Siren's Call

Dark Tides #1

by Devyn Quinn

There are some things that can't stay buried - even in the deep of the ocean.

As a woman with a secret, lighthouse keeper Tessa Lonike savors her solitude on the island of Little Mer, off the coast of Maine. During a violent storm, Tessa spots a man thrashing in the ice-cold waters and dives in to save him, using her ability as a mermaid to easily pull him to shore.

When Kenneth Randall awakens on the beach, he is alone, left with the haunting memory of his beautiful flame-haired savior. And a year later, when Kenneth meets Tessa again, he's determined not to let her slip away. Just as the desire between them begins to burn, Tessa's ex-lover comes back to town with a tantalizing clue to her murky heritage.

The trio travels to the Mediterranean in search of answers, and what they find there will change Tessa's life forever. She'll have to choose between the world of her people and the call of her heart....

Genres: Mermaids, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Mythology

375 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 3, 2010

About the author

Devyn Quinn lives in the scenic Southwest, though she has called several other states home. She is a huge fan of dark gothic music & shoot-’em-up action movies. But reading is her first love and Devyn spends too much time with history books, as well as feeding her addiction for celebrity biographies. She especially enjoys reading books on Hollywood before the 1960′s and is crazy about Marilyn Monroe, her legend and her myth.

Has also written under AKAs:
Caitlyn McKenna
Jeya Jenson

From website:

I started out writing paranormal romance under a few pen names that didn’t get very far in the publishing world. Later on, after years of not writing, I debuted in small press and used the name of Caitlyn McKenna. My first releases were Echoes of Angels (later re-released as The Keeper of Eternity) and Descent of Demons (later re-released as The Price of Eternity). When I began writing erotic romance, I wrote under the name of Jeya Jenson for several epublishers/small presses such as Ellora’s Cave, Extasy Books and others. Later, I was offered a contract by a NY publishing house, and neither pen name was acceptable to the editor. After batting some names around, I became Devyn Quinn. Several of my Jeya Jenson titles also made the jump to print, such as Flesh and the Devil (Kensington Aphrodisia), Before Night Falls (now published as Sins of the Flesh, Kensington Aphrodisia) and Sins of Flesh (now published as Sins of the Night, Kensington Aphrodisia).

At this time I write solely under the name of Devyn Quinn and will continue to do so in

Reviews

[Parajunkee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book screamed, "I'm a paranormal romance," at me when I first read the synopsis, but I really think it is much more than a romance story with paranormal flavoring. Which is why I enjoyed it. The story blends real world problems and emotions, a rich complex Urban Fantasy world, and even science fiction aspects in a complex, entertaining package. For me the romance was very low on the radar compared to all the other parts of the novel, which might strike some people as a bad thing, especially if they are looking for that romance -- but I liked it. Read More

[Ronda Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC ADVENTUROUS READ! EROTICA WAS PERFECT!

When Kenneth returns to the Little Mer Island to thank his mysterious rescuer Tessa for saving his life the year before, he has no idea his life is heading into an adventure of a life time that may kill him yet. Kenneth finds himself fascinated with Tessa when he discovers that she has tail, yes a mermaid, but not just any mermaid, a mermaid who is feisty with lots of desire. Only thing is, Tessa doesn’t trust anyone and she really doesn’t like humans all that much especially after her bad experience with her ex-boyfriend Jake and therefore is afraid to commit to another relationship.

However, when Jake, Tessa’s ex-boyfriend shows up and reveals he thinks he found the location of the lost civilization Ishaldi, the ancestral home of the Mer folk along with proof of many artifacts he has brought back with him to convince them, the hopes of Tessa and her two sisters future looks more promising. Jake on the other hand is a real piece of work (ass) and he needs their help paying for the archaeologist discovery before other countries claim the find.

Kenneth is such a man of honor and is willing to do anything for Tessa even with no strings attached because he wants her to follow her dream and find her heritage home. Kenneth joins forces with Jake and Tessa and their discovery is unimaginably terrifying with lots of edge of your seat action, emotion, mystery, and betrayal. The humor was great between the characters, I actually laughed out loud in different parts. This book is a must read to find out what they discover and what powers the Mermaids have.

The romance between Tessa and Kenneth is so sweet and HOT. The characters grab you right away and you either despise them (Jake) or totally fall in love with them (Kenneth). Kenneth had me with the following comment:

Kenneth pinned her under a get-real look. “I don’t’ want to fuck the fantasy.” His hand slipped under her chin, tipping back her head. “I want to make love to the living, breathing woman I’m looking at now. And when I’m done I want to hold her in my arms until she falls asleep.”

“Siren’s Surrender” – the 2nd book in the series will be released February 2011.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn quickly in the Prologue of Kenneth's world shattering loss that drives him to suicide, then the secret Tessa keeps while she lives on the small island owned by her family, with the lighthouse watching over the Bay. Tessa uses this secret to save Kenneth's life. Ten months later the book starts with Kenneth who dreads thinking of that dark day, but having a feeling he was not alone in the waters that day. That he felt a feminine presence with him. He returns to the island he washed up hoping to talk to the woman how found him in hopes she might add some pieces to the day. Tessa is a grumpy, beautiful, young woman who lives by herself and is very anxious to turn Kenneth away before he remembers anything. Yet she finds she is very attracted to him. Kenneth finds himself offering to help Tessa, for free, to maintain the house and lighthouse which are in desperate need of tender loving care. Tessa finds she has no choice but to let him with the ultimatum her sisters give her. As the two are attracted to each other, the other doesn't want to push to far or fast. Then when things look to be going steamy for them, Tessa's ex-fiancée shows up with news of possible mermaid archaeological history. Tessa, Kenneth, and Jake make a journey to be the first to find these artifacts, only to find so much more than expected.

I've never really read anything with Mermaids before and loved the mixture of romance, magic, and the adventurous story of the aquatic archaeological discoveries.


I felt the story was well written. Devyn leaves indications as to explain the quick attraction between Kenneth and Tessa. And gives you the time you need to want these two together and enjoy the characters they are. Then just as you start to feel comfortable with them Devyn throws a wrench in the works and the characters have to react. I have to say the characters really stayed true to their persons. Even through there where times I wanted Kenneth to do something more or different, he did what he should do and held to his true self. I really liked that and loved Kenneth for it. He is definitely a keeper in all women's books. I enjoyed the romance with Kenneth and Tessa and the challenges Kenneth and even Tessa had to over come.

Yes, you have your romance and love story here but the story is much more than that. The next part of the story was the adventure to find the artifacts of the lost Mermaid people and city. The adventure they go on in the Mediterranean Sea is fun and pecked my curiosity. I enjoyed the adventure in finding the unexpected and the troubles that came from it. So much to learn and see with the Mermaid finds here.

And the magic! The mermaids are full of wonderful unknown unexpected magic. Tessa has a lot to learn. The story ended with an ending and with a hint of what may be to come in the future books.

I will definitely be looking for Siren's Surrender to be released February 1, 2011.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll admit it, I bought this for the cover art and the fact that the main character was a mermaid. I wanted to like it, or at least enjoy it, but in the end it was just okay. Things happened a little too fast, the characters were not very interesting and the mythology for the mermaids and where they came from? Not so much.

[Sassafrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can be found here:
http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...

Tessa Lonike likes her life of solitude and the sea. She's a mermaid, and she loves guarding her family's heritage as she watches over the sometimes treacherous waters from her lighthouse on Little Mer, an island off the coast of Maine. But when she saves a man from said waters during a violent storm, her life is changed forever.

Kenneth Randall wakes up after a failed suicide attempt with flashes of memory that he was saved by a sexy siren. He wants to live now, if only to find the mysterious woman who saved his life. He returns to the island to find her a year later and discovers so much more. The heat between Tessa and Kenneth is instantaneous and strong. But just as the two begin to explore their feelings, Tessa's ex-fiancé comes back to town with promises of finding out more of Tessa's lost legacy. Torn between the possible relationship and gaining lost information about her Mer heritage, she finds that some things are best left undiscovered…

This book was a much unexpected surprise for me. It is a paranormal romance that is deeply rooted in history as well as mythology. There is mystery and intrigue as well as romance and even comedy. It really had a little something for everyone, and it came together in a wonderful story that I can't wait to continue.

Tessa has 2 younger sisters, and their relationship and interactions with each other were hilarious but obviously formed out of love. The relationship between Tessa and Kenneth was somewhat frustrating because Tessa was so resistant, and then add the ex-fiancé into the mix and I really thought that I would have to strangle her at some point. Keeping in mind her issues, I tried to be understanding but it was definitely a lesson in patience having to read what she was doing to sabotage what could be a great relationship. There was very little sex in this novel but it was definitely a romance, and I think that made the book a lot more believable. Here are these two people who are trying to start a relationship but life kept getting in the way.

The world building in the story was amazing, and I felt like I got truly transported into the world of the Mer. Everything was explained in such detail that even if you did not have knowledge of some of the lore behind the myths, it was easy to follow along and get immersed in what was going on. My only complaint about the book was that Tessa's behavior made it difficult for me to care for her, and at times, I hoped our hero, Kenneth, would just leave well enough alone and move on. It got painful to watch him try so hard to be knocked down again and again.

All in all, I enjoyed taking this ride along with Tessa, Kenneth and her sisters as they discovered some uncharted territory, literally. I could really recommend this book to just about anyone because it had so many facets to it. I must say that this is NOT erotica. It is a mainstream paranormal romance that is light on the sex, but not on the passion. If you like fantasy, light romance, action, and suspense, you will definitely be able to enjoy Siren's Call. This book is the first in the Dark Tides Series, and there is much left to be resolved, so it left me wanting more. I look forward to book two, Siren's Surrender, coming February 2011.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mermaids have always had a special place in my heart. Ever since I was three years old, I have been fascinated with them. With that being said, it's difficult to come across mermaid-themed books, especially one that has an interesting mythology and a great story. Siren's Call, the debut entry to the new Dark Tides series, amazed me.

Tessa Lonike is a mermaid living in solitude on the family home on Little Mer Island. When she pulls Kenneth Randall out of the water and prevents him from drowning himself, she never expected to see him again. Ten months later, he returns to Port Rock, Maine, searching for the faceless siren who spared his life. I thought the chemistry between Tessa and Kenneth was perfect, how they seemed to reflect each other: Tessa, the outsider always looking in, and Kenneth, who is trying to get his life back on track after heart-shattering tragedy. At first, Tessa's sharp-tongued, cranky attitude could be offputting, and the way Kenneth appeared to be absolutely perfect got a bit irritating, how he seemed not to have any flaws whatsoever, but the two grow and develop as characters as the story progresses until you can't get enough of them.

Another strong dynamic to the story other than the romance was the mythology. This book had a complex and well-developed history of the Mer. Mermaids have their own religion, biology, and even their own language in the novel. They also have a knack for wielding powerful magic, which is seen often in the book. I loved the world, but most of the Mer are evil and easily disliked. I did like the Mer rebels who were featured near the end of the book, but due to certain events, I doubt they will be featured in the other novels, though it would have been nice to see each of them get their own story. Nevertheless, it was still an intricately formed world, and I can't wait to see more of it in subsequent volumes.

The other part of this story that I loved was the sisters. I loved the way they interacted and how each sister was different and took a different approach to being a mermaid living amongst humans.

So, why should you read this book? Four words.
MERMAIDS. WITH. LASER. BEAMS.

Next is Book 2: Siren's Surrender, which is about Gwen Lonike, the middle sister. I managed to find an early copy of it at the bookstore, and I'm going to dive in as soon as possible!

[RomanceNovelNews.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by Catherine Fitzmaurice for Romance Novel News

After the loss of his wife and unborn baby, Kenneth Randall just wanted to leave his painful life behind. During a fierce ocean storm, he walked into the sea and is dragged below the raging water.

Tessa Lonike, a lighthouse keeper on Little Mer Island, Maine, dove in to save the stranger. Aside from being a search and rescue volunteer, Tessa is also a mermaid. Barely alive, the only thing that could save Kenneth is her magical kiss.

Kenneth returns to the island a year later to thank his mysterious rescuer. He takes a job as a repairman at the dilapidated lighthouse in exchange for room and board and he soon discovers Tessa’s deep secret. Their desire surges quickly, though Tessa is reluctant to commit.

When Tessa’s former fiancé, Jake Massey, resurfaces with a self-serving agenda, tension mounts. As an archaeologist, Jake wants to make a name for himself – and he’s willing to expose Tessa do it.

Jake believes he has found her underwater ancestral home and Tessa and Kenneth agree to go with Jake on his expedition. The three discover the mermaid metropolis, tangle with an evil sovereign and are swept up in a subaquatic civil war.

Devyn Quinn’s fast-paced “Siren’s Call” mixes a sound amount of romance, betrayal, and mystery, and her characters are intriguing and flowing with emotion. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns and yet it is easy to follow.

“Siren’s Surrender” the next installment in the “Dark Tides” series, will be released in February 2011.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the cover but didn't love the book. I absolutely hated Jake and simply couldn't figure out WTH Tessa and Kenneth fell in with his B.S. What started as a rather sappy romance turned into a treasure hunting adventure that annoyed me as much as it entertained. I honestly couldn't care less what happened to the Mer or where the story might head next so I haven't decided if I'm going to continue the series or not. Though I seriously doubt it.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best thing that I can say about this book is that I liked the Mer mythology. I liked the powers the author gave them, although they weren't very well developed, and the idea of the lost city. Other than that, I really didn't like any of the characters other than the main guy, whose name I can't even remember. They were all mean or bitchy or self serving, and I don't really enjoy reading about people like that.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book suffered from the curse of good story line bad dialogue. I hate that... there was almost a complete disconnect between the way the characters acted and behaved in their own inner monologues, and how they were in the dialogue. This completely lost me.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, what can I say about this book, other than READ IT!!! I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book. I haven't read too many books on Merfolk but the ones I have, set the bar pretty high and this book did NOT disappoint in any way.

[Jennifer Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not the read I was expecting. And while I enjoyed it, for what it was, I'm not surprised the rating hovers around 3 rather than being higher, given genre expectations. While this starts off as a paranormal romance, and while romance is certainly a real part of the story, the novel diverges into being more focused on suspense/adventure, with the romance taking more of a background role. On some level, it's closer to what I'd expect from romantic suspense, but even then, the romance element of the story is so quickly taken for granted, it's not a good fit. Call it a mish-mash of romance and adventure, if anything.

On the whole, I did really enjoy the writing and the characters as well as the world-building. I expect that I will go on to read the next book in the series and other work by Quinn--but I won't pick these particular books up when I'm specifically in the mood for romance.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tessa sees a man close to drowning in the sea near the isolated island she lives on she uses her mermaid abilities to save his life. Kenneth should have been left with no memory of her but a year later he is still haunted by her face and decides to search her out to thank her. Tessa isn't keen on having someone invade her island but she is in desperate need of help to fix up her house and the lighthouse that she has been looking after alone since her sisters moved to the mainland. The attraction between them flairs but Tessa has been burned before and isn't looking for a relationship. Kenneth has his own reasons to be wary but he finds Tessa impossible to resist.

Tessa and her sisters know very little of their mermaid heritage so when Tessa's ex Jake arrives claiming to have evidence proving the location the lost mermaid city they are keen to find out more. Tessa and Kenneth soon find themselves in the middle of the Mediterranean sea with Jake looking for traces of the mermaid city. When they do find the city it isn't at all what they expected and Tessa is going to find herself with some difficult decisions to make.

Siren's Call is the first book I've read by Devyn Quinn and also the first book I've read about mermaids but it won't be the last in either category. Devyn has created a fascinating world full of mermaid mythology that I really enjoyed visiting and I'm already looking forward to reading future books in the series. The romance between Tessa and Kenneth is sweet and passionate and I loved the action and adventure when they discovered the mermaid city.

If I had one very minor niggle it would be that I really don't like the hero Kenneth's name but like I say that was a minor thing & I found his character irresistible. Tessa is bad tempered and snarky but as you get to know her better you discover that her attitude is a front to hide her loneliness and to stop herself from being hurt again. The relationship between her and Kenneth develops quite quickly but I didn't find that unbelievable in the circumstances. Although I have to confess I did feel for Kenneth after the way Tessa treated him sometimes but she had redeemed herself by the end. I liked both of Tessa's sisters (Gwen and Addison) and I'm hoping we'll get to see more of them in future books in the series. Jake (Tessa's ex) was someone I absolutely hated from the very first time we got to meet him - I'm not sure I found a single redeeming quality that made me understand what Tessa ever saw in him!

Siren's Call was a great start to a new series and although I liked the ending I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen next. I really liked Devyn Quinn's writing style so will definitely be checking out some of her other books too. If you like your romance with plenty of action or are curious to find out more about mermaids then I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.

[Monster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siren’s Call is the first novel in Devyn Quinn’s new Dark Tides trilogy. The lead heroine, Tessa Lonike, is not your typical lighthouse keeper, as she is also a mermaid. One night, while keeping watch, she sees a man attempting to commit suicide and uses her special powers in order to save him, unbeknownst to him. Many months later, her two sisters hire on a man, Kenneth Randall, to help Tessa out with repairs on her island. Tessa is less than thrilled that her sisters had gone against her wishes and hired someone to help her, though once they both find out each other’s secrets… his being that he was the man she had rescued and hers being that she is a mermaid… she starts reconsidering things. And that narcissistic personality she had aimed at him goes to the wayside a bit. Unfortunately, things don’t just go to a “happily ever after” ending, as Tessa’s ex-fiancé comes along stating that he has evidence to help her find out more about her family and background. Now, with both guys in the picture, and with the surprising knowledge that Tessa learns about her family, she has a lot to consider about her future.
Whereas Quinn’s previous titles have had a strong erotic edge to them, Siren’s Call takes things down a notch and makes for a more sensual read. That doesn’t mean there isn’t any sex in the book, but the scenes are tamed down a bit so that even those who blush easily can handle reading the novel. Siren’s Call is not only a love story, it is also a novel about self-discovery. Tessa has wanted for years to discover more about her heritage, and throughout the story, that’s exactly what she does. In the process, she also learns a bit more about herself as a person as she discovers that she doesn’t have to be hard-nosed, but can open up to people who care about her and even have a close relationship. The blend of action and romance that Quinn has spun together in this beautiful tale of discovery should please all readers of the romance genre as it truly is a magnificent tail (pun fully intended). Highly recommend for all fans of romance books!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex
Review by Rhonda Wilson

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this in exchange for an honest review from Voracious Readers.
Tess saves man from drowning and he returns a year later to thank her. She's not happy to see him as she has a big secret. Tess is a mermaid. She's wanting to learn more about her heritage and is given the chance to but at what cost.

This is book 1 in the series and a really good beginning. The story was good and had an interesting plot. It took a little while to really get into the action but was still a good read. The ending was clever and left me curious, wanting more.

[Keisha Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars ... I actually started reading this book about 5 or 6 years ago and could NOT get into it.. so I told my sister (who recommended and I borrowed this set from) that it was a horrible book and she was wrong.. she told me 'get through the first 5 chapters' so back in June I tried to start the book again 🥴🥴.. got through the first 5 chapters.. then I had to force myself to get through to chapter 13 because omg it is sooooo slow and horrible.. FINALLY!!! from chapter 14 to the end it gets good...

[Lyndsey Gollogly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well developed an enjoy read. Kenneth had you rooting for him from the start but also had you wanting to slap some sense into him. Jake had you hating him in all aspects of the book. It had the adventure aspect too and I really enjoyed reading it. Hopefully her sisters will do more than sit round and bitch in future books.

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I was led to this book and author. This was a great book and I enjoyed the dynamics of the characters. I will be reading the rest of the series as well!

[David A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very much enjoying this read.

[Ana Concessa P. Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

High sea caper

Unique, entertaining, sexy, adventure are words to describe an original story. Got the second and third lined up for my next read.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost in the chaos of the murder of his wife, the hero makes the rash and impulsive attempt to drown himself in the lake only to instantly regret this decision when he's actually dying. Luckily he is saved by what he considered a benevolent being who he remembers breathing air back into his lungs-an angel without wings. Lots of pills and therapy tried to make him realize that he had been lost in delirium- that the woman wasn't real. Yet in his soul he knows he didn't imagine her and now he's returned to the island to find out the truth once and for all. The heroine is not an easy woman to love and in fact is readily open to the fact that she is quite simply a bitch. From a young age she was forced to care for herself and her two younger sisters when their parents died, taking care of the crumbling home and also dealing with being a mermaid without any training. As such, she is snappish and antisocial, especially when it comes to men. Her ex fiancé dumped her the night before their wedding and she's never recovered. Then the hero returns. She's shocked and afraid of the feelings he awakens in her. Feelings of not just lust but of something deeper as well. But that's not something she wants and though that first night they trade secrets (he with revealing the death of his wife and his grief and torment-she with the fact that she's a mermaid and not entirely human) and sleep together-the next morning she is determined to but that distance between them. The hero, calm and easy going( perhaps too easy going) makes his intentions of commitment known but he doesn't press her when she becomes skittish around him. When the ex fiancé returns with news of a discovery he's made in finding the origins of her Mer people, the heroine is desperate to learn about herself and her people. With the hero of the hero's money, she, the hero and the ex embark on a journey to find the gateway to all the answers she's every sot. But when it comes to light the evil that lurks within and the plot to see the Mers restored to power and the humans enslaved, she must stop the end of the world. It's then that she realizes how foolish she's been to take the hero for granted for he is the only one she can trust and rely on, a man willing to sacrifice everything for her.

I found the heroine to be extremely frustrating and the hero to be a bit of a pussy. She was too stubborn, too full of pride to see how selfish and stupid she's being. And the hero was too nice, too selfless. I wanted him to grow a back bone and though there are times when he puts his foot down, I guess I like it when a man takes charge rather than letting the heroine dictate their relationship. And I wanted the heroine to wake up and smell the roses-I mean how the hell can you kiss your ex fiancé, the man who betrayed you when the hero is offering you happiness on a platter? It's craziness!! I liked the premise of the story but I found it dragged it butt big time and only really got interesting when they went through the portal to the ancient Mer world. As such, I can't say I loved this story, or even really liked it but it was okay. I think my dislike of the characters put me off as I didn't think there was anything wrong about the plot or the writing style.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren’s Call starts out with Kenneth, a lonely man at his lowest point. We get a quick idea of his turmoil in the prologue, and then jump forward to “present day” in the first chapter. Now we have a man who is ready to live again and wants to thank the mysterious woman that saved him all those months ago. Kenneth searches out Tessa, and decides to stick around after meeting her. He is immediately attracted to her, subconsciously knowing there is more to her rescue than she is telling. What I love about this story is that the secrets are shared right away. The first night Kenneth is on the island, he discovers that Tessa is a mermaid. And they don’t tiptoe around this or their individual pasts. They open up and they act on their mutual attraction. This is so refreshing from books where secrets are held until the last chapter of the story.

The story quickly moves from their budding romance to the heart of this book: a mermaid adventure. Next enters Tessa’s a**hole ex that has proof of the lost mermaid civilization. This guy has a bad history with Tessa and her sisters, yet they open up to him almost immediately. It bothered me how willing the sisters were in sharing their collective mer knowledge, but I guess they were excited to find out about their past.

It’s here that the story changes from what I would call a romance book to an adventure book. The focus moved away from Kenneth and Tessa. There are no sparks in the couple of sex scenes and in fact, we don’t get much on their relationship at all. Instead we move into adventure mode as Kenneth, Tessa and the ex, Jake travel to the Mediterranean Sea in search of the mermaid history. The mermaid mythology is laid out in detail for the reader - which makes sense since this is the first novel in a new series.

The adventure continues as the trio find more than they ever hoped, we see Jakes true colors, Kenneth and Tessa get into a few near-death situations and realize that they love each other. (Well, Kenneth was always there - it’s Tessa that finally wakes up and smells the seaweed!)

I enjoyed the story, and the new mermaid mythology is interesting. The book left us with a pretty big opening for upcoming stories. The biggest disappointment for me was the lack of emotional bonding between Kenneth and Tessa throughout the story. The story of their relationship was put on hold for a bulk of the book, and when we finally get back to them, I don’t have as much of a vested interest in seeing them work it out. In a particular well-written scene when Kenneth was about to die, my heart got a little achy for him and his sacrifice. But I would have felt much more if I had had a chance to watch their love grow throughout the book.

In the end, Kenneth and Tessa do find each other and their HEA - and the story ends as a true romance novel should. I look forward to reading the follow up book, Siren’s Surrender, due out February 2011 to see where this unique mer-mythology takes us!

My Rating: 3.5 stars.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is simultaneously the story of the rediscovery of a lost civilization, a freewheeling fall into another dimension, a lecherous ex getting the comeuppance he so completely deserves (Jake, I gnash my teeth at you) and, also, two broken and hurting people coming together to try to decide if a relationship between them is worth the trouble. Categorizing this book in one genre is remarkably difficult; instead, it's kind of like a sampler platter, offering some samples of a variety of genres and serving them up together.

The book is certainly a romance to start off; Tessa and Kenneth are a good fit as a couple since Kenneth doesn't mind that Tessa is a mermaid and isn't put off by her standoffish exterior; likewise, Tessa understands the grief Kenneth has been suffering under since the murder of his wife and his desire to have some semblance of order in his life. Both of them are a little gun shy towards relationships so the way theirs developed felt remarkably natural; at the end of the day, Tessa is afraid of commitment and Kenneth is afraid of experiencing devastating grief and loss again; both of them have to decide if they are willing to overcome their hangups to be with each other and the resolution of that story line was satisfying for me.

This story really veers off the beaten path when it comes to the lore of the Mer people, the search for their lost civilization a la Atlantis, and the unique powers that the Mer people possess, especially Tessa and her sisters. There's a lot of data packed into this novel and a lot of ground is laid for future books in this series.

I did have some qualms with the book; Tessa's sisters played a huge role in the first half of the book and then pretty much disappeared in the second half; Jake (Tessa's philandering ex-fiance) is a complete and total douchebag and watching Tessa contemplate giving him a second chance was really, reeeeally irritating, and there were a few times when the angst between Kenneth and Tessa became almost enough to overpower the pace of the story. Additionally, it was hard to process all the information about the Mer and their history while juggling the issues Tessa and Kenneth were having plus the reintroduction of Jake all at the same time.

I do think, though, that this is a good book for folks who like paranormal romance but without a lot of groping and adult scenes (this book safely eschews a Scandalous Books designation, although the adult content that is included here is very well written) as well as folks who like urban fantasy or more traditional fantasy novels. I'm definitely interested to see what else happens in this series, and while the book was devoid of singing lobsters, there was plenty here to hold my interest.

Overall Grade: B+

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[Turdlemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first when I read the blurb, it sounds like the whole saving a life, falling in love and throwing in an past love to spice it up deal but in a magical world. When I actually started to read it, I realized that the magical world was really Earth and that it was just talking about a wormhole that lead to another world, a world in which mermaids reside in.
When reading the prologue I assumed it was like other mermaid stories where they sing and lure men into the ocean to drown them due to the fact of the depression surrounding Kenneth Randall's head, and the voice telling him to just go into the water and stop fighting but it didn't turn out that way. It's about conflicting identity for the mermaids and a place to call home while for Kenneth Randall it's about creating a new life.

There are three mermaid sisters and this book is focused on the eldest, Tessa. She is untrusting of men because of her past love, one which she was about to walk down the aisle with. He left her but because she wanted to wait a bit longer before tying the knot, being that it does mean forever for a mermaid. Kenneth Randall's wife was murdered and in the prologue he is in such a state of depression that he wants to end his life during a wild storm in Maine. Tessa saves him and in the first chapter of the book he goes back to that place to find his savior. Thus starts their relationship, shaky because of their past, but through the circumstances of Tessa's ex coming back with knowledge of where to find the lost city of her ancestors, Tessa and Kenneth learns to forge a new bond. Through this Tessa learns to love again and Kenneth learns to let the past go.

I never really expected the wormhole in this story, I thought it would be something like Alantis but it's not. This book also defers from stories about mermaids being nice and friendly like in Disney. This shows the true stories of how they can be and how after a while people do change. Tessa and her sisters are considered impure because of the mixing of their blood and how they consider humans as something more than just a thing. If they were brought up with others of their kind, that would not be how they think of humans but that is why Tessa's ancestor sealed the rest of the mermaids in their own realm.

All in all, not a bad book to be reading. The magic is pretty interesting not to mention the mermaids reminds me of amazon women because of their fierceness and warrior roles.

[Bookaholics · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren’s Call by Devyn Quinn
Paranormal Romance - Aug. 3, 2010
3 stars

Tessa Lonike is a mermaid living in a lonely lighthouse, keeping herself isolated and away from humans. One evening, during a violent storm, Tessa spotted a man named Kenneth Randall in the ice cold waters and rescued him. A year later, Kenneth returns to find his savior and woo her. But, Tessa’s ex-boyfriend, an archeologist, returns with evidence of her kind’s origins from the Mediterranean. All 3 set together in search for truth and Tessa will have to choose between her people and her one true love...

Siren's Call is a disappointing read. I was expecting a tender, poignant story between a mermaid and a human with the usual learning-to-accept-oneself-fins-and-all. But, halfway through the novel, Quinn veers into sci-fiction with magic weapons that shoots laser beams and alternate dimensions. The beginning has such promise: lonely mermaid and the tortured, anguished hero. I wanted to see more of how they warm up to each other. Instead, Quinn ignores the main hero, Kenneth, and focused too much on the slimy ex-boyfriend in the middle. If you are expecting a straightforward romance with a supernatural twist, be warned that this novel might be too sci-fiction heavy at the end.

Tessa is a decent female character: prickly, tough, and yet, lonely. Sometimes, she seems kind of mean from the way she keeps dissing Kenneth. Because of this she’s a difficult protagonist to like. But given her background, it is understandable. However, Kenneth is a bit two dimensional for me. Handsome? check. Helpful and manly? check. But I didn’t feel like he had a lot of depth. Sure, he had a lot of emotional baggage at first (which led to him swimming in stormy waters), but I feel like Quinn didn’t fully explore him. By the middle part of the book, any character development seemed like it was thrown out of the window to make room for the sci-fiction part. Because of this I would rate this book more 2 ½ stars.

For mermaid fans like me, you should definitely check out this book. Whether you’ll enjoy it depends on if you like sci-fiction. I’m more of a romance purist and this book isn’t my cup of tea exactly. But if you are a sci-fic fan who likes a dash of romance, this book may be right up your alley.

Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

[Bonnie (A Backwards Story)]

I picked up Devyn Quinn's DARK TIDES trilogy to read in May when it was hard for me to concentrate on books with deeper plots. Someone who knew I liked mermaids gave me the books as a gift, not realizing that I'm not a big romance novel reader. When I was talking about how I was looking for a book that didn't make me think but took my mind off life, a co-worker jokingly recommended FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. While I didn't take him up on the advice, I did remember that I had a mermaid romance series sitting unread and decided to pull the books out once and for all. While the books are traditional romance novels, there's also an overarching fantasy plot revolving around mermaids that kept my interest.


Each of the books in the trilogy centers around one of the Lonike sisters, all of which are mermaids living among us as humans. As half-mer-babies are born, if they aren't given a soul-stone, they'll never be able to tap into their mer-powers and transform later in life. The Lonike sisters are among the last of the mermaids, and they all accept--or reject--their heritage in different ways. In the first novel, SIREN'S CALL, Tessa makes the discovery of a lifetime when she finds a wormhole that's been sealed off for centuries, one full of mermaids who have been banished from the human world. These mermaids are dangerous and with a path between the two worlds once again open, may spell the end for humanity.


I enjoyed the way Quinn developed mermaid lore in new and unexpected ways. The vicious mermaids live in a gritty world on the cusp of destruction and are desperate to escape, yet they view humans as inferior beings. At times, their methods were extreme, but these same scenes also enforced the image of a savage being that's not fully human, and let's face it: Mermaids aren't fully human. The deep sea can be a wild, unruly place, and it makes sense that mermaids are more animalistic, especially when their blood hasn't been as diluted with human blood over the centuries. I really liked the inclusion of a new species of sea-being in the third book (I won't spoil what here) and wish that element had evolved further and not been left for the very end.


There's enough lore and magical elements to create a fantasy world that maintains a reader's interest even if romance novels aren't a top genre of choice.

[Nairabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa Lonike loves the solitude her lighthouse island home gives her, but when she sees a man drowning during a violent storm Tessa can't resist using her ability as a mermaid to save him. Kenneth Randall awoke on the beach to find himself alone but for a vague memory of a red-haired woman saving him. A year later, Kenneth returns to Little Mer determined to solve the mystery of his rescue but doesn't expect to get caught up in a world of mermaids and lost civilisations.

I picked up a copy of this book after it was mentioned in an online book group I belong to and, having never read this author before, I wasn't too sure what to expect. This is the first book in a trilogy about a trio of mermaid sisters. From the blurb I thought this was going to be pretty standard paranormal romance, but it actually has a bit of a fantasy angle to it.

The book does start as a romance, but about halfway through a storyline is introduced about how Tessa is searching for her mermaid roots and suddenly the subplot takes over. The setting moves from Maine to the Mediterranean with Tessa and Kenneth teaming up with her ex-fiance Jake to go in search of the lost mer city of Ishaldi. I was a bit disappointed in the book as while I initially liked Tessa, her behaviour once Jake was introduced made her seem very selfish - and also made Kenneth look like a doormat. That said the characters are well written, and I'll probably get on better with the future books as I preferred Tessa's sisters.

The idea of the discovery of Ishaldi was interesting, although it seems every lost city is based in the Mediterranean. I would have loved that aspect of the book to take a greater role, especially as the romance between Tessa and Kenneth didn't really get much page time. The author did a brilliant job creating the city and its mer inhabitants, right down to a quite intricate (although pretty image focused) class system.

All in all, this was an okay read and I'll probably pick up a copy of Siren's Surrender eventually.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 42/50

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren's Call was quite a bit different than I thought it was going to be. It defiantly through me for a loop. It is about a Mer named Tessa and her decision to help save a human named Kenneth who was in the process of killing himself.
Kenneth lives and while he doesn’t remember the details of his rescue he knows that a woman saved him from the water. He decides to make his way back to the island in order to maybe put into place what happened during the rescue. When he arrives he sees that the lighthouse and small house on the island are in a state of almost shambles and they need help. Tessa has two younger sisters who are always trying to convince her to come to the mainland and sell their island. However, Tessa, being the oldest, would like to hold onto the island and her and her sister’s heritage.
Her desire to hold onto her heritage is what ultimately leads to the depth of the story.
Tessa has an ex fiancé who comes back into her life claiming he knows where her ancestors came from and found some artifacts and would like her to come help find some more. This throws Tessa and Kenneth's relationship for a loop.
The trio is able to find the lost city that the Mers come from and they find that the outside Mers in our world are not as revered as the Mers in ours.
This is a fun book for a rainy day or beach reading. Highly recommended to all mermaid lovers. There are some interesting ideas on how Mers breathe underwater, mate, live, etc. Mermaid lovers will enjoy the lore!
The book could use a little more editing. Not too many problems to be distracting but there were a few that need to be fixed. The relationship aspects of the story were not very believable for me. It didn’t feel like the relationships were real or real developed. Most people wouldn’t act the way these people did with the things they faced. But it is just for fun and light reading.
I won this through goodreads first reads a very big thank you to them. And to Devyn Quinn the author who sent out my copy! Thank you!

[Lynda Tatad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new series by Devyn Quinn about 3 sisters living on and near Mer Island off the coast of Maine. They all have a secret, they can become mermaids after they enter the water... and they have the magical properties of mermaids, as well. The eldest sister, Tessa Lonike is the lighthouse keeper who rescues a suicidal swimmer during a storm and saves his life. 9 months later Kenneth Randall comes back to the island to thank his rescuer, as she has been haunting his dreams. He finds that her sisters would like Tessa to hire a handy-man to help her out with the lighthouse's problems and much needed repairs. Just as they start working together, and also make a connection to both their wounded souls... Tessa's ex-fiance` comes back to the island to share a discovery with the 3 women about their origins that he discovered about their heritage. The trio then embark together to the Mediteranean in search of the answers, and discover much more than they bargained for... This was an interesting read. Loved the connection made between Tessa and Kenneth. The ex-fiance` Jake adds complications to the relationship... but the history of the Mer people is what draws everyone to find out more. I don't want to tell what they found, because that is what will effect the future stories! ;-)

[Luminea · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this book unfolded it really surprised me. It started out as a somewhat cheesy paranormal romance with almost too much sexual tension between the two main characters. Then about 1/3 of the way into the book it suddenly transformed into more of a sci-fi/fantasy novel describing the ancient culture of the lost mermaid world, Ishalda. I loved learning about the mermaids' society and how they used the energy of crystals for creation, destruction, and even sustenance.

I liked the character of Kenneth right away although he seems a bit too good to be true. Tessa is harder to like as she is so stand-offish and crabby, but as the story evolves you begin to realize that she has grown up quickly with a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, and her heart is still quite battered and vulnerable from a recent break-up. Meanwhile Jake is almost your stereotypical "bad guy".

One thing I felt took away from this book was the number of times the characters dropped the f-bomb. I don't have a problem with profanity in books, but when the charcters continually use the word "fucking" as an adjective to describe virtually everything they end up coming across as juvenile and unintelligent.

Overall, while I was initially a bit bored with the romance storyline I got really into this book when it shifted into a focus on mermaid culture and history. I am definitely looking forward to the next two books in the series to see how that storyline develops.