Stardust in the Tides (Songs from the Siren Shore #1)

When a solitary musician retreats to a faded coastal town, she discovers that her past - and the secrets of its legends—are intertwined with the music of her soul.

Stella Sinclair was once known for just one a sharp, vengeful anthem from 2007. Now, seeking refuge in the windswept town of Ashcliffe-on-Sea, she intends to simply restore an abandoned music venue – The Saltwater Siren – and quietly rebuild her life. But Ashcliffe is no ordinary place. It’s steeped in folklore, haunted by a siren's song that stirs with every storm, and brimming with locals who speak in whispers of long-buried truths.

Stella finds herself pulled into the town’s peculiar rhythms, befriending the eccentric “Ashcliffe Afternooners”: the dramatic Krissy, the insightful astrologer Eloise, the prickly Eve, and the gentle handyman Albert. As she renovates The Siren, she uncovers a haunting melody – “M” marked on sheet music – that connects her to Miles Thornton, the venue’s original owner who vanished during a turbulent storm in 1938.

Through diaries, sea-chests, and forgotten recordings, Stella pieces together Miles’s obsession with capturing the siren's song - a piece of music said to emerge from the sea itself when emotions run deep. Alongside her creative block and the lingering scars of a devastating betrayal by her ex-lover, renowned potter Alanna Brooke, Stella begins to thaw, forging deeper connections with Albert – a quiet reverence for history – and Eloise – a spark of shared intuition.

Stardust in the Tides is a wistful yet hopeful tale about creative rebirth, queer love, and finding your voice - even when it’s been hidden for years. Rated '3/5 - Open door' for steam/spice/heat level.