Dear Reader,
Once upon a time in the far-off past of 2018, I found myself traversing a newly discovered realm of muslin burping cloths, tiny footie pajamas, and a stream of sleepless nights. I’d been an avid reader and writer almost as long as I could hold a crayon, seeking both as an outlet for creativity and relaxation. But something about the escapism Fantasy Romance offered as I navigated my new role helped soothe and ground me within the chapters of every book I devoured.
I found myself at home with the mythical creatures in each book. Witches, vampires, faeries, dragons—but no mermaids. At least, none that caught my attention. So, I shrugged my shoulders and moved on. I continued reading delicious Romantasy, but with every story I finished, something tugged at me. I don’t know why, but I really wanted to read about a mermaid.
Fast forward to the birth of my second son in 2021, and once again I was searching for ways to pass time with a newborn, except now I had a toddler to entertain as well. Animated movies found their place in our living room. And with them, Moana. In my rocking chair, often with two little boys asleep in my lap, I watched Moana sing that water calls to her, and an idea took shape in my mind.
Moana is a mermaid.
I mean, not really. But hear me out. She totally could be.
To anyone well-versed in Pacific Island culture, I hope you’ll forgive the creative liberties I took in constructing Maren’s home, daily life, and beliefs. I’ll admit that as a someone who has lived in Washington State all my life, my references were based in research rather than first-hand knowledge. Although the lore found within A Sea of Song and Sirens was dreamt up by me, the inspiration for Leihani is rooted in elements that were vital to Ancient Polynesia. An ocean tide, the cycle of the moon, a volcanic goddess.
A Sea of Song and Sirens asks the question, What if, in another time and world, tropical Polynesian islands had been only a three day sail from a cooler continent such as Europe? And, on top of that, what if Greek-inspired Sirens lived between them?
My greatest hope is that these pages offer you the same escapism I leaned on not so long ago. Thank you for buying this book. Thank you for holding it in your hands. I hope you root for Maren as much as I have in the two years since she first made her appearance on my computer screen. And I hope she sticks with you even after the pages stop turning.
