Divine Scales

Blood Prince #4

by Jennifer Blackstream

Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00LF5789U.

A warrior with a hunger for sin...

Driven by a terrible hunger for the black souls of evil men, Patricio, divine executioner of the gods, patrols the kingdom with blood on his hands and ice in his heart. The families of his victims sing his praises--the result of a witch’s cruel curse that condemns him to be forever surrounded by false adulation. When the curse sours the first hint at romance Patricio has had since becoming the king’s heir, his rage is all consuming. Disgusted, he leaves the mermaid in the sea and returns to the palace...only to be shocked when she bargains for the legs to follow him.

A mermaid out of her element...

Marcela’s world has been turned upside-down--literally. Once a proud member of her father King Triton’s royal guard, she’s now the victim of an angel’s curse. Enchanted into false adoration bordering on obsession, she traded her tail--and her voice--to the sea witch for the legs she needed to pursue the object of her desire. In a cruel twist of fate, the very magic that gave her the means to pursue her passion also broke the spell that caused it. Now she’s in the angel’s arms, but how can either of them trust the desire churning inside them when so much magic has muddied the waters?

Trust isn’t easy when nothing is as it seems...

A mermaid with legs and no singing voice. An angel with a curse. A witch with a chip on her shoulder. The world is full of magic and mayhem, and for an angel and a mermaid, it will take more than a kiss to balance...the Divine Scales.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Angels, Paranormal, Fairy Tales, Mermaids

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and endless research into mythology and fairy tales. She firmly believes that whether it’s a village witch deciding she wants to be a private investigator, or a single mother having a go at being a full time writer, it’s never too late for a new adventure.

A fervent devotee of cooperative board games, Jennifer sets aside at least two nights a week for team-based adventures such as Mice & Mystics, Sentinels of the Multiverse, or Harry Potter: Battle at Hogwarts. She uses games with dice-based mechanics to lure in her ridiculously lucky-rolling son and daughter in the hope that they too will develop a passion for cooperative escapism.

Jennifer currently has three series going:

BLOOD PRINCE SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, COMPLETE):

Book 1 – Before Midnight

Book 2 – One Bite

Book 3 – Golden Stair

Book 4 – Divine Scales

Book 5 – Beautiful Salvation

Bonus Adventures in the Blood Prince World:

Book 2.5 – What Big Teeth You Have (free when you sign up for mailing list mentioned below)

Book 4.5 – The Pirate’s Witch

Book 5.5 – Dead to Begin With (available only between Thanksgiving and whenever Jennifer takes her Christmas tree down)

BLOOD REALM SERIES (PARANORMAL ROMANCE, IN PROGRESS SPIN-OFF OF BLOOD PRINCE SERIES):

Book 1 – All for a Rose

Book 2 – Blue Voodoo

Book 3 – The Archer

Book 4 – Bear With Me

Book 5 – Stolen Wish



BLOOD TRAILS SERIES (URBAN FANTASY, ONGOING)

Book 1 – Deadline

Book 2 – Monster

Book 3 – Taken

Book 4 – Corruption

Book 5 – Mercenary

Book 6 – Caged

Book 7 – Betrayal

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars... I was really anticipating Patricio’s Story based on the bits of information gathered about him and his curse in the previous reads... Unfortunately, this book felt surfaced and chaotic.. The characters were not flushed out enough leaving the relationships feeling superficial; certain characters were sporadically introduced leaving me wondering about their place in the overall storyline; and the direction of the storyline felt chaotic and lacking depth leaving me confused and disappointed... I have enjoyed this series overall, but this read was lacking:(

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

A re-imagining of the Little Mermaid story.

I can understand our heroine being bewitched into trading her fishtail for legs but some of her actions afterwards were just stupid I don't know anyone who'd trust their rival so much that they'd drink a potion without knowing what's in it?. And one thing I can't abide in a book is a TSTL heroine. Our hero's whining also got on my nerves. So all in all, this was just an ok one for me.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed the first three entries in this series and this latest one does not disappoint. This time the plot nod is to The Little Mermaid, as neither Hans Christian Anderson nor Disney Studios ever imagined it.

The hero is the angel and, at least in my eyes, probably the least likeable of the Princes. Self-righteous, conceited, and arrogant are not among my favorite character traits. But as the story unfolds he becomes a character with complicated issues – as opposed to a jerk with a whiff of serial killer about him and a chip on his shoulder. Still, I was glad to see the author did some ‘serious attitude adjustment’ on him as the story progressed.

Marcella was a delightfully complex mermaid, one with steel for a backbone, but she still takes the requisite step into idiocy by trading away what’s important to a witch. Of course it all works out in due course, and we find love may come at a cost but is worth it in the end.

One of the authors [many] strengths is her ability to blend totally unlikely combinations of characters and plots into workable, believable stories about characters you come to care about.

The series arc continues towards what I expect will be a ‘summer blockbuster’ conclusion. Just what exactly is the hamadryad up to? And who will they find for Saamal? After all, he’s a god…

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Angarad · Rating 2 out of 5]

No as good as the other books in my opinion. I really like the little mermaid fairytale and was looking forward to its adaptation but I just didn't like the characters. Not really funny or spirited or even as stubborn as we have grown used to. Patricio seemed to weak and just let things happen. As for Marcela, she is a bit too boring, either totally useless when under one spell or another or just thinking about herself and how to go back home. I honestly didn't feel the chemistry or any passion between the two. Too bad :(

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 5/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5

[BigComfyChairBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this fantastical series. I adored the tortured hero Patricio and his sweet yet strong heroine Marcela. I have read the entire Blood Prince series, twice, and will read them again in the future. They can all be read as standalones if you skip the prologues and epilogues, which I honestly skim through anyways. I really couldn’t care less about the whole “World Tree” plot. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Blackstream usually sticks to just 1 scene towards the end of each book. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG. Romance-4/5 Steaminess-2/5 Explicitness-3/5

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...

In Divine Scales, Patricio might be an angel, but he’s definitely not angel. He yearns for the souls of evil-doers, but the families of his victims sing his praises because of a witch’s curse. The story offers an intriguing spin on the Little Mermaid fairytale, intriguing characters and a well-executed premise. Patricio is a complicated character, hard to connect with at first, but once you get to know him better, he turns out to be not as bad as one would think.

Marcela starts out as your typical love-struck heroine, but once you figure out that her over-the-top obsession is due to a spell, it turns all the more intriguing. Kind of like in the Little Mermaid, she trades her tail and voice to the sea witch, in exchange for the legs she needs to walk on land. But this magic also caused the witch’s curse that enchanted her in the first place, to be broken.

I can honestly say this book has one of the most original premises I’ve ever read. Angels and mermaids? That’s a first. And then the whole spin on the Little Mermaid, one of my all-time favorite fairytales (although the original always makes me cry). The writing is sublime. Both main characters are equally complex and intriguing, and the romance between them is sizzling. The drama is real here, not over-the-top exaggerated like in some romance novels. The character’s feelings sound realistic. The plot offered quite a few surprises.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance story with plenty of fantasy elements thrown in, and heaps of creativity.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're starting to improve for me! This is a retelling of the Little Mermaid, but very different! Once again, mythology played a heavy role in this story, but it also took a religious figure like an angel and set it into a paranormal mythology setting, which I found to be an interesting twist!

Patricio was not what I expected from an Angel of Justice, in fact his entire heritage shocked the living daylights right out of me! I liked seeing how his way of thinking got changed by Marcela's challenges to them.

I also really liked the character of Marcela! Much stronger than other Little Mermaid renditions I've come across, I enjoyed watching her feelings shift, as if on the waves. It was extremely realistic to me!

The book was difficult for me to put down, but highly enjoyable! I can't wait to see what happens in the final novel!

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

An angel’s curse causes mayhem in the lives of those around him, even influencing a mermaid to give up her tail and it will take more than a kiss to balance the Divine Scales in this captivating and magical fairy tale romance. The author’s artistic flare spins a uniquely refreshing fairy tale of a romance with lots of fantastic characters and wonderful elements that grab the reader and invite them to their world and join in on their adventures and I can’t wait to see how the hamadryad’s manipulations payoff in regards to the prophecy.

“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”

See my full review at:

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...

[Douglas Meeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed each of these Blood Prince novels, they tell a great story and always have a great ending, usually unexpected.

This one I was a bit confused about how this was gonna work but should have remembered these books are loosely based on fairy tales. the story of Patricio and Marcela was one of the best yet. The story was not predictable except for the very end (these are happy ever after tales) but the journey it takes to get there is done exceptionally.

There is action, love, romance, betrayal, some evil guys and some not so evil guys to be death with male and female.

Bottom Line: Easy reading, great story, romance, action, betrayal, heroic actions, I mean, what more could you want. Highly recommended 4.5 Stars rounded to 5

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this one before but needed a mermaid book. I would however suggest starting at the beginning of the series. I like how the stories are all intertwined and there is lots of plot leading up to and structuring around the romance. The relationships still move quickly but that is expected. I like how they are all fairy tales and I tolerate the fated aspect,which is not my favorite troupe. This was good but not my favorite in the series. I also do not like the loose end with the poor sin eater. He was enchanted and used for sex and we never learn anything else about him.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

His crystal blue eyes bored into Etienne with the precision of a falcon strike, framed by a fall of white-blond hair. “If you’re talking about the cow that was recently born in Nysa with a valknut symbol tattooed on its side, then you can calm down. My oprichniki have assured me that the farmer drew that tattoo himself after his family had gone to bed and he’d stayed up with the heifer.” He shook his head. “Why humans are always—”
“Oprichniki?” Saamal echoed. “The demon dogs?” He turned from his conversation with Patricio, the angel’s wings framing Saamal’s body and making his grey pants and charcoal tunic stand out in sharp relief against the other prince’s brilliant white feathers. “You have hellhounds spying for you?”
All traces of emotion melted from the vampire’s face until his high cheek bones and firm lips were as smooth as freshly fallen snow. He turned back to Etienne. “Forgive my rudeness, Etienne. I have failed to inquire about the health of your lovely new wife. How is —”
“Oh for the love of Fenris.” Etienne scrubbed a hand through his shaggy brown hair, his muscles bunching and rolling. “I’m not talking about a cow.”
There was a glint in the vampire’s eyes as he reached for a quill. “Then what sign of the apocalypse are you referring to?”
Etienne rolled his eyes and pointed across the clearing.
Eurydice snickered as Adonis, the incubus prince, strode through the trees toward the glade. Bright red material flashed in brief glimpses between the dark leaves of the solid oaks as he walked, and gold sparkled from ornaments pinned at his shoulders and chest. The white of his tunic glowed like the pale skin of a rusalka as he closed the distance and completed the fifth point on their haphazard star.
“Oh, may the gods preserve us,” Kirill put a mocking hand to his chest as though to calm his unbeating heart. “He’s wearing clothes.”
“A full outfit,” The god’s lush mouth curved. “Not merely a loincloth and a grin.”
“Apocalypse,” Etienne repeated.
-Kirill, Saamal, Etienne, and Adonis.

“Greetings, my fellow royalty!” Adonis announced, raising his arms in generous greeting and beaming at the assembled princes. His eyes sparkled like uncut emeralds in a show of his usual good humor, rivaling the brilliance of the gold clasp holding his robe over his left shoulder. “I have arrived.”
The god’s mirth waned into a dry grin. “What a pleasure it is.”
“And fully clothed,” Etienne added.
Adonis looked the werewolf up and down. “Don’t worry, Etienne. We’ll get Kirill to start carrying a shirt for you too, then we can both be fully dressed.”
Kirill let out a laugh.
-Adonis, Saamal, Etienne, and Kirill.

The angel crossed his arms, thick biceps bulging with the motion. “I am content in my life as it is.”
“Oh, please,” Adonis scoffed. “You’re so miserable I’m surprised you can fly straight. If any of us needs a woman, it’s you.”
“Typical incubus.” Patricio dropped his arms and squared his shoulders as he faced off against the demon. He pressed his wings up so they rose higher over his shoulders. “Have you ever stopped to consider that not everyone requires sex to survive?”
“I’m not talking about surviving,” Adonis corrected him. He held his arms out to the side, palms up. “I’m talking about living.
-Patricio and Adonis.

The cuelebre suddenly spiraled out of the shadows. The tip of its tail was tucked into its mouth, its body forming a perfect circle. It rolled out of the shadows like an escaped wagon wheel and then disappeared into the void under his bed.
Patricio squinted at the spot where the cuelebre had disappeared from. There’s something wrong with that thing.
-the cuelebre and patricio's thoughts.

“How dare you show up here.” Patricio tightened his grip on his sword, aching to swing the weapon at the incubus. He couldn’t think of a more perfect way to work off some of the ridiculous tension the persistent mermaid had built up inside him. “How did you get in here?”
“I introduced Kirill to the naiads and convinced them to hear him out on a proposal for a…” Adonis paused and a wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows. “A… Oh, I don’t know, some sort of political alliance. You know how the vampire is. It’s always ‘Sign this’ and ‘In the event of war that’ and ‘Don’t touch my map, where’d you put the blue dart I had in the southern territories of Angosta—’”
“That miserable gargoyle transported you here, didn’t it?” Patricio interrupted. He looked up at the top of the mirror, searching for the little beast that had followed the vampire Kirill around ever since it had helped him save his wife Irina. It’s hiding.
Adonis snatched a cigarette out of whatever dimensional pocket he was always using and lit the tip in a burst of fiery orange. A foul cloud of cloves billowed from his lips. “Yes.”
-Patricio and Adonis.

“You are neither as wonderful nor as monstrous as you think you are,” he said quietly. “If Eurydice has worked as hard to bring that woman into your life as she did with Loupe, and Irina, and Ivy with the rest of us, then she very well may be the person to see you for who you are and love you for it. Since that’s something you haven’t yet managed to do for yourself, I hope you understand what a truly magnificent gift she is.”
-Adonis to Patricio.

“I’m afraid it must be painfully obvious by now that I do not socialize often. I’ve clearly made a horrible impression on you.” He glanced at her. “I am trying.”
Marcela flushed under the subtle chastisement, and her temper sparked in defiance. She wanted to remind him of all the spiteful things he’d said to her. Unfortunately she realized too late that none of them had happened since he’d held her in the sea, or taken her flying over the ocean in a simulated swim. He was trying. Damn him.
“I’m…sorry.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m afraid I’m—”
“Please don’t apologize.” Patricio half-shrugged. “I haven’t been trying that hard.”
She gaped at him in surprise, the joke so unexpected.
Slowly she smiled. “Well, I was hoping for flowers and sweets,” she agreed. “Benita tells me that is to be expected after a man does something foolish.”
“Indeed? I will make a note of that.”
-Patricio and Marcela

“I do hope you’re going to be my last visitor?” Patricio knew the answer even as he asked the question.
There wasn’t a sound, and yet Kirill now stood in front of him. Wrapped in a black velvet cloak, all Patricio could make out of the undead prince was his pale face and bottomless eyes with a hint of red shining in them.
“If all that I’ve heard is correct, I believe you still have one visitor after myself,” Kirill corrected him. “A mermaid, if I’m not mistaken?”
Patricio looked down, pushing thoughts of Marcela out of his mind. “I doubt she’ll want to see me tonight. She’s quite angry.”
“I think you will find that a woman is most likely to seek you out when she’s angry,” Kirill observed. “They are quite notorious for it.”
-Patricio and Kirill

“And the stories accuse us of luring sailors to their deaths on the rocky shore.” An image of Patricio’s face leapt into her mind, filling her brain with the memory of his bright blue eyes and rare, but beautiful smile. “Angels are the real threat. There’s a face that lured me over the rocks and straight up the cliff.”
-Marcela about Patricio.

[Barbara Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was pretty good it falls on the lines of the little mermaid. He was an angel that had been sent down by the gods to kill the evil and then he ate their souls that were black and then when they came back in another life they pour again. She saw him heal her brother who was evil and stealing from the ship and had a black soul and she was helping a sailor that had fallen off The boat during the storm. Because of his purse all she did was thank him for killing her brother. When she gave up her fans to become human to be with him because she thought she liked him she was so upset that she tried to think of a way to go back to sea,.. It's really cute The way she did the little mermaid.

[T.M. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing version to the Grimm's tale!

An amazing read! I've always loved the original version of the Little Mermaid story, and reading this brought back happy memories. The fact that it seems the author did her research enough to bring up the old myth about mermaids either turning into sea foam or being blessed by becoming the spirits in the air is heart warming! And to add the extra witches and magic and curses, just add typo the over all story! I so can't wait for book 5!

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ariel and the Angel of Death

Another awesome fairytale retelling from Jennifer Blackstream. Self-absorbed and self-pitying Patricio gets his Marcela. I loved how the author kept the elements of Andersen’s Little Mermaid and the explanation of how come she falls head over heals was fresh. An enjoyable read and I’m happy the 4th prince found his mate. Totally recommend for lovers of retold fairytales and fast-paced romances fraught with emotion. P.S. Loved the cuelebre and the scene of swimming through the air.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Classic Fairytale Gets The Blackstream Treatment!

I loved this story.

I am already a fan of Ms Blackstream's writing style and love how she creates new and exciting stories from well loved tales; this time it was the classic Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid.

Due to the adult nature of some of the violent and sexual scenes within this book, I would recommend it to adults who are not offended by content of this type who enjoy reading romance stories about soul saving love.

[Karen Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sucked in by book 1, they just keep getting better

What can you say when you finish reading a book and you just keep smiling from reading the book?
So many times I have enjoyed a book but still at the end my brain changes this scene or that scene.
That didn't happen in this book! Not once.
The good guys might pop up to save the day magically, omnipotently even, but hey don't we all want heros like that?
On to book 5...

[Tinisha Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This just became one of my favorites! Marcela is no damsel in distress! And she can hold her own over the grumpy, self-righteous, miserable angel. This mermaid puts a spin on the bratty, and spoiled King Triton's daughter that a lot of us are used to and I am obsessed with her! This group of stubborn princes have my eyes and reader-hungry mind seeing stars!

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Scales (Blood Prince Series Book 4)

The love story of Marcela (mermaid) and Patricio (angel). Story line is "The Little Mermaid". Patricio is a vengeful angel who like the killing of sinner and he is falling a part. Marcela's brother is kill by Patricio and she is thanking him. Will she be able to forget him when she learn of his curse? Great story.

[Lucina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

The last third was okay, but the first part was very boring. In comparison to the first three books this was huge disappointment. The romance was unbelievable, the characters flat and I felt no connection to the characters.

[Pat Wittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

The prince's are so fun. I enjoy the fairytale spin so much. I can not wait for the next one in the series

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Laurie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series

The little mermaids, with a twist o two or three. The twists are what makes the story so interesting and amusing.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Mermaid but darker

Again it's little Mermaid but darker and still has the best ending and I still need to read the next book

[Beccie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not want to read the Angels story. In all the previous books he was stuck up, pompous and boring. Boy, was I wrong. This book kept me guessing (and I know the story of the Little Mermaid both the Disney and original version by heart. I have daughters). I must say that I especially loved the heroin, she's what makes the book.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just way too much fun! I adore the way that Blackstream takes fairy tales that we all know and love and turns them into something fun and different! Divine Scales is the story of The Little Mermaid – with a twist, of course – and I think it’s my favorite in the series so far (or maybe tied with the first book – I loved that one too – oh, never mind, I’ve loved them all!).

What I LOVED:

Patricio.
Patricio was a complicated character. He actually isn’t terribly likable at first. He’s haughty and self-righteous and he’s got a serious chip on his shoulder. When Marcela falls under the curse (which was put on him!) he really looks down on her at first and can’t be bothered with her. Is he sympathetic to her plight? Not really. He also doesn’t take any responsibility for the curse because he feels like he was not at fault for it – after all, it is his duty to bring sinners to justice and he is doing the world a service by eliminating these people and actually helping them by cleansing them of their sins before they die. He can’t really see any other perspective on the matter – and he doesn’t want to because then he’d have to face some truths about himself. And he has a point (which I love – those of you who read my reviews often know that I love those shades of gray!). But, as the book goes on, Patricio starts to learn more about his duty, his curse and his heritage – and it leads him to rethink everything he’s believed in.

The romance.
I have to confess that I was worried at first because the book starts out with magical insta-love. I thought, “Oh no! Jennifer, you couldn’t. You wouldn’t do that to me!” Well, thank goodness, she didn’t. Yes, as the synopsis says, Marcela falls instantly in love with Patricio because of the curse. And it’s for that reason that Patricio wants nothing to do with Marcela at first. In fact, as I said, he’s pretty haughty and miserable to her because he thinks she’s just a simpering adorer who obviously can’t think for herself. But the effects of the curse are mitigated pretty early on in the book – and Marcela isn’t smitten with Patricio any longer – in fact, he makes her a bit crazy. Then, we get to see the real feelings between these two form. Yes, timewise it still happens quickly, but we get almost the whole book to see the relationship develop.

The Little Mermaid.
As a huge fan of the Disney movie, I loved the idea of a book based on this one. And it works perfectly with the world that Blackstream has created in the Blood Prince series. I loved how Blackstream incorporated little details from the original story (and from the movie) and still made it all her own. She has a definite talent for that! This world has an array of interesting lore and magical creatures that worked really well with the classic mermaid tale.

The negatives:

The beginning.
Since Patricio is a bit frustrating in the beginning and Marcela was blinded by insta-love, it was a worrisome start. But Blackstream pulled it all together really quickly, so I found myself enjoying this one just as much as the other books in the series (or more)!

Another fantastic installment in a really fun series. I loved this one! 5/5 stars.

***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is the fourth book in the Blood Prince series which takes fairy tales we know and love and gives them a new and more adult take . These books are building up to what will hopefully be an amazing conclusion but I did find that each story works well as a standalone. If you enjoy quirky paranormal stories with a twist then prepare to be enthralled by this unique take on the little mermaid!
Patricio is an angel but he's a man driven by a hunger to mete out justice. He has the ability to see sins and read souls but he is under a curse as he took the life of a powerful witches brother. Cursed to be feted and seen as a hero by relatives of those he kills Patricio lives a lonely life as he stumbles around plagued by his sense of duty but always fearful that one day he might just become a serial killer.
Marcela is the daughter of Triton and one of the guards who struggle to protect those at sea. When a ship is in distress she joins those who go to save it but events happen that change her life. Marcela saves Patricio and immediately feels drawn to the handsome angel but are her feelings genuine? Or is she under some type of spell? Patricio although attracted to the curvy mermaid is irritated at the thought of yet another person mindlessly fawning on him and behaves in an aloof and pompous manner but Marcela is a woman made from steel and is determined to find a way to meet Patricio again. She would do anything to be with the angel and trades away that which is most precious but there's more than one witch around and Marcela might have just made the biggest mistake of her life!
I love this series although I do confess that I always want the books to be a little longer. Having said that this is not just a novella no it is a full length story and charts the beginnings of this unusual pairing, an angel and a mermaid? Two completely different species not to mention characters but the author does a very good job of finding a way around that. Patricio is self righteous and sees himself as being needed to punish sinners but is it really duty or is he actually a hard hearted killer ? Marcela sees so much more to him and constantly questions his beliefs and it's refreshing to see her peel back his layers as more insights into his past are revealed . Through his relationship with Marcela Patricio can obtain the balance that he needs but there's someone close to the throne who would happily stand by and watch the destruction of Marcela. She is a woman who has sacrificed so much but Marcela is brave and would do anything to save Patricio but what if the true danger is himself?
I really like this series but I thought this story lacking in the romance department which was a bit of a let down for me. They are a good couple together with the feisty Marcela more than capable of tackling the hard headed angel but his insecurities and doubts meant it took a while for the passion to be realised. I do love the strange supporting characters that the author throws into the mix and we are teased as to what will happen in the next book and I'm sure it will be mesmerising but I wanted a little bit more heat if honest.
I was luckily offered a copy of this by the author to review in exchange for an honest review

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was loving the book and it was on its way to being the first of the series that I could clearly say I flat out loved it without hesitation...until one thing ruined everything, Patricio didn't believe Marcela about Emiliana. I was completely let down with how easily he dismissed her claims and refused to trust her. That is a deal breaker for me and there's no coming back from it unless there is major groveling and one hell of a heartfelt apology shown with words and actions. Patricio failed to deliver on that and I can't bring myself to forgive him or give him a second chance. He deserves neither as far as I'm concerned. I also don't like how he let Emiliana push him around and control him when he had no obligation to play the backup heir to the kingdom.

The sad thing about the heroes this author writes is that they have no backbone, they let bad women walk all over them, and don't stand up for the women who do matter to them. I'm not saying they need to save the damsel in distress because she can't help herself, but the least they can do is hold their own and fight for the one they want. It's pretty pathetic seeing them taking orders from women with bad intentions and seeing the heroines pay for it because their man takes too long to see the light or finally take some action.

I was initially turned off by how harsh and cruel Patricio's remarks were in the beginning regarding Marcela. He was pretty mean and moody. I didn't like his attitude but once she turned the tables on him, I started liking it and was surprised to see how nice he could be if he just got the chip off his shoulder. It was kind of fast the way he switched his personality with her but the way it was written was very believable and natural to me. It flowed very well and didn't seem forced which I liked, well, up until Patricio screwed up that is. I do feel that she forgave him too quickly as well but I don't even feel like getting into that because it was so short and it'd be frivolous because it's already over and done with.

I won't be reading this one again either and at this point I'm not counting on a good story for the last prince, I'm ready to just be done with this series so I can call it a day and move on to something else.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just freaking love this series!! So, think the Little Mermain, but scarier, meets her Prince Charming, who isn’t so Charming…. I LOVED IT!!! AND to top it off, The Little Mermaid was my favorite childhood movie–WAIT it’s STILL one of my all time favorite movies! I STILL watch it all the time!! I know all the words and can sing (maybe not so good) all the songs! :) Yep, so I loved this take on it! Seriously, Marcela may have just become my favorite lady from this series, but Etienne still has my heart hahahaha :)
So Marcela is our little mermain, except she’s a warrior, and strong willed, and a little bit of a force lol and then she falls under the Curse of our Prince Patrico. Umm, but she doesn’t know about his little curse, and he is all but becoming infatuated with her as well. But I can’t tell you too much because I think it would ruin it for you. :) So, Marcela saves Pat, yep I called him P-squared as my nickname for him, because Prince Patrico was also Mr square pants and it took forever for Marcela to get him to relax a little bit. I know, me and my nicknames LOL. But anyways, Marcela’s story is a good bit like the little mermaid, but with some slight more adult instances, and I’m not talking sex. She has much more to deal with because she’s an adult, and sometimes the really hard parts have to come before a HEA.
Mr. P-squared made me want to slap him. I’ve wanted to slap him for a long time now, in just the small parts of the first three books. He’s definitely got his work cut out for him with Marcela. AND then she gets under his skin, and then his frien-emy, aka our lovely Demon who is one of my favorites, opens his eyes and helps him with her. This is Pat’s ground breaking moment. I started to like him. And then I loved him by the end. He has become worthy of my little mermaid! And they finally get a romance worthy of such awesome characters!!
Now let’s talk plot. If you’ve read any of the first three books, you’ll know there’s a little divine intervention going on with these lovely Princes. They need their mates to follow their destinies. And there’s a little goddess helping that along. BUT that’s the background plot, which I love! The main plot is to figure out a way to not only break Pat’s curse, keep Marcela from dying, or worse, and of course to work for a Happily ever after. And I won’t tell you about the other secrets, you have to read to find out. But I really really really can’t wait for the next one!! I have a feeling it’s going to be EPIC!! Plus I am DYING to know what that little goddess has been up to with all of these events and what they are leading to. OH BOY I’m like a little kid in a candy store thinking about it! So my advice, read this series. Just do it, it’s awesome!! :) And since my wolves have PAWS, I’m going to make the exception today and say 5 MAJESTIC, MAGNIFICENT, MAGICAL FINS!! :)

[Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

So exciting! Everything's falling into place!

Thank you to Jennifer Blackstream for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.

Full review can also be found on: Paein and Ms4Tune’s Book Blog

I love these stories. I love them because they’re fairytale retellings. I love them because they are different and I love them because they are intriguing. I was glad that Marcela didn’t stay under the curse long, though perhaps this was the true payment to the sea witch as she didn’t seem to mind her lack of voice much. And it was nice that Patricio was more narrow minded than arrogant, it made his seeing his own faults happen so much more smoothly. Does that give things away? I don’t really think so.

Like Princes before him, he was visited by other members of the gang who gave him a good talking to, but will he pay any attention if the one speaking to him is the Demon? I love how they just get involved with each others lives now and the main prince is almost spluttering in the corner as if to say ‘MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!’ but sometimes men need a nudge.

(Also, if that’s how you make an angel, that’s interesting.)

My major complaint is that it wasn’t longer; while I appreciated not hanging around with needless filler, a little more back story on the characters would have been nice, then I wouldn’t have accidentally found the end so fast. Though I’m guessing book 5 will round off the series and perhaps we’ll get a lot more how where why and when. Though as I didn’t have the patience for a recap, there is the possibility I forgot something….

And the next one’s the heavy hitter folks, we finally find out what that pesky tree is really up to!

I want to read it now, but then it will all be over and that’s bad. I will have to savour it all by starting from the beginning again!! Good plan, mmhmmm, yes.



04.08.14

Totally obsessed with mermaids right now. Blame this book!!!!!