To Kiss a Mermaid

by Michele Hauf

ONCE UPON A BLUE MOON...

By the light of the blue moon, kind-hearted and capable James Morgan pulls up something fantastical in his fishing nets, something he has pined for most of his life. Despite living a simple life, the seaman has yearned for a mermaid ever since he heard of the legend as a child and learned of his family’s connection to the sea. Haunted by all that he’s lost, and consumed by his desires, James struggles between answering the call of his heart and doing the right thing.

Is it possible for a man who walks the earth and a woman fated to swim the sea to be happy together? After all, what the sea gives, the sea can take away, and destiny may not be enough to ensure happiness.

Genres: Romance

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2015

About the author

Michele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.

France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.

Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.

--From the author's website bio

Reviews

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first 'mermaid' based paranormal romance. To be honest I wasn't entirely sure what to expect and I imagined a contemporary fluff novel. However, I was surprised upon beginning the book that I was immediately enshrouded in mythical, mystical and old world feel and charm. The writing was impressive and I liked the detail and descriptions of the people and places. I had a great sense of where the story was unfolding and the people in it. The supporting characters were very interesting and each had their own well developed backstory that influenced their actions.
Molly and James were unique characters and you get a real sense of James' longing and love for Molly.
I loved the ending and felt that it matched the tone of the story and was a fitting conclusion to this magical tale.




I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Ang from OZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of the book.

So firstly let me start off by saying, Michele Hauf is writing about Mermaids, squeeeee!

I'll admit to being a long time reader of Michele's books, so I had no hesitation in jumping in to read "To Kiss A Mermaid"

And this book doesn't disappoint.

The book has a surrounding feeling of melancholy, of want and need, and a sense of not belonging,
as I was taken on a journey with James and Molly. This is only a short read of approx. 220 pages, but what a lovely story of the mystical and magical.

I must also make special mention to "Sally" the seal's character. What a gem! :)

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written, magical story that will take you away right from the start. Michele Hauf has that special way of writing that holds the reader and makes them believe. You can hear the waves crashing and smell the sea. James and Molly's tale is one of true love and longing and the lengths each will go to for each other.

I was given an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Leah Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully poetic and utterly captivating, Michele Hauf seamlessly combines historical and paranormal into an enchanting tale of magick, wonder, and desire decades old.

*Full review to come

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. This is the first mermaid book I've read, and I liked the history and mythology associated with the mermaids.

James Morgan grew up believing he was the descendant of a mermaid, and his whole life he's yearned for a mermaid to love. One day, when retrieving his fishing nets, there's a mermaid tangled in the nets and he believes that finally all he's ever wanted has become his.

James is a kind, good man, and as much as he loves the mermaid who he has named Molly, he begins to feel guilty as he sees her struggling with life on dry land. And Molly very much loves James, she has for years as she watched him from the sea, but adapting to a life outside of the sea is more difficult than she imagined it would be.

I liked the characters quite a bit, they were people I cared about and felt emotionally invested in their lives. I also, liked the setting, a seaside Welsh village during a historical time period (1800s?).

I didn't like the way the story ended. This is a romance, so rest assured that there is a Happily Ever After, but it wasn't the one I had hoped they would get. I read this book this morning and have been thinking about the ending all day, which I figure is the sign of a well-written book. But there was something so sad about James and Molly and I'd hoped they would find the happiness they wanted. Maybe what they got instead was better, I'm sure that's what readers are supposed to assume, but it still made me sad. But probably won't have the same effect on other readers.

Overall though, this is a very good book. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in mermaid stories.

[Kym · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting: Wales, 1860
Genre: Fantasy
Though the language was beautiful, and grammar and usage acceptable, I could not read this book in its entirety. It made me want to open an artery. It is somewhat like the Selkie myth of Scotland and Ireland, but in a shorter time frame. And more depressing.
If you like fairytales, you'll enjoy this tale, though it really doesn't have a happily-ever-after like most modern romances. Or maybe it does. You decide.

[Jody Vitek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele does a wonderful job taking us to Wales, 1860 in her descriptive writing. Toss in a little magical fantasy and you have wonderful story. I reached the 3/4 mark and couldn't put the book down, reading late into the evening. My emotions went on a roller coaster ride.