Isobell needs to escape. She has to. Her life depends on it.She has a plan and it’s a well thought-out, well observed plan, to flee her privileged life in London and the cruel man who would marry her, and ruin her, and make a fresh start in Scotland. She dreams of faery castles, surrounded by ancient woodlands and misty lochs… and maybe even romance, in the dark and haunted eyes of a mysterious … eyes of a mysterious Laird.
Despite the superstitious nature of the time and place, her dreams seem to be coming true, as she finds friendship and warmth, love and safety. And the chance for a new beginning…
Until the past catches up with her.
Set in the late sixteenth century, at the height of the Scottish witchcraft accusations, The Mermaid and The Bear is a story of triumph over evil, hope through adversity, faith in humankind and – above all – love.
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This is a fantastic work of historical fiction. I experienced a whole range of emotions, completely caught up in this enthralling story. The characters have depth and substance, and the reader is taken on a journey through a cruel and violent time in Scotland’s history. The accuracy of historical details and rich descriptions of life at the time also add to what is a great read. Highly recommend.
What a book of two halves this is! The first half is a sweet and rather sentimental love story, which is tempered by the beautiful prose and detailed description of the wild Scottish setting. Seen through the eyes of protagonist, Isobell, the Laird’s castle and its cast of characters really come to life and you can almost feel the warmth of the roaring fire in the great hall and smell the scent of the heather outside. Then the author, who has lulled you, and poor Isobell, into a false sense of security, hits you with a deep and unexpected dark and dreadful turn. The author pulls no punches when the three women who have been accused of witchcraft are tortured in a tower.
I particularly liked the magical, mythical references to selkies and mermaids, and the exploration of the ancient religion linked to the local standing stones, alongside the contemporary subjugation of the Catholic religion by the Protestant.
Based on well-research, true events of the witchcraft trials in 16th century Scotland, the author does allow Isobell a much better end than her historical counterpart.
Definitely recommended for fans of historical romance.
The Mermaid and the Bear is a beautifully written book with everything you want in historical fiction–details, drama, witch trials, and castles. Engrossing and romantic.
A beautifully written story of love and tragedy, set in the wilds of Scotland in the 1600s. Every word evokes images of people and times long past, with the sights, scents and sounds filling your imagination.
By the end, I felt as though I had gone through the trials with the characters, alongside them as they suffered starvation, beatings, and worse. Christen Michel, Bessie Thom, Wee Thomas, and even spiteful Agnes will all remain with me for a long time, as will Isobel and the laird, Thomas.
This story shows the worst of human nature, and the atrocities that were committed during those wicked times, but it also shows how love, compassion, and forgiveness can heal a tortured soul. A beautiful book that I highly recommend.
I ended up reading three different books. As the story began, I thought I was in for a flawed but funny heroine. When Isobell says “The first time the sea tried to kill me…” I thought she was being melodramatic about being seasick. She seemed totally preoccupied with herself while feeling so sick, and I thought this impression of her would carry through the rest of the story. Nope. But that might have been on me, the way I read into it. (I still think it would have made for a great protagonist.) The story then became a fairytale, and it was sweet and gentle. I settled into it. I was just about to become sleepy with the easy, dream-come-true storyline, when everything changed. The story became dark and made me sit up with surprise. I flipped through the pages, reading quickly, wanting to find out how this hellish turn of events would resolve.
Overall, I found the writing good, dialog excellent, and I think the author shows a lot of potential. The plotting could have used more highs and lows throughout instead of the almost Jekyll and Hyde turn the story took, but I feel like the author had a lot to say and this was her way of showing contrast between good and evil. I look forward to her next book.
Meet Isobell, on the run from a cruel husband-to-be, arriving secretly by night, to the castle where she hopes to begin a new life as a kitchen maid.
Meet Thomas Monteith, the stunning Laird of the castle and his young son “ Wee Thomas “ who Isobell falls hoplelessly in love with after mistaking him for a bear.
After Isobell confesses the real reason why she escaped her past life to Bessie Thom, the cook for the castle,who is also a herbalist/wise woman, she takes care of Isobell and educates her in castle life and also life in general.
I adored this book from the first page to the last, becoming transported to the sixteenth century and becaming enwrapped in their daily lives, I had such a dilemma of not wanting to stop reading and not wanting to read as I knew the book would inevitably end…
There is something for everyone here, whether you want history, drama or a reflective read, guaranteed to keep the reader hooked until the last page.
My favourite quote :
“ …for stories, like people, only change and take new form; they never really end. “