I am crazy, super excited to share with you the stunning cover of one of the best books I’ve read this year… The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons!!! I had the opportunity to beta read this book and let me tell you it is incredibly beautiful and romantic! You will NOT want to miss this one! Carly Stevens designed the cover with artwork from the young and talented Kelsey Patton. Mark your calendar for February 13th!
What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?
Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.
But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.
And then the unthinkable happens: Hermes’ arms go around my thin, misshapen body, pulling me into the warmth of his chest. I resist, my own limbs as stiff as those inhabiting the island with us, but my friend will not let common sense dictate the right choice.
And I am too weak to do what I should do, because, instead of shoving him hard and fleeing, I give into the impulse overtaking my sanity and rest my head against his shoulder. The Girls do not move, but I get the sense they are in a fragile state of relieved joy to be touching him. Touching anyone, really.
Much like I am.
“You are not alone,” he murmurs, his face much too close to my glasses. I’m sure to develop a headache later, my eyes squeeze shut so tightly. But the words on his breath feel too good against my skin to let me do anything other than stay where I am.
When was the last time somebody held me like this? I can’t recall the last instance. Mikkos is never allowed this close. He may be able to touch the Girls, and occasionally hold my hand, but I’ve otherwise kept him at a distance. This is the first time I’ve ever broken down and allowed Hermes to touch me, and it’s stupid, I’m stupid, because if he was to die, to become one of my statues . . .
How would I survive?
“My father will listen to me,” he tells me, a strong hand gently rubbing my back. He believes in me, and this realization—while assumed before, now solidifies into assured truth. It’s a glorious feeling, knowing somebody out there is willing to do this for me; but he’s risking so much, going to Olympus to argue against judgments made by his sister and uncle. I shouldn’t let him do this. Over the years, he’s conveyed to me of the epic showdowns that rage amongst the assembly—and the gods and goddesses of Olympus are just as vindictive and unforgiving toward their own as they are toward mortals. I cannot let him risk himself for me.
“Athena—” I’m horrified my voice is so broken.
“Don’t think about her. She’s—what she did to you is unforgiveable. She’s not worth a single one of your thoughts.”
I shiver as his words trace my neck. “Your uncle—”
“Him, either,” he tells me, in direct contradiction to his earlier statement over how I need to deal with such matters.
What would life be like, outside this temple? I know the basics, thanks to computers and smartphones Hermes and Mikkos have provided me over the years, but I’ve never actually set foot off of my isle of exile in ages. It would be . . . terrifying, I think.
But, here in the circle of his embrace, I allow myself to imagine how it could be a blessing, too, especially if there was no fear of harming innocents. He has already petitioned the Assembly. Come next month, it will be discussed with or without my blessing or participation. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe he has a point. Before—I had no say in my punishment. I’ve born it quietly.
Maybe it’s time I finally take a chance.
When I tell Hermes this, he lets out a relieved exhale of a laugh, like he was holding his breath, not truly believing I’d agree so easily after years of fighting otherwise. Gooseflesh breaks out up and down my neck as his breath once more caresses my skin.
His head tilts down so his forehead presses against my temple, rendering me into a facsimile of the statues surrounding us. I can’t help but pray silently, Zeus above, if I ever had the smallest bit of luck, let me experience it now and ensure my glasses do not shift. Keep your son safe. “I knew you’d eventually see reason.”
The laugh that comes from me is tiny, but inside, joy begins to bubble.
A hand presses against my cheek, and then I am flying and falling and freezing and all over the place, because his lips press gently against my temple for a delicious moment. Surely I must have drunk too much wine, because all of this—his touch, his concern, his friendship—it’s left me heady and hopeful. I marvel at how easily he can touch me right now, me, a monster, and he’s as steady as always.
My eyes remain closed until he lets go and steps away. Irrationally, the hint of tears taunt me by this loss. When he’s in the entryway, I find the courage to ask, “Why are you willing to risk your brethren’s wrath, Hermes?”
“You’re worth it,” is all he tells me, his face illuminated by a grin that Apollo’s sun would envy. And then I hear the rush of wings, and my friend is gone.
Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.
Andrea said:
I cannot express how excited I am for this release!!!
Maybelis L said:
Your review sold me on it, sounds amazing. I was trying to find it on the Nook but is not pulling up, I added to my TBR.
VBB Post author said:
It will be available tomorrow! I’ll make sure to post the links! 🙂