Title: The Selkie
Author: Melanie Jackson
Published in February 2003 by LoveSpell
Genre: Paranormal
IBSN: 0-505-52531-3
Early spring in a remote castle Scotland was not the best place to be, specially if your were looking for a gentleman friend, or a lover. It was a good thing that Hexy Garrow was looking for neither then, as she was due to spend not only spring, but likely most of summer there as well. The castle belonged to her employer's late husband, and it was all the rage to have a remote castle to "escape" to when you were in Society's Eye. The down side? Besides the scarcity of willing help, the up-keep was huge, but the current wealthy lover was picking up this tab. Well, Hexy decided that maybe she was better off here in the wilds of costal Scotland, than being any where near the males of the species.
She loved the sea with an eerie attraction, but it scared her to death, and that brought home the fact that it took her brother's life. Her eyes watered anyway because of the allergies, and the sadness brought even more tears. She had to face the facts. Ah well, it was best that she say here at Fintry, Jillian Foxworthy's castle, and oversee the renovations. What would she do in sunny Italy anyway? Heaven knows the only thing she'd accomplish there would be as a magnet for another unsuitable male or two. That seems to be the way things were going anyway so why put herself through it? She was either not rich enough, not pretty enough, or too American! Horrors!
Ruairidh O'Uruisg was only here on a short mission. Things were not so good in the underwater kingdoms. The Finmen and the People were at odds, and the People had been betrayed and were being hunted again. It was up to Ruairidh to find the answers that he could and carry the news back to the kingdom so they could decide how to handle the situation. They were already in dire straits because they had no breeding females and the lines were trying to find mates among humans. The children that were born did not breed true, and the population was dwindling too quickly. Unless they could find a way to relieve the hunting pressure, the people could cease to exist, and Ruairig was not going to let that happen. If there was a way to prevent it...he would find it.
Little did Ruairidh know, but the young woman who accidentally took his skin was the girl of his dreams. She was his life and his destiny all bundled in one tidy, prim, and scared package. She was hope, renewal, the new life, and the future of and for the people. Seven tears, innocently and unknowingly shed, his missing skin, and a ritual as old as the sea was fulfilled, and sealed him to her. Until his skin was returned to him, or until she was with child, he was bound to her. Destiny plays cruel tricks at times, but this time she has smiled on him. Now, if only he can recognize it and seize the moment.....
For those of you familiar with Melanie Jackson, The Selkie will come as no big surprise. Once again, Melanie delivers a delightfully woven blend of fact and fiction in a tale of depth and beauty. She takes you into the heart and soul of the situation, and gives you a pair of beautifully defined characters to follow and fall in love with for the duration. As usual, Hexy and Ruairidh will stay with you long after the last page is read, and probably follow you into pleasant dreams.. In her last book, Dominion, she took us into the what ifs of the eternal soul, and the concept of reincarnation. In The Selkie, she delivers a fine blend of 1929 history with a skillful touch of the mystery inherent in the myths of old and brings the superstition to fruition and the legend to beautiful life.
Melanie has a talent for the strange and beautiful, and her blends are always delightful flights into realms that we might otherwise ignore. For the novices who wander into Melanie's world for the first time, we say, "Welcome to Melanie's Place." All that is left is to have a seat, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the reads. Have you taken care of everything? Got your snacks? Your drink? The cat/dog fed? The husband put out and the kids in bed? Good, because once you start The Selkie, it is a book you can't put down. It is a must read, and a must buy because The Selkie will find a place on your keeper shelf.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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