The Last Mermaid

Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This was my first time reading a romance novel in this genre and I was simply amazed. This has to be the best book I have read all summer. I could not keep the book down. Shana Abe really makes the characters real, and brings the different stories in a full and complete circle. This is romance at its best. The stories from different era each are excellent on their own, but being connected through the mystery of the mermaid makes this story absolutely beautiful. I wish I had the words to explain, but all I can say is buy this book, you will NOT be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Three intricately woven mermaid tales
Review: Three stories intricately woven around the myth of the Isle of Kell and its sirens (mermaids).

531 A.D. Prince Aedan of the Kingdom of Isles in Scotland is badly defeated in a battle with his enemies, the Picts. He is left for dead and thrown into the wild Scottish seas. He is rescued by Ione a siren who lives a lonely existence on the Isle of Kell, an isolated island where no sailors dare to venture and if they do at a fatal risk from the storms and squalls. Ione claims Aedan for her own but he cannot be trapped on the island and returns to fight the picts to reclaim his thrown. Ione follows him and again saves him from the dangers lurking in his lands. But in doing so she is mortally wounded and can only be saved if she returns to Kell where her strength lies. Will Aedan stay in his beloved kingdom or will he follow his love, Ione, back to the mysterious Isle of Kell.

1721 A mysterious assassin, in the form of Spanish beauty Leila, is out to kill Ronan, Earl of Kell, a blond blue eyed male siren. Leila has been hired by Lamont, a neighbour of Ronan's who is out to grab the wealth that lies on Kell. As Leila follows Ronan she finds herself inexplicably attracted to the handsome Earl and eventually becoming his lover, switches sides to become his bodyguard.

2004 Ruri Kell, upon the death of her parents inherits a distant far off Scottish island called Kell. She intends to sell the island to Dr Iain McIness but he stipulates that she must see the island before she agrees to sell.

This is a hauntingly beautiful book to read. The characters are so life like that you could believe of mermaids swimming in the North Atlantic coast. Each of the three tales is linked to the myth of the original siren and her mortal lover Kell who gave his name to the island. The last story ties up the loose ends. The description of the isle of Kell is vivid and the love that bonds the protagonists strong. A very enjoyable fantasy romance to read and highly recommended.

Lea Ling Tsang