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Southern Elemental Guardians #4
River Spell
Vigilante renegade mermaid tamed by sexy cop-turned-paranormal investigator.
She’s out for vengeance. He’s seeking justice.
Exiled in America, Rhinemaiden Gwen is still traumatized from torture by monster hunters. To exorcise her demons, she delivers vigilante justice to human criminals.
Until cop turned private investigator, Kwame Johnson, intervenes.
Kwame is something more than mortal, and he's just beginning to understand the special sense that helps him track down missing persons. That sense leads him to Gwen, compelling him to protect the damaged mermaid.
Gwen can help Kwame unlock the full potential of his powers, but first she has to trust the man who was hired by the monster hunters to track her down—even when those monster hunters come to collect her.
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From The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly - "Sieders’s prose is smooth, believable, and not weighed with heavy description. It flows seamlessly and simply, leaving the reader easily able to be absorbed in the lively story. Paranormal characters and those that wish to expose them and/or harm them, a host of unusual powers, and a sexy central storyline...supply compelling details related to the paranormal community at the work's center."
She’s out for vengeance. He’s seeking justice.
Exiled in America, Rhinemaiden Gwen is still traumatized from torture by monster hunters. To exorcise her demons, she delivers vigilante justice to human criminals.
Until cop turned private investigator, Kwame Johnson, intervenes.
Kwame is something more than mortal, and he's just beginning to understand the special sense that helps him track down missing persons. That sense leads him to Gwen, compelling him to protect the damaged mermaid.
Gwen can help Kwame unlock the full potential of his powers, but first she has to trust the man who was hired by the monster hunters to track her down—even when those monster hunters come to collect her.
---------------------------------
From The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly - "Sieders’s prose is smooth, believable, and not weighed with heavy description. It flows seamlessly and simply, leaving the reader easily able to be absorbed in the lively story. Paranormal characters and those that wish to expose them and/or harm them, a host of unusual powers, and a sexy central storyline...supply compelling details related to the paranormal community at the work's center."
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2017
112 people want to read
About the author
D.B. Sieders
33 books129 followersI was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent a great deal of my childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and wading barefoot in creeks, chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. We camped a lot, and we loved to tell stories while sitting around our campfire.
Those days of frog chasing sparked my interest in biology, which I pursued in college and later in graduate school. A working scientist by day, I never lost my love of sharing stories. I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember and am thrilled to be working as a writer.
I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband, two children, three cats, and my very active imagination.
Those days of frog chasing sparked my interest in biology, which I pursued in college and later in graduate school. A working scientist by day, I never lost my love of sharing stories. I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember and am thrilled to be working as a writer.
I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband, two children, three cats, and my very active imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2018
I love how this author combines a little bit of fantasy with mythological lore. From mermaids and dragons to shapeshifters and witches, this book has it all.
May 5, 2018
In this very original and feminist paranormal romance/thriller, an ex-cop discovers his supernatural lineage from the Orishas when he teams up with a prickly mermaid to stop a mad scientist from killing magical creatures. I'm a sucker for neurodivergent main characters in romance, particularly when they're not the usual white male nerd-genius stereotype. Mermaid Gwen has Aspie characteristics (social awkwardness, blunt speech, taking things too literally) as well as PTSD from being captured and tortured by human researchers. It's delightful to watch her gradually open up to love and connection, thanks to the ministrations of the sexy and respectful Kwame.
I rarely read hetero romance because of the retrograde gender roles I often find there. No matter how assertive and brilliant the woman, in the bedroom her responses are usually described as "surrender" and "being overpowered". The lovemaking in this book is centered on Gwen's pleasure in a way that is truly mutual, egalitarian, and consensual.
Pacing is a little slow at the start, but the action picks up in the last third with some genuinely scary scenes of body horror and suspense as our heroes battle the evil scientist. Justice is served in a creative way and even the villain has a chance to repent while accepting his punishment.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone because of brief but effective references to past plot developments throughout the story.
I rarely read hetero romance because of the retrograde gender roles I often find there. No matter how assertive and brilliant the woman, in the bedroom her responses are usually described as "surrender" and "being overpowered". The lovemaking in this book is centered on Gwen's pleasure in a way that is truly mutual, egalitarian, and consensual.
Pacing is a little slow at the start, but the action picks up in the last third with some genuinely scary scenes of body horror and suspense as our heroes battle the evil scientist. Justice is served in a creative way and even the villain has a chance to repent while accepting his punishment.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone because of brief but effective references to past plot developments throughout the story.
July 3, 2018
River Spell by D.B. Sieders
“River Spell” is the fourth book in the Southern Elemental Guardians series. It looks like each book is about different related guardians, so I had no problem jumping into the middle of the series. The world is Earth which is divided and ruled accordingly in different realms. Gwen is one of the Rhinemaiden sisters, a mermaid with shapeshifting abilities and other magic. She has exiled herself to the New World, which is what they call the mortal realm, because she doesn’t feel like she fits in her own domain. However, she still protects her river. It’s during one of those acts that Gwen meets Kwame, an ex-police officer turned PI. Kwame recognizes energy levels, which he doesn’t fully understand, but has never led him wrong. So he is aware that Gwen is something other than how she appears.
The plot is original and flows at a good pace. The characters are well developed. Gwen and Kwame are both flawed, and seeking their own purposes in life. The storyline follows their budding interracial romance and turmoils. The dialogue is realistic and engaging, with the exception of the coupling scene. Kwame annoyed the hell out of me, and if I had been Gwen, I would have disappeared for good. At any rate the twists in the plot are extreme and lead Gwen to face her own demons. The fight scene was pretty awesome and revealed a lot more than I was expecting. The result took a surprisingly logical turn that I found satisfying. I would be interested in reading other books in this series.
FYI: “River Spell” is book 4 in Ms. Sieders Southern Elemental Guardians series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are several F-bombs dropped, so if that word offends you, this book may not be a good fit for you. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** June 15, 2018
Format/Typo Issues: I found a small number proofing errors. They consisted of missing, extra, or wrong words
“River Spell” is the fourth book in the Southern Elemental Guardians series. It looks like each book is about different related guardians, so I had no problem jumping into the middle of the series. The world is Earth which is divided and ruled accordingly in different realms. Gwen is one of the Rhinemaiden sisters, a mermaid with shapeshifting abilities and other magic. She has exiled herself to the New World, which is what they call the mortal realm, because she doesn’t feel like she fits in her own domain. However, she still protects her river. It’s during one of those acts that Gwen meets Kwame, an ex-police officer turned PI. Kwame recognizes energy levels, which he doesn’t fully understand, but has never led him wrong. So he is aware that Gwen is something other than how she appears.
The plot is original and flows at a good pace. The characters are well developed. Gwen and Kwame are both flawed, and seeking their own purposes in life. The storyline follows their budding interracial romance and turmoils. The dialogue is realistic and engaging, with the exception of the coupling scene. Kwame annoyed the hell out of me, and if I had been Gwen, I would have disappeared for good. At any rate the twists in the plot are extreme and lead Gwen to face her own demons. The fight scene was pretty awesome and revealed a lot more than I was expecting. The result took a surprisingly logical turn that I found satisfying. I would be interested in reading other books in this series.
FYI: “River Spell” is book 4 in Ms. Sieders Southern Elemental Guardians series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are several F-bombs dropped, so if that word offends you, this book may not be a good fit for you. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** June 15, 2018
Format/Typo Issues: I found a small number proofing errors. They consisted of missing, extra, or wrong words
August 7, 2019
I love the Southern Elemental Guardians books!! I enjoy listening to each one. Gwen and Quame seem like a Kia-match, like they would never fit! Gwen is still uneasy with humans and hybrids because of her capture and the experiments they performed on her. She has flashbacks and they render her unable to focus. She has appointed herself the guardian of the river and is set in protecting it from all sorts of trash and chemicals.
Quame is hired to find her, by the grand daughter of the man who ran those experiments. She thinks Gwen is responsible for her parents and grandfathers death. Quame senses her when he comes upon her, he is a hybrid and he doesn’t even know it.
What happens to them and what’s next? I can’t wait to find out!
Stefanie Kay does a great job with the characters and different inflections make it easy to listen to her!
Quame is hired to find her, by the grand daughter of the man who ran those experiments. She thinks Gwen is responsible for her parents and grandfathers death. Quame senses her when he comes upon her, he is a hybrid and he doesn’t even know it.
What happens to them and what’s next? I can’t wait to find out!
Stefanie Kay does a great job with the characters and different inflections make it easy to listen to her!
June 29, 2018
I really liked this book from the get go,
Kwame was definitely an interesting character and certainly a match for Gwen.
I also had me balling my eyes out a a couple of parts, I’m really glad that there was no cliffhanger.
In fact I enjoyed the book so much I just went and bought the complete series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Any opinions given are honest and my own.
Kwame was definitely an interesting character and certainly a match for Gwen.
I also had me balling my eyes out a a couple of parts, I’m really glad that there was no cliffhanger.
In fact I enjoyed the book so much I just went and bought the complete series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Any opinions given are honest and my own.
June 27, 2018
A fantastic paranormal fantasy novel filled with heart-stopping romance. This is a well-researched and detailed story with its roots buried deeply into traditional fantasy. Well written entertainment combines with the twists and turns that give the reader enough substance to dig into. I loved the lead characters, the interplay and the emotion. A super way to escape into the written word.
June 28, 2018
The fourth book in the Southern Elemental Guardians series it is a well-written book that I want to read again. This book has drama, danger, suspense, an evil scientist, and a mixed-race love I enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2018
NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE, WE ARE ALL STILL THE SAME
Elementals, hybrids and humans. What more could one ask for? Well, there’s love, excitement and mystery. You can find them all in this riveting book. Law and order may not be for all, but it pertains to all. Cute sex scene and packed full of emotions.
Elementals, hybrids and humans. What more could one ask for? Well, there’s love, excitement and mystery. You can find them all in this riveting book. Law and order may not be for all, but it pertains to all. Cute sex scene and packed full of emotions.
June 29, 2018
She wants revenge, he wants justice. She had been mistreated and now she will get her revenge on the criminals. He is sent to look for her but she can see he more than a mortal. Can they trust each other? She is very unsure of him due to her treatment. See what they will find out
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2017
4.5/5.0
In this fourth installment of the “Southern Elemental Guardians”, yet another component of this intricate tale into the world of Mer is revealed.
Read full review in the 2017 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
In this fourth installment of the “Southern Elemental Guardians”, yet another component of this intricate tale into the world of Mer is revealed.
Read full review in the 2017 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 20, 2017
Goes down as another off my 2017 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book with water on the cover. A great read of the magical world of mermaids and elementals. Even though it is the forth in the series it can be read alone. Though reading the others might give you a bit more insight into the world as a whole and not just Gwen and Kwame’s part in it.
Gwen’s a mermaid with some awesome tricks up her sleeve and Kwame’s an ex-cop turned PI who has an ancient heritage that’s about to make one hell of a come back. Seems they are more alike than they thought.
Abby hires Kwame to find a woman who was held by her grandfather in hopes she can find answers about what happen to him in a lab accident. She might not like the ones she gets but it’s a journey she’s on whether she likes the outcome or not. She knows the woman in the picture isn’t human – well she has some sample DNA that might prove it – and with Kwame’s special gift for finding people she’s hoping he will help prove it and find out what happened to her grandfather in the process. That little bit of info has him hooked and with the tingling in his head getting stronger he knows he has to take the case. He just gets more than he bargained for when he meets her.
Gwen went through hell at the hands of her human captures and is still at the mercy of them through her flashbacks and nightmares. Man alive you want to kick the shit out of them for what they did in the name of science. Dr Dunvart is a very bad man who went off his rockers crazy in his lab in the search of answers. It’s because of this that she feels compelled to dole out her own form of justice to those who would poison her waters. Throwing a ship out of the water and blowing it up doesn’t seem to do the trick as they are back a week later but this time things end a little differently after she spots someone coming to aid who has a distinct feel about him.
Slow burn chemistry between Gwen and Kwame. She might be stuck with him due to him binding her without knowing how (inner magic being pulled to the surface it seems) but it soon becomes apparent that they want and need each other too. You may say that they crossed paths for a reason. Eternity at their finger tips perhaps? Well if they can out run monster hunters that are coming for their kind that is. A quest has begun but the outcome is uncertain. Gwen plans on helping him find out about his heritage and what he really is, hoping when they do they can figure a way to break the binding spell. Kwame needs her help with another missing persons case; she’s just hoping doing this will take the heat off her. Elementals could be involved but could also be the key to finding them. She might be with Kwame because of the binding spell but the longer she’s in his presence the more he wants her there for good. He wants her to stay with him because she wants to not because she has to. He wants to hold back and take things slow but our girl Gwen has other ideas. Not that he’s complaining for long, they do have some fun.
Thought Bruce was a hoot giving a comical value when needed, Jack was great and really came through as the father figure she never knew she missed and Zamba was an all-seeing guru of sorts. Well when she’s not imprisoning people that is. Law needs to change and it looks like the Elementals might have just found the perfect team to help.
Love Gwen’s abrupt way of talking, awkward and funny all the time without always meaning to be but in a sweet way. With her you have to say exactly what you mean or she won’t understand you. She’s honest with you so be honest back. Remember this Kwame!! Liked the use of elemental magic and what everyone could do. Turning into a dragon is kind of cool. Comes in handy too when the need arises.
I received this ARC from Griffyn Ink Publishing for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
Gwen’s a mermaid with some awesome tricks up her sleeve and Kwame’s an ex-cop turned PI who has an ancient heritage that’s about to make one hell of a come back. Seems they are more alike than they thought.
Abby hires Kwame to find a woman who was held by her grandfather in hopes she can find answers about what happen to him in a lab accident. She might not like the ones she gets but it’s a journey she’s on whether she likes the outcome or not. She knows the woman in the picture isn’t human – well she has some sample DNA that might prove it – and with Kwame’s special gift for finding people she’s hoping he will help prove it and find out what happened to her grandfather in the process. That little bit of info has him hooked and with the tingling in his head getting stronger he knows he has to take the case. He just gets more than he bargained for when he meets her.
Gwen went through hell at the hands of her human captures and is still at the mercy of them through her flashbacks and nightmares. Man alive you want to kick the shit out of them for what they did in the name of science. Dr Dunvart is a very bad man who went off his rockers crazy in his lab in the search of answers. It’s because of this that she feels compelled to dole out her own form of justice to those who would poison her waters. Throwing a ship out of the water and blowing it up doesn’t seem to do the trick as they are back a week later but this time things end a little differently after she spots someone coming to aid who has a distinct feel about him.
Slow burn chemistry between Gwen and Kwame. She might be stuck with him due to him binding her without knowing how (inner magic being pulled to the surface it seems) but it soon becomes apparent that they want and need each other too. You may say that they crossed paths for a reason. Eternity at their finger tips perhaps? Well if they can out run monster hunters that are coming for their kind that is. A quest has begun but the outcome is uncertain. Gwen plans on helping him find out about his heritage and what he really is, hoping when they do they can figure a way to break the binding spell. Kwame needs her help with another missing persons case; she’s just hoping doing this will take the heat off her. Elementals could be involved but could also be the key to finding them. She might be with Kwame because of the binding spell but the longer she’s in his presence the more he wants her there for good. He wants her to stay with him because she wants to not because she has to. He wants to hold back and take things slow but our girl Gwen has other ideas. Not that he’s complaining for long, they do have some fun.
Thought Bruce was a hoot giving a comical value when needed, Jack was great and really came through as the father figure she never knew she missed and Zamba was an all-seeing guru of sorts. Well when she’s not imprisoning people that is. Law needs to change and it looks like the Elementals might have just found the perfect team to help.
Love Gwen’s abrupt way of talking, awkward and funny all the time without always meaning to be but in a sweet way. With her you have to say exactly what you mean or she won’t understand you. She’s honest with you so be honest back. Remember this Kwame!! Liked the use of elemental magic and what everyone could do. Turning into a dragon is kind of cool. Comes in handy too when the need arises.
I received this ARC from Griffyn Ink Publishing for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
May 11, 2017
While the drama of the plot suited a paranormal romance/ action thriller, I was not able to fully immerse myself in the plotline and the characters; maybe its due to the fact that I am starting the series in mid and hence the familiarity with the characters is a little off the chart, or maybe they appear remote due to the way they have been characterised. While I understand the core idea of the book, I was not able to engage completely with it.
May 12, 2017
I think this may be my favorite of all the SEG books. The match of power between the two and the cross purposes they have create some serious page-turning reading. Already looking forward to book 5!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews