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

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

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 673 ratings · 88 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 4 of 5 stars 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 to Anna Campb...more 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 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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Jun 21, 2012 vra rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh dear..It's a long read. Definitely worth it though. Hill is a superb storyteller. I totally get the nuance of magic and fairy-tale setting in the book. In fact, even as the story progressed into the human world, I feel that it was simply a small, insignificant deviation from the magical world they were in. The progress is rather slow, mind you. Hill loves to be detail, which is both good and bad.

There are cliches in the book, but Hill is such a good storyteller that I was too engrossed in th...more

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Mar 07, 2012 KatiD rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: rntv-reviews

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
3 stars

There is a war in heaven, led by Jonah, the Prime Legion Commander for the Goddess. Daily, he battles to Dark Ones for supremacy. Jonah is over 1,000 years old and has led countless angels to battle. Frankly, he’s exhausted. He feels he’s lost the heart for battle, and his spirit seems to be failing. And in a moment of inattention, he is struck by a Dark One, severing one of his wings. He tumbles into the sea, to what he believes will be his death.

Anna is a Daughter...more Reviewed by Kati Dancy
3 stars

There is a war in heaven, led by Jonah, the Prime Legion Commander for the Goddess. Daily, he battles to Dark Ones for supremacy. Jonah is over 1,000 years old and has led countless angels to battle. Frankly, he’s exhausted. He feels he’s lost the heart for battle, and his spirit seems to be failing. And in a moment of inattention, he is struck by a Dark One, severing one of his wings. He tumbles into the sea, to what he believes will be his death.

Anna is a Daughter of Ariel, a direct descendant of the fabled mermaid who gave up her voice for her love. Sadly, the story is much darker and tragic than the fairy tale known to humankind. Her predecessors have all died alone at the young age of 21.

Anna finds both Jonah and his wing tumbling into the sea, with his enemies in hot pursuit. She rescues him, taking him to shelter and pulling him and his wing from the sea. Anna is fully aware of the war in heaven, and knows well that angels are leading the fight. When she first sees Jonah, she is immediately attracted, but of course, realizes that they can never have a relationship – he is an angel, after all. When Jonah comes to, he is in need of joining magic to reattach his wing. Though Anna is a virgin, she’s fully aware of what joining magic is, and is completely willing to help an angel warrior to heal, though she senses Jonah’s wish to die. They make love and Jonah is partially healed. Anna then seeks out her friend, Mina, who is the sea witch (complete with tentacles like an octopus). Mina advises Anna that she must take Jonah to land, and they must find their way to a shaman located in the Mojave desert who can fully heal Jonah’s wing, which though attached, carries infection. Anna agrees, as she has no wish to leave Jonah’s company, and she and Mina work together to get Jonah to land.

Once they reach land, Jonah and Anna go to her cabin, and spend time together making love and growing closer. Jonah loves Anna’s sweet nature and her willingness to help, and Anna admires Jonah’s leadership, strength and his strong will. The story then turns into a road romance, with the two of them working together to make their way to the desert so that Jonah might be healed.

The story is a strong one, with two compelling characters. Their attraction is palpable and they have a lovely chemistry together. So why 3 stars? Well, Jonah is an angel, and Anna is a mermaid. This leads to some sexual encounters that strongly exercised my “squick factor.” At one point in the story, Jonah is in human form and Anna is in mermaid form and they have sex. The scene made me very uncomfortable and was enough to have me put the book down and walk away for a few minutes. I am all for pushing the envelope, and I generally enjoy reading erotic love scenes in paranormal romance. But I had a very hard time moving past this and another scene where the couple is not in human form. And that was enough to have me grading the book down.

I think that Joey Hill is a tremendous talent, and I have really enjoyed her books in the past, but this book is one that I struggled with. The book sets up a sequel which will be between David, a lesser angel and Mina, the sea witch. I believe that I’ll pass on that one, and wait for the next idea that Hill’s fertile mind brings to light.

*REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED AT ROMANCE NOVEL TV(less)

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Jan 26, 2012 Mariachiara rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 della strega de...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Leontine rated it 5 of 5 stars

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...more 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 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 4 of 5 stars 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 sex i

...more

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Jun 06, 2009 Katie(babs) rated it 3 of 5 stars

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....more 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. 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 5 of 5 stars

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...more 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 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'.
(less)

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Jun 16, 2011 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 fighting against....more

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Feb 02, 2013 Zeee (I Heart Romance) rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who love Lila DiPasqua

Shelves: reviewed, fairy-tale-retelling-challenge-2013, a-year-of-romance-challenge-2013, 2013-reading-challenge

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This story is pretty tough for me to review. At this time, I do not want to give out a summary of the story and I will just go ahead and give my thoughts. The story starts, innocently enough with a mermaid, Anna rescuing an angel falling from the sky. Apparently, this angel, Jonah was wounded in a war between Angels and Dark Ones that has been going on for centuries. Wounded and unable to fly, Anna saves him and with his direction, brought him to an underwater cavern that has magical properties....more This story is pretty tough for me to review. At this time, I do not want to give out a summary of the story and I will just go ahead and give my thoughts. The story starts, innocently enough with a mermaid, Anna rescuing an angel falling from the sky. Apparently, this angel, Jonah was wounded in a war between Angels and Dark Ones that has been going on for centuries. Wounded and unable to fly, Anna saves him and with his direction, brought him to an underwater cavern that has magical properties. At this point, Jonah asks Anna to perform joining magic to help revive him. This is where the erotic part of the book kicks in. They do this joining magic all throughout the book and it seemed like both of them, Anna especially, cannot keep their hands off of each other.

I had a hard time swallowing some of the aspects of this book. Yes, sex is normal and yes, it is a way to procreate but an angel having sex is just too much for me to take. Another thing that bothered me while reading this book is the obvious parallels of The Little Mermaid. For the life of me, I just kept thinking about the Disney version and couldn't focus on the adult story but the children's version.

We also meet Mina, a witch (half mermaid half dark one) that is sort of a guardian to Anna. This witch basically resembles a skinny and young Ursula that is not out to take over the ocean. So yes, she does had the octopus legs with half of her upper body scarred/ugly/deformed. She is the one who directs Jonah and Anna to go inland to the Dessert Crossroads in Nevada where Jonah will find help and answers.

The third thing that bothered me is that this mermaid turned into a PIXIE!! I thought this was too much for a fantasy for me. Yes, I am reading fantasy but never did I read about a mermaid turning into a pixie! Sheesh. This could have been omitted.

The fourth thing that I could not agree upon was how Anna was such a martyr. While Jonah was sulking and grumbling about how he is not used to being human (Mina turned him human by day and angel by night so the dark ones and the angels couldn't find him), she was doing all the work. For an angel, there were some parts int he book that I thought was so uncharacteristic of an angel. In fact, he was a jerk sometimes and I couldn't believe Anna fell for him.

Fortunately, he redeems himself by the end of the book by giving himself over to the dark ones in exchange for Anna's life and with a stand-off between him and the angels, headed by Lucifer. In this book, Lucifer is in charge of Hell but he is not a fallen angel per se and not a devil as we know it. So, Anna and Jonah have their HEA.

Two characters mentioned in this story is a peek Mina and David (a human-born angel and part of Jonah's legion) romance. Book #2 of this series is A Witch's Beauty. I am still debating weather I am going to read it.

Reviewed on my blog: http://eyeheartromance.blogspot.com (less)

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Jan 11, 2009 Lea rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 3 of 5 stars

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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Nov 29, 2012 Miki rated it 5 of 5 stars

This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure

Highly romantic and emotional, this is a wonderful adventure where the erotic part blends perfectly in the story. However better to say it now: keep a box of tissues at hand!!

I was immediately driven by the story written by Joey W. Hill, and the numerous erotic scenes didn’t bother me at all since they were so part of the tales and I was so immerse in it that at a time I became a really wreck, crying like a baby but not wantin...more This Review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure

Highly romantic and emotional, this is a wonderful adventure where the erotic part blends perfectly in the story. However better to say it now: keep a box of tissues at hand!!

I was immediately driven by the story written by Joey W. Hill, and the numerous erotic scenes didn’t bother me at all since they were so part of the tales and I was so immerse in it that at a time I became a really wreck, crying like a baby but not wanting to close the book. My mother had to take it from me so I managed a small break to stop crying and breath again….so yes I was completely utterly IN the story. So even if it could be seen as a small spoiler I think you deserve it to avoid the devastation I felt… yes there is an happy end but you need to get to it and the road will be long and painful but foremost so well written that you will be captivated.

It’s the second series where god is female and I’m getting used to it but in this one I think it’s really shown in an interesting way. I didn’t expect to feel so enthralled by an erotic romance so it was a wonderful surprise and discovery. Anna is a passionate character, she is alone in the mermaid world, a stranger because of her ancestry and even with her legacy she choose to see the positive of things, she is able to enjoy a small wild flower while she knows she is fated to die young. She is living her life with hope.
Jonah is a warrior but he fought for so long he forgot the reason why, he became angry, bitter after the lost of too many of his men. While hurt and alone in the sea, he wish to die, to find a kind of peace until suddenly a warm comes to his aid and he can refuse it, he did expect to see a young mermaid at his side. At her side, the ancient angel is discovering the world in a new light despite the darkness growing in him…Anna is doing all she can to help him because she has faith in him, she believes in him and too often she can see right through him and say the world he longs to hear.

Anna is able to show so much acceptance and compassion, her friendship with Mina is a good example. Mina is an outcast in the same way but Anna went to her and not only for answers, she offered her hand and heart no matter what fate dictated. David and Luc., Jonah’s friends are great and funny but also loyal. I enjoyed the angel‘s world as described by Jonah and would be happy to learn more.

It’s a beautiful romance with a lot of actions too and some humour too. I rally enjoyed this book, despite the tears sessions, and I recommend it with pleasure while waiting the occasion to get my hand on the second book of the series, I want more Mina too^^.
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Sep 03, 2010 Lin rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 shaman in the m...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Brittany Lenz rated it 5 of 5 stars

this is a great story abut Faith and redemption infused with plenty of searing romance. A story that will make you more. After centuries of loss and heartache, Jonah has succumbed to a debilitating despair that threatens his very soul. Anna's innocent hopefulness stir feelings in him he thought long gone. But will her light be enough to save this war-weary angel? Jonah is just heart-breaking. His despair is so intense it makes one wonder just how he will be able to find his way out of the darkne...more

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Aug 09, 2012 G rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnl-hot

This is a very original make-believe love story between an angel and a mermaid. I enjoyed the love story immensely. The portrayal of angels, angelic hosts, and deity are far, far and away apart from the biblical. Angels are essentially immortals with some magical powers but have the same hearts as humans: they struggle with emotions, pain, lust and desire. They get angry and sad, they get sick, hurt, and can be killed in battle. They fall in love, have sex, and produce children just like humans....more

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Nov 12, 2010 Camille-Dhark Nytmhare rated it 5 of 5 stars · 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. .

The descriptive writing place...more 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. .

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 5 of 5 stars

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 authors get. An...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Ellie rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Mermaid’s Kiss by Joey W. Hill
Grade: C-

“Taste me, little mermaid,” he said quietly, “See if I am something you can create magic with.”

Anna is a shapeshifting mermaid directly descended from Ariel and like all of the women from this line she will only live until her twenty first birthday and finds the man of her dreams lost in the ocean and saves his life. unlike the mermaids who came before her, Anna’s man also happens to be an angel and isn’t disgusted by her ability to shapeshift. Anna sense...more A Mermaid’s Kiss by Joey W. Hill
Grade: C-

“Taste me, little mermaid,” he said quietly, “See if I am something you can create magic with.”

Anna is a shapeshifting mermaid directly descended from Ariel and like all of the women from this line she will only live until her twenty first birthday and finds the man of her dreams lost in the ocean and saves his life. unlike the mermaids who came before her, Anna’s man also happens to be an angel and isn’t disgusted by her ability to shapeshift. Anna senses a darkness in Jonah and refuses to leave him alone and fall into the wrong hands. She convinces him to go on a journey to heal him as she refuses to let the one man she loves fall into darkness.

Jonah has spent centuries fighting the Dark Ones and watching his fellow brothers and angels die in the process. Jonah knows there is a darkness inside of him and he has given up on life until he meets a tiny, innocent mermaid who refuses to give up on him. Anna is nothing but pure innocence and beauty and refuses to let him give up. Together they travel to the desert where his only chance of survival lives and where he loses his heart to a mermaid.

I wanted to love this book so much but there was just so much that was bad instead of good going on that I couldn’t. I was intrigued with the idea of an angel-mermaid relationship and jumped at the chance to review this book. The beginning starts off great but quickly things take a wrong turn. My first “Say What?” moment occurred when the hero and heroine have sex so they can create ‘healing magic’. It cheapened the entire act for me and lowered my opinion of both Jonah and Anna.

Things didn’t get better when she spends the rest of the book calling him ‘My Lord’ and says she is his to command. Yes she does disobey him but she never does it with a backbone and I wanted her to yell at him and say “Trying to keep you alive and from getting tortured so move it cause we have to walk through the desert and I’m a mermaid!” This of course doesn’t happen and I am annoyed for the rest of the book.

There are some good parts mostly when others are involved such as Mina and David. I really liked these two and I really want to read their book because Mina is a tortured soul and seems like a badass. Luckily there is interaction with others which kept the book afloat and kept me reading. I felt that the book could have been shorter and things could have been cut out to move the story faster and keep me more interested. I wanted to root for Jonah and Anna and instead I was happy when it was done. (less)

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Oct 15, 2010 Lynette rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 Angel's this is a biblical reference.

Author: Sort of, but of...more

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Apr 18, 2009 Adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-fallen-and-nephilim

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

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Mar 26, 2009 Barbara ★ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-angels, paranormal-shifters, read-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 tale of good versus evil and a stran...more

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Jan 03, 2009 Bitten_by_Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

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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Apr 09, 2013 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I jumped in to this series wanting to try a new author and happened to come across this book. I love paranormal romances, and I'll admit it, I've always thought mermaids were awesome since I was a kid. (Little Mermaid anyone?) I've yet to read a romance story with a mermaid as a main character, so I thought why not, let's give it a shot.

The first few chapters were a little hard for me to get through, I'll be honest. Not that they weren't well written, I felt like I was being given too much infor...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Shari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-book-challenge, 2013-january-read

Anna is a descendant of Ariel, the first mermaid to rescue her love from the ocean and be cursed to shape shifting between worlds. Like all daughters of Ariel, Anna is to fall in love rescuing a man not of the ocean and dying on before her twenty-first birthday. Not accepted by either world, Anna has grown up alone without the love and affection of family or friends. With just 11 short months to live, Anna is restlessly roaming the ocean when an angel falls deep into the abyss. Determined to res...more Anna is a descendant of Ariel, the first mermaid to rescue her love from the ocean and be cursed to shape shifting between worlds. Like all daughters of Ariel, Anna is to fall in love rescuing a man not of the ocean and dying on before her twenty-first birthday. Not accepted by either world, Anna has grown up alone without the love and affection of family or friends. With just 11 short months to live, Anna is restlessly roaming the ocean when an angel falls deep into the abyss. Determined to rescue him, she risks a lot and in return to have some value to her life.

Jonah has spent centuries fighting Dark Ones for the Goddess and basically is burned out. Each new angel he trains is like a son to him and after watching some of them pass on, he is broken in heart and soul. Darkness has invade his heart and he is ready to give in to its call. When in battle one of his wings is chopped off, he falls to the ocean, letting it take him to the abyss. When a mermaid saves him, taking him deeper into the abyss to heal, he starts to question his inner demons as well as the world he is fighting to protect.

The two embark on a journey to the desert to find a way to fight the darkness invading Jonah’s soul. Jonah sees the gentle, kindness that is all Anna. Her inner beauty and innocence makes Jonah want to be a better angel, but he struggles in his battle. Anna wants some meaning in her life before she dies and falls deeply in love with Jonah, believing he will be saved. She will risk everything, even her life to save him.

There was such beauty in the book that I felt like I was swaying with the water as the two were going deeper in the abyss. Unfortunately the book failed to hold my me as it went deeper. I lacked the compassion for Jonah’s plight. Most times I wanted to slap him upside the back of the head and tell him to pick himself up and be a man. There were so many angels, man and mermaid pulling for him that he just seemed a little depressed. I guess after centuries of battling Dark Ones, you are allowed a bad day? Unfortunately he was so powerful, he could destroy earth and all of humanity.

One big problem I head was how they approached sex in the story. They call it Joining and it creates magic. Jonah and Anna having healing Joining in the abyss, even as Jonah is giving up. In a way I felt he was using her. No, he was using her and she let him. At one point he tries to refuse the magic and it hurts Anna badly.

I wanted Anna to be all that was love, but really I wanted her to tell him no as well. Heck, her life wasn’t a sunny ball of sunshine either, but you didn’t see her giving in to the darkness of her soul. Yes, she was accepting that her time on the earth was short, but she wasn’t giving into living it with the hope and joy she could get from it. I really got tired of her telling he could have whatever he wanted. Hello! They are walking in a desert, she is a mermaid…can anyone say she needs water?

At times the book seem to drag on when I just wanted to get to the end. It could have been a much shorter book with a lot more interactions. It also seemed that if a super paranormal action was needed, it could be explained away with a convenient explanation.

I really wanted to love the story so much as I have waited a while for the price to come down on the ebook. Unfortunately it left me not wanting to continue the series. The love scenes weren’t sexy, but instead seem out of place. The imagery was beautiful, but after a while I was ready to move on.

I recommend this to anyone who loves seeing an angel at a crossroads in his life on good and evil. Also a mermaid who’s destiny is already written, but who wants to change it. While not a bad book, it wasn’t something I can say I enjoyed enough continue the series for.(less)

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Feb 16, 2012 Robin K added it

A Mermaid's Kiss was different than any book I have ever read and filled with wit, charm, romance, danger and fantasy. I do not read a lot of erotic romance, in fact, just a couple of authors, so I was not sure what to expect. I even admit peeking at a couple reviews. I really built this book up before beginning. Thankfully Joey's smooth literary voice and absorbing characters quickly drew me into the story and out of my own head.

Joey's website labels the genre as "Sensual Paranormal Romance", w...more A Mermaid's Kiss was different than any book I have ever read and filled with wit, charm, romance, danger and fantasy. I do not read a lot of erotic romance, in fact, just a couple of authors, so I was not sure what to expect. I even admit peeking at a couple reviews. I really built this book up before beginning. Thankfully Joey's smooth literary voice and absorbing characters quickly drew me into the story and out of my own head.

Joey's website labels the genre as "Sensual Paranormal Romance", which is a perfect description. In my opinion, the best erotic romance books need not be filled with intimate relations, but with emotions. They need to make the reader feel the intensity of the characters, their passion, desire, need and surrender. The story needs to take me on a journey with the characters both physically and psychologically. A Mermaid's Kiss is a fantastic example of the perfect blend of emotional submission and physical conquest.

The main characters are born of fantasy, myth and dreams. Legends realized in life. The little mermaid's fairy tale re-imagined in spectacular form. I truly enjoyed reliving the story, learning of the character's histories as they learned each others'. Nothing is more fun to me than watching a strong, commanding hero struggle with independently willed woman. Both characters treat each other with respect, patience and levity. They expect very little in return from one another and are completely selfless which lends to the heavy emotion of the book. I fell in love with them as a couple and was utterly torn when all seemed lost.

I have briefly mentioned wit and levity while describing the emotional turmoil and triumph in the book. I wanted to touch on it a bit more. Though not a "silly" book, by any stretch, there are definitely a few moments of innocent laughter and casual banter. I love books with some light and Joey added just enough easy moments to keep the book and the characters grounded. There is one romantic scene in particular, though not funny, that was so incredibly whimsical and surreal that I keep visualizing it and smiling. I even shared the moment with my husband, who is not a reader, but none the less became very captivated by the scene. I kept stealing blushing glances as he read. I guess Joey added a bit of romantic innocence and mirth into my life as well.

If you like books with strong stories, romance, fantasy, questing characters and a touch of epic battle, you should enjoy A Mermaid's Kiss. The characters are surprising and entertaining. The intimate moments are creative, engulfing and full of feeling. I laughed, cried, cheered and I am probably blushing again. Thank you so much Joey for your captivating tale! I look forward to reading Mina's story next in A Witch's Beauty.(less)

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Jul 10, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 public (def...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 daughter of Arian...more

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May 23, 2011 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 as the story went on, i...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 5 of 5 stars

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, she's never...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...more 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 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)

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Books by Joey W. Hill

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

Board Resolution (Knights of the Board Room, #1)

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

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Quotes from A Mermaid's Kiss

“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.” — 22 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? ” — 10 people liked it

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

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