The Mermaid's Purse

by Dorothy M. Keddington

Book by Keddington, Dorothy M

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Lds Fiction, Clean Romance, Romantic Suspense, Adult Fiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Dorothy McDonald Keddington is the author of five best-selling romantic-suspense novels and the gripping true story, A Square Sky. She had co-authored two musical plays with poet-lyricist Laura Bedore.

Dorothy Keddington is native of Salt Lake City, UT. She has taught creative writing both privately and for community schools. She is an accomplished pianist, organist, and popular speaker for civic, cultural, and educational events in the Intermountain West.

Reviews

[Lily Schachterle]

This book has the best frickin vibes ever. Read it just for the cloudy coast/Oregon/historical/romance/mystery vibes

[Julie Carpenter]

I have read this book 3 or 4 times in a period of about 20 years and find I really enjoy the tales that Dorothy Keddington can weave and the characters she brings to life in said tales. I have read all of her fiction novels and have had them in my personal library since they were republished. My friend's mom owned the originals and we read them so many times the binding was breaking. Mermaid's purse isn't my absolute favorite but I still enjoy it just the same. I love that all the settings of her novels were places I ended up moving to or living by. While reading this one it was fun to imagine the Oregon coast and many of the towns that I knew well. In most of her novels there are tales of the sea and the characters live close to the ocean.

I had to laugh at some moments in the book, it was written early 90's I believe, it truly predates technological advances we are used to today. When the characters needed to contact someone they had to wait to go to a pay phone, a hotel lobby or until they returned home. Hmmm, I don't think a lot of the younger generations even know what any of those mean. Lol!

If you haven't read any Keddington novels don't wait go find them and get lost in the adventures!

Happy Reading!!!

[Heather Green]

Not what I was expecting. I thought this author was more of a Christian author, but she talked a lot about sex and sensuality. A few swear words. Otherwise, this was a good mystery read about knowing your roots, healing, and moving on. I loved the setting. The flashback letters were a nice touch. I felt that the relationship between Cameron and Arianne was too rushed declaring love, but that's just my personal opinion. I didn't feel like it was a waste of time, but I wouldn't read it again.

[Tammie]

I know she has a formula and her books are all similar, but I have loved them all so much!

[Heidi]

I really enjoyed this book, but there are certainly somethings in it that are strange to read about today. Such as people being romanticly interested in someone whom they share great great grandparents with. I know that happens and is legal, but I don’t find it romantic at all, and thought it was strange to write about. I also thought that first kiss on the beach was uncomfortable. That type of thing isn’t considered romantic anymore. I certainly wouldn’t be ok with it.
I did enjoy the writing, the suspense, and the love of history.

[E.T. Rose]

At first, I thought the title was weird. I guess I judged the book by its cover, but I finally read it and it was so good. I love how Ian and Aunt Kate got together, even though their old, as Arianne seemed to put it. I loved the backstory of Miranda and Edward and getting to read as it as we went along. And I loved Cameron and Arianne’s first meeting, which was hilarious, and how they went along through the book. They were married and she become a mermaid bride. Ah, so good!

[Tiffany]

Dorothy Keddington does it again! Her characters are fun, the story is thrilling, and the romance is exciting! May or may not have stayed up all night finishing it!

There are some weird aspects. Like the love interests share a great great grandmother? I mean, he was adopted. But still strange. But overall really good!

[Tabitha]

Dorothy Keddington books are excellent romantic suspense. This one has treasure, history, mystery, and family. I enjoyed reading about the area. Clean romance. Definitely one I'd read again.

[Heather]

Things I loved about this book:

The description of the setting... I really want to visit the Pacific Northwest now! sounds beautiful.

The overall story. Loved the past to future connection. Loved the jewelry, hidden diary, great-great grandma is secretly a princess thing! Great plot, kept me reading.

Things that were weird in this book:
Mainly how quickly the main character falls in love. The first kiss in the first second they meet makes me dislike the male character. It almost seemed like he was taking advantage of a vulnerable girl with low self-esteem. The rest of their encounters were romantic, but way to fast. Maybe that's something a younger female reader would love, but I wasn't a fan.

I would probably read this again.

[Missy]

I debated on giving this two or three stars. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read it a little quicker. It just felt long to me. However, it was a nice love story and had all of the elements that a book that makes you go, "Ahhh..." should have. It was clean, which is always a bonus. I think I was just not in the right "mood" for it at this time. I need something gripping, that I CAN'T put down (Although, I will admit that there were some parts of this book that were like that for me). Any suggestions?

[Kristi]

Dorothy Keddington never fails to tell a great story. This one was a little weird for me though. The romance was too quick. They kissed in the first minute after they met. Maybe I'm not romantic enough, but I thought that was odd. Even with the weird romance though, the story kept me intrigued all the way through.

[Karin]

Okay, as I sat and read all of the books of hers that I own, I realized how much the setting plays as almost its own character. It is an integral part of the novel. She also is a big fan of the 3-day romance-we-can't-be-without-each-other-and this-is-true-love. I guess I lived for that when I was younger. Now, not so much. :-) I do still enjoy reading them. :-)

[Andrea]

I do love Dorothy Keddington books. I like this one. It was deffinately different. It, however didn't impact me like her other ones. It was goos and I would read it again, but prbably not buy it. In fact I remember little about it. I just might have to read it again.

[Judie]

The places in this book are familiar friends and I love stories with two time periods like this one, or anything with a genealogical twist. Another book to read more than once, just for the enjoyment.

[Bonnie Oman]

Well I was looking for more cheesy thrills of the romantic variety and this was a big disappointment. All though it had character development and a plot it wasn't nearly cheesy enough for the time I put into it.

[Alyson]

This month for book club we're focusing on an author's body of work, rather than a single book. This was my first book by Dorothy Keddington. Dated, cliched, predictable. Didn't hook me at the beginning, I more or less muscled through it.

[Lori]

I really liked the three love stories in this book, but there were many times I wanted to skip parts of the story because there was just too much description of the environment or rooms at times. (Just more than was necessary.)

[Kathleen]

Gentle romance by an LDS author.

[Claire]

Loved these, always good to read on a bad day...

[Krystell]

I really liked this one. Dorothy Keddington just hits the balance perfectly, but wasn't my favorite of her. But still really good.

[Carmen]

Fun to read kept my interest pretty good especially the last few chapter's, I couldn't put it down.

[Katherine]

I've read this several times. A classic Dorothy Keddington clean romance.

[Julianne]

I haven't started it yet, but I will.

[Karene]

This one is good, but not the best of Keddington's books.

[Charisse Medico]

My good friend Megan introduced me to this author, and I absolutely love her! But unfortuneately, a lot of her stuff is out of print. But still fabulous!

[Katie]

This book was so full of corn and cheese I laughed every time I read it. That was pure enjoyment in itself. That aside, this book did have a good enough story line to keep me reading until the end.

[Kristen]

Amazing book, loved it!

[Ana Wolfgramm]

This book is great another easy read yet so worth it i find myself looking for all the books she writes

[Susan]

This is a passionate love story with a mystery thrown in.

[Melissa]

I found my daughter's name in this wonderful book.