I am not sure what I can say about this book that I haven’t already said about most of Joey W. Hill’s work. She is one of my favorite authors and each book is unique and precious. Each work is a look into the human soul. This book is certainly no different. Ms. Hill has written a number of books about forgiveness and redemption, of light over coming darkness, of good triumphing over evil. This book is all of that and more. In the beginning of the story Dante isn’t that likable. He is a product of the environment that he has lived in for 60 years. The world that his mother was dragged into and raped thereby brings a child into an existence that no one should have to endure. However he finds Alexis he begins to change. Her light and empathy show him that there are positive emotions and a place that he doesn’t have to be on guard twenty-four hours a day. I loved Jonah and Anna’s story and their daughter’s is just as emotional and fulfilling as the original. It made me cry for several chapters. I wanted to scream at the characters and tell them that they were being idiots. I want to wrap Alexis is warm and compassion for what she was so determined to do when no one else believe in what she saw in Dante. It is too bad that more people don’t read these stories and this author. She has a marvelous talent and deserve all the praise and admiration that her fans give her. ( )

A Mermaid's Ransom by Joey W. Hill
Paranormal Romance- Dec 1, 2009
4 ½ stars

Joey Hill has out done herself with the third installment in her mermaid series. This daring book explores the dark side of human nature. What is really evil?

In her latest book, Alexis (the daughter of the angel Jonah and the mermaid Anna) has always kept herself slightly apart because her power to feel other’s emotions can be overwhelming. When she begins to have erotic dreams of a mysterious and sensuous lover she is troubled but not worried. Unfortunately, Alexis does not realize she is part of magical spell of binding. The man of her dreams is actually real and part of an evil world where there is only death and despair. During one of her dreams Alexis suddenly finds herself transported to the Dark One world where she finds herself a hostage.

Dante has dreamed of this moment. His spell has worked and the goddaughter of the witch who trapped him here will finally do his bidding. Dante plans to use Alexis as leverage in an attempt to get the witch to open the doorway into his mother’s world. A world of freedom from the Dark One world. Dante is half vampire and half Dark One and as such is feared innately evil. To survive in this harsh work he has killed and sacrificed. When his vampire mother was brought to this world, she was raped and grew pregnant with him. Both were unable to escape. Dante has had to: beg, scrape and terrorize to gain his independence in a world that only respects violence and cruelty. To survive he has had to be cunning and brutal. When his mother finally went insane and died, Dante only had the cherished stories of her world and vowed to find his way there no matter the cost. But when Dante transports Alexis into his world her beauty and gentle nature make him feel emotions he has never felt before. With Alexis he finds there is another side to life, one that scares as well as enthralls him. As he reaches for the world that was stolen from him he must come to grips with his past of violence. One which he realizes Alexis has no part of.

This was a thrilling read from start to finish as I was quickly drawn in the powerful relationship between Dante and Alexis. Each needed each other to realize their full potential. Alexis may be gentle and caring but she in extremely understanding with her empathetic skills. She is the ideal person to accept Dante’s special individuality as she guides him in this new world. Her courage and fortitude as she stands up and stands beside Dante are inspiring. As Dante grows and realizes the new world he has claimed is not easily mastered I was fascinated with his odd mix of: shrewdness, naivety and ability to work through his troubled past. Dante is the most darkly charismatic hero I have ever read. Even as I was repelled by his past I was enthralled by his compelling nature. His drive to change himself and make sense of his new world was transforming and mesmerizing to read.

I really feel Mermaid’s Ransom pushes the envelope. For anyone who is bored with the typical romance and loves the paranormal, this is a book you will not soon forget. It is both edgy and magical. I would not recommend it for readers who enjoy light romances. The scenes between Dante and Alexis are sexually charged and the many characters are not cut and dried. Dante’s struggle to make sense of his new world and redeem himself with the help of Alexis was gripping and intense. And Dante’s history of violence and torment do not make him an easy hero to read. As he fights against his dark and dominant nature there is very real angst and emotion. This is a memorable book that I found difficult to let go!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club ( )