS DESTROYED.

Cordelia, Wade, and friends return to the mainland to find a nuclear junkyard. With the human population drastically reduced, most blame the mermaids and selachii for deserting them and hiding the sanctuary of Atlantis.

When a new prophecy says they must unite with a third, a human, Wade and Cordelia open their land to the survivors. But sharing Atlantis comes with a price. Prejudices are rife and many are out for revenge. And the third in their trio is anything but cooperative.

Distracted by the politics on the island, Cordelia misses the creeping return of Wade’s old flame, Stephanie. Seeking vengeance, Stephanie transforms into a sea witch and evokes the hound of the ocean, a terrible beast from the ancient depths that kills without prejudice.

With Atlantis threatened, Cordelia’s powers misfiring, and a betrayer among their ranks, mermaids and selachii are once again at risk of extinction. Only if they can remain united with the humans and vanquish the hound and Stephanie will they have a chance to reclaim their island.

Perfect for fans of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Crush by Tracy Wolff, Mermaid’s Return by A.L. Knorr.

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Excerpt:

“Wade Daniel Waters, do you take Cordelia Anne Blue for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?” The pastor looked to my almost husband.

“I do,” Wade smiled, then added, “always, forever and united.”

“Can we stick to the script?” Trent said. He stood next to Wade, his chest puffed with best man importance.

“Cordelia Anne Blue, do you take Wade Daniel Waters for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I replied. “Always, forever and united.”

Trent rolled his eyes, and I stifled a giggle. Wade slipped a ring onto my finger, a plain white gold band that sparkled in the sunlight. I slipped the matching one onto his. The pastor declared we were now husband and wife. Wade was free to kiss me, as many times as he wanted, and for as long as we both desired.

His head dipped, his eyes flashing black. I circled my arms around his neck and forgot about everyone else standing on the beach watching us. It was our moment, our first act as husband and wife, king and queen. We would be officially coronated during the wedding breakfast. But I forgot all that as I softened against him. Ignoring all the staring eyes, I focused instead on his lips and wished we could bypass the coming feast and head straight to our new bedroom. But that would have to wait. There were family and well-wishers to greet.

Maya handed me my bouquet, an exquisite array of Birds of Paradise that complimented the arrangements decorating the aisle. The fragrance carried sweetly in the air. Wade walked me back down the aisle, our bare feet sinking into the soft sand, to a thunderous applause and a few loud wolf whistles. Trent was the main culprit. He and Maya stood together at the altar, maid of honor and best man, watching us go.

I lifted my dress as we walked along the cobblestone path. We followed the winding walkway under the aqueduct, vines softening their angular edges and now heavy with plump, ripe grapes, toward the palace steps and the courtyard where the banquet was waiting for us.

“You’re so beautiful. I haven’t had a chance to tell you. When you came walking down the aisle, I thought I was dreaming.” Wade’s voice was thick with emotion as he cupped my elbow and guided me along the path.

“You too,” I replied. I couldn’t manage more words. I was afraid I would cry from sheer happiness, from the magnitude of the whole thing, and from the blissful relief that finally, everything had gone the right way for us.

“We deserve it.” Wade read my thoughts. “We’ve been through so much. It’s our time now.”

“It is.” I clutched his hand as we mounted the stone steps. Halfway up, we turned and waved to our people, who were approaching the cobblestone path. “Give me a minute,” I said as we arrived at the palace entrance, a vast marble arch boasting exquisite architecture, softened by vibrant flowers hanging from the balconies. “I need to freshen up.”

Wade drew me to his side. “Take a few. Now we’re married, I won’t worry when you’re out of my sight.”

“Worry?” I questioned.

Wade smiled sheepishly and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Ever since we had that argument on the plane and I realized I loved you more than you loved me, I worried I might lose you.”

“Wade—”

“Not necessarily to another guy, but maybe to your family or a career or even to the blue chamber and the High Council or…I don’t really know to what. But you’ve got my ring on your finger now. Two of them. It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt in months.” He chuckled and kissed my nose. “So take a moment, take a few. We have the rest of our lives to love each other.”

I rested a hand on his cheek. “Exactly,” I said. “And you shouldn’t have worried. I was naïve back then, on the plane. It may have only been a year ago, but it’s been a long year and we went through a lot together. I grew up. We both did. We were forced to. I don’t regret any of it. It was a stupid argument. If I’d known we would be married a year later…but here we are, where we should be, and I’m smiling at you, always. Don’t ever doubt my love for you, Wade Waters. And please don’t hide your worries from me. And for the record, back then, it was me who loved you more.”