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5th out of 20 books
—
17 voters
The Mermaid Collector
by
Erika Marks (Goodreads Author)
More than a century ago, lighthouse keeper Linus Harris left his beloved wife and waded into the ocean with three other men to reunite with their mermaid lovers. The mysterious Mermaid Mutiny of 1888 has become legend for the residents of Cradle Harbor, Maine, honored by the town’s Mermaid Festival every August, when wind chimes are hung from seaside porches to drown out t...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
October 2nd 2012
by NAL Trade
(first published October 1st 2012)
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I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
Wow The mermaid Collector was a pleasantly delightful read. The read was light, heartwarming, sad, happy and magical. I managed to finish the book in just a day because I couldn't find myself able to put it down.
I love the way the author did the parallel time difference to show the readers were the mermaid legend originated at that town, it flowed smoothly with the current story line. The characters were interesting, the battles that the...more
Wow The mermaid Collector was a pleasantly delightful read. The read was light, heartwarming, sad, happy and magical. I managed to finish the book in just a day because I couldn't find myself able to put it down.
I love the way the author did the parallel time difference to show the readers were the mermaid legend originated at that town, it flowed smoothly with the current story line. The characters were interesting, the battles that the...more
I enjoyed the epistolary way this novel unfolded: first with a letter from the 1800s, then a snippet from the coastal Maine town’s history book, “The Mermaid Mutiny and More,” and then an email correspondence hinting at a core conflict in the story.
I was immediately drawn into this novel that seamlessly shifted from the present-day story of Tess and Tom (and Dean, Buzz and Beverly), to the historic story with its mermaid legend belonging to Lydia and Linus.
Marks does a wonderful job of drawing...more
I was immediately drawn into this novel that seamlessly shifted from the present-day story of Tess and Tom (and Dean, Buzz and Beverly), to the historic story with its mermaid legend belonging to Lydia and Linus.
Marks does a wonderful job of drawing...more
http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...
Is there a better backdrop for a story than the ocean, beaches, lighthouses and mermaids? I think not! Erika Marks brings to life a story of The Mermaid Mutiny of 1888 to life with Lydia and Linus Harris. Linus is the lighthouse keeper in Cradle Harbor, Maine in 1887. Together they are simply a young couple setting up a home and hoping to start a family. When an unfathomable event occurs---changes everything for this couple and the town.
A century later, t...more
Is there a better backdrop for a story than the ocean, beaches, lighthouses and mermaids? I think not! Erika Marks brings to life a story of The Mermaid Mutiny of 1888 to life with Lydia and Linus Harris. Linus is the lighthouse keeper in Cradle Harbor, Maine in 1887. Together they are simply a young couple setting up a home and hoping to start a family. When an unfathomable event occurs---changes everything for this couple and the town.
A century later, t...more
4 likes · like · see review
I have found such a treasure in a new author and her amazing work of literature! Not to mention she is a local author as well. I cannot convey my enthusiasm about this book, but I am going to try as I put my thoughts into this book review. This book was full of history, love, and even a tad bit of mystery. I enjoyed every single aspect about this book and am so hungry for more. I am going to encourage readers now to go and pick up a copy of this book because I cannot wait until I get to the end...more
I could not put this one down. I loved it, cover to cover.
1 like · like · see review
Lovely read. I am a bit of a sucker for a New England coastal village and thought Erika Marks did a marvelous job painting the windswept Cradle Harbor, ME. You can almost taste the salty air and hear the wind chimes over the waves as you follow her intertwined love stories of past and present. The characters are charming and all too real. I enjoyed the time I spent with them.
The Mermaid Collector by Erika Marks
Challenges read for: Goodreads, EBook
Book Cover: Lovely and haunting
It took me three days to slog through 30-something pages at the beginning and I thought--uh oh, this may end up in the "unfinished" pile. But something sparked and I really started to enjoy this book.
Set in a lovely seaside town in Maine with a lighthouse and the keeper's cottage as backdrop, we meet some very damaged people. Alcoholism, suicides, death, loss, but also magic, love, hope and fo...more
Challenges read for: Goodreads, EBook
Book Cover: Lovely and haunting
It took me three days to slog through 30-something pages at the beginning and I thought--uh oh, this may end up in the "unfinished" pile. But something sparked and I really started to enjoy this book.
Set in a lovely seaside town in Maine with a lighthouse and the keeper's cottage as backdrop, we meet some very damaged people. Alcoholism, suicides, death, loss, but also magic, love, hope and fo...more
Such a beautiful story! A story built around a tale of Cradle Harbors lighthouse keeper Linus, his wife Lydia and mermaids. The whole town is still to this day affected in many ways by what is referred to as the Mermaid Mutiny of 1888. The mutiny for Tess is a reminder of the magic of childhood and her mother ; for Tom Grace coming to Cradle harbor is a life changing experience.This book has multiple relationships that are so deftly described you become submerged in this poignant romances, losse...more
What a delightful story. I had just finished a 600 page biography and was definitely in the mood for a more lighthearted, romantic book. The Mermaid Collector was exactly what I was looking for.
The main character, Tess is a hopeless romantic who is still struggling to recover from the death of her mom years earlier.
Tom Grace is the mysterious stranger who has been left the caretaker's lighthouse much to the consternation of the town locals. When these two meet, an unlikely affair begins. Howev...more
The main character, Tess is a hopeless romantic who is still struggling to recover from the death of her mom years earlier.
Tom Grace is the mysterious stranger who has been left the caretaker's lighthouse much to the consternation of the town locals. When these two meet, an unlikely affair begins. Howev...more
What a good read! I felt as if I were there in Cradle Harbor experiencing the sand between my toes, salt water on my lips, and the magic of Mermaids in my heart. The author's characters are so likable, and authentic that I was immediately drawn to Tess and her creativity. Has she finally met the a love worthy of her and will Buzz reconnect with Frank's mistress, same time next year. This story line weaves between the present day Mermaid Festival and the 1887's, when the Cradle Harbor mermaid leg...more
From the setting, the coast of Maine, to the town's Mermaid mythology, artists, lost souls and those who try to find and protect them, albeit at times against their wishes, I loved everything about this book. I was completely captivated with the story, the characters and the imagery. The experience of reading it was like reading a long evocative poem or a dance or a song that never quite leaves you. Although, it has its sad, tragic moments, it also has so much hope and colour and belief in brigh...more
I’m a sucker for a story that grounds itself in the history of a place, bringing the past to bear on the present. The Mermaid Collector does just that, interweaving the tragic tale of Lydia and Linus more than a century ago with modern day Tess Patterson, a woodcarver commissioned to sculpt a mermaid for the upcoming Mermaid Festival.
Each August, the small, coastal town of Cradle Harbor, Maine, gears up for an extravaganza of all things mermaid in honor of the Mermaid Mutiny legend. I was drawn...more
Each August, the small, coastal town of Cradle Harbor, Maine, gears up for an extravaganza of all things mermaid in honor of the Mermaid Mutiny legend. I was drawn...more
2 likes · like · see review
“My dearest Lydie, By the time you find this letter, I will be returned to the sea…” So starts The Mermaid Collector, a mesmerizing book that alternates between the 1887 story of Lydia, Linus, and Angus and the current day story of Tess and Tom. In a captivating voice, Erika Marks weaves these two stories into a wonderfully rich book complete with an intriguing cast of characters whose histories are all tied to Cradle Harbor, Maine. Adding to the book’s charm is how Marks interlaces each story i...more
3 likes · like · see review
Set in the town of Cradle Harbor, Maine, THE MERMAID COLLECTOR takes place during the Mermaid Festival–the annual ritual remembering the Mermaid Mutiny of 1888, when a group of the town’s men were reportedly lured to sea by the mermaid’s call.
Local outsider and sculptor Tess Patterson wins a contest with her mermaid woodcarving and finds unlikely love with a troubled man caring for his difficult brother. In 1888, a barren fisherman’s wife becomes entangled in a painful scandal that threatens her...more
Local outsider and sculptor Tess Patterson wins a contest with her mermaid woodcarving and finds unlikely love with a troubled man caring for his difficult brother. In 1888, a barren fisherman’s wife becomes entangled in a painful scandal that threatens her...more
2 likes · like · see review
Before I picked up this book, I was a huge fan of this author already - her first book,
was amazing - such lovely language and the layers of the stories of three women (two sisters and their mother) had me in awe of the author for the entire time I read the book. THE MERMAID COLLECTOR is no different in the way the characters' stories intertwine and intersect, even including the threads of the tragic story that brought about the legend behind the town's annual mermaid festival. Marks seamlessl...more
was amazing - such lovely language and the layers of the stories of three women (two sisters and their mother) had me in awe of the author for the entire time I read the book. THE MERMAID COLLECTOR is no different in the way the characters' stories intertwine and intersect, even including the threads of the tragic story that brought about the legend behind the town's annual mermaid festival. Marks seamlessl...more
I loved this book and the idea behind it. The only thing I had to struggle with were the jumps between the times. One chapter is was in the past, next chapter in the present and suddenly it was in 1887/1888. It took me always a few lines to figure out what time it was and which person. But besides that it was great and I'd recommend it to everyone who likes books about mermaid legends. *wink*
I received this title free through the GoodReads First Reads program and let me say it is an awesome book. A fast read for anyone interested in history, fairy tales, lighthouses, and fishing towns. Mrs. Marks has an excellent grasp and her narrative and characters, and the pacing is never slow. If I didn't have other responsibilities, it probably would have been done in two days. If you enjoyed the film Deeply with Kirsten Dunst, definitely get this book.Www
I tore through this book pretty quickly. I was in the mood for a quick read. This hit the spot. I enjoyed both story lines, but it was a bit too predictable. Especially the 'present' story line. I could've read an entire book about the past 'mermaid' tale.
Not as good as I thought it would be. I felt that she didn't fully develop all of the story lines that she introduced at the beginning of the book.
Good read. Interesting information about the legends of mermaids. Enjoyed the charactors.
Enjoyed this light read -- lots of history, interesting relationships, and of course a "love" story with a happy ending. I related to the need to let go of things in the past and just let them be what they where. No grudges, blame or other bad feelings to weigh you down, and do not allow you to move forward with happiness we all deserve.
Loved it. Read it in one sitting. Captured my interest immediately. Loved the tie in with the town history.
I received this book for free through GoodReads.
I received this book for free through GoodReads.
I'm a fan of books that make me happy. This is one of those. I'm also hopeless about reading the end if I'm not enjoying a book - didn't do that here. It was fun, with just enough twists in the plot to keep the brain busy and I read the book without skipping to the end. At the end of the story, I wanted to have more to read about this lively group of characters.
The Maine setting gave the plot substance and was well-represented.
Have a fun break from all that serious stuff you've been slogging t...more
The Maine setting gave the plot substance and was well-represented.
Have a fun break from all that serious stuff you've been slogging t...more
Fans of Nora Roberts will enjoy this.
Nice, light, entertaining read.
This book just became one of my all time favorites. Great story...loved it.
Very nice read. Enjoyed the story.
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Sometimes I love a good chick-lit book to mix things up a bit.
very enjoyable story with a little bit of folklore built in. The author lives in Charlotte NC which I found interesting. A quick easy read.
2.5 stars
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I am the NAL author of LITTLE GALE GUMBO, THE MERMAID COLLECTOR, and THE GUEST HOUSE which will release June 4th, just in time for the beach! I live, write and consume far too many pralines in North Carolina.
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Oct 19, 2012 11:55am