She is a daughter of the sea. He is a man of the land. Can they overcome the odds to be together? A love story with a touch of magic and folklore, The Sea Child is a stunning debut set against the wilderness of the Cornish Coast.
There are a hundred reasons why I loved this book – perhaps even more. Above everything, the memorable lead character, Isabel, in equal measures brave, resourceful, loyal and naive, had a blend of vulnerability and grit that just set the scene for what became a brilliant read.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this book was the way that the Author combined both historical fact and historical legend but just the exact right amount of both. This is neither a historical nor a magical-realism seated novel, it’s a delicious combination of both – with the legacy of smuggling in Cornwall on an equal platform with the mysticism of The Sea Bucca. Add in the richly detailed setting and a lyrical and immersive description of the beauty and brutality of the weathered landscapes and coast, all that was left to include was a slow-burn relationship underpinning the storyline. The Author gently wove in a story-line of love and loss giving it an equal footing with the action and mystery of the book.
This is going to be a stand-out debut in 2026, appealing to those who love historical romance with beautiful settings and those who enjoy folklore and a combination of evocative writing and a compelling heroines. If you enjoy period drama, atmospheric romance, cornwall and adventure tales, this is the book for you.
About the Book
The Cornish coast. A handsome smuggler. A love story for the ages.
Isabel has always been a woman of mystery. As a child of four, she appeared on the Cornish shore, soaking wet, unable to speak. The villagers believed she was brought from the sea, the daughter of a spirit.
Now, newly widowed, Isabel feels the ocean calling her to come back home.
And when Jack Carlyon, an injured smuggler, crosses her path, she is swept up into a love story that will test her courage, her reputation, and her heart. Jack plays a dangerous game, and there are those that would hang him if they knew what he was. Isabel fights to make sense of the magical pull of the ocean and wants to protect Jack – but at what cost?
She is a daughter of the sea. He is a man of the land. Can they overcome the odds to be together?
About The Author
Linda Wilgus grew up in the Netherlands in a house full of books and has lived in Italy, Belgium and the United States before settling in the UK. A graduate of the University of Amsterdam, she worked as a bookseller and a knitting pattern designer before becoming a full-time writer. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines. Linda shares her home with her husband, three children and dog. Her debut novel The Sea Child publishes in January 2026.
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This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box.
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