Tears of the Sea by MaryLu Tyndall

Book Description:
What do mermaids, curses, evil warlocks, kingdom rebellions, adventure, and romance have in common? They are all part of Tyndall's new book! A branch into the fantasy world for this best-selling historical romance author! 

Doomed by the evil warlock Forwin to wander the ancient seas as a mermaid for all eternity, Perdita longs for the release death would bring. Every ten years she has a chance to break the curse when she emerges from the sea fully human for one month. The catch? She must find a man willing to die for her. Yet, after three hundred years, her failures have left her heartbroken and alone. 

Savion Ryne wants nothing to do with beautiful women. It was one such woman whose betrayal sent him far away to battle Natas’s rebellion. He longs to return to his father’s kingdom in Nevaeh, but he is destined for a mission, but where and to help whom? He doesn't know. After Savion falls off his ship during a storm, he wakes on the shores of an island with visions of a dark-haired mermaid tending his wounds. Later, when a woman similar in appearance begs for his protection, he is suspicious. 

Perdita has never met anyone as honorable as Savion. Even though he shuns her every advance, she falls for him. But as the end of her time on land approaches, she faces the hardest decision of all: save Savion and remain cursed for all eternity or break the curse and watch the man she loves die. 

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I wasn't quiet sure what to expect with this novel, but let me say that it far exceeded any expectations I had! I started it late last night and had  trouble putting it down. It is one of those books that lingers on your mind and one you find yourself quiet eager to return to its pages! 

Tyndall creates quiet an interesting fantasy world, filled with dashes of fairytales - yes, but also steeped in allegory- truth. Perdita, represents us so well, in all our fleshly desires, sin, our longing to be loved, our selfishness and pride. And still, there is a part of her longing for more; longing for good, for transformation and something she doesn't even know yet how to describe. Savion, our hero is just that. He is good, kind, strong, merciful - quiet the Christlike figure. 

The story is fanciful but it breaths real and it is completely engaging and wonderful! I truly enjoyed immersing myself in this tale and the journey through its pages to see how it would all work out! 

A keeper!

Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell

Book Description:
He Stole the Work She Loved.
Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?
It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar. 

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion. 

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

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To be honest a book about botanist, well I just wasn't sure... But I am a big Siri Mitchell fan, so I had to get it. And am I ever so glad I did! I loved this novel. From the beginning I was captured by the characters and the story. Charlotte, was absolutely delightful! Her complete honesty, unknown trespasses against society codes/standards, all made for a highly entertaining read. While I was not laughing out loud, I found this to be a quiet humorous story. In truth, I felt as if I could picture all of it happening and had an almost movie like reel going through my mind. 

All the characters were wonderful and add so much to the novel. And surprised, yes, delightfully so was I by Mitchell's way of writing about botany and this time in history where it is fascinating and fun! Very hard to put this one down and completely enjoyable reading all the while! Bravo, Mitchell!