The Merman's Quest

Mates for Monsters #2

by Tamsin Ley

A merman's mate-bond is for life... or is it?
Rubac’s mate is dead, and he’s soon to follow. His only hope to escape the curse is to find a human female, seduce her, and sacrifice her. Finding and seducing one is the easy part, however. Sacrificing her may not be so simple.

Another kind of monster…
Madison is determined to document an elusive dolphin hybrid and restore her professional reputation. Instead, she meets a sexy, sleek-tailed beast of another variety who makes her pulse thrum in places it shouldn’t. When he pulls himself on board her boat in all his emerald-tailed glory, she jumps at the chance to film him; discovering a mythical creature will secure her the fame she’s always dreamed of.

So why is she feeling the need to keep him all to herself?

Reader Note: Steamy love scenes and steamy merman secrets. Intended for mature audiences.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Mermaids, Adult, Erotica

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2018

About the author

Steamy Sci-Fi with a Pinch of Pixie Dust
USA Today Best-selling author Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don’t know they need a mate - that is, until they meet the woman they can’t resist. Sign up for her newsletter to learn more, plus receive exclusive, subscriber-only content!
https://www.tamsinley.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it for the second time. Still has no real story. No substance at all.

Honestly, the only reason I continued with the series is because I wanted to see how it will go. But it lacked actual plot.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Merman's Quest is a free short story you can get by signing up for Tamsin Ley's newsletter on her website. You can read the story if you've not read any of the author's books but personally I'd recommend reading it after The Merman's Kiss, especially if you were left with questions about Zantu's brother Rubac.

I'm glad that the author decided to give us some closure on Rubac's story, in the previous book his story left off with him being held captive and close to death thanks to his evil mate. I was a little disappointed that this story picks up a while later, his mate is dead (but we don't know how) and Rubac is trying to find a way to destroy his mate bond so that he doesn't die like she did. I think we could use a little more information on exactly how the mate bond works so that the stories make more sense but I was pleased to find out he'd escaped captivity.

I don't want to say too much about his plans to remove his mate bond but his quest brings him into contact with a marine biologist who is out on the ocean searching for a rare kind of dolphin. Things escalate very quickly between the pair and the story is a bit disjointed where there are big leaps in time trying to cover a reasonable length of time but both of those things are fairly understandable considering this is a short story. I liked the way things ended for the couple even if I did find their romance a little eyeball rolling worthy at times. The biggest disappointments were that we didn't get to spend much time in Rubac's underwater world and we didn't see any of his young child Ebby (who had been with him when he was taken prisoner!). This was explained in a brief sentence but I was really hoping for more than we got. I'm very glad we weren't left completely hanging though!

[jenn *mother of dragon & snake* · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this. BECAUSE THE GUY ACTUALLY HAS A TAIL! it pretty much went quick and wrapped up in a bow for the ending.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed

These stories are proving to be just what I needed when I have a few moments to spare, need a quick, no stress read.

Wish it had been longer but, otherwise it was a pretty good novella

[✨ Just Another Bookwyrm ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, this one felt incomplete… still enjoyable though…

[Nancy Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute for what it is supposed to be.
I’m enjoying this little novella series!

[(the.darkandmoody.reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 - it’s a quick 70 page read. It’s not meant to be serious or make you think, it’s just fun.

I would have probably given 5/5 had there been more descriptive sex and anatomy. That’s what this story is a quickie. There’s sex but it’s quick and vague. These short stories are written to turn a reader on so turn me on and don’t blur out the things that are supposed to excite me. All the descriptions are vague.

I really couldn’t tell you what Rubac or Madison truly look like just colors honestly. Engorged, slick, and hard are what I get for sex descriptions.

As I said, it’s a quickie and it’s fun. I liked it. I didn’t go in expecting amazing and I was pleasantly surprised.

[M. Black Eagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificently written quick novel with a great storyline of a forbidden romance. Rubac quest was sidetracked when he met and felt a chemistry with a human woman name Madison. I loved the storyline and the character's seemed to bring this novel to life. i received this short novel for free but I would gladly pay to see what adventures the two of them get into. A must read for lovers of the paranormal.

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Short story length)

After her students get her discredited, and she loses her teaching job and her boyfriend, Madison sets sail in a rental boat to find a rumored new kind of dolphin. But instead, she is visited by a merman. Rubec has been given a quest by a blue whale. In order to rid himself of his mate bond to his treacherous and now dead mermaid mate, he must seduce and kill a human woman. If he doesn’t, he will wither away because of the despair from the mate bond with his mate no longer living.

I love the idea of these books starring a merman instead of the stereotypical mermaid. After reading The Merman’s Kiss (Book 1) and A Mermaid’s Heart (Book 3), I was really looking forward to this book. I was looking forward to following Rubec as he descended into the abyss in a robotic mindless despair toward certain death (mentioned in both of the other two books), into the great unknown and seeing just what sort of world and thrills awaited in the darkness, and see exactly what snapped him back into acting like a normal thinking person again. But rather than that book, this book skipped all of that and started with Madison on her boat and him appearing along side it, with his quest already in hand, that according to him he got from a whale??? (I’d really like to know how he got it, and what exactly the whale told him). Rubec sees auras and can tell what sort of person Madison is because of her aura and what she’s feeling??? Auras weren’t mentioned in either of the other books. So why can he see auras, but not either of the other mer characters in the other two books? Not to mention that it felt like cutting corners rather than him not knowing how she’s feeling or what sort of person she is and has to figure it out and discover things about her. Also, how does he just know her language??? In The Merman’s Kiss, the merman kissed the woman and accidentally started the mate bond with her, and because their bond was stronger, it also resulted in telepathy between the two characters. In A Mermaid’s Heart, the human man slowly taught the mermaid sign language. This book is a straight erotic with not much else happening between sex scenes. In the other books we had the underwater world of the Mer people brought to life in rich detail, but this story is set almost exclusively onboard Madison’s boat. It is an interesting relationship as Madison wrestles with being thrilled that she’s come face to face with a new creature and can use finding him to save her career, not to mention the thrill of learning about him, versus her lust for him. While he’s at war with himself over using Madison to cure himself of the mate bond, and realizing that he might actually want her rather than using her. But Rubec is rather one-dimensional and self-centered. Not once does he consider Ebby, his child that he left behind.

[Catwithbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Auch wieder so 2,5*

Wie schon im ersten gab es an sich tolle Ansätze womit man die Story hätte ausbauen können. Leider ging es oft nur noch um das eine. Nachdem die Lust geweckt worden war, gab es kein halten mehr
Dabei hätte ich gern mehr Einblick bei Rubac bekommen.
An sich fand ich das Ende ganz schön, weil die Protagonisten aus dem ersten Band mit dabei waren und man so wieder gesehen hat, dass zwischen den Geschwistern eine besondere Beziehung besteht.
Auch wenn die Reihe was schwach ist werde ich noch den Teil mit Ebby lesen. Bin einfach neugierig.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Rubac is NOT completely irrational

This was a good sequel to the first book. I like how it included Brianna and Zantu at the end so that we know what happened to them. Once again, I couldn't put the book down. It's completely engaging.

5 Stars

[Viktoriiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook while driving, it’s not much of a story, just sex on a boat. Rubac was sadly one dimensional, but I liked the very short mention of the couple from the first novella in this series.

[Robert Lambregts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going on a cruise, reading The Poseidon Adventure, gave me the idea to read another short sea-related story. I didn't research it, but the cover kinda predicted itself, and I didn't even know it was part 2 in a series. But I went in, discovered it was pure merman/human porn, thought about stopping, but eventually, I finished it during breakfast at a very crouded buffet. Is it good? no, is it bad, In a way it is, but I'm giving it 1.5 stars, making it 2 for the fact that mermen do deserve more books. Just less male pregnancy, cause even though it's not part of this book, it did give a tiny hint of it, and I.... ugh. no.

[Liliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

So happy for Rubic. Worth the read. Another cute but spicy short read. Can’t wait to read Ebbys story. I just love mermaids!

[Phoebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt rushed and I felt it could have spent more time on the main characters interactions with one another.

[mey · Rating 3 out of 5]

don’t mind me, just downloaded this whole series. I think I just found my new guilty pleasure and I’m not complaining.

[Emily (Mrs B's Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quick novella that focuses on Rubac, the brother of the merman (Zantu) from book one in the series.

In the first book we find that Rubac is grieving the loss of his child and that his mate was eaten by a shark, not that mermaids love their mates.

Ruben wants to be free of the bond as he is likely to go mad and die of a broken heart. Therefore as his other child has reached maturity and left home he has his quest to become free and that involves a human female.

Madison wants to clear her name and therefore wants to find a rare hybrid dolphin so is out on the water in a boat by herself. Finding a merman was never in her scientific mind possible.

Being a VERY short story (60 pages) things more at a cheetah's pace and we get a happy ever after for them.

[Barbara Van Zandt]

I'd had hope for a story on Rubac .i was glad that the mermaid that tricked him in bonding was no more. Finding Madison was great and I was glad that they were able to work things out together

[Greeneyes Belle28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book ...

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:

A merman's mate-bond is for life... or is it?

Rubac’s mate is dead, and he’s soon to follow. His only hope to escape the curse dragging him toward extermination is to find a human female, seduce her, and sacrifice her. Finding and seducing one is the easy part. Sacrificing her may not be so simple. Another kind of monster… Madison is determined to document an elusive dolphin hybrid and restore her professional reputation. Instead, she meets a sexy, sleek-tailed beast of another variety who makes her pulse thrum in places it shouldn’t. When he pulls himself on board her boat in all his emerald-tailed glory, she jumps at the chance to film him; discovering a mythical creature will secure her the fame she’s always dreamed of. So why is she feeling the need to keep him all to herself?

‘He lifted his head looking into her eyes. She grinned back at him, squeezing her arms around his middle. His world contracted to that one, single moment, and he realized he was truly free. Free to do anything and go anywhere. To make his own choices. To be his own man. And I’m spite of it all he only wanted one thing. “I choose you,” he said, and lowered his head to kiss her.’

It was a cute read. But a little on the quick side, overall a good read though!

4/5 Stars

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This insta-lust story wasn't very long. I knew it would be short, but I was expecting it would have more content. That's not the author's fault. I've read other books by Tamsin Ley, and I appreciate her skill in world building and character development. I would have appreciated a little more depth, but I understand that this is meant to be a short story.

Rubak is portrayed as emotionally damaged due to the abuse the females of his kind are known to show towards their mates. This comes forth to readers in a clear way, without beating us over the head with it. He's therefore skittish and suspicious of the human woman who he finds himself attracted to.

I think in order to get enjoyment from this book, it would be helpful to have already read the first book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I enjoyed the first novella, I decided to go ahead with this story for a quick little read. And I do mean quick. As in fast readers just might be done before they've even realized the story has begun. That said, for what it was it was very enjoyable. There was plot, some character background, and a continuation on the world building begun in The Merman's Kiss. Plus, there is steamy fun too. Overall, for what it was, a delightful read.

Side note: You truly do need to take it for what it is while reading. If you expect full novel level plotline, character development, and world building, of course you'll be disappointed. That is impossible for a novella, let alone a novelette. But if you read it with this in mind, it is enjoyable.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rubac who we meet in book one, his mate is dead and he is wanting to escape the curse of dying too. Mermen mate for life and often dye after their mates do, mermaids on the other hand mate and leave to mate with others, leaving a trail of broken hearts. Rubacs hope is go find a human, seduce her and sacrifice her and that is the part he is not so sure about. Madison is out on the ocean looking to document a rare dolphin in order to restore her professional reputation. Instead she finds a beautiful green Merman, that could fix her professional reputation too with such a discovery. This was a very short story but it was cute and steamy. I liked how we got to see Zantu and Brianna again too. It is also interesting to know that they can choose their gender.

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

We meet Rubac in The Mermans Kiss, he is Zantu's brother. After the death of his bond mate and young, his eldest child now old enough to leave the nest, he believes he is dying and according to ancient tales, he needs to sacrifice a human to stop the decline. Madison is a Marine Biologist and desperate to reclaim her standing in the community by gathering evidence of a rare dolphin. Lost in the wilds of the ocean, Rubac finds her and begins his seduction.

Wish there had been more, but this is only a 70 page novella, quick and lighthearted. It was actually nice to tie up the loose end of his storyline from the first book. Worth the look if you are reading the series.

[C. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sensuous and Romantic Novella

I actually listened to the Audiobook version of "The Merman's Quest" and I loved it. This novella is sexy as hell (heat meter is a 9 or 10) while maintaining a very romantic storyline. I loved both Rubac (caring and seductive) and Madison (a heroine that's smart and sexy). I only wished the story was a little longer rather than a novella because I loved Rubac and Madison's story so much and was pretty sad when it ended (it ends with an HEA and no cliff-hanger). Suffice it to say, I definitely want to read "A Mermaid's Heart", the next book in "A Mates For Monsters" series.

[MeenaG · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book was more balanced with the story and love scenes and this one was more love scene focused to fit it all in the shorter book. I don't think the romance is as sweet or cute since in the beginning they're both way too hung up on their quests to even really have a single cute thought about the other person, that doesn't happen until later past the halfway point of the book but it was still a good story. It was great to see the way both Madison and Rubac helped each other both with and without realising it and seeing them give up what wasn't making them happy and allowing themselves to have a happier life.

[Poetsiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a segue to the third part of the story, it was sexy, although rushed. At the end, I know very little about the human female and her life other than what is told in a few short sentences. I felt it could have been longer and more *shown*, less told, about her. The attraction was less plotted during this story and left me wanting more development between them, especially seeing how our male acted in the previous tale. As for the intimate moments, they were more furious and primal than the previous book. Again, a good segue to the next book - which is why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 3. It is worth the read on the way to the third installment. (I still prefer the first book.)

[Rose Howse · Rating 5 out of 5]

But who's life? In this story, Rubac gets another chance for a mate. Nothing comes easy and there were some climatic decisions to be made, but the potential was there and Madison the researcher, was interested in Rubac anyway. Rubac was mate-bonded and felt once his mate was dead, he would die too, the bond was for life, but who's life? I'm not very fond of the females, the mermaids, they sound feckless and mean. Mermen stay home and care for and raise the young. I loved the little hidden world that Ms. Ley wrote about and this was a quick but satisfying novella.

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I really have enjoyed the Mates for Monsters series so far, I had higher expectations with the Merman's Quest due to how outstanding its predecessor was (The Merman's Kiss). I really wanted to see more details of the undersea life and encounters for both our merman protagonist here and the human he charms. I do adore the steamy scenes but thought more would happen outside the boat. I DO enjoy the visual appeal of our darling merman and it helped ease tension on my drive home from work. Hope to see more merman tales in the future!