Review - The Wild Irish Sea by Loucinda McGary

In this tale you have mystery, romance and some selkie magic - plus an attractive cover too!

The Wild Irish Sea: A windswept tale of love and magic by Loucinda McGary

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402226713
• ISBN-13: 978-1402226717

Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Drawn to a force he can't resist...
Former police officer Kevin Hennessey is running from his past-choosing to battle smugglers instead of dealing with his personal demons. When a desperate, rain-drenched American woman appears on his doorstep with wild tales of danger, Kevin is drawn to helping her, despite his reservations...

She never saw him coming...
Amber O'Neill knew without a doubt that her brother was in mortal danger. Rushing heedlessly to the rocky shores of Ireland, Amber was stunned to find her rescue mission derailed by a gorgeous, but deeply flawed Irishman...

The tumultuous sea, the intertwined fates of the coastal villagers, and unearthly tales of a hidden selkie prince bring Kevin and Amber together in a connection of mind, body, and soul that neither can deny...

Review: This is a good romantic suspense with a touch of Irish magic.
Amber and her twin have a special connection as twins often do.  Their’s is a bit more pronounced than some and has helped them form a close bond with one another but kept them separated from others who often think them freaks.

Amber has come from America to Ireland knowing her brother is in trouble. She shows up on a storming night, dragging herself to the door of this handsome Irishman. Kevin is a former police official who lost his child and had his wife leave him due to his neglect. He has dug himself out of a bottle and shut himself off from the world in the process. But there is still a protector buried deep inside Kevin and Amber draws that to the surface.

Kevin and Amber discover a mental connection as they struggle to find Parker. Along the way, as they dodge smugglers, they get help from a teenage lad, Conner, who gets a bit of a crush on Amber. They also get help, and then some trouble, in the form of a teenage girl, Meriol and her younger brother, Ronan. Amber and Parker are surprised to be able to form mental connections with several of their new friends, but the most surprising is the help they get from the seals. This ties in the selkie lore, especially for young Ronan, and is quite a charming element.

The mental connection between Amber and Kevin enhances their physical connection in a lovely manner. The author manages to transport you to the wet, wild and dangerous setting. This adds to the intrigue, which, along with the interesting characters, keeps the story rolling at a good clip. There is a good amount of romance and that special touch of Irish lore and magic.

Here is a particular line I liked (p 247): “Mentally, Kevin reached for her, felt the tingling comfort of her presence as she settled into that empty space in his mind that only she filled.”
I think you will enjoy this story if you like solid intrigue, warm romance between vulnerable characters, and a paranormal element with an Irish twist.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Ms. McGary for providing this book to review. See Ms. McGary's guest post and enter the Giveaway for a chance to win one of two books.