In author Patty Lesser's most recent book, A Discerning Heart, readers are introduced to a wonderful story, full of surprises, intrigue, fantasy, romance and wonderful characters that will keep you reading from start to finish. This tale takes place in the 1700s in a small coastal fishing village and follows the story of Jim Moore, a fisherman who falls in love with Merrow. Normally a love story might not be extremely complex, but this relationship is complicated by the fact that Merrow is a mermaid. Jim was first looking for love and acceptance, but later went for power and wealth. In a story line that explores the corrupting influence of sex and lies, and includes the mystery of long missing pirate, this is one fantastic read.

I so enjoyed A Discerning Heart. Certainly an unexpected storyline, one that many would never be able to predict, the story grabbed me from the very beginning and kept me reading to the end. Author Patty Lesser has done a fantastic job in creating characters that are interesting, complex, and completely readable, even if they aren’t 100 percent likable all the time. Combining just the right mix of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy, Patty Lesser has also created a world that her readers will wish they could somehow slip into and return again and again for a visit. Any reader who enjoys romance, historical fiction or fantasy should certainly pick up A Discerning Heart. I recommend this novel, and look forward to reading more from the very talented author, Patty Lesser, as soon as I possibly can!

Wow! That’s what I thought when I finished reading the great new book by author Patty Lesser, A Discerning Heart. A work of historical fiction taking place in the 1700s in a small fishing village, the story follows Jim Moore, a rather simple bachelor fisherman who wants what almost everyone does: love and acceptance. What he finds instead, wealth and power, might not exactly be an even exchange, but it seems as that’s all that might be offered to Jim, and so he takes it. And when part of his new-found life includes a pretty complicated relationship with a mermaid named Merrow, a magical island, and the story of a long missing pirate, his life just might never be the same again.

A Discerning Heart was a very good read. It surprised me, made me laugh, and was fantastical and adventuresome, sometimes all at the same time. I picked this book up, intending to only read a few pages, but instead I read it through from start to finish, barely taking a break until I read the whole thing. Patty Lesser has written a fantastic read with unique and interesting characters that are pretty much like nothing I’ve ever read before, and that says a great deal as I read a lot. Many readers would love this book, including fans of fantasy, romance, and an intriguing read. I certainly recommend that they give author Patty Lesser’s A Discerning Heart a chance just as soon as possible.

A Discerning Heart is a romantic fantasy adventure novel by Patty Lesser, set in a late 1700s style coastal village. It is a tale of two highly flawed and somewhat unlikable protagonists who find love despite the barriers that life puts between them. The central male of the plot is ‘Dim’ Jim Moore, a fisherman who follows man’s classic quest for greatness after being deemed an underdog at the novel’s start. He meets his match in Merrow, a mermaid with a fierce and petulant attitude and, however unlikely their match may seem, this pair of misfits find that they do fit together, and are willing to fight to remain so.

Readers searching for a pleasant and unconventional fantasy romance will find A Discerning Heart both interesting and entertaining. Patty Lesser has created a character driven book that delves deeply into the flawed psyche of its main characters, who feel as real in their moments of despair and stupidity as they do in triumph and romance. For me personally, the setting of 1764 was a little surplus, as Jim and Merrow do tend to behave like modern day romance couples in their dialogue and action, but Lesser’s general writing style is clear and engaging, which makes it easy to keep turning pages. A Discerning Heart is a novel which makes the reader react, grinning and groaning all the way through, and as the relationship progressed, it became all the more involving. Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic read with unique and unconventional characters.

A Discerning Heart by Patty Lesser is a historical novel with romance, fiction, and a few fantastical elements thrown in to make the novel an eclectic mix, yet still very entertaining. The novel is about one Jim Moore, more commonly known as Dim Jim, a fisherman who is trying to make his mark on the world. Cut from his inheritance and with no skills to back him up, he is living life as best as he could. He wanted to find love, someone whom he could love and who will bring some kindness to his life. But when he finds someone who could be that for him, she turns out to be a creature of dreams and fantasies. Can he trust his heart and go for what he wants? Or will he choose power and wealth, all the things he thinks he needs in his life?

Patty Lesser did a great job in developing some wonderful characters. When the novel began, I could not help but root for Dim Jim. He had the potential to become a great man. However, in the end he was just a "man" who lives in a patriarchal society. I loved to hate him halfway through the novel. I really enjoyed his dilemma of finding the right path towards love. His struggle felt real. All in all, the novel was a great read, especially in the parts where the author described the fishing community and the old world in general. An enjoyable novel.