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In this novel, ever popular author Shana Abé presents three interconnected tales of timeless romance and legend.
In 531 A.D, left to drown, Prince Aedan of the Isles of Kell is rescued by none other than the legendary Siren of Kell, a beautiful mermaid feared through the ages. Brought to the enchanted island of Kell itself, these two disparate beings fall in love. Despite everything, Aedan longs to return to his kingdom and people – only those who leave the island are cursed to die and besides which, his kingdom’s long been usurped. Will the siren get her man or is their love doomed?
In the year 1721, Ronan MacMhuirich, Earl of Kell, meets and falls in love with mysterious Spanish lady Leila, not knowing that Leila’s a deadly assassin hired to kill him. Leila too finds herself in the unusual position of having fallen in love with her intended target. But when the truths are revealed, can their budding love survive the aftermath?
It’s the year 2004 and telephone psychic Ruri Kell’s shocked to find she’s inherited a remote island in Scotland, more one with a sinister reputation. Handsome stranger Dr. Ian MacInnes makes a ridiculously high offer for the island, conditional to the fact that Ruri personally comes to see the island before selling it. Once there, Ruri’s nightmares begin to feel all too real and suddenly Ian no longer feels like a stranger. When told the secret of her birthright, will this twenty-first century American woman laugh herself silly or will she discover that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction?
These three interconnected stories weave a web of magic around the readers, who’ll certainly find themselves enthralled by the seductive tales of romance through the ages and love immortal. The author skillfully combines fantasy elements and paranormal material together with tender romance, scorching passion, even some suspense and action to create there different sagas that’re unusual and hence captivating. Abe sets each story in vastly different time periods and brings alive the history of that time and place with palpable dexterity while maintaining a subtle thread of connection between the tales.
“The Last Mermaid” is in no doubt as timeless and mesmerizing as the tales it contains within.
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
for The Road to Romance
June 29, 2004
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