Thanks so much for asking me to come on to talk about the second book in my Mer series. One of the first questions I always get when I tell people I write about mermen and mermaids invariably has to do with how they “do it.” Funny how a story of romance, of myths and legends come to life, of Atlantis and Greek gods, of adventure, betrayal, and treasure, comes down to sex.
Before In Over Her Head was released I used to say, “You'll have to read the book to find out,” but now that it's out, it’s no big deal to say that, in my story, the characters have legs when they make love. Other authors have written about mermaids/men who don't shift to their human form, but in my world they do. At least, when they make love with Humans. With other Mers? Well, I haven’t gone there. Yet. But you never know what’ll happen.
But in Wild Blue Under, the question does come up because Rod and Valerie are racing toward the coast, dodging peregrine dive-bombers, and avoiding the fish falling from the sky from a vindictive albatross, and have to deal with the tag-along Chief of Air Security, a seagull named Livingston, so the last thing they have time for is a night of passion. Well, okay, maybe they do have the time, but there’s the rain and the accident, and, well, I’m not going to give it away. But as they race toward the coast, Rod knows he's going to jump in the ocean with Val and they’ll both get their tails—so when/how do they “do it”?
In the contemporary romances I’ve written, getting two humans in bed realistically and believably within the context of the story can be tough at times. Add in the aspect of my Mers needing to have legs, and it’s one more element to figure into the plot. When/how will they get those legs, how will the other character react (seriously—what would you do if the guy you were all hot and bothered about suddenly got a tail?) With human characters on the run from the bad guys, you can toss them in a safe house, and adrenaline/life-and-death excitement can contribute to “the moment” (not to mention the fact that we all know these two are going to end up together so get them in bed already!). But when you’ve got “other-worldly” beings, it’s one more piece of the puzzle.
Even though I write paranormal, I like to ground my world-building in as much reality as possible so that it's not such a leap of faith to believe that there’s a whole city under Bermuda, or a whole other world under the sea. So that when you meet Angel when she’s chatting with her father, the High Councilman of Atlantis, you see that she’s just a daughter concerned for her father who just so happens to have a tail and live underwater. That Rod is dealing with having legs so he can fulfill his destiny and claim his throne, and that the birds flying overhead and dropping bombs to stop him from attaining his goal are paid thugs. So that when Rod and Valerie do finally get intimate, you’re not concerned so much about the tail as the feelings they have for each other.
So, how do Rod and Val make love? Do they have tails? Legs? Are they in the water? Out of it? On top of it?
You know, I get a perverse sort of pleasure in saying, “Neener, neener, you have to read the book to find out.”
But I will give you a teaser:
“Valerie.”
Rod’s voice sounded so close. So soft and deep and warm…
“Valerie, open your eyes.”
Something nudged her nose, and she exhaled before blinking into wispy gray dawn.
Yes, very close. His eyes were right there, mossy green with the tiniest lines at the sides as they smiled at her. Hmmm, smiling eyes. So nice to wake up to. “Rod? You’re okay?”
“Okay? That depends on what you mean by okay.” He slid his cheek against hers, and she shivered as his breath tickled the hollow beneath her ear. “How are you?”
“Hmmm?” Her eyes closed and she shifted in his arms, her fingertips feeling the smooth, hard warmth of his chest. “I’m…”
Wait a minute.
Her eyes flew open. “What—? Why are you—? What are we—?”
Oh, God, she was naked all over Rod.
Ohgodohgodohgodohgod… What was wrong with her? Where was her self-respect? Her pride? Her sense of self-preservation?
Her pajamas?
She scrambled off his thigh (oh, man, she had literally been all over him), clambering to get off the bed and cover herself and preserve some semblance of dignity.
One scooch and she landed on her backside on the threadbare carpet, her legs still trapped on the edge of the bed.
So much for dignity.
© Judi Fennell, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2009
I will tell you that Rod and Val are in a motel room, and if you'd like the chance to act out this scene—and feel fee to take it to its natural conclusion with someone special LOL—enter my contest to win one of two remaining romantic beach getaway weekends. One is at the Atlantis Inn B&B in Ocean City, NJ (www.AtlantisInn.com) and the drawing will be held November 30. The other is at the Hibiscus House B&B in West Palm Beach, FL (www.HibiscusHouse.com), drawing held on February 28, 2010 to celebrate the release of Catch of a Lifetime.
WILD BLUE UNDER—book 2 in the Mer Series—in stores November 2009!
The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen…
Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it's not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water…
She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she's a princess…
Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible—but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her?
Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?
About the Author
Judi Fennell is an award-winning author. Her romance novels have been finalists in Gather.com's First Chapters and First Chapters Romance contests, as well as the third American Title contest. She spends family vacations at the Jersey Shore, the setting for some of her paranormal romance series. She lives in suburban Philadelphia, PA.
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