Siren's Call - Romance Novel Review

Mysterious stories of mermaids and folk under the sea have been with us since ancient Assyria and are found in the folklore of many different countries.

We see mermaid stories that are both disasters, such as shipwrecks and drownings, and sometimes mer-people can bring benefits to those who find them.

Mermaids have even been written about for a long time; think of Hans Christian Anderson's, The Little Mermaid.

Today, we see mermaids emerging in both Young Adult, New Adult, and Paranormal romance novels. I've recently had the opportunity to read Siren's Call, by Debbie Herbert, which is precisely such a story!

Debbie Herbert is a writer living in southern Alabama who writes magical, paranormal romance novels. The Dark Seas series is about the three Borsage sisters, all of whom are shape-shifter mermaids. That means they spend much of their time on land as regular humans, but can change into their mermaid form at will when they slip into the water.

I read Siren's Call, the final in the series, which is about Lily Borsage. The two previous titles in the series are Siren's Secret, and Siren's Treasure.

Mermaids have unique qualities, one of which is their siren's voice. This is said to be so alluring that mermaids can charm sailors to their deaths by shipwreck. Debbie Herbert uses this quality in the Borsage sisters.

Lily Borsage is the ultimate siren; gorgeous, aloof and irresistible to all the men in Bayou La Siryna. All of them, that is, until Nashoba Bowman comes back to town. The Native American kid whose innocent first kiss Lily remembers fondly is now all grown up, hot as an Alabama summer and immune to Lily’s charms. What self-respecting mermaid could resist finding out more?

But Nash has a dark history that puts any woman he loves in grave danger, and a heritage of power he isn’t ready to accept. And Lily has a secret that no mortal man can ever know. When a mysterious enemy starts menacing Lily, they will both have to risk everything and embrace their deepest destinies if they want to survive.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, and has no erotic content.

Lily's former small town friend, Nashoba Bowman, has returned to Bayou La Siryna. Lily runs into Nash at the local supermarket and is immediately taken with how gorgeous he has matured. Nash is a famous wildlife photographer now and is doing an assignment in the Bayou.

Despite using her siren's voice, Lily is mystified that Nash doesn't seem to be interested in her at all. Pretty much all guys just fall for her. But this just piques her interest all the more.

Nash has brought his assistant, Opal, with him for his work. Opal is geeky, and a good photographer in her own right, and just seems to get along with Lily.

Lily takes the opportunity to become reacquainted with Nash's father, Sam, as a way of seeing Nash and finding out if they might build a relationship.

Debbie Herbert smoothly blends in shaman and bayou lore into Siren's Call. I love that Nash's father, Sam, is a well-respected shaman of the town. He knows a lot about what goes on in the Bayou though he doesn't talk about it much!

Sam is hoping that Nash will now return to take up his responsibilities to be town shaman after he passes, as Nash has some special abilities of his own, though he's slow to own up to them.

The local psychic/tarot card reader, Tia Henrietta, rounds out Bayou lore as she is the great bayou mamma that everyone visits for advice.

There are a couple of treacherous sub-plots that run through Siren's Call. Lily has some problems with La Siryna guys from the past, and Opal has some secrets that threaten to upset Lily's hopes.

Nash himself fears events from his past that may haunt him yet and make it impossible for him and Lily to have a safe relationship.

Ultimately, these sub-plots converge in an exciting ending.

I was very impressed with how Debbie Herbert wrote mermaid lore into a modern day novel, making it seem realistic and possible.

As well, the romance between Lily and Nash is done without rushing. Nash is a very centred, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy who you just want for your own!

Recommended reading for anyone who loves romances with paranormal elements, and a great subtext of local lore. 4/5 Stars!