Riding the Tide of Rebellion: Blue Dasher Press Releases a Bold New Edition of Marijuana Mermaid by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is proud to announce the publication and release of a bold new edition of Marijuana Mermaid, the gripping young adult novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Now available in both paperback and ebook formats, the novel brings attention to a story that fearlessly explores identity, rebellion, and the complicated terrain of teenage girlhood.

At the heart of Marijuana Mermaid is seventeen-year-old Leah Cassels, a girl uprooted from Chicago and sent to a quiet California beach town after getting into trouble. But reinvention proves far more difficult than expected. When Leah falls in with Monica and Sabina—two charismatic and commanding girls—she’s drawn into a world that offers belonging, but at a cost. As Leah navigates her new life working at a seaside theme park and secretly nurturing dreams of becoming a mermaid performer, she meets Ray Junior, whose presence challenges her to question the forces shaping her decisions.

What begins as a story of escape quickly deepens into something more unsettling. As Leah starts to pull away from the intense grip of her new friendships, she uncovers a darker undercurrent beneath the town’s polished surface, a place where image and control reign, and rebellion carries real consequences.

Wren Valentino describes the novel’s driving force with striking clarity:

“I wanted to tell a story about the raw, complicated power of female teen rebellion and not shy away from the messy, uncomfortable truths that come with it.”

This new edition of Marijuana Mermaid aligns closely with Blue Dasher Press’s mission to inspire, educate, and elevate voices across the creative spectrum. The novel embodies our commitment to fostering a welcoming space where imagination thrives and artistic expression knows no boundaries. Through Leah’s journey, readers are invited to confront difficult questions about autonomy, influence, and the cost of self-discovery: core themes that reflect our dedication to meaningful, thought-provoking storytelling.

We believe stories like Marijuana Mermaid are essential. This release represents not only a celebration of Wren Valentino’s work but also a continuation of our mission to champion literature that challenges, empowers, and resonates.

Marijuana Mermaid is available now wherever books are sold.

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Wonder Land by Bestselling Author Wren Valentino

We are thrilled to announce the publication of Wonder Land, a gripping and heartfelt young adult supernatural romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited, this enchanting story is one that blends magic, love, and loss into a narrative that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

After the devastating loss of her mother to cancer, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore is forced to leave her home in Chicago and start fresh on the mysterious island of Avalon Cove, South Carolina. There, she moves in with her eccentric Uncle Fred and his husband Clark, and finds herself working part-time as a magician’s assistant—a far cry from her former life. As Destiny navigates her grief and attempts to adjust to her new home, she befriends two fellow outsiders, Tasha Gordon and Topher McGentry.

The trio is drawn to Wonder Land, an eerie and enchanting former boarding house owned by the enigmatic Adrianna Marveaux. It’s here that Destiny meets Dominic, and a deep connection is sparked. Meanwhile, Tasha finds herself intrigued by the mysterious Juliet, and Topher's heart is captured by Pablo. As their bonds grow, Destiny uncovers a shocking truth about why she and her friends were all brought to Wonder Land, and faces an impossible decision that will change their lives forever.

In Wonder Land, Wren Valentino explores the complex and painful themes of grief and loss through the lens of young love, friendship, and magic. Blending supernatural elements with deep emotional resonance, the novel invites readers to consider how the process of healing from loss can take unexpected forms and lead to profound personal growth.

Wren Valentino shared with us what inspired him to tackle these powerful themes in his latest novel:

“Grief is a universal experience, but it often feels like something we have to carry alone. I wanted to explore how young people—who are just starting to understand their own identities—process such profound loss, and how love can act as both a salve and a catalyst for change. The idea of blending magic and sorrow was particularly compelling to me; what if the mystical could help unlock parts of ourselves we’ve closed off in our pain? What if the impossible, like finding love in the midst of loss, could be a form of healing? That’s what I wanted to explore with Wonder Land—the intersection of magic, sorrow, and love, and how all three can shape our journeys toward understanding and acceptance.”

Wonder Land is now available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, allowing fans of magical realism, romance, and stories of self-discovery to dive right in. Whether you’re looking for a book to lose yourself in or a story that will touch your heart, Wonder Land promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Get your copy today and start the journey to Avalon Cove—where magic, love, and the search for self intertwine in ways you won’t soon forget.