The Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman in this beautifully illustrated queer historical
cozy fantasy as a young Puerto Rican immigrant goes through a journey of love and
self-discovery after capturing a merman for a Coney Island sideshow act in turn-of-the 20th
century New York. “Venessa gives life to the most unexpected things. I have a strong strong
feeling that this is the start of something special.” —TJ KLUNE New York Times Bestselling
author of The House in the Cerulean Sea Benigno “Benny” Caldera knows an orphaned Boricua
blacksmith in 1910s New York City can’t call himself an artist. But the ironwork tank he
creates for famed Coney Island playground Luna Park astounds everyone especially the
eccentric side-show proprietor who commissioned it. Benny’s work earns him an invitation to
join the show’s eclectic crew of performers—his first welcome in the city—and share in their
astonishing secret: the tank Benny built is a cage for their newest exhibit a living
breathing in-the-flesh merman stolen from the banks of the East River under a gleaming full
moon. The merman is more than a mythic marvel though. Benny comes to know Río as a clever
philosopher an observant traveler and a kindred spirit more beautiful and compassionate than
any human he’s ever met. Despite their different worlds what begins as a friendship of
necessity deepens to love leading Benny’s heart into uncharted waters where he can no longer
ignore the agonizing truth of Río’s captivity—and his own. A cage is no place for a merman to
survive. Though releasing Río means betraying his new family bankrupting their home and
losing his soulmate forever Benny must look within for the courage to do what’s right and
find a love strong enough to free them both. "When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully
illustrated novel with artwork throughout by Venessa Vida Kelley known for her stunning
romance and fantasy art. This novel includes two different full-color endpapers for front and
back fully-designed chapter headers and 27 pieces of detailed illustrations throughout using
beautiful two-color aqua blue and black inks.
