A Mermaid's Kiss (Daughters of Arianne, #1)

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A Mermaid's Kiss (Daughters of Arianne #1)

by Joey W. Hill

3.81 · rating details · 378 ratings · 63 reviews

National bestselling author Joey W. Hill stands out in a genre known for its out-of-the- ordinary love play.(The Romance Studio)

The angelic Jonah has been battling the Dark Ones for centuries. But his noble spirit has begun to tire with the weight of war allowing a Dark One to strike a blow that severs his wings and knocks him into the sea.

Anna is a Daughter of Ariann...more

Paperback, 374 pages

Published November 4th 2008 by Berkley Trade (first published October 30th 2008)

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Dec 13, 2008

new_user rated it

Recommends it for: J.R. Ward fans

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Okay, I take back what I said. After giving some thought to all the interspecies I can say there's new love play (LOL), and also some elements of control on the part of the hero (albeit not enough to warrant a BDSM label). At any rate, I enjoyed A Mermaid's Kiss, and I think that had more to do with the characterization than anything else (although there were some steamy moments, LOL).

In fact, I would probably classify this as one of those darker romances, similar in its bleak tone t...moreOkay, I take back what I said. After giving some thought to all the interspecies I can say there's new love play (LOL), and also some elements of control on the part of the hero (albeit not enough to warrant a BDSM label). At any rate, I enjoyed A Mermaid's Kiss, and I think that had more to do with the characterization than anything else (although there were some steamy moments, LOL).

In fact, I would probably classify this as one of those darker romances, similar in its bleak tone to Anna Campbell's Courtesan because, just as in Courtesan, in A Mermaid's Kiss, the heroine is a martyr, a woman who suffers with her man -and sometimes suffers her man's abuse. He's a gamma. I was reminded (again) of Coulter's heroines, who live anything but romantic lives, constantly suffering at the hands of her heroes. The heroine here, Anna, is not nearly so battered, but needless to say, she's returned little for her devotion and compassion. This is not inconsistent with the storyline. In fact, considering the hero's conflict in the book (that of a warrior angel who can no longer fight for a deity he believes has let him down), it makes sense that he would not open his heart to "her" creations, as well. However, his denial of Anna does detract somewhat from the romance; it is decidedly one-sided at points.

That said, the characterization of these two characters was very well done, surprisingly well done in fact, considering I came into this expecting a fluffy romance (well, you've seen the cover, all bubblegum pink) and not much else, and on the romance count I have already been proven wrong. I was also wrong about the depth of this story. I have seen much less convincing portrayals of the main character's conflict in many romances, and they much less grave and solemn than a man struggling with the loss of his core beliefs, his faith and the very purpose to his life. This conflict is not a weak obstacle inserted to propel the plot, no Big Misunderstanding or the tired old fear of commitment, etc. His struggle is not romanticized either. He never spins off into long, flowery internal dialogues waffling back and forth. Instead, we find a character who has long since lost the beliefs behind his duties. I really admired the author's skill in portraying Jonah's pain and his break from his faith with key scenes, for example, when Jonah cannot accept his deity's touch. That was heartbreaking.

Likewise, Anna is convincing as the passionate, pure-hearted, innocent "little wanton," as Jonah calls her. He also calls her "little one" for those who like that. Fortunately, she does not have any TSTL (too stupid to live) moments or any annoying hiccups like stubbornness or shrewishness, etc.

The author also goes to great lengths to create the worlds of the mermaids and mermen and the angels, building interesting cultures for these peoples. I particularly liked learning about new angels, the hierarchy, and the unique touches to every angel.

I also liked the explorations of the secondary characters, who are as fleshed-out as the main characters so that I came to think of them as the main characters too. I hope to learn more about them in coming novels.

As to the plot and villains, the baddies are "Dark Ones" who are partly metaphor for the darkness of mankind and partly vicious otherworldly monsters. However, most of the story does not take place in battles or fighting. The story is told mostly in journey form, as Jonah and Anna journey to reclaim Jonah's soul. So it's not precisely fast-paced and the climax has more to do with struggles of soul and character than any fighting-- The Journey in fiction's not quite my preference, but since it was delivered very convincingly and without cheese (LOL), I enjoyed it, especially the last harrowing scenes.

So, in summary, I would recommend this book to someone enjoying a good, heartrending conflict, a novel about characters and a soul more so than romance. I will look forward to the next book with David, the consummate gentleman (and angel), and the bitterly hurt, guarded seawitch in January. For those wondering at these interspecies relationships, there are no female angels so the angels have to find love elsewhere, LOL.

Update: I've read the second book, and it's even better. Though she gives every appearance of being a hostile, unwelcoming recluse, Mina is very strong emotionally and physically. Despite her very real, very human resentment of those who have hurt her because of her heritage, Mina is strong enough to endure without inflicting the terrors on her people that she might. David is the strong, faithful hero with, ahem, an alpha, take-charge attitude in the bedroom, much to the heroine's delight. Their relationship has been full of tension since their first explosive encounter, when the hurt, rebellious, too-powerful Mina first met the only angel to show anything more than hatred for her-- and fought him. The heartrending emotions continue, as well as the fascinating play of good and evil. You also see Anna and Jonah again. (less)

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Jan 26, 2012

Weirde rated it

Questa serie è meno erotica delle precedenti, non ha elementi BDSM, ed è molto fantasiosa e romantica. Parte dalla fiaba della Sirenetta per raccontarci un mondo più reale ma comunque fantastico, dove sirene e Angeli esistono e così una divinità femminile che è puro amore e esseri oscuri che sono puro odio.

Il primo libro ha per protagonista una discendenta della sfortunata Sirenetta che salva un angelo che desidera morire, il secondo libro invece vede protagonisti una discendente del...more

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Mar 08, 2011

Leontine rated it

Shelves: erotic-romance, crack

All I can do is sit here and ride the last emotional waves of my first experience with a novel from Joey W Hill? At the beginning of The Mermaid’s Kiss I had to get a feel for the author’s voice, I didn’t instantly “get” what she was going for with Jonah and Anna. Jonah was “My Lord” and Anna was “Little One” and it confused me until I picked up on a subtle and oh so natural Dominant/submissive synergy going on between the two main protagonists. It is never defined, nor explicitly described by H...moreAll I can do is sit here and ride the last emotional waves of my first experience with a novel from Joey W Hill? At the beginning of The Mermaid’s Kiss I had to get a feel for the author’s voice, I didn’t instantly “get” what she was going for with Jonah and Anna. Jonah was “My Lord” and Anna was “Little One” and it confused me until I picked up on a subtle and oh so natural Dominant/submissive synergy going on between the two main protagonists. It is never defined, nor explicitly described by Hill but for me suddenly things fell in to place and I could surrender myself to the story as it is told.

Because with each chapter read I fell more and more for the characters and world this author created. A Mermaid’s Kiss is not a story you would want to read for the extensive thrilling action, nor for the rich abundance in world building, and I will honestly say that this kind of storytelling is an acquired taste. Still, the love story is of such an exquisite quality it just knocked me off my feet with its ending. What I received was two people thrown together where the circumstances lead them to go on a quest of the heart and soul. I cannot see it any different way. Jonah is the tormented, wary Prime Legion Commander of the Lady and when wounded in a battle with the Dark Ones he falls into the ocean to escape them. Anna finds him sinking to the depths of the ocean and rescues him and brings him to a cave so he can heal from the wing torn from his shoulder.

Familiar fairytale story up till now, right? Still, any resemblance of a Disney story ends right there because A Mermaid’s Kiss is far more dark since Anna is destined to die at the tender age of twenty-one. A curse bestowed upon her by Arianne, the original mermaid who loved her prince but never got him in the end. It is far more intricate as Jonah battles his inner demons. The journey Anna and Jonah undertake on land not only speaks of the erotic pull between them with the Joining Magic but also of faith, perception, wisdom, healing and the knowledge of their impossible love. These aspects give the romance such depth and it grows with each moment spent together, with each conversation and with each page I read. Every separate thread would lead to a conclusion that would make this an unforgettable read for me.

Because the story was so condensed in a character and emotion driven aspect I really connected with Jonah’s internal struggles. The questions why he still battled the Dark Ones after so many centuries? Why did he still wanted to fight for the Lady when it was a never ending cycle. What was the point in the end? All his emotions came across with a desperation that made him feel so real and made him so realistic in his actions. The quest revolved around the salvation of a powerful angel and this is where Anna comes in to play.

Opposite Jonah there is Anna. She is haunted by the knowledge she will die at a very young age. It makes her wise beyond her years but it does not prevent her from finding beauty in the oceanic world. An outsider from the mer-people but not without an unusual friendship with Mina, another outcast. She is gentle, kind, loving, inquisitive and has a backbone when she needs to stand up for her believes. Where Jonah is lost and feels desolate, Anna counters it with such a believe within him, such joy and living in to the moment. She emanates such faith that he will do what is righteous and all she wants is for him to soar the skies again in all his angelic power and splendor.

Two very strong characters in their own way and with the lyrical and poised prose it often just threw me in to the emotion of the moment. That is the true strength of this author; the ability to touch upon such a range of emotions. Another hallmark essence of this author is the provocative sensuality which at times gave my imagination a stretch in the erotically charged scenes. Though never overly explicate in the descriptions she can conjure a very vivid carnal picture in the mind’s eye. I loved Jonah and Anna together in human form, Hill made the passion between Jonah and Anna in mermaid form believable but I had a bit of trouble picturing Anna as a pixie riding herself on the hardened male flesh of Jonah. That moment gave my imagination a stretch and I was glad it only happened once.

With the larger part of the story focused on Anna and Jonah there were just a few supporting characters who were equally well drawn. Mina is Anna’s best friend and a result of a coupling between a Dark One and a mermaid. On various occasions Mina’s choices are very important to tell the story and there is a frail but undeniable connection between her and David. David is the human made angel, Lucifer is the Lord of the Underworld and along with the Lady they established a solid perception of Heaven and Hell. Combine it with the Dark Ones, the human world, the lore of how everything came to be and it all connected to give credibility to a religion where Hell is a place for redemption and atonement rather than a place for eternal damnation.

As the journey on land continues for Jonah and Anna they meet various people who each have something to say, which in the end has an underlying wisdom to it. The journey as a whole, the healing of Jonah’s wing, the conversations and experiences that they both have, the love they create, it all leads to a conclusion that struck a chord with me. Every aspect of this tale, from the dark and erotic fairytale vibe, the intricate characters to get to know, to the mesmerizing writing I can say Joey W Hill already did it for me. What lifted it to greater heights was the ending, those last 60-70 pages. Throughout the story my emotions were engaged on a steady level, keeping me involved in all aspects of the romance and internal struggles of the main couple. But I found out that was just to prepare me for such an emotion steeped ending it constricted my throat with the intensity of my feelings. All the individual storylines came together; whether or not Jonah could restore his faith within himself and what he was, Anna not wanting to die without hope, Mina whose friendship is as quirky as her persona, to a battle between the Angels and the Dark Ones that made them risk it all.

While the solution to Anna’s problem wasn’t inventive it disintegrated in the whirlwind of the emotions I felt. Every emotion felt by the characters translated in to the actions that transpired in that final battle. It spoke of everything I wanted to see victorious in a erotic paranormal romance; The good clashing with the bad, the love risking it all, the friendship aiding for a good outcome and where a higher purpose is served. I gained it all with the unique characters, world and storytelling of Joey W Hill.

A Mermaid’s Kiss; what started out with the love for a cover and the interest piqued with its synopsis turned out to be an enthralling and emotionally powerful read.

Quote Anna:

At last she understood, in a way she hadn’t before, why doing the Joining Magic by herself left her with such an empty ache in her heart. Bringing together their bodies brought together the elemental wish of every being, to be fully inside the heart and soul of someone else. It was divinity and mortality all at once, the searing regret and joy that could hold a soul suspended in time.(less)

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Sep 04, 2009

Shelley Stoker rated it

Recommends it for: People looking for unique erotica; Darker paranormal romance junkies; The sexually open-minded

Shelves: paranormal-erotica

This is one of those books that has stuck with me ever since I finished reading it. It's very erotic and at times, the sex dabbles on the darker side - a little bit BDSM-ish - but nothing too hardcore.

What makes this erotic story so unique is that it has so much heart and soul, it almost tore me apart at times. Although the cover portrays this book as light and fluffy romance/erotica, it is anything but that. This has a VERY dark undercurrent to it, and the spiritual connection it makes to

...more

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Jun 06, 2009

Katie(babs) rated it

A Mermaid’s Kiss is about Anna, a lonely mermaid of twenty, who expects to be dead by twenty-one because all her other female descendants, her mother included, died by that age. While Anna is swimming along in the ocean, she finds angel, who has fallen out of the sky, hurt and bleeding. Anna is able to save this heavenly creature and bring him safety before the dark ones try to do away with him. Jonah is a very special angel because he is the Prime Legion Commander for all the angels in Heaven. ...moreA Mermaid’s Kiss is about Anna, a lonely mermaid of twenty, who expects to be dead by twenty-one because all her other female descendants, her mother included, died by that age. While Anna is swimming along in the ocean, she finds angel, who has fallen out of the sky, hurt and bleeding. Anna is able to save this heavenly creature and bring him safety before the dark ones try to do away with him. Jonah is a very special angel because he is the Prime Legion Commander for all the angels in Heaven. Jonah is tired of the constant battling of the dark ones for the past thousand years. When he is finally attacked, he hopes it will be the final end to him. Unfortunately for him, it is not his time.

Anna is able to help him recover somewhat by giving him magic through intercourse, called the Joining Magic. Even though Anna is a virgin, she willingly gives Jonah her innocence because she was taught that angels are to be obeyed in everything. She even calls Jonah, “My Lord”, and offers her body, and essentially her heart and soul to him. But even with the magical sex they have, it is not enough to cure Jonah and fix one of his wings that has been torn. In order for Jonah to heal, he and Anna must go away from the ocean and toward the desert to find a Shaman who can fully heal him. Anna and Jonah soon take their journey to the road where Jonah’s enemies are tracking their every move. During the day, Jonah is human, since Mina, an octopus sea witch, and friend of Anna, gave him a spell to make him so. At night he is able to be in his angel form. Poor Anna can not be too far from the ocean, but because she is willing to sacrifice herself to save Jonah, she will do what it takes to help him.

As for the “icky sex”, I found it to fit in and wasn’t as shocked as I initially thought I would be. Even when Anna is in mermaid form and Jonah and she are intimate, I wasn’t turned off. There is also another sex scene that may raise some eyebrows because Anna can also change into a pixie-fairy, which reminds me of Tinkerbell. Jonah and Anna have some interesting love play in her fairy form. Jonah really appreciates Anna in this form and tells her so:

“Rub yourself on me. Ride me, little one. Put me between your thighs and let me feel the tiny stickiness of you.” Jonah always makes sure Anna finds fulfillment with him.

I would have to say, that some of these sex scenes are a bit purple prose and graphic in their telling, but keep in mind, this is an erotic romance. Surprisingly, I found A Mermaid‘s Kiss to be a well written story that has a bit of a fairy tale feel. The dialogue between the characters, including that of Anna and Jonah is very lyrical. Those who enjoy road romances, will especially like this one.(less)

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Feb 02, 2009

VampFanGirl rated it

Shelves: favorite-books-of-2009, erotic-paranormal-romance, favorites

Joey W. Hill proves herself to be a master storyteller in 'A Mermaid's Kiss'. Her lyrical prose is nothing short of magical in it's ability to be both superbly dark and richly erotic while retaining it's fairy tale essence. As a long time fan of the Disney version of 'The Little Mermaid', I've also been aware that the true tale foretells a much more tragic ending whereby the mermaid doesn't marry her prince but instead perishes cursed and broken-hearted. Ms. Hill expands upon this darker origina...moreJoey W. Hill proves herself to be a master storyteller in 'A Mermaid's Kiss'. Her lyrical prose is nothing short of magical in it's ability to be both superbly dark and richly erotic while retaining it's fairy tale essence. As a long time fan of the Disney version of 'The Little Mermaid', I've also been aware that the true tale foretells a much more tragic ending whereby the mermaid doesn't marry her prince but instead perishes cursed and broken-hearted. Ms. Hill expands upon this darker original with tragedy destined to fall upon all descendants of Arianne.

Jonah, Angel and Prime Legion Commander of the Goddess, has lived a long life drenched in destruction, death, and blood. Having survived a war-torn millennia, Jonah's soul has slowly tarnished with the very darkness he's been fighting and thereby corrupting his faith and love in the Lady. After being mortally wounded in battle, Jonah plunges into the ocean with a sigh of relief; grateful that he can finally find some peace in death. His hopes are thwarted though by a brave and beautiful little mermaid.

Anna, a Daughter of Arianne and therefore doomed to tragedy, is still a woman of hope and love. Cursed with the ability to shapeshift into a human, she's lived the life as a being with no true place in the world, an outcast, but one capable of compassionate love and fierce loyalty. Unlike the female ancestors before her, Anna accepts her fate in life to live without reciprocal love while at the same time yearning for it above all else. Given her self-sacrificing nature, it is no surprise that she risks her life from the very beginning for an angel bent on his own destruction.

Despite having lived for a 1000 years, Jonah has never truly sought to understand his own soul. The consuming thoughts of war have blotted out the light of the Lady, leaving his heart to ponder and question his own existence and role in the universe. Humans, the Lady's to protect and therefore Jonah's to protect, cease to be nothing other then rats destroying everything in their path. The evil doings of humans call to the Dark Ones, thus rising the armies of angels; guarding them despite the fact that it's this very evil, festering within the human soul, that makes the Dark Ones very existence possible. Jonah is tired of fighting for those that continue to call to the Dark Ones and suffer the inevitable deaths of his sons for the guilt of their loss weighs heavily upon his conscience. He has lost all hope and all reason to fight and to exist.

Recognizing the darkness within Jonah, Anna makes the decision to help him at any cost, even her own death. She enlists the help of the seawitch, Mina, and with her guiding visions, Anna convinces Jonah to embark on a journey that will lead her further and further away from her beloved ocean.

Jonah decides to accompany Anna and her pursuit of the healing powers of a human shaman not because he wishes to eradicate the poison within him, but because he has found some measure of contentment with Anna. Jonah, though an angel, is not noble. Selfishly, he chooses to drift along on this journey with a self-sacrificing little mermaid because it relieves him of having to think beyond the now. Anna provides for him a route of escapism and monetary respite for his ugly thoughts. He truly feels that a shaman, a human no less, can not heal his rotted soul and there are several points throughout the journey where Jonah tries to drive Anna away from him and their mission. Some readers may a bit put off by Jonah's evil and the pain he inflicts upon Anna without apology. Yet, what readers must remember is that Jonah is existing in the darkest time of his life. He's the most cynical of cynics. He is a man lost and resolved to never put forth the effort to find his way back into the arms of light and love. When considering his dry well of love filled with bitterness, one can only expect him to lash out and protect his already wounded soul. Jonah no longer holds the belief of goodness and it's Anna's complete embodiment of that which he now shields himself from in any way possible without completely loosing his view of her. Instead he'll follow along with Anna because what's a week to his thousand year existence in which he can put off his own demise? It is this that makes Jonah the anti-hero, but a hero none the less.

Conversely, Anna has already conquered the blood of the past and the terms of her Fate. She stands before Jonah untainted and pure of light and love. Her hope for future love is not crushed on the weight of her predestined fate. Anna is by far the most self-sacrificing creature in Hill's world. She gives repeatedly of herself to Jonah in an unflagging hope that he'll once again see how important and how needed his is on Earth and in Heaven. Anna believes in Jonah so much that she literally gifts her heart to him in a very literal sense. By sacrificing her essence, her blood, and ultimately her heart to Jonah, she in turn gives him back his reason to be and live once again. Now that's love.

I feel it's necessary to point out that 'A Mermaid's Kiss' features a variety of sex scenes that call for an openmindness within the reader. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about the scene involving Jonah making love to Anna in her mermaid form but Hill pulls it off with such vital realism that it just comes across as natural for the characters to experience that activity in that way. There is also very light BDSM. Not with regards to the whips and chains version but more in the way Jonah and Anna address one another. Jonah is constantly "my lord" while Anna is "little one". I interpreted this as Anna giving Jonah the respect that his Dominant position called for while her being dubbed "little one" a reminder of her submissive role. There was also the fact that Anna became aroused when Jonah demanded she do something a certain way underlying once again the D/s relationship. Again though, these were the only references to Hill's revered BDSM knowledge.

'A Mermaid's Kiss' is definitely my first favorite of 2009. It's a shining example of Ms. Hill's amazing talent and I look forward to picking up it's sequel 'A Witch's Beauty'.
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Jun 16, 2011

Sharon (twilightcrazie) rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, angels, fae

Hill, once again amazes me with her writing. I was a little hesitant at first, having to really think outside of the box with the introduction of the lore she creates, but the story just came to life and I just couldn't put it down!

The story focuses on Jonah and Anna--Jonah is an angel and the Prime Legion Commander of all the angels and has fought The Dark Ones for centuries. He's pretty much at a point in his life that he feels he's lost his soul to the very things that he's f...more

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Jan 16, 2012

Sunny rated it

Okay, I liked the story but Joey Hill's writing was so......wordy. It seemed to take forever to finish the book. I know it says it is only like 374 pages but it is one of the books that are larger in size (taller) so it seemed more like a 500 page book. Oh....it was just so wordy....she would over describe things to a fault.

I want to read the next two books but I am afraid I couldn't take it. I really wanted to love this series.

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Jan 11, 2009

Lea rated it

Shelves: 2008-favorites

As Prime Legion Commander of an army of 10000 angels, Jonah is sworn to the Goddess (the deity in the novel) to protect humans from the “Dark Ones”, which essentially is the evil that man lets loose and takes form. Jonah is millennia in age; he organizes his leaders and troops, trains them for battle and nurtures them like children. He has lost many of his comrades in their battle to keep humanity safe. As the story progresses we discover that the loss of Ronin, one of his lieutenants was especi...more

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Aug 10, 2011

Gladys (glad4twilight) rated it

Shelves: angels, paranormal-romance

I cant decide on how I feel about this book, technically I would give it a 3.5 but there are parts I love and parts that made me wonder if it was part of the same story. I love the world she created and the characters were very beautiful the writing is as always great with Joey Hill, but something about the story was over the top and just too sappy at times. I felt like it was two different people writing at one point...it was great when she got out of the characters minds and just went with the...more

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Sep 03, 2010

Lin rated it

Shelves: 2010, romance, series-firsts, supernatural, worst-covers, wtf-crazy

This book really surprised me - it's so dark (whereas the cover promotes anything but.)

Jonah is an warrior angel having issues of faith and is infected by the poison of the dark ones. Injured and with only one wing he crashes into the ocean and is found by a lonely mermaid. She's fated to die before she reaches 21 as her ancestors did (since the events in the fairytale- the little mermaid) and can shapeshift, useful since the her friend a sea-witch tells her she must get him to a sha...more

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Nov 12, 2010

Camille-Dhark Nytmhare rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-reviewed

I wanted to stand and applaud this book after I finished reading it. This story is about an angel named Jonah who has lost his faith and a mermaid named Anna who slowly restores his faith.

A Mermaids Kiss begins with a fantastic action scene that sucks you right in and is the perfect example of an intriguing beginning. An intimate connection is established between the characters and you want to know more about these characters and how their worlds will fit together. .

...moreI wanted to stand and applaud this book after I finished reading it. This story is about an angel named Jonah who has lost his faith and a mermaid named Anna who slowly restores his faith.

A Mermaids Kiss begins with a fantastic action scene that sucks you right in and is the perfect example of an intriguing beginning. An intimate connection is established between the characters and you want to know more about these characters and how their worlds will fit together. .

The descriptive writing places you front and center in the story. You are privy to the intricate thoughts and feelings of the characters. Anna is a very brave and adventurous soul even with fear beating at her. She is a courageous heroine without being a kick ass heroine. She maintains her feminine charm. Anna’s character can be a little too perfect, but combined with a great story who cares!

The sex scenes were presented early on the story. It seemed naturally progressive as opposed to forced and nonsensical. The timing of the sex scenes are well understood given the circumstances of the story. Some of the sex scenes were the most tender sex scenes I have ever read. No fireworks, clenching wombs or throbbing members but such a deep and complete connection that is exquisitely written. At one point, I was worried that they would not make their destination because of all the sexual activity.

The author builds a world where there are not only angels but subsets of angels. Each subset having a different purpose to ensurre the safety of mankind. At one point the philosophical ramblings got to be a bit much, but there were a lot of truths to the dialogue. It was refreshingly that pleasure was found in the simplest settings,. There is no opulence or untold riches. Just a barren home and empty caves.

Many characters have a mysterious air about them and you wonder whose side are they really on. The storyline challenges your idea of what is good and evil. It really is captivating and pulls you further into the story.

A Mermaid’s Kiss is not only beautiful but it’s such a sensual story. The fairy tale writing style is a step above the simple writing of children’s fairy tales. The layers of the story are peeled back one scene at a time. They are complex and magical. This story touches on mythology, legends, fairy tales and religious dogma to bring a riveting story with a twist on angels and mermaids

What an awesome climax to the story!
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Dec 26, 2010

AgtDianaPrince rated it

WOW, what can I say about this book. It was amazing! I loved every second of it. It made you smile and it made you cry. The story is unique and so very original. I mean its the love story of a angel and mermaid! But honestly, it wasn’t just a love story, it was about a struggle within and belief, in yourself and others. I know this book is listed under "erotica" but really Joey W. Hill writes such strong emotional stories I feel that she should get more credit than romance/erotic...more

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Apr 20, 2011

Moss rated it

Shelves: sweet-jesus-no, paranormal-romance

You know when I first started reading paranormal romance, I was struck by the heady sense of liberation the genre offered: dalliances with species unknown were not just the norm, writers within the genre actively sought out new and novel ways to contort the normal romance tropes to suit them. And it was all so fascinating! Sex with a vamp included being bitten and bled, werewolf sex was all frenzied, animalistic coupling, demons invaded the girl's soul when she orgasmed; it felt like there were...moreYou know when I first started reading paranormal romance, I was struck by the heady sense of liberation the genre offered: dalliances with species unknown were not just the norm, writers within the genre actively sought out new and novel ways to contort the normal romance tropes to suit them. And it was all so fascinating! Sex with a vamp included being bitten and bled, werewolf sex was all frenzied, animalistic coupling, demons invaded the girl's soul when she orgasmed; it felt like there were no boundaries, and the ones that did exist were only there as markers. No real boundaries, no real rules. And it was all conducted under the auspices of fate and destiny, and the surrender of will. It was lovely, like discovering a lost world full of dinosaurs and dragons right underneath you.

I suppose I, too, lost sight of those boundaries. When you jack into unreality, you don't always focus on the details. I realised as I read this book, however, that I do in fact have points of no return, and as it turns out, they are firmly rooted in a deep and unbending horror of pixie sex. I might have come around if pixie sex in fact involved two pixies having sex with one another; the thought doesn't especially appeal, but I would have understood all creatures need their time on god's green earth. No, my antipathy stems from a scene in this book in which the female protagonist turns herself into a pixie and, well, the rest of this scene has probably already played itself out in your mind, so I'll save myself the agony. It's not just the visceral weirdness of the scene that was the problem, but that the whole small/frail/innocent trope was repeated through the book in highly unsavoury ways (ways that, in fact, distinctly took on the overtones of comparing the female protagonist to a child, and finding that comparison erotic. Dodgy.)

I don't want to try and make this book sound like total drek; it's not. Hiding underneath the layers of mermaid sex (don't ask, just thinking about it makes me weary), theological fumblings, and dom/sub background noise is strong, capable writing. Joey Hill is clearly a writer who can manipulate situations capably (in spite of the overall strangness of the whole set-up, it's actually written with a reasonable amount of flair), and the characterisations are done very carefully. Anna, the female protagonist, is well-constructed and consistent. Likewise Jonah, the male, develops believably through the book.

But I couldn't get past the miasma of utter...bizareness...that saturates this book. I get that that's its point of difference, I do. And I get that maybe the world that Hill has crafted here suits the greater theological mumblemumble she's trying to establish. But none of that mattered a lick to me in the end because I just could not wrap my head around a world where everything needed to be quite that strange and odd and slightly feral. The next book looks even weirder and, frankly, I'm as weirded out as I can be, so I might let this series lie.
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Oct 15, 2010

Lynette rated it

This is what was going through my head as I was reading this book! This conversation in no way reflects actual conversations between Ms. Hill and her editor both of whom I never met. LOL!

Editor: Umm, I need a book, so what are you working on next?

Author: I have an idea I'm playing around with. Its The Little Mermaid meets the angel Jonah

Editor: I didn't know there was an angel named Jonah.

Author: There is now.

Editor: So if you're using ...more

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Apr 18, 2009

Adrienne rated it

Shelves: angels-fallen-and-nephilim

loved this::erotic/sensual::but dark and foreboding too::i enjoyed it::alot::

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Aug 25, 2011

Amy rated it

This is one of those books you probably don't buy for the actual story-line. As for me I wanted something light-hearted and sexy, to read so that I didn't feel weighed down. This book actually surprised me. Some parts were erotic, but mostly the scenes were just odd to me and didn't inspire anything whatsoever in me. The story itself was a little dark with the fallen angel, not something I would easily recommend to most people. The whole book had a darkness to it, that wasn't insulting, but seem...more

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Mar 26, 2009

Barbara rated it

Shelves: favorites, paranormal-angels, paranormal-shifters, 2009, zzcover-rainbow

Anna, an outcast mermaid cursed to die young.
Jonah, an angel fighting a darkness inside himself.

Jonah plunges into the ocean after a fierce battle with The Dark Ones. Anna finds and saves his life. Jonah is despairing over the darkness inside as he has been fighting this battle for 1000 years and it is finally overcoming his goodness. As Jonah recouperates, Anna falls in love and tries her best to help him regain his strength and goodness.

This is basically a tal...more

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Jan 03, 2009

Bitten_by_Books rated it

Shelves: lyda

Can angels in all their glory lose hope? Or the will to live on? Jonah is the Prime Legion Commander and whenever the Dark Ones try to attack, he and his men are the first to defend the world. But immortal does not mean invulnerable to pain...

For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of A Mermaid's Kiss in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.

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Jul 10, 2011

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: erotic-romance, paranormal-romance, angels, shapeshifter

As a fairly new Joey Hill fan, I decided to branch out and read the first in a trilogy of her Daughters of Arianne series, where mermaids and angels are the main love interests. I've read lots of paranormal, even with the odd angel or two, but mermaids were a stretch for me. I came in a skeptic, but Joey Hill's writing can't be denied and I did love this book.
Just a few comments...The cover should not scare anyone off. It's very beautiful in its own way, but 1: impossible to read in pu...more

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Jan 28, 2011

Mary (Madam S) Lhust rated it

Shelves: favorites, five-star-books

When I first saw this title, I was skeptical. Thinking a story on an angel and a mermaid could only come out ridiculous.

Let me tell you, Joey W Hill does a brilliant job in writing this book. Sets the foundations of the story with the characters Jonah & Anna and builds the emotional ride and turmoil that goes with it. Jonah is an arrogant angel that falls out of the sky after battle. Feeling disillusioned about his deity and what he is doing, he just wants to die. Anna is a daught...more

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May 23, 2011

Rachel rated it

Shelves: i-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. *Contains detailed sex scenes*

In the beginning I found it hard to get into this book. And even throughout it some parts seemed to drag on while others were interesting and wildly enjoyable. For the most part I enjoyed this book. I won’t say it was brilliant, but it was an okay read, if not long and tiresome at times.

For the most part I liked the two main characters, although at times I had my fair share of issues with them. Anna seemed naive and annoying at times and yet...more*Contains detailed sex scenes*

In the beginning I found it hard to get into this book. And even throughout it some parts seemed to drag on while others were interesting and wildly enjoyable. For the most part I enjoyed this book. I won’t say it was brilliant, but it was an okay read, if not long and tiresome at times.

For the most part I liked the two main characters, although at times I had my fair share of issues with them. Anna seemed naive and annoying at times and yet as the story went on, it was clear that she really was as noble and honourable as she came across. I mean really, if a woman is willing to die for someone the way she did for Jonah, then that’s really saying something.
I actually wasn’t fussed with Jonah either way. There were a lot of times where I really didn’t like him and the way he carried on. He had such a bad attitude to things, and although I see the purpose of this within the storyline, that doesn’t mean that it didn’t wear on my nerves, because it did.

The romance between Anna and Jonah was alright, although it seemed a bit forced at times and sometimes I felt like their physical relationship was more dominate than anything else in the book, which I don’t really like. I’m a big fan of an emotional connection between two characters first and then a gradual building of things but instead these two seemed to jump into bed together too quickly for my taste.
That being said, the sex scenes between these two are hot and steamy, if not a little out there. Some people have commented on the oddness of the one sex scene between Anna in her mermaid form (complete with tail and fins) and Jonah in his regular human form (complete with male...ahem....appendages), but I actually wasn’t bothered by this. The author has written it well and it was actually a nice scene between the too—intimate and trusting.

And yet for all the issues I had with it, I didn’t mind this book. When I got past the issues I had with it, it wasn’t too bad. It had its moments, especially the friendship between the angels which I’d have loved to have seen more of and even the idea that the great deity is actually a HER and not a HE---which I totally love. Girl power and all!
I find that the thing, or person, I seemed to love most about this book was Mina. Even though we didn’t get to see all too much of her, I feel like she could be a really complex, interesting character and I’m so intrigued by the possibility of her relationship with David that I’m actually going to read the second book, just to see what becomes of them.
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May 10, 2010

Penny Watson rated it

A Mermaid's Kiss by Joey W. Hill (Read Jan 2009)

My good friend Michelle once gently suggested that I check out an author named JR Ward, not knowing that I would turn into one of those (slightly) deranged fans who actually joined The Black Dagger Brotherhood message boards on this author's website. Point being, Michelle is chock full of excellent recommendations. This past weekend she told me to check out Joey W. Hill and offered me her copy of A Mermaid's Kiss (which, let's face it...more

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Jul 28, 2011

Kimk rated it

· review of another edition

She's a mermaid! Who can switch to legs! Then she becomes a MOFECKING FAIRY WITH WINGS AND SHIZ. And she meets an angel who needs like, sexual magic (she's totes naive because I've def. rolled my eyes at that line, amirite ladies?), and he's got a peen even though it was my understanding (completely scientific, btw) that angels are like Ken dolls where junk is concerned.

Also, I didn't know this was a series so I'm seriously heading over to bn.com right after I post this.

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Aug 05, 2009

Mary (BookHounds) rated it

Shelves: borrowed

I really wanted to like this story but it fell flat in a few places for me. Based on The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, it replaced the prince with an angel named Jonah and was as dark as the original was meant to be before it was Disneyfied. I just don't know where this story was going. The minor plot points were at times more interesting than Anna and Jonah. I do enjoy some erotic writing, but this seems to push the envelope a little too much where the story takes a backseat to the...more

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Feb 05, 2012

Katrina rated it

Shelves: fantasy

This is a beautiful love story between an angel and a mermaid. The plot was very original. I liked how the author wove some mermaid myths into the story and how our angel underwent his own struggles with his beliefs. The characters were all well-written, up to the point wherein even the side character, Mina, the sea-witch was very intriguing. I definitely want to read more of her story as well.

The relationship between our hero and heroine had some dominion/submission elements to it ...more

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Mar 21, 2011

Dirtyfeatherbird rated it

· review of another edition

The contrast between the start of the book, the middle of the book and then end is astounding. The novel seems to each be split into three seperate stages, and each one is odder then the last. The final climax of the book held some serious what-the-fuckery for me.

Speaking of that, also, expect some seriously weird sex here. Usually I don't have a problem with reading sex in novels, but this one just strange. Pixie fetish, anyone?

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Dec 03, 2009

Cindyg rated it

Shelves: favorites

OMG...I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I absolutely loved it, I actually cried and that doesn't happen often. Ms. Hill can weave a world so intense that you feel things in your gut. I could not put this one down. You will absolutely love Jonah and Anna, both are beautiful creatures. So without further delay I'm off to start the 2nd book in the series; A Witch's Beauty.
Run don't walk to your nearest book store and get this series.

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Feb 05, 2011

♆ Bookaddict rated it

Shelves: erotica, paranormal, romance, mermaids, demons, angels

I LOVE MERMAIDS! This is one of the few mermaid stories I've read that has sexy sexy scenes. I consider this erotica because of how well Ms. Hill weaves the sex scenes into this paranormal romance. WOW. This is definitely a different take, generations after the "little mermaid". I like how Ms. Hill spun that bit of the story.

Ms. Hill's interpretation of the Angels and how humans came to being was fascinating. The Dark Ones have a right to be pissed. It just goes to sho...more

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May 17, 2011

SaturNalia rated it

Shelves: bye-baby-bye

I like the author’s writing, thought provoking and fluid. The characters deal with inner demons more than actual Dark Ones that are after Jonah and Anna. Since this is an erotic novel, I didn’t mind all the sex, there was plenty of angst from the characters to keep it interesting. Anna can shape shift into several forms; human, mermaid and pixie. I didn’t mind all of her abilities, what made me cringe was that Jonah had sex with Anna in all of her forms. Human is fine, but I really didn’t need t...more

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About Joey W. Hill

I’ve always had an aversion to reading, watching or hearing interviews of favorite actors, authors, musicians, etc. because so often the real person doesn’t measure up to the beauty of the art they produce. Their politics or religion are distasteful, or they’re shallow and self-absorbed, a vacuous mop-head without a lick of sense. From then on, though I may appreciate their craft or art, it has so...moreI’ve always had an aversion to reading, watching or hearing interviews of favorite actors, authors, musicians, etc. because so often the real person doesn’t measure up to the beauty of the art they produce. Their politics or religion are distasteful, or they’re shallow and self-absorbed, a vacuous mop-head without a lick of sense. From then on, though I may appreciate their craft or art, it has somehow been tarnished.

Therefore, whenever I’m asked to provide personal information about myself for readers, a ball of anxiety forms in my stomach as I think: “Okay, the next couple of paragraphs can change forever the way someone views my stories.” Why on earth does a reader want to know about me? It’s the story that’s important.

So here it is. I’ve been given more blessings in my life than any one person has a right to have. Despite that, I’m a Type A, borderline obsessive-compulsive paranoiac who worries I will never live up to expectations. I’ve got more phobias than anyone (including myself) has patience to read about. I can’t stand talking on the phone, I dread social commitments, and the idea of living in monastic solitude with my husband and animals, books and writing is as close an idea to paradise as I can imagine. I love chocolate, but with that deeply ingrained, irrational female belief that weight equals worth, I manage to keep it down to a minor addiction. I adore good movies. I’m told I work too much. Every day is spent trying to get through the never ending “to do” list to snatch a few minutes to write.

Despite all these mediocre and typical qualities, for some miraculous reason, these wonderful characters well up out of my soul with stories to tell. When I manage to find enough time to write, sufficient enough that the precious “stillness” required rises up and calms all the competing voices in my head, I can step into their lives, hear what they are saying, what they’re feeling, and put it down on paper. It’s a magic beyond description, akin to truly believing my husband loves me, winning the trust of an animal who has known only fear or apathy, making a true connection with someone, or knowing for certain I’ve given a reader a moment of magic through those written words. It’s a magic that reassures me there is Someone, far wiser than myself, who knows the permanent path to that garden of stillness, where there is only love, acceptance and a pen waiting for hours and hours of uninterrupted, blissful use.

If only I could finish that darned “to do” list. (less)

More about Joey W. Hill...

Books by Joey W. Hill

The Vampire Queen's Servant (Vampire Queen, #1)

The Mark of the Vampire Queen (Vampire Queen, #2)

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“With our limited life spans, we mere mortals have to figure out what best to do with our time so that when it ends we aren't ashamed to put our name on it, call it our life.” — 12 people liked it

“I have the right to try to overcome the challenges in my own life, she continued fiercely. Who's to say that's not what makes as strong and decent? How much character and strength do you think someone who's never had any sorrow or loss of hardship possesses, My lord? ” — 7 people liked it

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A Mermaid's Kiss (Daughters of Arianne #1)

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