Fred (Fredricka Bimm) has known for some time that her father isn't her natural sire. He can't swim, but she's a mermaid with blue hair. The instant water touches her legs, she sprouts a tail. However, she really prefers the land to the ocean. Pools do fine to give her a water fix; she gets seasick on a boat, and she is allergic to all forms of seafood. She's also a fish out of water when it comes to romance, until now, that is.

When she is summoned home from her job as a marine biologist, she discovers that the High Prince of the Black Sea, Artur, has arrived to claim her help in finding out what is poisoning Boston Harbor. It's not tea, for sure. He also seems to expect Fred to wait on him hand and foot, give him room and board, and be his fiancee, simply because he is royalty among the Undersea Folk.

Fred is reluctantly attracted to the big lummox, but she has another potential love interest, Thomas Pearson, a fellow marine researcher who has arrived to look into the pollution problem. While Fred would be happy to just let the two alpha males handle things and leave her in peace, they both insist on her help. Between investigative steps, Thomas and Artur are determined to win her heart or drive her insane, whichever comes first.

Ms. Davidson is royalty in the ranks of paranormal comedy writers. Somehow, she manages to keep up a rapidfire round of jokes without ever being too silly or skimping on characterization. It will be a fun trip to see how Fred's life develops in coming novels.

Synopsis
Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever image you're thinking of right now, forget it. Fred is not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.

Being a mermaid does help Fred when she volunteers at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, it's there that she gets involved in something fishy. Weird levels of toxins have been found in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigation. So does her merpseron ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again...