Seeing her mother's serial marriages has left Shaye Holling less than taken with the notion of love. In fact, she has parlayed her cynicism into a profitable business creating Anti-cards. Then, at her mother's sixth wedding, Shaye is introduced to the man who would be the one of her dreams, if she bothered to dream, that is. Valerian, King of the Nymphs, has brought his men ashore to claim human women as mates, to cure both their excessive passions and the weakness they feel when it is not sated.

Most of the women, including those who have no business looking for men, such as the bride herself, are all too willing to return to Atlantis with the nymphs. However, Shaye and one other woman, Brenna, are so not going along with the plan. Of course, they are the two who catch the eyes of the most powerful warriors, including the King. Valerian must first fight for Shaye, then fight the woman herself to win her heart. She is completely immune to the spell his people can weave over ordinary women. Yet, he needs her and the strength she can give him, if only she will surrender, for there is a battle coming, one that could change everything.

If you imagine nymphs to be airy, ethereal young girls, such as fairies or mermaids, think again. The nymphs here are totally macho. Ms. Showalter has a vivid imagination she has shared with us. Atlantis and the people warring over it are incredible. This is a land that must be "seen" to be "believed", as it were. There are nymphs, dragons, and vampires, all living beneath the waves, but they are different from what you have encountered before. There is also a lovely secondary romance that could have stood on its own in a novel as well. You get two romances for the price of one. What a deal.