In Dept. 57 Liquid Crystal, Crystal has two close friends, Kai and Bryn… both gorgeous, both gay (or so she thinks) and little does she know, both mermen. After her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, Geoff, a card carrying member of the obsessive Perfect Human Race cult, uses her to lure them into a trap and they reveal their true identities in order to save her. Waking up in their bed also reveals their true sexual natures: they are both bi, not gay, and more than happy to prove it.

Dept. 57 is actually a government sanctioned secret organization to fight against genetic terrorists like the PHR group. Agents are all sorts of Talents, with extra-ordinary attributes such as mermen, vampires, shape shifters and dragons. When Geoff and his fellow PHR's again capture Crystal, will their combined abilities be enough to free her? Even then, the question still remains, will Crystal accept Bryn's offer of exclusive love now that she knows all his secrets?

Ms. Connolly immediately immerses us in the lot of the mermen and their difficulties in remaining unobtrusive in a world which cannot understand them. Her description of the HPR fanatics is a chillingly accurate description of attitudes that have prevailed for centuries towards people considered by some to be different and therefore less than. A particularly telling remark is made by Geoff regarding his parents' dim view of his aunt because she was Welsh.

However, in among this is an erotic, touching romance, of a one woman being cherished by two men, and not just ordinary men, but the kind from fantasy land. Men with incredible bodies, super natural powers, and fierce loyalty to those they love. There can be no mistake that Bryn completely adores Crys, and yet although the under water sex is truly amazing Kai loves them both enough to recognize it and bow out. Five Angels

Reviewed by: Lynn