Long and Short Reviews

The Selkie and the Siren by Cillian Burns
The Wild Rose Press, Faery Rose
Contemporary, Paranormal
Full Length, spicy
Review by Verbena

Biologist Duncan MacDonald, a Scottish Selkie shapeshifter, is developing a strain of oil-immune fish to help his clan—the Shetland Island seals. When Carli MacLeod asks him to model for her magazine, he accepts because he needs mortgage money. As they spend time together, he falls in love with her. However, he must find a way to be completely human if he wants to follow his heart. Otherwise, he might be trapped in his seal form forever.

Carli thinks she wants a career, not a man. Her magazine is her life until she meets Duncan. Although she is attracted to him, some strange nocturnal happenings at his laboratory pool cause her to wonder if he is a Selkie or a human? Will the answer to this destroy their love?

♥ ♥ ♥

Fantasy is always fun, especially when it is as well written as this one. I loved the plot that turns an ancient Scottish myth into a real love story. My interest was piqued from the beginning when that hunk, Dr. Duncan MacDonald appears on the scene, page three! From the description of his form, dark good looks and mysterious behaviors, I wished I could see him too. There’s no doubt that the descriptions carried throughout the story give not only the other main character Carli MacLeod the “tingles” but I'm willing to be they will give them to you too! And the instant physical attraction between the two of them feels so real that I was drawn right in to the story. I am a fast reader but I know when I keep coming back to finish the book before the day is out it’s a good one. Besides looks, the good doctor has brains and a sense of ethics. This is the kind of man that is hard to find anywhere. And, girls he has a brother, Alex!

Carli is not so bad in the looks and brainy department either. She represents to me the kind of woman we have become in today’s world. She is tough and willing to fight for the job she wants and the man she wants. Underneath though she’s just not sure about getting her emotions involved in another man after the last one treated her so badly. But she finds Duncan irresistible even after she becomes aware that he is a shape-shifter. And even after his gorgeous cousin comes to live with Alex and Duncan and tries to warn Carli away from Duncan and in doing so reveals who he really is.

The love scenes are well handled. There are those tingles again. They are well described and so very realistic.

There’s nothing forced or poorly written in this story. If you like your romance with a bit of fantasy this is a smooth, wonderful read. Set aside an entire day and prepare to thoroughly enjoy yourself. When you finish, I imagine you’ll feel the world has been set right for another day. And I'm also fairly sure this story will end up on your keeper shelf.