*Character Interview* Flukes by Nichole Chase + REVIEW!

Hello lovelies! Today I have a special feature for you all that I'm so excited to share! I recently read Nichole Chase's Flukes, which is the first novel of her awesome mermaid series, and I just NEEDED more....fortunately, Blake and Meena, the main couple of the book, were willing to sit down with me for a little bit to chat.

But before we begin, let's get the lowdown on the book, shall we?

Flukes by Nichole Chase
Publication Date: October 2012
Genre: New Adult

Synopsis:
Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea and buried just as deep. When court-appointed community-service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise-line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately, it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community-service gig cleaning up fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heartstrings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold on to all that really matters.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hi readers! Thanks for taking a field trip with me Caribbean to visit the fabulous Marine sanctuary owned by Meena’s parents! (a hardship, I know!)

Blake and Meena have been so generous as to invite me to talk with them on their beautiful stretch of private beach. I’ll try to contain my envy. =)

Welcome to the blog you two! And thank you for inviting me! I really needed some vacation time and sun!

Blake: Happy to have you here.

Meena: It’s good to see you!

When you first met….let’s just say, you started out on the wrong foot. Describe your first impressions of one another?

Blake: Big eyes and tiny bikini. Smart mouth.

Meena: *punches Blake in the arm*

Blake: Hey! It’s true.

Meena: He was a bad boy on a motorcycle that knew he was hot.

Blake: You think I’m hot?

Meena: Good grief. *rolls her eyes*

Hahah....And now? What are your favorite things about each other?

Meena: His loyalty.

Blake: Her heart and bravery.

(at this point, I am trying to hid my misty eyes tied to my sucker-for-romance heart)
I have never read or heard any mermaid tales before and I have to say, one of the things that I am most in awe of, Meena, was your ability to take Blake into the water with you. What's the experience like for you to be underwater together?

Meena: It’s nice to be able to share that world with someone. It’s hard to feel lonely in the ocean, with so much life swimming around the islands, but there is something brilliant about experiencing it with Blake. For him to see that side of me—that part of my life.

Blake: It’s amazing and intimate. Being with Meena means that I can breathe and see clearly, I can swim for miles without being tired. Everything is so quiet but large. *He reaches over and wraps his fingers around Meena's* It’s my favorite part of the day.

What was your first thought when you realized what the markings on your wrists meant?

Blake: *Looks down at their joined hands* It made sense. *Shrugs and smiles* It felt right.

Meena: *Squirms but smiles* I, uh, may have panicked a little.

Blake: A little? *laughs*

Meena: I thought I had trapped you! All because we…ahem. *blushes*

Blake: I wasn’t complaining. *Winks at me*

Meena: I didn’t want to take away your choice.

Blake: You couldn’t. *Lifts their hands and kisses her fingers* I had already made my choice.

*dreamy sigh* Ok before I FULLY melt into a puddle of goo at your feet, I’m sorry…but I just have to ask. Blake, did Meena's cousin, Jacen, really give you an explanation of mermaid anatomy? *Laughs* And would you care to share any details?

Blake: I guess you’ll find out in the next book, huh? *winks*

(An aside from me: this guy is KILLING me with his winks! OH, the Swoons! *ahem* End Note)

Meena: *blushes* It’s really not that weird, you know. I mean it’s just like…

Blake: Don’t spoil the surprise, babe. Let them wonder.

Meena: *Laughs* Fine, but if Jacen is the one doing the telling, I can only imagine the readers' faces!

Blake: Yeah… he has a way with words. *scratches his chin* But effective descriptions.

Ok, now you two are just being cruel with your teases! What's next for the two of you?

Meena: Well, I’m taking online classes and helping my parents expand the dolphin habitat at Flukes. *looks down and smiles* And working on our place.

Blake: I’m working at Flukes—trying to organize their accounting. *Leans forward* It’s scary.

Meena: Watch it, rich boy. Not all of us grew up swimming in a vault of gold coins.

Blake: I’m also learning how to do plumbing. Not something I ever thought I’d be doing.

Meena: I like the idea that it’s us fixing the house, not a bunch of strangers.

Blake: I know. *Pulls her closer and kisses her head* I know.

That's really awesome! I'm so happy for you two...and I get the feeling you'll have a lot more happiness to come. *wink* (not as effective as Blake's winks, but I try). Best of luck with everything! I'll let you guys get back to your work.

*We all hug goodbye then as I turn around, I see someone coming down the path….Oh! It’s Nichole Chase and she’s brought her little munchkin! Blake and Meena happily greet the two and quickly take Nichole’s little one to play with the dolphins, (after fastening all appropriate water safety gear, of course).*

Hi Nichole!! I’m so glad to see you here! I have to run soon to get back home, and I don’t want to keep you from hanging out, but while I have you here, I’m dying to know… Is there anything you can tell us or hint at for book 2 of the Flukes series? I NEEEEED more flukes!!

Nichole: I’m so glad you loved Flukes! Meena and Blake are very special to me. As for more Flukes… well… I have plans. Lots of plans. The next book in the series is titled Riptide and while I can’t share too much about the book, I can tell you it’s Jacen’s book. And I think you might enjoy who his mate turns out to be. *winks* But don’t worry. You’ll see lots of Meena and Blake, too. And Mireille. I have plans for her as well. Big plans.

*SQUEALS* SO, SO exciting! Haha..and that Jacen....We were just talking about him and his quips about certain anatomies. *ahem* You get the Merpeople anatomy question a lot don't you? Blake was pretty tight lipped and secretive, but anything you'd like to add? I have to admit, I was pretty curious as well. Haha. That devilish comment by Jacen totally left you open to it!

Nichole: I am asked about meranatomy ALL the time now! When writing Flukes, I worked very hard to weave real science into the mythology and magic, and that’s exactly how I feel about mer--*ahem*--parts. It’s actually pretty simple— *Nichole's munchkin comes running up the beach with a shell and squealing as Blake chases her* Uh oh. Looks like I have to run! Keep your eyes open for Riptide! Maybe I’ll answer more of your questions there!

SO wonderful chatting with you!! *BIG HUGS* Have a wonderful time! I sure did!

Nichole: Thanks for having me! I had a great time hanging out with you, Meena, and Blake!

About the Author:
Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.

For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.

Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Ms. Chase is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and Suddenly Royal (including several short stories).

Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, dog, tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

My review:
Flukes is a magical, short but sweet New Adult read that flies by. Exploring a world that I, honestly, never had much interest in before, Nichole Chase sucked me in with her skillful storytelling and lovable characters. Now I am begging and pleading for more mermaids! More flukes! Amazing chemistry and some pretty damn sexy, blush-inducing moments. Just wow. I'll say no more. Meena and Blake settled into my heart with the sweetness and steaminess of their relationship. I certainly hope we will revisit them often in upcoming installments of the series, like dear old friends.

Rating: