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ABOUT MER:

What if a tragic past is the only way to save the future? On the sun-kissed, trade-wind-blessed, emerald isle of St. Thomas, high school teacher Tarala McCleverty dreams of inspiring her students through literature. But her kids aren’t buying what she’s selling. They’ve got better things to do and strange mysteries to solve. When Tarala is shocked to discover an underwater observatory in her ancestral home, she knows she has the key to unlocking her students’ interests. What she doesn’t know is she’s one contest, dream, and field trip away from changing the world forever. 

A Caribbean-based young-adult fantasy, Mer explores the bonds of blood, sand, and sea through the lens of our birth and chosen families. What happens when teachers become students, and students become teachers, all while trapped in a world of Victorian mermaids? Come and find out!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Fredericks is a graduate and former first, middle, and high school teacher at All Saints Cathedral School. A native US Virgin Islander, Melissa received the inspiration for Mer from a dream she had about meeting mermaids in Victorian dress. The novel infuses Melissa’s passion for Victorian fashion, US Virgin Island history, and personal family history into a single riveting tale.

Melissa has a Bachelor’s in Communications from DePauw University and a Master’s in Education from the University of the Virgin Islands. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is a licensed financial advisor and teaches a high school girls Sunday School class.

PRAISE: 

“Infused with the cultural charm of life in the US Virgin Islands, Mer immerses readers in a world of fanciful adventure. Mysterious events and a budding romance complicate a high-stakes mission, making this book a real page-turner. As a native Virgin Islander, Melissa Fredericks presents this love letter to the Caribbean with heartfelt authenticity.”

— Era Sundar, JD, Content Marketing

“Mer is a novel after my own heart, full of beautiful locations, rich local history, magical moments, and a message that will make our world a better place. Melissa Fredericks has created a true page-turner for the young and old alike that will inspire us all to envision new possibilities.”

— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and award-winning author of Arthur’s Legacy and Melusine’s Gift

“Mer is that rare blend of young adult fantasy with an ecological and social heartbeat. Melissa has done a masterful job of relating tough topics through engaging characters. Mer is fun, factual, and forward thinking.”

— Jordan Manos, Director of Operations, Department of Veterans Affairs

“Set in the enchanting paradise that I love and miss, Mer shares secrets of Virgin Islands history and invites you into the adventure. Mer is a must read.”

— Irene Chang-Cimino, Executive Director, Musician Treatment Foundation