Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
I’m quite wicked happy to have found a new time shift narrative – as these happen to be one of my top favourite stories to read! The entire trifecta of time intrigues me to no end in fiction: time travel, time slip and time shift. Everyone has a different approach to writing them – whereas they are across genres of interest, too! Generally, yes, they are rooted in Historical Fiction but I’ve found them in other genres, too, and the best bit about them is how each of them gives us a fresh perspective of how time and story can be told. I especially love discovering how we slip or travel in time too – whereas with time shifting – we’re equally anchoured into two separate moments in time and continue to switch back and forth as the story evolves forward. Or, we begin in one frame of time and then, shift forward or back into another. It just depends on the author’s vision of how the story will become told.
With Tangled in Water, I found it curious how we begin Nattie’s story in the ’30s and then, shift forward into the ’40s – nearly ten years have gone by between both benchmarks of the story, too. I knew it was going to be an interesting story to see the transitions of her character – from a teenager to someone in their twenties – whilst knowing that her life betwixt and between those ages was not an easy one to live.
The timing of featuring this novel is quite lovely too – as I’m in the midst of hosting Nautical Fantasy stories during #WyrdAndWonder. I’ve been seeking out mermaids this month as well, and although this is a story in Historical Fiction, I was happy I could run it during the same month I was focusing of mermaids in other realms. I was curious how much of mermaid lore and mythology might enter into the context of this story and was thankful that my extract today hints towards some of that being part of Hattie’s story and character.
I nearly purchased a copy of this novel but knew the timing to read it was not right for me and thereby, I waited for Summer. I enjoy finding stories like this one – where the odds are stacked against someone and they find a way not only to persevere but to thrive and find a way to create a better tomorrow. I am hoping that this extract might tempt you to want to read the story yourself.
Tangled in Water
Subtitle: The costume could hide her scars but not the truth.
by Pam Records
1932. Natalia is 16 and a bootlegger's daughter, playing the mermaid mascot on a rundown paddlewheel used to entertain brewers and distributors.
A sequined costume hides her scarred and misshaped legs, but it can't cover up the painful memories and suspicions that haunt her. An eccentric healer who treats patients with Old Country tonics, tries to patch wounds, but only adds to the heartache. A fierce storm threatens to destroy everything, including a stash of stolen jewels.
1941. Prohibition is over, but the same henchmen still run the show. Nattie's new mermaid act is more revealing, with more at risk. When the dry-docked paddlewheel is bought by the US Navy for training exercises, the pressure escalates further.
Can Nattie entice a cocky US Navy officer to help her gain access to the ship for one last chance to confront her past, settle scores, and retrieve the hidden loot? Is there a new course ahead?
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-1962465915
Published by Historium Press
on 18th March, 2025
Available Formats: Hardback, Paperback
Converse via: #CoffeePotBookClub, #HistFic, #HistoricalFiction,
#FeministFiction and #TimeSlip
About Pam Records
Pam and her husband, Mark, recently uprooted from the Midwest to move to Savannah, Georgia, the perfect place for enjoying the beach, historic architecture and Spanish moss.
She's recently retired from writing content for software companies and now focuses on writing fiction, camping, and exploring historic cities.
Pam is the author of three historic novels.
Enjoy this extract from the novel:
The sand in the bottom of her tank hid other tidbits, hardly trash. There were flat blue rocks, round and smooth, perfect for skipping. Then there were shells, mostly snail shells, mostly busted. At the very bottom was a gold bracelet with a charm, a mermaid, of course. It was a gift, the kind that could get a man killed. She couldn’t stand to look at it, couldn’t stand to throw it overboard either.
More jewels had found their way into her tank. Passengers were so careless after a few whiskeys. They never noticed a bump or tug or twist from the clumsy cripple kid in sequins. There was an oval brooch with diamonds, a gold watch fob, red ruby earrings, a dangly necklace, a ring with every color in the world.
She had such a lovely collection. She sighed. If Mr. Whiskers were here, he’d purr.
The calm before the storm.
She stirred the sand with a stick of driftwood, a prop that was quite useful for fishing in the sand and burying and unburying secrets. The bauble soup was a powerful remedy for lousy moods and for red-haired boys who didn’t show up when they promised and a railing that got busted on purpose because a drunkard deckhand talked to her one time too many. The soup sparkled, sun specks skimming the water’s surface.
Looking out over the onboarding passengers on the deck below, she scanned for sparkles. She could always use more. Her fingertips itched. Anticipation was almost as lovely as the prize.
There! A woman in a snappy white dress and hat with plumes all a-flutter had enough glitter around her neck to light up midnight on Mackinac Island. How splendidly cool to the touch they would be. Ice. Crisp. The edges would be hard and sharp. The centers would be molten, too hot to handle until they sizzle-cooled in her tank for a mermaid eon. Ten minutes, at least.
I had to smile. Mermaids tend to love bits and baubles to collect which shine and gleam in light – which made seeing how attracted Hattie was to the same felt a bit fitting that although she’s pretending to be a mermaid, she has some of their characteristics, too! I also was struck by the inconsiderate public who felt they could just throw things into someone’s tank and have no responsibility for their actions. People can be cruel, but they can also be ignorant and careless. I was definitely curious to read more about Hattie and to see how her life evolves through the novel. I can’t wait to purchase a copy of this over the Summer and tuck into her story!
This post is part of my #HistoricalMondays showcases:
Generally speaking, I used to only showcase full reviews on #HistoricalMondays, but I have been known to deviate from that self-prescribed goal of mine and featured stories not yet read. I am looking forward to bringing this feature back to Jorie Loves A Story throughout (2025) and with it, the reviews which originally inspired the showcases to alight on my blog! For now, I have been featuring a few stories within spotlighted posts which offer insight into stories I’ve not yet read but which are perking my bookish interest to seek out.
The Virtual Road Map
for “Tangled in Water” can be found here:
I enjoy hosting for The Coffee Pot Book Club – a touring company who champions Historical Fiction and connects readers to the writers:
See what I am hosting next on my Bookish Events page!
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2025.
Thank you so much for hosting Pam Records today, with an enticing excerpt from her new novel, Tangled in Water.
Take care,
Cathie xo
The Coffee Pot Book Club