Bruce John Riddell began writing his latest novel, “Mermaine, The Second Wave” the day he completed “Seal Rock,” about two years ago.

He said this a stand-alone story; however, readers of “Seal Rock” will already be familiar with the characters and the storyline in the new book.

“Like 'Harry Potter' or 'Star Wars' you can read the books in any order,” Riddell said. “I am already halfway through the sequel to the sequel which will be entitled 'Mercadia.' My inspiration for the Seal Rock Series comes from my infatuation with mermaids and my deep love for the Coast of Maine, particularly Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor where I lived for many years. The illustrations for my books are from my original oil paintings of mermaids.”

A longtime landscape architect, his creativity appears to have no bounds. In 2012 at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Riddell installed many of the plantings in the rose garden on the great lawn and designed the waterfall, Haney Hillside Garden and Vayo Meditation Garden. 

Other public projects have included restoration work in Bath's Library Park, work with DeWan Associates on a concept for an arboretum at Fort Williams, and completing the design of its children's garden.

In a 2012 Boothbay Register article about his landscape architecture projects, Riddell said he didn’t paint landscapes or gardens for pleasure because it was work to him.

“But, once I painted my first Mermaid I never stopped,” he said. “Mermaids became the recurring theme that coincided with my fantasy stories.  I guess you could say that I am a Mermophile or Mer-vert, someone who has a deep obsession with Mermaids!”

Between his love of mermaids and Maine, “Mermaine, The Second Wave” seemed the perfect title.

Riddell has included Maine history, and scientific facts and trivia about the ocean, astronomy, aliens and the environment. 

“My dream is that my books will someday be turned into a movie and filmed on the coast of Maine.” 

Riddell is also a poet. 

In addition to literary quotes in "Mermaine," there are others by poets, authors and songwriters, including Edna St. Vincent Millay, Oscar Wilde, Anatole France, Tori Amos, Carl Sandburg and Lord Byron. Among Riddell's is “Mermaine.” Here’s an excerpt from it:

“Oh thunderous Mermaine,

Oh beautiful sea,

Draped in a misty fog of mystery.

As I search along your crag-bound slippery ledges

For salty secret treasure found

Amidst your tidal edges,

I fill my heart and pockets well, With polished stone

And broken shell.”

Both “Seal Rock” and “Mermaine” can be found at all Sherman's Book Store locations and the Owl and Turtle in Camden among, others. Riddell will be among the authors at the Maine Book Festival Aug. 22 at Thomaston Public Library. Get a signed copy there!