Reviewer: Robyn
Title: Seal Island
Author: Kate Brallier
Publisher: Tor Romance
ISBN: 0-765-34892-6
Release Date: February 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Paranormal Romance
Year/Setting: Present
Overall rating: 3.75
Sexual content rating: Subtle/some Sensual Moments
Kate's Website: None found
Seal Island is an enjoyable read. Our heroine, Cecilia has a lot of spunk. She leaves New York
and a ho-hum life when she inherits a house and business in rural Maine. She becomes a
go-getter and settles into rural life. She’s such a great character, that I found myself
really rooting for her success.
The challenge I had with the book is that it is billed as a Paranormal Romance; however, it really is more of a fictional novel with some paranormal elements and romance thrown in. I guess I was looking for more than what I got and that disappointed me. Hence, the somewhat lower than normal rating.
I think Kate Brallier is a name to watch out for. She has a wonderful writing style that really wraps the reader in her story. I thought Seal Island was generally well written, although it rambled at times. I would have enjoyed the story more if it would have been shortened and some of the scenes that weren’t relevant to the plot had been taken out. It seemed like the book was about 20% too long. If the excess 20% had been cut, the book would have a better flow. It was not a heart-stopping page turner, but I did find myself wanting to finish the story to see how it turned out.
For romance junkies, I’m not sure you’ll find what you want. Cecilia ends up having a crush on three men when she first arrives in Maine. It does whittle down, but the pull between the two remaining men didn’t read well. Neither one was really the "Alpha male" type that I look for and associate with romance.
There are a few twists at the end and it has elements of a suspense mystery. If you are looking for a great fictional book with some elements of paranormal, romance and mystery, you’ll enjoy Seal Island.
Robyn
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