Waves of Desire — Rachel Kenley

The only thing harder than forgiving someone else â€" is forgiving yourself.

In this second volume of the Melusine's Daughters' trilogy, mermaid Amina is the Chief Counselor for her people thanks to her gift of empathy, an ability made stronger by the Stone of Strength, a green sapphire worked into the bracelet she has worn since she was 19. But wearing one of three Stones of Power has a cost. Amina's hurt people she loves, telling them things they don't want to know and now she's the target of a power hungry Oceanide who wants control of the Stone. To keep itâ€"and herâ€"safe she's going to have to leave everything behind.

Fortunately, she knows the perfect place to pass the time.

Former New York City police officer Jonathan Bartlett took the job at the adults-only Suadela Resort to get away from the memories of his partner's death. Living on the island in the middle of nowhere has been perfect. He can ignore the occasional nightmare that wakes him up in a cold sweat.

What he can't ignore is Amina, first when he sees her naked on the beach and later when she turns up as a guest at the resort. When her bracelet becomes the target of the local crime gangs, he is more than happy to be her body guard.

For Jonathan, the insightful woman is stirring more than his libido while Amina discovers that loving people and protecting them cannot always go hand in hand.

And the dangers on land are nothing compared to what waits for them both at sea.