Rosalind Chase’s From Darkest Seas is a fascinating blend of mystery, mythology, and romance. A tale of the indomitable human spirit, it features characters who continue to survive even after facing some extraordinarily challenging experiences. Unique, inspirational, and stunningly erotic, this is a captivating and compelling novel.

I’ve always found the idea of immortality completely fascinating. Knowing they’ll outlive everyone they’ll ever meet, these folks still choose to love again and again. Or maybe the act of loving is not a choice, and just a consequence of reaching out and relating with someone? I think this is the case for Rhona. Her interactions with each character she meets are so intimate and personal, the result is simply always love.

Rosalind Chase masterfully weaves Rhona’s story of her life in the mortal world in a series of flashbacks which flow between the present day, and scenes from her past. Beginning with her capture by a coarse (but devoted) highlander in the mid 1700s, heartfelt moments with her beloved wife Elodie, as well as memories of her other significant loves both romantic and familial. From Darkest Seas also includes some fascinating snippets of history and mythology.

Like Rhona, Greg has survived incredible pain. Losing the love of his life, and grieving the victims he couldn’t save as a police detective, Greg thinks his escape to a life of solitude will provide the relief he needs. Digging through his late wife’s personal effects, he uncovers some well-worn erotic novels, and Greg is distressed to discover that she hid her true sexual needs and desires. Wracked with guilt over the arousal he feels while reading scenes of dubious sexual consent, Greg reaches out to Rhona for guidance.

Rhona’s insight into her own sexual arousal has been honed over the course of hundreds of years. Rhona has been both dominant and submissive, given and received pain, had various LGBT relations, and understands how each relationship draws unique responses. Rosalind Chase’s exploration of the nuances of BDSM, both the physical sensations and emotions evoked, is sensual, arousing, and incredibly intimate. It’s simply beautifully done.

For Greg, the weeks he spends with Rhona are an intense journey. Gradually uncovering Rhona’s secret, coming to grips with his desires, and reconciling his feelings over his wife’s passing, is hopeful. And, while From Darkest Seas is not a traditional happily ever after, there is a happy and very fulfilling ending. Rosalind Chase has crafted a true gem, with the timeless message that to not only thrive, but flourish, we must move forward with love in our lives.

This an interesting read. I enjoyed it but it felt off to me. Never really felt engaging. I like the tone and setting but the characters and the plot just never hit home for me. The story never grabbed my attention, the mystery never felt engaging. Overall the best I have to say for this is that it was ok.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving an ARC of this book!

CW for murder, death, and a serial killer.

While I thought this book was interesting and I loved hearing about the Selkie mythology because it's not something that you hear about often. However, I wish the fantastical elements played a larger part in this story line because it would have made for an interesting plot line but it was an aspect that was kind of added and never really expanded on.

The set up to the relationship, the main one, didn't even have that much chemistry despite them pining for each other and they weren't even end game. I think it would have made more sense to set them up as friends who were just lusting for each other rather than having that implication that they would have a romantic relationship. I did really enjoy the flashbacks and I felt more chemistry and love between the characters.

Overall, it felt like it was all over the place and I did love the inclusivity for the MFM, MM, and FF side relationships.

Well this book was not all I expected to be. I didn’t think I would love the characters as much as I did, but I was enthralled with their stories. I so wanted to know more about Rhona, Nuada and Faolin’s relationship and what happened to Faolin. I was kind of let down that he wasNot brought up in the end, I think it would have been better. Also I love Harvey’s character and wished he could find happiness too. All in all it was a pretty decent story though.

I was provided an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. From Darkest Seas seems to be a sort of introductory book for those curious about BDSM but who may not understand the vocabulary, purpose, or desire behind it. It does this through a heavily introspective story of a Selkie and a man both trying to run away from the past but neither knowing where or how to move forward. Overall, Greg's and Rhona's stories are fairly well done. While Greg's reasons for moving to Rhona's mansion are more cohesive and relatable to the general audience, I felt that I could understand both characters on a personal level. In addition, the scenes, while a little more descriptive than what I usually read, are filled with details that I am sure would appeal for those who do enjoy power play and BDSM, and the book's focus on explaining the topic was nice as someone who has not really been engaged in that scene before.

Unfortunately, I think this book overall fell flat for me. While the mysteries of what Rhona and Greg were each running from was engaging, finding out anything new was always done in a flashback. The present largely consisted of the Greg and Rhona moping around each other. This dynamic only works for so long before it becomes hard to continue. However, I did still enjoy From Darkest Seas to an extent, if only for how blessedly charming Harvey was. I would love to see his life and his relationship with Clay more in depth.