Selkie.It’s a memory of a word his wife once taught him. Before she died. Before he became famous for catching the Blue Heart Killer. Before he took early retirement and moved to a quiet mountain town for the sole purpose of forgetting. Forgetting his grief, his mistakes, his nature.But Greg Owens can’t forget.And neither can Rhona Leith.Not since she slipped through the veil. Not since she … Leith.
Not since she slipped through the veil. Not since she pulled the seal skin from her body and took human form, took human life. Not since she fell in love once, twice, three times. No, Rhona can never forget how inhuman she truly is.
Selkie.
A myth. A legend. A monster.
As both of their pasts come to light, Greg and Rhona explore a realm of pleasure and pain, love and regret, life and death. Greg soon realizes that Rhona could be the key to dispelling the darkness inside of him.
Or maybe she will simply set it free.
This original, modern fairy tale is a sensual story full of magical realism, murder and the monsters within us. With FF/MFM/MF relationships and the unexpected romance that comes after the HEA ended too soon, From Darkest Seas features characters who do time travel the long way: by just staying alive. Expect sexy alpha Highlanders, the French Revolution, a Belle Époque illicit club , and much more.
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Life on the other side of the veil
—>>> When his wife died after just having beaten cancer, Detective Greg Owens moves back to a place called Bittersweet, which reminds him of simpler, uncomplicated times. But he remains haunted by memories from his marriage and his work on the force, which still grapple for his attention in the light of day and hold him prisoner in his mind and his heart. He meets Rhona and Harvey, who gently coax and school him back into feeling, thinking, believing, and living once again, and no longer in fear, in shame, and freer from things that have happened in the past. This was a magical weaving and telling of characters who have touched Rhona, a Selkie who has learned to love humans but who has been forced to move on after her heartbreaks. She is the female who shares her stories with Greg and shows him the way for his darker yearnings.
Rosalind Chase’s From Darkest Seas is a fascinating blend of mystery, mythology, and romance. A tale of the indomitable human spirit, it features characters who continue to survive even after facing some extraordinarily challenging experiences. Unique, inspirational, and stunningly erotic, this is a captivating and compelling novel.
I’ve always found the idea of immortality completely fascinating. Knowing they’ll outlive everyone they’ll ever meet, these folks still choose to love again and again. Or maybe the act of loving is not a choice, and just a consequence of reaching out and relating with someone? I think this is the case for Rhona. Her interactions with each character she meets are so intimate and personal, the result is simply always love.
Rosalind Chase masterfully weaves Rhona’s story of her life in the mortal world in a series of flashbacks which flow between the present day, and scenes from her past. Beginning with her capture by a coarse (but devoted) highlander in the mid 1700s, heartfelt moments with her beloved wife Elodie, as well as memories of her other significant loves both romantic and familial. From Darkest Seas also includes some fascinating snippets of history and mythology.
Like Rhona, Greg has survived incredible pain. Losing the love of his life, and grieving the victims he couldn’t save as a police detective, Greg thinks his escape to a life of solitude will provide the relief he needs. Digging through his late wife’s personal effects, he uncovers some well-worn erotic novels, and Greg is distressed to discover that she hid her true sexual needs and desires. Wracked with guilt over the arousal he feels while reading scenes of dubious sexual consent, Greg reaches out to Rhona for guidance.
Rhona’s insight into her own sexual arousal has been honed over the course of hundreds of years. Rhona has been both dominant and submissive, given and received pain, had various LGBT relations, and understands how each relationship draws unique responses. Rosalind Chase’s exploration of the nuances of BDSM, both the physical sensations and emotions evoked, is sensual, arousing, and incredibly intimate. It’s simply beautifully done.
For Greg, the weeks he spends with Rhona are an intense journey. Gradually uncovering Rhona’s secret, coming to grips with his desires, and reconciling his feelings over his wife’s passing, is hopeful. And, while From Darkest Seas is not a traditional happily ever after, there is a happy and very fulfilling ending. Rosalind Chase has crafted a true gem, with the timeless message that to not only thrive, but flourish, we must move forward with love in our lives.
Mysterious 4 ½ stars – From the very first sentence, the story will pull you in. There is something lyrical about the narration. It creates mystery. You can’t wait to find out why is Greg buying this Victorian house from nowhere and why is Rhona selling it. Whether the book focused at length or only included them in a few pages, all the characters – Greg, Rhona, Harvey, Nuada, Laurie, Elodie, Malcolm, Tiana – have allure. The book is a story about loss and guilt. Rhona and Greg are very different from each other but are the same in their feelings of grief and complement each other in their sexual preferences. This book intertwines the supernatural and romance in a haunting way but the end is full of hope. We will all be alright. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]