The Mermaid's Daughter by Ann Claycomb + a Giveaway

Good morning, readers! Today I'm kicking off the TLC blog tour for Ann Claycomb's debut, The Mermaid's Daughter.

I am giving away a copy today, so be sure to enter via the Raffelcopter at the bottom of the post!

Kathleen has been plagued by pain all her life. Shooting, stabbing pains in her feet when she stands and walks, and persistent pain in her mouth so bad that it can incapacitate her. She's seen doctors and mental health professionals, been run through a barrage of tests, and even been committed but no one has ever been able to find the cause or a solution. Strangely, the only alleviation Kathleen has ever had from the pain has come from sea water. 

At twenty-five, Kathleen has already outlived her mother. And her grandmother. Which is why her mental wellbeing is always such a concern given her symptoms. Amazingly, the family history of suicide stretches even further - seven generations to be exact. All the way back to a girl named Fand, a mermaid who struck a bargain with sea witches in order to live on land with the man she loved. A girl whose story you might think you already know. 

Ann Claycomb combines elements Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale and the animated film to bring the story of Fand and her descendants to life. And it's an amazing read!

Kathleen is an opera singer, one who is becoming known for her amazing talent. Her partner, Harry, is an almost equally talented singer and one of the few people who knows of Kathleen's plight. Harry is steadfast in her support and love for Kathleen and is the one who decides that Kathleen needs to return to Ireland to try and find an answer to the troubles that have been plaguing her all her life.

Harry first approaches Kathleen's father, Robin, with the idea. Sadly, Robin has never been able to face returning to the isle of his birth. It was where he met and fell in love with Kathleen's mother. It's also where he lost her. And while he has mostly moved on, his dreams are never free of his lost love. Plus, he believes wholeheartedly that the mission is one of a lover rather than a parent.

The trip reveals some startling truths about Kathleen's lineage. Truths that most people would never believe.

The story is narrated by Robin, Kathleen, and Harry, and interspersed by narrative from the sea witches - a collective of beings who feel they have been misrepresented by the stories. The book also includes a short about Fand and Hans Christian Andersen. Again bringing the story back to the classic. I adored these characters and the wonderful way that Claycomb twisted and reshaped such a familiar story into something new.

Claycomb's debut is a wonderfully enchanting read, evoking a full range of emotions as Kathleen and her ancestors' stories are revealed. As is the case with most fairy tales, The Mermaid's Daughter is at times quite sad. It was also darker than I'd expected - quite haunting in fact. But again, it's absolutely wonderful! A perfect and gorgeous read for anyone who loves the classic!

And now for the giveaway! To enter simply fill out the Rafflecopter below before Monday, March 20. Open US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


To see more stops on the tour be sure to check out the official TLC tour page here.

Purchase Links: HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble