Skin of the Sea

In a world steeped in West African mythology, Simi is a Mami Wata, a powerful mermaid cursed by the sea gods to walk the human world. Her people, once vibrant and free, have been decimated, and Simi bears the heavy burden of their loss and a dire responsibility: to collect the souls of the men who drown at sea. This solemn duty is a penance, a means to appease the gods and potentially reclaim what her kind has lost, forcing her to suppress her true identity and emotions as she navigates a dangerous existence on land. Simi's life of isolation and duty is complicated when she encounters a mortal prince whose life becomes intertwined with hers. Their forbidden connection sparks a dangerous romance, challenging her allegiance to her underwater kingdom and the ancient pact she must uphold. The novel explores profound themes of identity, belonging, grief, and the conflict between personal desire and inherited obligation. What makes *Skin of the Sea* so compelling is its innovative reimagining of mermaid lore, drawing from rich, underrepresented folklore to create a vivid, magical world filled with adventure, heartfelt romance, and the heartbreaking consequences of divine betrayal and human ambition.