This is the story of a lonely Selkie Margred, who comes out of the sea long enough to get sex from a human male. I was a little unclear on whether human men were just better at this, or why the selkie women wouldn't just have sex with the selkie men. But anyways, Margred picks Caleb, the sheriff in the small town of World's End and a recent vet of the war in Iraq. Caleb is immediately thinking Margred the woman of his dreams, he wants more than a fling...and Margred is immediately ready to jump back in the water. She leaves him, and he is upset. But then she is attacked later on the beach. Caleb decides its up to him to care for her and keep her safe from the 'man' on the beach who attacked her. Magred is much more upset by the fact that this "man" is actually a demon who dumped her pelt into the fire. Her pelt is her seal skin which allows her to go below the sea, back to her seltie home. When another seltie shows up dead, the book takes on a new direction and Caleb and Margred vow to find the killer. And Magred, may realize she has more feelings for Caleb than she thought possible. This was a well written romance novel with a ton of original ideas. My problem with this story is that I thought there was too much sex for my liking. I had a hard time deciding if they were falling in love or if it was just the rush of all that sex. There is a fine line sometimes, to be sure. Besides being beautiful and needing his help, I couldnt' really see much that stood out in Margred's personality to draw Caleb's interest. The mystery was good and the ending came too soon. There were some elements left in the story where I can see the series going in the future. This was an entertaining story, good but not great. If you are as much a romance lover as a paranormal lover than this is the book for you.

Book came fast in great shape. I really like Virginia Kantra. I read both is her Children of the Sea books back to back and I am waiting for book three. Got an extra copy of this book for a stocking stuffer

When Margred, a lust-driven Selkie, seeks a human's touch upon land, the last thing she anticipates is becoming trapped in her human form. Caleb Hunter is a man with a past and then some. A veteran of the war in Iraq he has returned to Maine injured both physically and emotionally. Returning to his childhood home on the Maine island of World's End life is simpler, quieter. Until Magred shows up and seduces him with her exotic beauty and mysterious manner. She promises to return to him knowing full well she will not for she is Selkie and that is not their way. When she does return, strangely drawn back to Caleb, tragedy strikes and she must lie to Caleb in order to protect him.

When another Selkie turns up dead the plot thickens and Magred can't keep her secrets any longer. There's a demon loose in World's End and he's trying to make war between the elements of land and sea, earth and water. Trapped on land Magred must do whatever is within her power to stop the demon before he does anymore damage or kills the man she has just realized she loves. But when all is said and done can she ever return to the sea?

I'm normally a vampires and shapeshifters kind of gal, but over the summer I had a real desire to find a good mermaid or other water creature series. Thanks to some nice gals around Amazon.com's paranormal romance forum I decided I wanted to give Kantra's Children of the Sea a try. Caleb was a great hero, I thought he was a little stereotypical at first but he really grew on me. His desire for a simple, happy life were believable, not cheesy. Magred was a tougher sell. I struggled to like her and found her sudden realization of love a bit forced. I think her Selkie personality would have made a great character in a non-romance story.

Kantra did a great job of setting up a simple mythos for the series and brought in the hero for her second book and the heroine for her third seamlessly. I loved the isolated Maine setting but really hope to see more of the Selkie's world later in the series. The love scenes between Caleb and Magred were tasteful and not overly graphic, leaving something to the imagination which is what I prefer most of the time. The overall plot of Sea Witch ended a little too easily in my opinion but left no annoying cliff-hangers either. All in all I think this is the start of a very promising and very original series.

Margred is a selkie. Able to shift shape and live either as a human or a seal, Margred is a widow and has gone without the sexual touch of a mate for many years. Finally, however, her need for touch and the warmth of another has driven her to shore and an island called World's End. Carefully hiding her pelt, a selkie's greatest possession and treasure, Margred begins her hunt for the perfect man. She finds him in the form of island Police Chief Caleb Hunter, a veteran of the Iraqi war and a local islander.

Caleb Hunter is a one-man force. As far as law enforcement goes, he is it. Fielding yet another call from an irate islander complaining of a bonfire on the beach, Caleb is astonished to see the beautiful dark eyed woman staring at him across the flames. Attraction flares in her eyes and Caleb finds himself instantly lured to her side where sparks fly.

Margred and Caleb spend hours satisfying each other but as soon as Caleb's guard is down, Margred disappears, taking Caleb's heart with her. Unable to forget her, Caleb spends the next few days searching the beach looking for the sensuous siren that fills his thoughts and haunts his dreams. The lovers are reunited once again when Caleb rescues her after an assault. Margred states she can't remember her attacker and Caleb knows she is withholding information. He has to earn her trust - he yearns for it. But, he is ill prepared for her story.

I read Virginia Kantra's novella, `Sea Crossing' in the Shifter anthology a few short weeks ago and since that time, I have been dying for the release of Sea Witch. Sea Witch has combined paranormal elements with legend and lore to equal a sensuous, sultry, and suspenseful tale. The epitome of an avenging hero, Caleb's desire to protect Margred was noteworthy and I loved watching them fall in love with each other.

Sea Witch is exactly what I wanted it to be and I have no choice but to Joyfully Recommend this endearing and provocative novel.

Talia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Police Chief Caleb Hunter never expected to find a woman as alluring as Margred along the shoreline of World's End. Caleb is a man seeking only peace, a job that he can relax and try to forget the horrors of war. Margred shines like a beacon of hope to him, but she has a secret she knows he won't possibly believe. Margred is a selkie and everyone knows selkies are not meant for everlasting love with humans. Or are they? Meanwhile, the quiet island now harbors a darkness that threatens Margred's entire existence. Will Caleb believe Margred is a selkie in time to stop the evil that lurks on the island?

Atmosphere is key to the success of SEA WITCH. Virginia Kantra creates a very haunting, almost mystical mood that makes the selkie legends seem alive. One can easily envision both the island of World's End as well as the selkies' island Sanctuary through Ms. Kantra's vivid descriptions.

Virginia Kantra does a great job with character development. Margred is a bit distant initially, as befitting a selkie. The changes that occur in her help propel the story, as she is woman unused to caring for anyone but herself. Caleb challenges all that she knows and believes about herself and her race. Caleb is a great contrast to Margred, a man with deep emotional scars after a life of sacrifice. Whether fighting for his country or looking after his family, Caleb has willingly put aside his own needs. And yet despite their differences, Caleb and Margred share one thing in common... both are lonely and see potential happiness in the other.

SEA WITCH is an unusual story, one that draws the reader into the dark but oh so captivating world of the selkies. I've read other paranormal short stories by Virginia Kantra and am glad to see her style translates well into a full length paranormal tale. Easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES