Of Moon and Sea: The Church of Moon and Sea

By Sara Elizabeth

The Church Of Moon and Sea

As a full moon approaches during the birth month of a siren, she will have one week to walk among humans. One week to decide upon her commitment to the Moon and Sea. If she chooses to return, a baptism is required and she will never again be able to walk upon land. If she forsakes the Moon and Sea, she will be cursed to never return to the ocean as she will be branded with a mark of her betrayal. Should she dare to return, a fate worse than death shall await.

 

When Cassie comes to land with her clan, she doesn't doubt for a second that she will return to the sea. But that all changes when she meets Josh and a tantializing love triangle starts to unfold. 

 

What will she choose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bellemuse Press
• Release date: Jan 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393695295

Book preview

THE CHURCH OF MOON AND SEA

As a full moon approaches during the birth month of a siren, she will have one week to walk among humans. One week to decide upon her commitment to the Moon and Sea.

If she chooses to return, a baptism is required and she will never again be able to walk upon land.

If she forsakes the Moon and Sea, she will be cursed to never return to the ocean as she will be branded with a mark of her betrayal. Should she dare to return, a fate worse than death shall await

Chapter One

TODAY WAS THE DAY I’D been both dreading and anticipating since I was old enough to understand the doctrine of the Moon and Sea and what was to occur on my eighteenth birthday. I slipped away from the warmth of the sand, allowing each particle to disappear from my skin and drift away among the crashing waves. I did so love the purity of the Sea, and  my stomach clenched at the thought of how the Land may corrupt me. No, I cannot think like that. I had spent my entire life preparing to be faithful in this journey. I would not betray my family.

Stretching my arms out and letting out a little yawn, I nearly choked as I felt a hand graze my shoulder. Spinning around, I discovered my dearest friend Poppy eyeing me with a smirk. Her real name is Pearl, a common name among our clan, but Pearl wasn’t your typical siren. She was anything but. When she read about flowers on land, she fell in love with the name Poppy and demanded we all call her that. We were only five years old at the time, but she’d always be Poppy to me, even if our leaders still referred to her as Pearl.

Surprise, my birthday-twin. Are you ready? Poppy threw her arms wide and twirled around in delight.

I breathed through the panic, forcing a smile. If you’re with me, why wouldn’t I be?

I am pretty fabulous. She winked. Come, let’s get ready with the other girls! We’re already running late, sleepy-fish.

We entered a special cave with the other girls, located just outside the Church of Moon and Sea, and used to prep for special ceremonies. Beauty was of high importance to our clan, and so it was no surprise to see my fellow sirens with their hair in loose curls, red lips, and vibrant eyeshadows, their skin glowing with excess magic from the pre-party that Poppy managed to host without our leaders taking notice. Or perhaps they did take notice, and simply turned a blind eye? Whatever the case, it was a party for the history books, and Poppy knew it. I glanced over to see a prideful smirk. These girls were the result of her handiwork in many ways.

You will be the prettiest, Cassie, she whispered in my ear. Don’t you fret.

Before I could even respond, Poppy began working on my face, a pale blank canvas for her truly talented hands. My heart fluttered as she applied the brightest lipstain I’d ever seen. If nothing else, I was definitely going to stand out. When she finally pulled back, a sigh escaped her lips. She’d outdone herself, I knew that before I even took a glimpse in the mirror, but when I did, I was stunned.

It’s not that I didn’t appear like myself. I looked more like myself

Reviews for Of Moon and Sea

[Miachaela Murphy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book. If you are interested in myths, romance, and more read this. It’s touching and compassionate. I connected with the characters so much, and I shouldn’t be! Open up the book and read it. One thing I would’ve liked is for it to be longer. But it’s so nice. I also wouldn’t mind to have Poppy’s confession to be earlier and the book could have a love triangle feel. But still so good! Medium reccomendation