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Ross Galloway is more than ready for a new life away from Yachats, Oregon. All he needs for his plans to fall into place is a little money and a lot of luck. He gets his break when he discovers something out of this world on one of his dives – a real-life mermaid.

His plans to cash in on his discovery don’t work out quite the way he’d planned when the mermaid gives him an unexpected gift – a magic shell. Swept overboard by the spell contained within the shell, Ross surfaces in a strange, bizarre world.

Princess Gem LaBreeze is an Elemental, a powerful species that can control the elements. Transformed to stone to protect her from the evil threatening the Isle of the Elementals, she is awakened by a man from another world – a stranger who is as arrogant and uncouth as he is unpredictable.

Gem and Ross, forced together in a desperate race against time, learn that opposites can attract and that sometimes the roughest surface hides the tenderest of hearts. Can an unlikely hero and a lone woman survive the traps set to stop a destructive alien creature that has been unleashed, or will the Isle of the Elementals fall back into the ocean and disappear beneath the waves forever?

Internationally acclaimed S.E. Smith presents a new action-packed story full of adventure and romance. Brimming with her signature humor, vivid scenes, and beloved characters, this book is sure to be another fan favorite!

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2019

122 people are currently reading
293 people want to read

About the author

S.E. Smith

261 books2,582 followers
S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5

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5 stars
184 (55%)
4 stars
90 (27%)
3 stars
46 (13%)
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9 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Leo.
5,031 reviews638 followers
May 21, 2022
My book app didn't have the books in order so I read book number 4 and 6. Still have 3 more books to read. I like S.E Smith writing style, one of the few reasons why I try to complete the series and for the kick of completing a series. Although this has some fun elements it's not really making me attached to the plot line. It's an interesting way the world and couples are made but I'm not completely in love with it.
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews152 followers
December 24, 2019
The Magic Shell
A Seven Kingdoms Tale series #6
S. E. Smith
https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5/
Release date 12/16/2019
Publisher Montana Publishing

Blurb :

Ross Galloway is more than ready for a new life away from Yachats, Oregon. All he needs for his plans to fall into place is a little money and a lot of luck. He gets his break when he discovers something out of this world on one of his dives – a real-life mermaid.

His plans to cash in on his discovery don’t work out quite the way he’d planned when the mermaid gives him an unexpected gift – a magic shell. Swept overboard by the spell contained within the shell, Ross surfaces in a strange, bizarre world.

Princess Gem LaBreeze is an Elemental, a powerful species that can control the elements. Transformed to stone to protect her from the evil threatening the Isle of the Elementals, she is awakened by a man from another world – a stranger who is as arrogant and uncouth as he is unpredictable.

Gem and Ross, forced together in a desperate race against time, learn that opposites can attract and that sometimes the roughest surface hides the tenderest of hearts. Can an unlikely hero and a lone woman survive the traps set to stop a destructive alien creature that has been unleashed, or will the Isle of the Elementals fall back into the ocean and disappear beneath the waves forever?

My review :

What can a human do to help a elemental princess in her quest to save her people ...

I do remember reading the Elemental Island having disappeared in the previous books, so today I landed on it with Ross.
Ross even he never was described as a bad guy, he also was not portrayed under a good light, from the beginning he was presented as a guy to not really trust, then as the stories went by, Mrs Susan Smith showed a different side of him, more a lost, hurt and lone guy than a selfish one.
So here after months of being shunned for the mysterious disparitions in his little town, and as he has no one else to keep him there, he is ready to go and let the past behind.
So when he lands in fantasy land, and awaken a turned to stone princess, he wonders if he is in a living nightmare or if he turned crazy.
Their interactions are funny and witty but they also reveal their real nature, despite his own doubts, inside Ross lives a true knight in not so shining armor.
Even if their first encounter was quite unsettling for Ross, he swore (under some pressures) to help her save her world, and he does not hesitate to face danger first as he knows he is no match for her power as she is the one with the strength to fight the evil force surrounding them.
It is a road trip with traps awaiting them at every turn, and along the road they meet the powerful kings from the other islands. From there their merry party engage in a race against time.
This sixth installment is full of fun, witty banters and full of humor and bravery characters.
A great addition to this series.
Can’t wait for the next with finally Ashure’s story.
5 stars

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,964 reviews74 followers
Read
March 27, 2020
DNF.

I don't know...is it because I didn't read the first book? I feel like I just walked right into some fictional war zone and have to shout "¿Qué?". The heroine didn't seem like-able at all from the moment she met the hero, who seemed much better than she was. Coupled in with the fact that Gem wasn't a mermaid, I'm going to pass. I came here to read about a mermaid heroine.
Profile Image for drowningmermaid.
1,011 reviews48 followers
April 4, 2022
1.5

Now, I know it's a little unfair to expect a series to be at its strongest on its sixth book, but... hoo nelly.

The ostensible plot involves a couple attempting to save a magical, alternate dimension island which has been infested with aliens which force a sea witch to do bad stuff like sink islands into the sea and turn people into stone (see also: Narnia.)

Well, okay, whatever, we've still got a romantic couple who are gooily romantic, right? Wrong. Very wrong.

Princess Purple Eyes is a magic princess who is a semi-corporeal ghostish creature who turns solid, uh, when she feels like it. Mr. Hotness is a modern-day fisherman from the Oregon coast. Why they get together is abundantly unclear, especially since her internal monologue the whole time consists of "Whoo! I'm banging a COMMONER who is SOOO COMMON!" His dialog consists of crass, cringey pick-up lines-- the kind that would get a drink thrown in his face on an earth bar, so I'm not sure why they're working on fantasy royalty.

Fortunately, the author, also gave up on this couple about halfway through and devotes the remaining time to a cast of more interesting side characters who either have their own books coming up or who require additional mushy denouements to previous books that I didn't read.

Any and all relationship tension is solved by the fact that Princess Whatserface gets pregnant and now he needs to stay with her and love her forever because there is a baby coming. This is not cringey at all.

There really is a scarring lack of chemistry.

Not interested in more of the series.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,379 reviews46 followers
March 23, 2020
Once again a great extended version by this talented author.
Gem reacts first and asks questions later. LOL. Poor Ross, he really coped a lot of hassle.
But boy, does Gem end up with some serious powers in the end.
Ross finally gets that new and different life he has wanted but it is not quite what he was expecting. I loved how he actually grew in this story from a sour, resentful man, to one of strength, honour and belief in himself and what he wanted.
Though I did find it easier to put down at a certain section than previous books, once the pace of the story picked up with the others joining in, I finished it in one sitting.
I didn’t feel much connection, romance or spark between Ross and Gem which was a disappointment but even saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed their hazard infested journey to the palace to free the people of the Isle of Elementals.
I have to say it was great to once again have a fairly full cast of known characters participate, whilst getting information on some we have not yet met.
I was glad Magna was able to help and that Ross defended her.
It was also pleasing how Ross treated Nathan so well, after being so rude in earlier books.
Ashure is his typical annoying yet mysterious and enigmatic self. I have his book and will be reading it soon.
Profile Image for Wonda.
1,146 reviews9 followers
December 2, 2021
Definitely better than all the rest! Fairy tales with spice! I don't know if I am just invested in the characters or if them all coming together made this one more enjoyable!? I am excited about the next two since I have been dying to hear these character's stories...
2,205 reviews
February 24, 2020
Another great tale in the Seven Kingdoms. I am really looking forward to Asher's story!
Profile Image for Allison.
914 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2022
Dang it I'm a leaky faucet that epilogue got me cryin lol.
Profile Image for Vivien.
780 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2021
It was a good book but I didn't like Gem. She pissed me off. Gem knows the truth about Magna & yet still blames her when she saves her life (until the end) & blames her for what the alien inhabiting her body is doing. SHE IS BEING CONTROLLED BITCH!!! It is NOT her fault what the evil alien creature made her do.
She then asks the Goddess to send someone to save her & her people & when that person arrives, she treats him like shit. Ross should have abandoned her because who wants to be with an evil BITCH... obviously Ross does.
Good storyline & I especially like the other group scenes, Ross meeting the others & saving them.
Also another reason I hate Gem is because she was sooooooo melodramatic in Ross's 'death'. I mean seriously, that is how she reacts to Ross's death, so over the top that she deserves a sad ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2020
Loved it!

Oh man. I love this series so much! Gem and Ross’s story was full of unexpected dangers and overcoming personal doubt, and it was so entertaining! The connection between Ross and Gem, and the interaction of the other Leaders, made this story one I simply couldn’t put down. So excited for Ashure’s story!!!
Profile Image for SuzyHD.
1,248 reviews3 followers
February 26, 2022
Very Creative

This Seven Kingdoms adventure takes us to the Isle of Elements where another one of the destructive alien creatures is found. With the help of the leaders from the other kingdoms bounds are formed. Between dangers and mystery a love flourishes. Creative and very well written.
36 reviews
December 20, 2019
I love this series.

I'm always a sucker for the tortured soul. Was so glad to see Ross find his love. Gwen is great. Got to love the heroine who, "comes and saves his ass." Can not wait for Ashure's story! When? When?
Profile Image for Trescina Bell.
568 reviews7 followers
December 24, 2019
Awesome read!

Loved it! It had me from beginning to the end! So many twist and turns. I couldn't put it down. Loved this couple! Awesome world building. I love how your mind works SE Smith!
Profile Image for ZJ Book  It And Read .
163 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2020
Amazing as expected

So this is amazing as expected of SE Smith, I love the seven Kingdom series, it is starting to fill in some blanks, it doesnt feel like the series is being dragged out, it keeps going on in a fun and exciting way.
688 reviews
January 3, 2020
Gem and Ross

Ross goes out in his fishing boat, falls overboard.
And ends up.... well he doesn't know.
Then the adventure really begins.
Danger every step of the way as the Isle trembles and shake.
This book is brilliant, loved it
6 reviews
January 20, 2020
Very gripping tale

I absolutely love this author, and attempt to stay current with her releases.This one held my attention so that I didn't want to put it down. But,then,I'm that way with all her books that I have read so far.
Profile Image for Crystal.
20 reviews
Read
January 26, 2020
Awesome 👍

I have been reading this series since the begining! It's a great story that just keeps getting better and better. You can't help cheering for each of the characters.b I think the action and adventure is fun , add in the romance just sends it over the top !
151 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2020
Magic

Made me laugh cry sigh all in one place continued fight against dark alien invaders by the magic folk of the 7 kingdoms aided by their human mates dam I really want books 7/8 like now
Profile Image for Ruth Hambley.
1,493 reviews5 followers
October 12, 2025
Excellent

I absolutely loved reading this new instalment of the seven kingdoms series and I can't wait to read the next one. If you enjoy reading shape shifter paranormal sci-fi romance with some hot hot hot scenes then you will love it too.
Profile Image for Hollie.
803 reviews
May 17, 2021
Honestly, I found myself speed reading though this story. Maybe because I never really warmed up to Ross in previous books and then add Gem who I don't remember from other stories and it felt meh to me.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
4 reviews
December 26, 2019
Great book

Great addition to the series!! I cannot wait for the next book. We finally learn what happened to the elementals and learn more about the aliens.
206 reviews
December 27, 2019
Fantastic read

The amazed at the words flow together and create such a great fantasy novel. I am waiting patiently for what comes next in book 7.
421 reviews
December 28, 2019
Loved it

I loved this story. I was so glad that Ross found a place to be happy. This is an amazing series and I can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Heather Rose.
24 reviews
January 12, 2020
The best one yet

I love this series. This was a ride. I laughed, giggle d and cried my way through this book. It even managed to surprise me.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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