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39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4 Romances in 1 Magical Mermaid Tale, December 14, 2004
THE LAST MERMAID is a fantastic departure from the typical romance novel. Incorporating four magical love stories in one, THE LAST MERMAID begins with a mermaid's tragic curse of lost love, then moves to the first story, which is about a betrayed King of Scotland who is rescued from a watery grave by Ione, the lonely siren of the cursed island of Kell. This segment was packed with medieval adventure (Scottish warriors against Saxon thugs), and I thought Aeden was a fantastic hero, though Ione the mermaid bugged me at first for being so needy (I grew to like her, especially toward the end, when she risked all for Aeden). Following this story, we move ahead to the 1700s, in which Ione and Aeden's descendant, the male siren Ronan (Earl of Kell), is targeted for death by a beautiful Spanish assassin named Leila (who has some magic of her own). Ronan and Leila's story is filled with intrigue and painful attraction (I couldn't wait for them to FINALLY hook up). However, I think I liked the last story the best, which begins in modern-day Los Angeles. The heroine, half-Japanese Ruri, has just inherited the Island of Kell (which she didn't even know existed) and is "seduced" into visiting it by Iain, a hot pirate-like Scot who wants to buy it. Their story wraps up the four (yes, four) romances quite nicely, with just a little magic twist. For a romance novel, THE LAST MERMAID is prettily written (you can practically taste the saltwater and see the island in your mind), though the author sometimes overdoes it (she has a certain obsession for eye and hair color). The actual lovemaking scenes are also elegant, meaning they are less steamy and more romantic. Overall, I thought this was a lovely novel, eloquent and satisfying, and would recommend it to anyone interested in adding a touch of magic to her day.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Mermaid, July 2, 2004
An avid reader of historical romances and fantasy romances, I found this book to be totally enchanting!!!! Once I started it, I couldn't escape the mermaids' lure. This was the first book of Shana Abe`'s that I had read, but she held me spellbound. After having read so many books of this kind, I can pretty much tell you what the story will be about after the first chapter...not so with this one!!! When I completed the novel...I felt sad that it was over. I thought about the story for weeks after reading it. I went to the bookstore to get more of her books...but they didn't have any! I couldn't believe they didn't know what an amazing find this writer is and I told them so! The legend's beginning and its end...throughout time... the timelessness... If you miss this one...you really missed out! I'm not going to describe the plot..since that has already been done. But I could see this one in my head ...feel it..magical but almost real. WOW! Shana Abe` has moved to the top of my favorite authors list!
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Awesome Love Stories!, July 2, 2004
This is an amazing tale set in three separate time periods and linked together by the prologue that explains the myth and how the curse came to be as the original mermaid of Kell lost her one true love and how her descendants all fought and found their way to discovering their destinies and true love. 531 a.d. --- The Picts ambushed Aedan, a Prince of the Isles who would one day be King. Mortally wounded he was then shipped out to the middle of the ocean near the mysterious island of Kell, dumped overboard and believed to have drowned. Actually, he did drown, but through the enchanted ministrations of the siren Iona, who lived on the enchanted island of Kell, Aedan was restored back to life. Love blossoms with exquisite sensuality between the two, yet Aedan felt impelled to build a vessel to return to his home and save his people knowing that he would be leaving a part of his soul behind with Iona. Deliberating over the knowledge that a slow death would occur should she leave the island of Kell, Iona follows Aedan to inform him that she would be having his child only to find that once again, Aedan was betrayed, a prisoner in his own castle and near death. Risking her own life by leaving the magical waters of Kell, Ione would save Aedan once again, but could she survive herself? - Thrilling, with intense action and sensuality. 1721: Ronan MacMhuirich, Earl of Kell, mysterious and beloved laird of his clan is the target of an unlikely assassin. Rarely appearing in the London social circles he and his clansmen traveled to the city to try and discover who was attempting to kill him. Searching for an assassin he discovered instead a mysterious and beautiful woman from an exotic land. Leila, not only a skilled assassin, but also gifted with `sight' that could prove to be much more dangerous to Ronan than any assassins weapon. Irresistibly drawn to one another, the beautiful would-be slayer and Ronan (a male siren) would discover a magic more powerful than either of their gifts - the magic of love found only by true soul mates. - Very ORIGINAL, passionate and sultry! 2004: Ruri Kell, is still dealing with the unexpected death of her parents when several things happen. First she receives a very old silver locket; discovers she has inherited an island no one knew existed; and a devastatingly handsome Scot, Dr. Iain MacInnes, has arrived at her door offering her an astronomical amount of money to buy the island. The one condition of the sale is that she must travel to the island (she who is deathly afraid of water) and `see' it first before selling. Unknown to Ruri was that she was the last descendant of the Kell's, and knew nothing of her father's family history. Iain had been waiting several lifetimes for her and for himself too and would only be free to love when she could `remember' who and what she really was. All three stories/books were very original, sensual and passionate love stories, my favorites being Aedan and Ronan's stories. Ms. Abe is a favorite author of mine and it has been a long time between books. I am delighted to say this was well worth the wait and I heartily recommend this for lovers of this fantasy genre as an enjoyable and very original read. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---
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