Goddess Of The Sea (Mass Market Paperback)

Unlike many romance novels, this one doesn't seem too clichéd or contrived. It also has a fresh, interesting plot, unlike anything I'd read before. And for being a romance novel this is remarkably un-romance like.

The presence of a strong female heroine is good, and while she fits some of the stereotypes of a romance novel heroine, she's also quick thinking, adaptive, and open minded. CC might have the short coming of looking like most of the military's kid sister, but she makes up for it while in Undine's body by outwitting a grumpy abbot and a sweet but dated knight.

The merman Dylan is most interesting. Like many heroes, he has to overcome overwhelming odds, including being the son of a human and a water nymph, which is much like being the knight in a medieval novel or the poor farm boy in a modern novel. He overcomes some pretty great odds to be with CC, and while he's only in a small portion of the book, he's strong in his own right.

The secondary characters of the goddess Gaea, Lir, the sea God, and Isabel, the serving woman of the monastery are all well thought out characters with minds and voices of their own. Isabel especially shines out, being far more understanding and open minded than one would expect.

I'd never read one of Cast's book before this, so I can't compare this book to the others, like many have done. I can say as a first time reader of her books I was impressed by the story she wove, and enjoyed it immensely.

She definitely keeps the good times rolling in "Goddess of the Sea." Light, fun, though lacking the quantity of inter-species sex that I came to enjoy in "Goddess by Mistake," Ms. Cast's latest has made a place for itself on my bookshelf based on the writer's ability to seamlessly and endearingly combine my all-time favorite things: Our world, a new world and love. It now resides on my bookshelf in between Susan Kay's delicious "Phantom" and Charlaine Harris' "Dead" series.

With this latest offering, Ms. Cast has proven to me that she is an author I can consistently count on for fiction that engages me, makes me laugh, makes me yearn, and makes me sigh with satisfaction when I turn the last page.

Like a good belch at the end of a delicious meal, "Goddess of the Sea" leaves you feeling full and happy, but with the vague notion that dessert has not been served. I can not wait to see what comes next from P.C. Cast.