renpuspita's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I always assume Harlequin's Nocturnes line with a light paranormal romance but this book surprised me. More like a romantic suspense with mermaid elements, since the latter didn't explained thoroughly and focus heavily on the suspense part. It's have a heroine with many secrets (well, she is a mermaid. Half merfolk to be exact), a sherrif hero that have chips on his shoulder and a women-hating serial killer. I liked that Herbert feature character with special needs. The sisterhood is one of the strength of this book and open possibilities of them to get their own books.
I always assume Harlequin's Nocturnes line with a light paranormal romance but this book surprised me. More like a romantic suspense with mermaid elements, since the latter didn't explained thoroughly and focus heavily on the suspense part. It's have a heroine with many secrets (well, she is a mermaid. Half merfolk to be exact), a sherrif hero that have chips on his shoulder and a women-hating serial killer. I liked that Herbert feature character with special needs. The sisterhood is one of the strength of this book and open possibilities of them to get their own books.
selket16's review against another edition
3.0
Shelly is half human-half mermaid, not really a part of either community. When out on a swim, she discovers a body being dumped by a serial killer who sees her, she becomes his next target. She can't go to the police because she was swimming, as a mermaid, several miles off shore when she made her discovery.
The story is actually quite enjoyable until about the half way point when it starts to drag on and some minor story flaws start to become more pronounced. **Spoilers from here on out** It's at this point that it's pretty obvious that it would be best for all involved if the sheriff and love interest, Tillman, was let in on Shelly's secret, but her cousin's keep talking her out of it or out of trusting him.
Shelly is forbidden from participating in mermaid society because she's not a full-blood and her cousins hold her under emotional blackmail and expect her to keep the secrets of a culture that has shunned her for "their sake," without taking into account her needs. They are emotionally abusive; will obviously flee to the sea if things here go sour where they can live out their lives and abandon Shelly since as only half mermaid she must return to land; and we are supposed to overlook the fact that both are okay with murder and one of them is a serial rapist, using her siren's song to lure men to her, away from otherwise good lives (and away from loving relationships) only for her to cast them out when she is done.
**End of Spoilers**
It wasn't a bad book, just made me uncomfortable at times, but I did finish it, even though it started to drag.
The story is actually quite enjoyable until about the half way point when it starts to drag on and some minor story flaws start to become more pronounced. **Spoilers from here on out** It's at this point that it's pretty obvious that it would be best for all involved if the sheriff and love interest, Tillman, was let in on Shelly's secret, but her cousin's keep talking her out of it or out of trusting him.
Shelly is forbidden from participating in mermaid society because she's not a full-blood and her cousins hold her under emotional blackmail and expect her to keep the secrets of a culture that has shunned her for "their sake," without taking into account her needs. They are emotionally abusive; will obviously flee to the sea if things here go sour where they can live out their lives and abandon Shelly since as only half mermaid she must return to land; and we are supposed to overlook the fact that both are okay with murder and one of them is a serial rapist, using her siren's song to lure men to her, away from otherwise good lives (and away from loving relationships) only for her to cast them out when she is done.
**End of Spoilers**
It wasn't a bad book, just made me uncomfortable at times, but I did finish it, even though it started to drag.
funsizelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Full review on my blog: http://myfun-sizelife.blogspot.com/2013/12/unexpected-pleasure.html
aggiereads15's review against another edition
4.0
When I go found out that I won an ecopy of Siren's Secret, I was so eager to read it because mermaids are not a very common. Exploring different genres, it's always.
For the most part, I did enjoyed it. It had an CSI meets mermaids feel to it, because of crime investigation. The problem I had was the characters, for it was difficult to connect too. Although I don't think that's the point for this novel. Over all, it was a great mix to the books I'm reading because is quite different then anything I've been reading.
For the most part, I did enjoyed it. It had an CSI meets mermaids feel to it, because of crime investigation. The problem I had was the characters, for it was difficult to connect too. Although I don't think that's the point for this novel. Over all, it was a great mix to the books I'm reading because is quite different then anything I've been reading.
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
I was so eager to read this Harlequin novel because mermaids are not a very common occurence in paranormal romance, YA or adult. That said the bayou has always fascinated me so this combination made me excited.
The Harlequin branch Nocturne focuses on paranornal romance and from experience these type of books are similar compared to the urban parnormal genre. In that coarse language is used and sex scenes are explicit. These are usually focused upon much more.
I did enjoy this but personally, I felt that the romance was not a true love thing. Shelly and Tillman jumped into a physical relationship immediately and for what the author claims of writing stories where true love is magical. I did not get this here.
I did like the mystery, it was engaging. The various characters jumped out at me and I could not help but be gleeful reading about the world building for the mermaids. For a Harlequin novel the plot was well written. I guess the romance disappointed me but at least the author did not go crazy with the sex. I liked Shelly as a character, she was kind, understanding and always felt different from her cousins. Which is something everyone can identify with.
The way the story ended was not bad as well. It kind of leaves room for more but it does feel closed.
The Harlequin branch Nocturne focuses on paranornal romance and from experience these type of books are similar compared to the urban parnormal genre. In that coarse language is used and sex scenes are explicit. These are usually focused upon much more.
I did enjoy this but personally, I felt that the romance was not a true love thing. Shelly and Tillman jumped into a physical relationship immediately and for what the author claims of writing stories where true love is magical. I did not get this here.
I did like the mystery, it was engaging. The various characters jumped out at me and I could not help but be gleeful reading about the world building for the mermaids. For a Harlequin novel the plot was well written. I guess the romance disappointed me but at least the author did not go crazy with the sex. I liked Shelly as a character, she was kind, understanding and always felt different from her cousins. Which is something everyone can identify with.
The way the story ended was not bad as well. It kind of leaves room for more but it does feel closed.
krypto6661's review against another edition
3.0
Title: Siren’s Secret
Author: Debbie Herbert
Series: (if any) Dark Seas book 1
Rating:2.5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook
Why'd you pick this book? Mermaids, duh
Summary: Shelly Connors's worlds—on land and in the sea—are turned upside down when an evening swim turns into a nightmare. On a sweltering night deep in the bayou, the mystical mermaid witnesses a horrifying act. With a monstrous killer now hot on her trail, her life and the lives of her kin are in jeopardy.
Terrified of becoming the next victim, Shelly has no choice but to turn to Sheriff Tillman Angier. Tillman has had his intense gray eyes on the sultry honey-haired beauty for a while. The feelings are mutual …and impossible to ignore. But he's determined to solve the murders, and he knows Shelly's hiding something. Can she trust him with her deepest secret?
Favorite and Least Favorite part: This didn’t feel realistic (I know, its about mermaids, not the point) as a murder mystery/thriller. It was trying to hard, and it didn’t work. It also didn’t work as a romance because the girl, Shelly was so d.u.m.b.
If you like this book you might like: The Siren by Keira Cass is a great mermaid tale
Author: Debbie Herbert
Series: (if any) Dark Seas book 1
Rating:2.5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook
Why'd you pick this book? Mermaids, duh
Summary: Shelly Connors's worlds—on land and in the sea—are turned upside down when an evening swim turns into a nightmare. On a sweltering night deep in the bayou, the mystical mermaid witnesses a horrifying act. With a monstrous killer now hot on her trail, her life and the lives of her kin are in jeopardy.
Terrified of becoming the next victim, Shelly has no choice but to turn to Sheriff Tillman Angier. Tillman has had his intense gray eyes on the sultry honey-haired beauty for a while. The feelings are mutual …and impossible to ignore. But he's determined to solve the murders, and he knows Shelly's hiding something. Can she trust him with her deepest secret?
Favorite and Least Favorite part: This didn’t feel realistic (I know, its about mermaids, not the point) as a murder mystery/thriller. It was trying to hard, and it didn’t work. It also didn’t work as a romance because the girl, Shelly was so d.u.m.b.
If you like this book you might like: The Siren by Keira Cass is a great mermaid tale
roseayyy_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful cover! Not too heavy on the romance, which I love because normally romances tend to take over the book and take away from the main plot of the story. Loved the characters, especially because there were MERMAIDS. Not many mermaid books around, which was what made me want to read this book on the first place. Loved the writing as well. I really enjoyed seeing the killer's point of view, it made you understand him and even feel sorry for him at times. I love when villains have layers to them rather than the typical "I kill because I can". Good debut novel!
Beautiful cover! Not too heavy on the romance, which I love because normally romances tend to take over the book and take away from the main plot of the story. Loved the characters, especially because there were MERMAIDS. Not many mermaid books around, which was what made me want to read this book on the first place. Loved the writing as well. I really enjoyed seeing the killer's point of view, it made you understand him and even feel sorry for him at times. I love when villains have layers to them rather than the typical "I kill because I can". Good debut novel!
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