SELKIES, MERMAIDS & MELUSINE
Gaslamp and Steampunk Creatures of Water
In steampunk and gaslamp fantasy romance, selkies, mermaids, Melusine, and other legendary water beings bring mystery, folklore, and magic to tales of love, loss, and redemption. Inspired by Scottish, Irish, French, and other maritime traditions, these stories blend supernatural creatures with adventure, historical mystery, and unforgettable romance.
From an ancestral estate in Dorset haunted by the ocean’s tragedies to an enchanted Scottish town harboring secrets of the past, individuals navigate treacherous waters to uncover truth and find solace. Across time and space, from the depths of underwater ballrooms to the muddy streets of steampunk Chicago, figures like mermaids and shape-shifters blur the lines between humanity and the supernatural. Whether confronting ghosts and grifters in 1890s Europe or combating mysterious creatures in the Hebridean Isles, each narrative explores the intricate dance between magic and mortality.
Immersed
by Katie Hayoz
Melusine Doré is not a typical woman of her time. She eschews traditional femininity for armored corsets and knives, making her living by slaying evil creatures. However, when her charismatic rival, Levi Cannon, arrives in town, Melusine finds herself confronted with buried fears and the possibility of falling in love. This tale is set in the muddy streets of 1850s steampunk Chicago. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble
The Iron Fin
by Anne Renwick
Strange creatures are attacking her people, their injuries beyond her medical expertise. More than one fisherman has been tossed ashore by the waves, drained of blood, a severed tentacle piercing his flesh. To find answers, she must forge a cautious alliance with the outsider making inquiries… even if he does present an almost irresistible temptation. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play | Barnes & Noble
Sea Change
by Jessica Marting
Lucien Quinn plans a holiday to revitalize his career but is drawn into a rescue mission when he sees a woman in distress. To his surprise, the woman turns out to be a mermaid named Calla who is fleeing from a scientist’s cruel experiments. As they form a bond and battle their inner demons together, they find themselves targeted by human adversaries. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play | Barnes & Noble
Sixpence and Selkies
by Tilly Wallace
The story follows Hannah and Wycliff as they visit Wycliff’s family estate in Dorset. When a series of mysterious deaths occur at sea, Hannah suspects foul play, but Wycliff disagrees. As Hannah investigates alone, their relationship strains, with Wycliff preoccupied by estate matters. The novel delves into Hannah’s pursuit of the truth amidst her marital challenges and the allure of the ocean. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play | Barnes & Noble
Tall & Dark
by Suzannah Rowntree
Molly Dark, burdened with the ability to see ghosts, faces challenges supporting her family after her father’s ruin. Set in 1890s Europe, the story follows her involvement in a plot impersonating a princess, the missing heir, midst a world ruled by monsters. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play | Barnes & Noble
The Secret of Drulea Cottage
by Claire Kohler
Briony Fairborn, a midwife in 18th-century Scotland, lives as an outcast due to her family’s scandalous past. When foreigners arrive in her town during a storm, Briony encounters Santiago Mendes, a man with a troubled history, and feels drawn to him despite her suspicions. Another stranger arrives, revealing secrets from Briony’s past. She must choose between saving her community or succumbing to its destruction. Amazon | Kobo | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble
A Siren & her Sea Monsters
by Gwyneira Blythe
A fantasy-historical romance where a royal siren must seduce seven powerful heirs to secure peace beneath the waves. But as sea monsters fall under her spell, tangled desires blur the line between duty and love. Featuring magic, technology, and polyamorous romance, this steamy tale is perfect for mature readers who crave danger, desire, and sirens who don’t settle. Amazon
Peregrine Seas
by RC Ballad
A swashbuckling m/m romance between a runaway prince and a merman pirate. When Prince Peregrine is kidnapped by the crew of the Cygnus, he’s delighted—anything is better than life as a stifled noble. But to stay aboard, he must prove to gruff Captain Alastar Macdara that he’s more than just a spoiled royal. Earning a place on the crew—and the captain’s trust—might be the greatest adventure of all. Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a selkie?
- A legendary shape-shifting seal spirit from Scottish and Irish folklore.
- Can become human by removing its sealskin.
- Often associated with love, loss, and the longing to return to the sea.
What is a mermaid?
- A legendary water being with a human upper body and a fish tail.
- Found in folklore around the world.
- Depending on the legend, may be benevolent, dangerous, or somewhere in between.
What is a melusine?
- A legendary freshwater spirit from medieval French folklore.
- Usually depicted as a woman with the tail of a serpent or fish.
- Often associated with magic, noble families, and hidden secrets.
At a Glance
| Creature | Folklore | Appearance | Common Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selkie | Scottish & Irish | Seal that can become human | Shape-shifting, tragic romances |
| Mermaid | Worldwide | Human upper body, fish tail | Sea legends, enchantment, adventure |
| Melusine | French | Woman with a serpent or fish tail | Magic, noble lineages, ancient curses |
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