"Land and Sea, Love and Duty, vie for the attention of a Selkie Hero"
As shapeshifters go, I have to admit I have a soft spot for
selkies. I like other shapeshifters as well, as the
element of danger can be very exciting. However, the
reason I like selkies is their innocence. Emerging into
human form into a complex society without clothing does
tend to make a man vulnerable. A lady can't help but want
to take him under her wing. This tale is more sweet than
steamy, but I liked it all the same. Synopsis: Our hero, a silkie (about 25 yrs), is summoned
to the undersea Citadel by his ailing father. His father
fearing his death is imminent wants his family around him.
The elder son Eideard had assumed his human form 2 years
ago and entered the world of the land dwellers seeking
insight into their nature as a way of saving the silkie
clan from extinction at the hand of the humans. He has not
returned. Our poor hero Torcuil, it seems suffers from
middle child syndrome, is neither the esteemed heir or the
beloved baby of the family. Although he adores the sea and
despises the land, he volunteers to go forth to find his
brother and bring him home. In this way he hopes to find
favor with his parents. Instead he finds the affection he
has always wished for in the arms of a dreaded land
dweller. The heroine and her father are the targets of an
assassination plot, and Torcuil intervenes on their
behalf, in return they offer to aid him in his search for
his brother as poor Torcuil is hopelessly lost in London
and less knowledgeable in the ways of humans than he
thought. An assorted cast of magical creatures aid
Torcuil, unbeknownst to the heroine, Verity. Verity is a
lovely young woman who has many suitors but much to her
father's chagrin she has found none to her liking. She
wants a man who needs her. Although Torquil is unusually
strong and protective there is so much she can teach him.
His innocence appeals to her. Naturally he struggles with
his love for the sea and his love for this land dweller.
Just as his desire to stay with his soul mate wins out. He
finds his brother, already married to a land dweller and
unwilling to return to take his rightful place as heir.
Duty wins this time and Torcuil returns home. He can't
forget his love though and so of course there is a happy
ending. March, 1999
Copyright © 1999
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted June 7, 2002
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He Brought Her Wonder . . .This towering man of uncanny strength and astonishing beauty, who leapt out of the stormy night to save Verity and her father. Naked, wild, and powerful, he was a warrior from a place that time had forgotten. She Brought Him Love . . .When he stepped from his ocean world into hers, Torcuil MacCodrum was on a quest to find his brother. He didn't want to stay, couldn't stay, couldn't fall in love with this beautiful woman.
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