Limecello’s review of Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra
Paranormal Romance released by Berkley Sensation on 1 Jul 08

(Isn’t that cover eye catching?) I first discovered Virginia Kantra when I read the anthology Shifter, and was very intrigued by her novella Sea Crossing and the idea of selkies. Ms Kantra puts an entirely new spin on selkies that I’ve never seen before. An interesting one, that I’ve enjoyed reading.

I read an excerpt before I got the book, and was very intrigued. I’m afraid it built up my expectations a bit too high, because this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. Actually, I didn’t know the heroine, Margred, is also a selkie. I had a hard time getting over the fact that she’s a giant seal. Seals are nice, and cute, and huge adorable eyes, but they’re not sexy. For some reason, I have an easier time accepting a romance where the man turns into a seal than the woman. Once I got over that, the story read a lot easier for me.

However, I still didn’t really like Maggie. I know the point is that she’s a selkie, and her life and expectations are entirely different. She’s centuries old, and doesn’t have human emotions or expectations. Still, she’s too cold and dispassionate. She’s callous in the way she treats Caleb, the hero, and while she thinks nothing of it, it doesn’t make for a good romance. There was also the minor issue that she’s had a mate (he passed away) but she’s never felt such love and closeness as she does with Caleb before. Go figure – and how convenient. I didn’t sympathize with Margred, nor did I particularly like her, until the end.

Caleb, on the other hand, is a perfect hero. We’re told he’s flawed, and a big deal is made about how he’s “not good relationship material” – but I didn’t think he was that unusual. He’s the police chief of a small town – the same one where he grew up – and he’s trying to get over his time in Iraq. While unfortunate, it’s not that unheard of. Caleb’s strong, competent, intelligent, caring, supportive, and has just enough baggage to show that he’s truly lived. There’s one scene in the book where Margred leaves him, and he waits for her. It about made me cry, and really shows just how terrific Caleb is. He’s also incredibly noble, and carries the book.

While I didn’t love the heroine, the other characters and the story itself were very enjoyable. It was interesting, and new, and not what I thought it would be. I really liked the ending, and look forward to reading Ms Kantra’s other books. I know she has one more in the series, and I expect to see more. This is a completely different type of paranormal, and I suggest those searching for something new, especially paranormals, look into it.

Grade: C-

Her spell cannot be broken…
From the water…
For years, Margred has gone without the touch of another. Now, her need has driven her beyond her world to sate her desire. For she is a Selkie-a legendary being of the sea, able to shapeshift into seductive human form. Finally, she has found the one man she wants…

From the land…
A burned out veteran of big city streets, Caleb Hunter was only too happy to take a job as police chief on the peaceful Maine island of World’s End. Nothing ever happens in this tiny community bounded by the sea. Until he meets a woman who’s everything he’s ever dreamed of. And more…

To each other…
Their passion is undeniable. Irresistible. But when a murderer begins targeting women in World’s End, Caleb must face the terrible possibility that the killings are somehow connected to the mysterious Margred – and that the power of their love may change the fate of human kind

Read an excerpt here.