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Castaway Heart #1
Castaway Heart
A noble heir, paralysed by duty.
Lyna knows that she doesn’t possess the social acumen required of a noble mermaid, and in Atlantis, it’s a matter of life and death. Making up for it with her intellect is about all she has, but that’s beginning to wear thin as she suspects that her sister’s mate is less than the honourable man he seems...
A scholar bound by marriage to a monster.
Dyna would never have chosen her arranged mating, even if Hian hadn’t been so controlling, but it was her duty. When he started taking out his anger on her with his fists, she knew that she had to leave, but there was nowhere for her to go. Mermaids don’t dissolve their matings, after all. Her only option would be Earth, and she would need help...
A warrior with more skill as a healer.
Slayers pride combat prowess before all else, but Sam was always better with healing magic. Left with nowhere to call his own, living among humans and hiding his magic seemed the best option. But when two mermaids fleeing Atlantis land on the deck of his ship, he can’t bring himself to leave them to fend for themselves, even if it means exposing his own secrets...
A doctor trapped between two worlds.
Lisa had been seeing strange things ever since she was a child. Once magic was revealed to the world, it became clear that she could see through the glamours of magical beings. The ability didn’t make her any less human but left her feeling alone between worlds. When Sam brings two badly injured mermaids onto the ship, however, she might be thrown full-throttle into the world of magic as she attempts to help them hide from those who would hunt them.
Four entwined destinies become entwined hearts as they struggle against the bounty hunters sent to retrieve the two mermaids.
CASTAWAY HEART is the first book in a trilogy of paranormal romance books, following the four protagonists as they become two couples.
Lyna knows that she doesn’t possess the social acumen required of a noble mermaid, and in Atlantis, it’s a matter of life and death. Making up for it with her intellect is about all she has, but that’s beginning to wear thin as she suspects that her sister’s mate is less than the honourable man he seems...
A scholar bound by marriage to a monster.
Dyna would never have chosen her arranged mating, even if Hian hadn’t been so controlling, but it was her duty. When he started taking out his anger on her with his fists, she knew that she had to leave, but there was nowhere for her to go. Mermaids don’t dissolve their matings, after all. Her only option would be Earth, and she would need help...
A warrior with more skill as a healer.
Slayers pride combat prowess before all else, but Sam was always better with healing magic. Left with nowhere to call his own, living among humans and hiding his magic seemed the best option. But when two mermaids fleeing Atlantis land on the deck of his ship, he can’t bring himself to leave them to fend for themselves, even if it means exposing his own secrets...
A doctor trapped between two worlds.
Lisa had been seeing strange things ever since she was a child. Once magic was revealed to the world, it became clear that she could see through the glamours of magical beings. The ability didn’t make her any less human but left her feeling alone between worlds. When Sam brings two badly injured mermaids onto the ship, however, she might be thrown full-throttle into the world of magic as she attempts to help them hide from those who would hunt them.
Four entwined destinies become entwined hearts as they struggle against the bounty hunters sent to retrieve the two mermaids.
CASTAWAY HEART is the first book in a trilogy of paranormal romance books, following the four protagonists as they become two couples.
ebook
First published May 24, 2017
About the author
L.C. Mawson
101 books248 followersSome say she's an ancient creature of nightmare that was unleashed from beneath the ocean, come to devour the souls of men. Others say that she's a cosmic being from the beyond the stars that has taken corporeal form to learn our ways for some unknown end...
In truth, L.C. Mawson lives in a tower in the middle of a haunted forest, far from civilisation and is definitely not a witch who curses those who trespass upon her land. And she definitely cannot turn into a dragon that flies over cities in the dead of night and whose cries are often mistaken for an approaching storm. Where did you hear that? That's absurd...
The only contact she has with humanity is publishing books every so often, which is definitely just for fun and not part of an ancient contract with a trickster god.
In truth, L.C. Mawson lives in a tower in the middle of a haunted forest, far from civilisation and is definitely not a witch who curses those who trespass upon her land. And she definitely cannot turn into a dragon that flies over cities in the dead of night and whose cries are often mistaken for an approaching storm. Where did you hear that? That's absurd...
The only contact she has with humanity is publishing books every so often, which is definitely just for fun and not part of an ancient contract with a trickster god.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 27, 2018
Mawson wrote this after Hunt, and it shows. The writing is smoother, more lyrical, more evocative. The plot and worldbuilding are more detailed and less cliched. (This sounds like I'm slagging Hunt off and I'm not, I liked it. But this just shows a lot of improvement.
Anyone who follows my reviews will know that I'm VERY critical of romance and sex in my reading. In Castaway Heart those things are present and...not terrible. I didn't have any strong feelings one way or the other.
Got to say, though, I was not 100% satisfied by the ending. It's kind of a semi cliffhanger. And I wanted to spend more time in mer society because it was fascinating and new, but what I got was more "alien gawks at ordinary modern human stuff". Which, I have to say, was done pretty well considering how overdone that trope is.
I would definitely recommend it, because it tackles issues like gender identity, domestic violence, and racism, in a nuanced, non-hurtful but also non-preachy way.
Anyone who follows my reviews will know that I'm VERY critical of romance and sex in my reading. In Castaway Heart those things are present and...not terrible. I didn't have any strong feelings one way or the other.
Got to say, though, I was not 100% satisfied by the ending. It's kind of a semi cliffhanger. And I wanted to spend more time in mer society because it was fascinating and new, but what I got was more "alien gawks at ordinary modern human stuff". Which, I have to say, was done pretty well considering how overdone that trope is.
I would definitely recommend it, because it tackles issues like gender identity, domestic violence, and racism, in a nuanced, non-hurtful but also non-preachy way.
October 13, 2017
This is a powerful story. Yes, it’s a fantasy / paranormal - there’s merfolk and magic (among other things) after all - but it’s so much more. A powerful story involving domestic violence one of the mer sisters suffers from (yes, mer society has this crippling failure too), the power of love as a healing force, and sacrifices made for the sake of family and honor. Yet, at the same time, it’s a fun to read story too. As I said, powerful - and strongly recommended.
May 25, 2017
Loved it.Good story-telling and fast paced.Nice mix of suspense, fantasy, and romance.There are explicit scenes of domestic violence and abuse as well as sexual content, so if that is not your thing you might want to avoid this book.However, I would strongly recommend this book.
December 24, 2017
Lyna always disliked her twin sister Dyna's mate, Hian. She always thought that he lacked honor, but she had no proof that he was hurting her sister. She could only go off what her sister looked like when he was around: dejected and sad. However, when she sees Hian about to hit her sister during one of the most important balls of the year, she loses it and uses her siren song on him, then escapes to the surface of Earth with her sister. There, they use a charm to grow human legs and are helped by a Demon Slayer named Sam and a Human doctor who can see through magical illusions.
I love mermaids, and this mermaid story was definitely the deepest one that I had read in a long time. It addresses domestic violence in cultures where getting a divorce is a matter of honor and dishonor rather than happiness. Lyna is betrothed to someone and knows that she has to do her duty, but she knows that her sister should be able to break off the betrothal if she is being physically and emotionally abused by her husband.
This story may have seemed shorter than normal, but it's simply because I read it so fast. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a top-notch mermaid romance novel with deep themes.
I love mermaids, and this mermaid story was definitely the deepest one that I had read in a long time. It addresses domestic violence in cultures where getting a divorce is a matter of honor and dishonor rather than happiness. Lyna is betrothed to someone and knows that she has to do her duty, but she knows that her sister should be able to break off the betrothal if she is being physically and emotionally abused by her husband.
This story may have seemed shorter than normal, but it's simply because I read it so fast. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a top-notch mermaid romance novel with deep themes.
December 25, 2017
Lyna always disliked her twin sister Dyna's mate, Hian. She always thought that he lacked honor, but she had no proof that he was hurting her sister. She could only go off what her sister looked like when he was around: dejected and sad. However, when she sees Hian about to hit her sister during one of the most important balls of the year, she loses it and uses her siren song on him, then escapes to the surface of Earth with her sister. There, they use a charm to grow human legs and are helped by a Demon Slayer named Sam and a Human doctor who can see through magical illusions.
I love mermaids, and this mermaid story was definitely the deepest one that I had read in a long time. It addresses domestic violence in cultures where getting a divorce is a matter of honor and dishonor rather than happiness. Lyna is betrothed to someone and knows that she has to do her duty, but she knows that her sister should be able to break off the betrothal if she is being physically and emotionally abused by her husband.
This story may have seemed shorter than normal, but it's simply because I read it so fast. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a top-notch mermaid romance novel with deep themes.
I love mermaids, and this mermaid story was definitely the deepest one that I had read in a long time. It addresses domestic violence in cultures where getting a divorce is a matter of honor and dishonor rather than happiness. Lyna is betrothed to someone and knows that she has to do her duty, but she knows that her sister should be able to break off the betrothal if she is being physically and emotionally abused by her husband.
This story may have seemed shorter than normal, but it's simply because I read it so fast. I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a top-notch mermaid romance novel with deep themes.
September 8, 2021
A quick read that I felt should have done a lot more.
I feel like the only reason why I'm even giving this 3 stars instead of just one is because I thought that the idea of the story, the worldbuilding, was interesting.
Outside of that, it was weird how they were like "Oh no, we're in trouble! Better flee to another dimension/world!" rather than to exclude all other options.
Furthermore, I felt like the relationship was really rushed and felt super awkward. They had literally known each other for three days and had absolutely nothing whatsoever in common. But sure. They're attracted to one another.
I was trying to decide if I wanted to read the other books in the series, since the ending of this was so abrupt and resolved absolutely nothing... But then decided that I have better things to be doing.
I feel like the only reason why I'm even giving this 3 stars instead of just one is because I thought that the idea of the story, the worldbuilding, was interesting.
Outside of that, it was weird how they were like "Oh no, we're in trouble! Better flee to another dimension/world!" rather than to exclude all other options.
Furthermore, I felt like the relationship was really rushed and felt super awkward. They had literally known each other for three days and had absolutely nothing whatsoever in common. But sure. They're attracted to one another.
I was trying to decide if I wanted to read the other books in the series, since the ending of this was so abrupt and resolved absolutely nothing... But then decided that I have better things to be doing.
January 19, 2021
Interesting Story, But Could Be More Compelling
Lyna is a Mermaid and the Primary Heir of her house. This is her story of trying to save her twin sister, Dyna, and trying to decide what life holds for her.
The story has some good character development and manages to convey a worldview that differs from what we typically see. I found the story telling a little choppy with a few behaviors that seemed out of character.
While the story has an ending that finishes some story arcs, it’s mostly a setup for the next book. It felt a little like a cliffhanger which is not an ending I enjoy.
Hopefully, the next book in the series improves on these points and makes the underlying story shine.
Lyna is a Mermaid and the Primary Heir of her house. This is her story of trying to save her twin sister, Dyna, and trying to decide what life holds for her.
The story has some good character development and manages to convey a worldview that differs from what we typically see. I found the story telling a little choppy with a few behaviors that seemed out of character.
While the story has an ending that finishes some story arcs, it’s mostly a setup for the next book. It felt a little like a cliffhanger which is not an ending I enjoy.
Hopefully, the next book in the series improves on these points and makes the underlying story shine.
June 2, 2017
Love L.C. Mawson's writing! I definitely feel as if I am right there in the story whenever I read what she writes. Loved the characters. Loved the storyline. Fantasy mixed with suspense and some love thrown in to make a very good story!
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review
June 13, 2017
I loved this book. Having read other books by this author I looked forward to this series.
You have the story of twin mermaids and the inter workings of the mer-society. I don't want to give away the plot but I recommend this book and can't wait to read the other two.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
You have the story of twin mermaids and the inter workings of the mer-society. I don't want to give away the plot but I recommend this book and can't wait to read the other two.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.
December 28, 2018
This was pretty good. It pulls you in slowly and keeps you there. This was interesting and creative with good characters and personalities, a little suspense and action, emotions and a little steaminess. This was good but it leaves you hanging (cliffy!) and wanting to read the next book. Good for passing time, but beware of the cliffy. It would be very good to have the next books waiting. Enjoy!
May 28, 2017
The publisher's blurb is extensive but doesn't convey the emotions within the story. The buildup seems gradual, and the tale ends rather abruptly. I can't wait for the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews