Shark Bait: Seaside Hearts Serie, #1

By T.M. Payne

The secret is about to unfold, and lots of lives are in its wake... 

 

For years she's been called to the sea, 
to become one with its depths, 
to face the Shark that is fated for her soul...

 

Olivia grew up knowing she was loved by her parents and grandmother, the one thing that she just doesn't understand, why did they hide things from her? 
Essential things, things that are going to change her life.
Everyone in her hometown of Virginia Beach knows things, have seen things that are not real to some, and yet no one told her of any of it? Why?

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.M. Payne
• Release date: Nov 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223462903

T.M. Payne

Author T.M. Payne is a Mom, Grandma, Indie Author, Book Blogger, Proofreader, Publisher, and lover of books! She also owns 2 crazy kitties named Chaos, and Eris.  She was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and has never lived too far from the area. She has always enjoyed reading from an early age began her journey into book blogging many years ago, and has never looked back.  She never aspired to be an author herself but felt strongly enough about certain things in life that she decided to write a short story featuring her love of the paranormal, along with a great issue facing our world. She truly believes every single breathing person should be able to live their life with whom they want, how they want, and not be bullied because of their choices in life or the color of their skin.  Reading is her relaxation, and she loves helping others find a good book. Lending a hand with promotions is just another bonus, and she is always happy to help authors. An author of New Adult Romance Hence: Secrets... T.M. Payne - Book Nook Nuts  

Book preview

1

The need to be near the ocean had been in her blood since she was able to walk. Olivia could remember the times her parents would take her to Virginia Beach as a toddler. While most kids were having fun in the water, Olivia was always held back by her parents, and she just didn’t understand why she couldn’t play in the water too. She enjoyed their days at the beach until one day the black clouds began on her life or so it seemed at the time. For Olivia, there were two days in her soon to be twenty-five years of life that had been the worst.

She got lost in the memories of those days…

When Olivia was just about to start junior high, her mother and father, over dinner one night, were discussing with each other a house with big bay windows, a wraparound porch, and a yard with a big tree swing. This had Olivia squirming in her chair, making it hard to eat her dinner. She loved her room here in her home, but whatever her parents were talking about sounded exciting to her at the age of almost thirteen.

Although they had yet to mention anything about water.

She looked up from the table at her parents, who were now looking at her and smiling. She smiled back and waited with bated breath. She knew this was the part where they might tell her what was going on. She laid down her fork and rested her hands on the table.

We know you have heard what we have been talking about, Olivia, her mother said.

Olivia simply nodded her head.

Olivia, we have been thinking of moving before you actually start your first day of Junior High School, her father said. What do you think of that? You would have your own room, and the schools in the area are wonderful. As you heard me mention, there is also a big swing in the yard and a big porch where you could sit and read. We could even put a swing on it.

Olivia, would you like that? her dad asked.

The first thing out of Olivia’s mouth caught them both off guard: Mom, Dad, is there water nearby?

They both looked at each other and with the biggest smiles on their faces let her know that yes, they would be moving to Virginia Beach, the place they had been going to since she was born. And their new home was right on the ocean. She would be able to see it out of her bedroom window.

Olivia jumped out of her chair and ran to hug both her parents.

She was so excited.

The next thing out of her mouth had them both laughing.

When do we move? Mom, Dad?

Olivia, as you know, your dad is in the Navy and works on those big ships you have seen before, you remember right? her mom asked.

Again, she nodded, not sure what that had to do with anything.

Your dad has been transferred to Virginia Beach, and that will be our permanent home from the time we move until you go off to college.

Olivia just giggled, why would her mom mention college when she hadn’t even started junior high school yet? Parents are funny people, she thought to herself.

She asked if she could be excused from the table.

Olivia ran up to her bedroom and pulled her plastic water animals out of the box she had them stored in. She loved them, but most of all, she loved the shark. Of all the sea animals, she had always loved the shark. She had a unique shark, and a sea dragon figurine her grandmother had given her, and she loved and treasured them because her grandmother was now in heaven. Grandma also gave her a necklace with a shark and mermaid charm on it, and that was what she always wore. She never took it off.

When her grandmother had given them to her, she whispered to Olivia that one day, after her twenty-fifth birthday, the shark would become her protector, and she would learn of the Sea Dragon. Olivia thought that strange, but she didn’t understand and had just run out of the room with her new toys after kissing and thanking her grandmother.

After brushing her teeth for the night, she climbed into bed holding the shark her grandmother had given her. She was babbling to it when her parents came in and kissed her goodnight. Yes, she was not a little girl anymore, but for some reason, those little