Mermaids

The mermaid is often confused with the selkie (a magician who can change into the form of a seal by donning a magical skin) and a siren (a water being who lures sailors into rocks with its voice). According to the Dictionary of Mythology by J. A. Coleman (Arcturus Publishing, 2007), a mermaid is:

mermaid

a monster, part woman, part fish

These beings are said to sit on rocks, combing their long hair, and lure sailors to their death. In some versions, they are said to be able to grant three wishes. Some say that they cannot survive on land while others say that some of them married mortals and lived ashore. 

In early versions, mermaids had many birdlike features, including wings.

In Irish lore they are regarded as pagans banished by St. Patrick. Some Greek stories say that the burning timbers of Trojan ships turned into mermaids.

merman

a monster, part man, part fish

the male version of a mermaid.

Generally, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and torso of a human but the tail of a fish. 

Resources:

-The Wikipedia page

-Mermaid Folklore and Mythology

-Mermaids in Mythology and Literature

-The Natural History of Norway, Vol. 2 by Erich Pontoppidan

My favourite paranormal romance books about mermaids include: Sleeping with the Fishes (The Mermaid series, book 1), Swimming Without a Net (The Mermaid series, book 2) and Fish Out of Water (The Mermaid series, book 3) by MaryJanice Davidson. 

And, of course, my guest coming later on this week, Vivian Arend!

What are your favourite paranormal romances featuring mermaids?

Clara.