Forever Caspia

Tiro’s father, Cyrus, has been cursed along with his entire family. They were banished to live up on land as humans years ago. Cyrus, who is the rightful King of Caspia, is ready to go home and needs Tiro to fulfill his duty in order to break the curse. Tiro is unhappy that he is responsible for breaking the curse because he loves his life on land. If the curse is broken, his family will be able to return to Caspia and once again live as mermaids and mermen. Breaking the curse is the simple part: the opportunity to break the curse does create a mild dilemma.

Callista is restless; she wants to swim freely in the sea. Her father forbids her to leave the city without guards and even then she cannot go far. She has come up with a way to get out of the city so she can swim alone. Callista knows about the curse, but she does not understand why she is kept under close supervision since Cyrus is on land. There are only a few more weeks before the curse can no longer be broken, but she can wait on more.

Michelle Hoppe has offered readers a story filled with very different lifestyles. One of a human and one of a mermaid, both wanting to be free from the struggles of a curse put upon them. Tiro’s character is one of many emotions. He must deal with the frustrations of being responsible for saving his family when he isn’t even sure he wants to return to the sea. He is happy on land. Callista feels like a prisoner in her own home, only to find that she must deal with the new stressful dilemma of being a prisoner to Tiro. With Tiro and Callista both enacting their individual plans to escape the city and capture a mermaid, they are unaware of what is waiting for them. In order to break the curse, Tiro must mate with Callista. How does a human mate with a mermaid? Will Tiro capture Callista only to realize Callista has captured his heart? Can Callista escape Caspia and Tiro? Will the curse be broken and be broken in time to save Tiro’s family and Caspia?

Forever Caspia is a wonderful short story of romance above and below the sea. I was captivated by the well-written characters. Tiro and Callista both display a wild array of emotions that draw the reader into their feelings and situation. It was very rewarding to watch each of them come to realize that they were truly unprepared for what could happen if they both were successful in completing their plan. The physical connection between them was sizzling and playful: a joy to watch. Michelle Hoppe has done a wonderful job and earned 5 Angels in the process!

Reviewed by: Jessica