Reviewed by: Ms. Bliss
The Lure of Shapinsay
by Krista Holle
Published December 19, 2011 by Sweet River Romance
Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.
Kait is awoken unexpectedly by a beautiful, naked selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.
Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
Kait is awoken unexpectedly by a beautiful, naked selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.
Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
The Lure of Shapinsay is the first novel by Krista Holle. Set in Scotland in the 1800’s it centers around the unusual relationship between a human woman, Kait, and a male selkie.
Kait is independent and outspoken, not a popular combination for a woman of her time. When her best friend gives birth to a half human/half selkie baby and the baby is thrown into the sea to die she is horrified and heartbroken. A male selkie sees her on the shore and believing she is responsible for the baby’s death, he takes to the land seeking revenge. Kait must convince this glorious selkie she is innocent. She is entranced by this handsome stranger and his lure is so strong that she risks death more than once to find him again. She has always been drawn to the ocean and has no doubt that Eamon, as she names him, is her mate and that there has to be a way for them to be together!
Seeking revenge, Eamon nevers expects to be drawn to the beautiful, headstrong human woman named Kait. He fights his desire for her knowing that there is no hope for more than a brief passion. He is not sure who has bewitched whom though when he cannot find a way to stop her from slipping into his heart. Can he really trust a human? Will she steal his skin when he sheds it to be temporarily human and trap him, land bound forever? When Eamon finally trusts his heart will there ever be a way for he and Kait to be together?
I really enjoyed the unique and fresh storyline of this book. Set in Scotland as it is, the intensive use of the Scottish language can be a bit of a distraction from the plot especially at the beginning. It does, however, give a different edge to the story. The main characters are well defined but I would have liked their chemistry to have developed a little more quickly. I really enjoyed the unique conclusion to the book. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing more. A very nice read!!
Kait is independent and outspoken, not a popular combination for a woman of her time. When her best friend gives birth to a half human/half selkie baby and the baby is thrown into the sea to die she is horrified and heartbroken. A male selkie sees her on the shore and believing she is responsible for the baby’s death, he takes to the land seeking revenge. Kait must convince this glorious selkie she is innocent. She is entranced by this handsome stranger and his lure is so strong that she risks death more than once to find him again. She has always been drawn to the ocean and has no doubt that Eamon, as she names him, is her mate and that there has to be a way for them to be together!
Seeking revenge, Eamon nevers expects to be drawn to the beautiful, headstrong human woman named Kait. He fights his desire for her knowing that there is no hope for more than a brief passion. He is not sure who has bewitched whom though when he cannot find a way to stop her from slipping into his heart. Can he really trust a human? Will she steal his skin when he sheds it to be temporarily human and trap him, land bound forever? When Eamon finally trusts his heart will there ever be a way for he and Kait to be together?
I really enjoyed the unique and fresh storyline of this book. Set in Scotland as it is, the intensive use of the Scottish language can be a bit of a distraction from the plot especially at the beginning. It does, however, give a different edge to the story. The main characters are well defined but I would have liked their chemistry to have developed a little more quickly. I really enjoyed the unique conclusion to the book. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing more. A very nice read!!
