Valerian, Nymph king, is in more trouble than he knows. When their women are take hostage by his sworn enemy, the dragons, the Nymph men literally begin withering from lack of sex, which Nymphs require to function. Realizing the seriousness of this situation, Valerian finally approves an expedition up to the human world from their under sea palace in Atlantis. They raid a beach side wedding, which is when Valerian's troubles start to multiply.

For it is here that he finds his "life mate", Shaye Holling, a cynical woman with zero interest in being anyone's mate, let alone an over-sexed, arrogant underwater monarch! Valerian, who is used to women falling all over themselves for his attentions can't comprehend how Shaye is able to resist his mighty charms. But resist she does, against all her passionate impulses, until finally she surrenders her body but not her heart.

However there is more trouble afoot. Poseidon, God of the seas, discovers Valerian's disobedience in his capture of the humans, and is determined to punish him, enlisting the help of the dragons to do so. All hinges on the dragon king's willingness to obliterate an entire species because of the vengeful god's blackmail. And is Shaye willing to abandon her life on the land to be Valerian's queen? A no-brainer for most women, but for her it is a monumental leap of faith and trust.

Gena Showalter has created a charming fantasy with The Nymph King. If I had not started reading it so late in the day I would have read it all in one sitting. Unfortunately I had to surrender to sleep in the wee hours of the morning! Her description of the suspicious Shaye and her "anti-cards" is right on the money. You have to feel some sympathy for Valerian, who is completely stymied by her lack of adoration, which has always come to him with no effort whatsoever on his part. His faltering attempts at seduction prove just how unfamiliar he is with this territory and serve to endear him to the reader. The secondary characters also receive their due, crafted to a realistic depth. Ms. Showalter has again proven herself to be one of the premier authors of romantic fantasy fiction. 5 Angels RR

Reviewed by: Lynn