IN OVER HER HEAD

Author: Judi Fennell ISBN: 9781402220012 6/2009 PARANORMAL Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS CASABLANCA

To spend her life with him, she'll have to face her greatest fear... Erica Peck thought she'd never have to go into the water again. After all, there's plenty to do running her family's marina from shore without having to dive in herself. But then her unstable ex-fiance shows up with a gun and demands her help in finding a bag of rare jewels she accidentally tossed into the ocean. Unable to find them, bleeding from a grazing gunshot wound and running out of oxygen fast, she has no choice but to give herself up to the mercy of the sea. Rescued from the water and the sharks by a gorgeous merman named Reel, Erica quickly finds herself falling head over fins in love with him. And when Reel risks his life to save hers, she discovers that she doesn't want to live without him, no matter the consequences. But can they ever find a way to be together when she still can't stand the water and he can't survive on land?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

IN OVER HER HEAD is kind of a reversed Little Mermaid deal. Definite similarities between mer-person loving human/being fascinated by the humans, overbearing King of the Seas Father with lots of edicts, Evil Hag of the Sea villainess… heck, there’s even a fish named Flounder! Of course, instead of Triton’s daughter you have his reckless bad boy, rebel son Reel, and instead of a Prince you have a sea-phobic marina owner named Erica.

Obvious jokes aside, this book was simply hilariously good fun. It's not a deep read, but a guilt-free bit of enjoyment with talking fish, a Kraken monster, and a heroine with bite. Terrified as she is of the water (which is directly related to Reel), she gets the job done and saves not only her butt, but Reel’s a couple times too.

Ceto, the aforementioned Hag of the Sea, was a hoot. I felt a little bad for her, given her history, and other than threatening practically everybody at some point, she’s not so bad. Erica nails her problem soon after hearing her history.

Legends of all kinds, from Greek (Poseidon, Medusa), to British (Galahad, Lancelot), to even modern-day Legends of Amelia Earhart and Ernest Hemmingway are included. As is a moderate dosage of popular culture, especially references to a certain actor. There is also a certain homage, at times, to the Disney film, The Little Mermaid. Reel equals Ariel, Erica equals Eric, Ceto equals Ursula, Fisher Tritonne equals King Triton… maybe I’m misreading the book, however.

All in all, IN OVER HER HEAD is a delightful read that I recommend. As far as romance goes? Reel is a real catch (pun totally intended, since he makes even worse ones in the book).

Alexandra Cenni