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Ray Litt

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Westward to Strange: Dark Water Series Book One Kindle Edition

by Ray Litt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 45 ratings

Book 1 of 1: Dark Water Series

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At the Salerna Beach drum circle, Lu meets Jake, a handsome addition to her brother's typically wayward social sphere. He's a college kid--a refreshing reprieve from high-school mundanity--and he's undeniably interested in Lu. And Lu is interested in him. But try as she might, she can't clear her mind long enough to enjoy it. She can't stop thinking about the kid in the cove.

On her way to the drum circle, Lu stopped to help a boy caught in the rough waves between the cove jetties. She was lucky to see him. It's dangerous there during the day; to swim there at night is practical suicide. But after a chilling conversation, she finds the boy isn't in as much trouble as she thought. And their meeting does more than prevent Lu from nurturing a new crush. It casts her into a whirlwind investigation of coastal urban legends--one in particular that seems eerily tied to her own family.

Family skeletons are a funny thing. They can quickly turn a sleepy beach existence into an existential nightmare. Lu's once loving relationship with the water becomes confusing. Primal. She loses patches of time. She has vivid nightmares. She has a fallout with her closest friend and becomes obsessed with a mysterious newcomer. Soon she finds herself wondering if there isn’t something more to these legends. If, in fact, her life depends on how quickly she can unravel the age-old mysteries of the dark water.

First in the Dark Water series, Litt’s tale—carried on the backs of a funny cast and enchanting setting—is a thrilling trip into the mesmerizing arena of mermaid mythology.

Continue the adventure with To Each Her Own, available on Amazon.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

At the Salerna Beach drum circle, Lu meets Jake, a handsome addition to her brother's typically wayward social sphere. He's a college kid--a refreshing reprieve from high-school mundanity--and he's undeniably interested in Lu. And Lu is interested in him. But try as she might, she can't clear her mind long enough to enjoy it. She can't stop thinking about the kid in the cove.

On her way to the drum circle, Lu stopped to help a boy caught in the rough waves between the cove jetties. She was lucky to see him. It's dangerous there during the day; to swim there at night is practical suicide. But after a chilling conversation, she finds the boy isn't in as much trouble as she thought. And their meeting does more than prevent Lu from nurturing a new crush. It casts her into a whirlwind investigation of coastal urban legends--one in particular that seems eerily tied to her own family.

Family skeletons are a funny thing. They can quickly turn a sleepy beach existence into an existential nightmare. Lu's once loving relationship with the water becomes confusing. Primal. She loses patches of time. She has vivid nightmares. She has a fallout with her closest friend and becomes obsessed with a mysterious newcomer. Soon she finds herself wondering if there isn't something more to these legends. If, in fact, her life depends on how quickly she can unravel the age-old mysteries of the dark water.

First in the Dark Water series, Litt's tale--carried on the backs of a funny cast and enchanting setting--is a thrilling trip into the mesmerizing arena of mermaid mythology.

Continue the adventure with To Each Her Own, available on Amazon.

About the Author

Founder of the Speculative Fiction:Southeast convention, Ray was born in NYC, grew up in Miami, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She will not retire there, as it behooves her to swim upstream whenever possible.

Ray has worked far too many years in the hospitality industry, and credits it for the darkest parts of her storytelling. She's since escaped, tripping on stints in the bridal, education, and zoological industries. Now she writes. She also grimoires, bike rides, kills plants and takes great pleasure in shocking her neighbors.

Ray is the author of BOGEY, TO EACH HER OWN (Dark Water Series, Book #2), PYRAMID, and M.O.D--a novel about Katie Watson, pioneer of the Thirteenth Floor, friend to all who suffer the front lines of customer service.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ED2GMO4
Publisher ‏ : ‎ MiLu, division of Dirty Little Bookers (December 3, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 3, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 468 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 171 pages

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4.5 45 ratings

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Ray Litt

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Founder of the Speculative Fiction:Southeast convention, Ray was born in NYC, grew up in Miami, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She will not retire there, as it behooves her to swim upstream whenever possible.

Ray has worked far too many years in the hospitality industry, and credits it for the darkest parts of her storytelling. She's since escaped, tripping on stints in the bridal, education, and zoological industries. Now she writes. She also grimoires, bike rides, kills plants and takes great pleasure in shocking her neighbors.

Ray is the author of BOGEY, TO EACH HER OWN (Dark Water Series, Book #2), PYRAMID, and M.O.D--a novel about Katie Watson, pioneer of the Thirteenth Floor, friend to all who suffer the front lines of customer service.

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Sofia L.

Kept me turning pages.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024

An intriguing read! Would definitely recommend this author!

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023

Couldn’t put this one down! Immediately searched for other books by this author.

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Fafhrd

Some very creepy fish swim beneath a sparkling surface

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

My teenage years are very far behind me, and furthermore I’m male, so I’m certainly not one of the readers this novel is primarily aimed at, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Lately I’ve been looking at a few young adult novels because I’m toying with the idea of writing one myself, and this one particularly caught my eye because its language is quick-footed and fun to read. Practically every sentence sparkles with lively details that immediately bring the characters and places to life.

The story involves spooky mermaids and mermen that will remind you more of H. P. Lovecraft than Hans Christian Anderson. But there’s more to the story than sea monsters, and the author takes her time getting to them. A family mystery, a book of magic spells, folklore about a creepy cult, the first stirrings of desire and love (or at least infatuation), and a number of other elements are given time to develop before the tale leads us fully into the “dark waters” that are hinted at in the first chapter. Some of these plot threads may seem irrelevant at first, but many of them end up playing an important part when the whole tapestry is revealed. A few readers may feel impatient waiting for the “good stuff” to happen, but I think most will enjoy the motion and life and the gradually mounting sense of suspense that leads to the climax, which is well worth waiting for.

The author has a gift for language that seems to flow effortlessly like the ocean that she writes about. Even when the ocean is calm it’s always moving, its surface always glittering with gems of sunlight or moonlight—until the moon itself vanishes, and then the ocean is black and seemingly fathomless, like the dark and mysterious place that this novel finally brings us to.

4 people found this helpful

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Derek Call

Amazing book!!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023

Amazing book!!! I would definitely recommend Reading this one!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

Pick this book up today. Ray Litt has created a page turning thriller here. Sorry to sound cliche but I couldn't put it down.

One person found this helpful

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pen1234

loved it!

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was fascinated with this book! Is one of those you cant put down until you're done. I hopeRay Litt continues writing writing.

2 people found this helpful

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Kate

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

Excellent book! Can't wait to read the next book by this writer.

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The Flashlight Reader

a new twist on the siren

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2013

How do you like your mermaid stories? Do you prefer them to be Disney-esque? Or do you prefer them to teeter on the edge of creepy? If you prefer the latter, Westward to Strange is for you!
The mermaids in Westward to Strange are not friendly. In fact, they are downright terrifying. I have to give the author props for coming up with an original take on a siren. There is an element of mythology in the book that is new and unique, at least to me. I also thought the concept behind these killer mermaids helped heighten the mystery of the subplots.
Don't read Westward to Strange thinking it's just about mermaids. There is so much more going on in this book! For fans of mysteries, there will be much to keep you reading. For me, though, it was the descriptions that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed reading about this beach community. Being a Florida resident myself, I felt like I could visualize the setting in my own town. I also enjoyed some of the characters. I was instantly drawn to Jake. I didn't connect with Cass at first, but he grew on me.
I'm always on the lookout for books with mermaids. With so many books in the genre already on the market, it's hard to find something fresh. Westward of Strange certainly delivered in the fresh and unique market!

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Westward to Strange: Dark Water Series Book One Kindle Edition

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