Misadventures and Merfolk
By Kelly Reno

    American Brendan James is a travel writer. He’s written one book that was hugely successful and one that was a major disaster. He’s under contract for a third book, and he’s got writer’s block. He’s been all over the British Isles and has found nothing but sheep, sheep and more sheep. The Isle of Man appears to be no exception, then the ferry sinks, leaving Brendan stranded.

   Forced to find shelter in the nearby village of Heather Bay, Brendan learns of the upcoming Mermaid Festival. Under pressure from his editor to write something—anything—Brendan agrees to cover it.

    Due to the influx of tourists, there are no empty hotel rooms. Brendan winds up bunking down on a decrepit houseboat. After settling in, Brendan wanders back into town. He soon finds himself at a Mermaid show. Christine, the woman in the mermaid costume, is gorgeous. When his landlady offers to introduce him, Brendan jumps at the chance.

    Up close, Christine is even more beautiful. She mesmerizes Brendan—literally. Christine is, in fact, a mermaid, and when she is interested in a man she releases pheromones to attract him. In Brendan’s case, she goes a trifle overboard and nearly puts him into a coma. Recovered, Brendan heads to the local pub, where he discovers many eccentric locals. This town and its people are so strange and intriguing that Brendan finds his writer’s juices flowing again.

    His editor loves the new stories, mocking the town of Heather Bay and its inhabitants. He urges Brendan to keep writing. As Brendan scours the town for subject matter, he finds himself welcomed like a long-lost brother. Now Brendan faces a dilemma. He must choose between his writing career and the people that have welcomed him into their homes, including the woman he has come to love.

     This book, set in present-day England, could have used more humor. It is filled with eccentrics, but they aren’t particularly amusing—just odd. The characters weren’t very interesting. I really liked the premise of this book, but the story never really developed.