Returning (Mermaid's Return, #1)

Mermaid's Return #1

by A.L. Knorr

The series was previously published as "Mira's Return".

Mira is a mermaid on a mission.

It’s time to leave the ocean. Mira Belshaw has been at sea for… well, she doesn’t know how many years. It’s hard to keep track of time when you live in the ocean. But after enough time, the salt water triggers the desire to procreate, and her time is up.

For weeks, she’s been swimming north. Finding a mate is the most important thing to her right now, and to do that, she has to return to the place where she was last human - the coastal city of Saltford.

Equipped with everything she needs to lure her perfect mate and produce a strong siren child, all she needs is the opportunity to mingle with humans. But when she meets Nathan MacAuley, the ONE, things start to go sideways…

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult, Mermaids, Short Stories, Paranormal Romance, Romance

99 pages, ebook

Published November 20, 2016

About the author

A.L. Knorr is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning Canadian conjurer of clean fantasy for teens and the young at heart. Her stories blend elemental magic, epic adventure, fierce female leads, and just enough romance to make your heart flutter (without needing to hide the book from your grandma).

Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.

No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.

And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.

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Reviews

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

Mira is a mermaid on a mission. Having said goodbye to the ocean she's looking to procreate with her still-to-be-found mate.

This was a quick and easy read. The story is enough to keep you entertained for the give-or-take hour it took me to complete it. However, there is a lot of convenience in there. Being a mermaid has installed Mira with a lot of 'feeling' things. So she will immediately know when she first sees her mate that it's him (talk about some instalove). Also, her set of powers comes in extremely handy. Some things also seemed a bit strange, as for example when Mira is talking about supernaturals.

While it didn't bother me too much in this novella, I'm not sure I would like to read a complete novel that's this convenient.

[Elysse Bryanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a lot of potential.

I feel like it was rushed and left out so much more information.

Cute story concept, felt more like a rough draft or a story that was planned out and was waiting for the details to be inserted.

[Alja Katuin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loooove Mira!

[Helene Black]

DNF @ page 10

So many authors have written phenomenal mermaid stories, so why should I care about this one? You have to make readers care. Get them engaged. Show them the stakes. It’s incredibly difficult to create an engaging world by solely “telling” the story. There’s potential here, but at the moment, this is just a story. Not the story.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. I found the next 2 in the series on Libby. Do I will read those soon.
Mira is a siren, not usually very friendly creatures from the sea. However her biological urges are demanding that she return to land and find a mate. This was really a surprise book for me.
It was a free download and I was just reading for a bingo challenge from our local library. Mythology— maybe?
All opinions of this book are mine. I wrote this review a couple days ago, but somehow it disappeared.
Hmmm.

[Jennifer Pezzella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was good, albeit very short. I don't think that I should have paid for it but it was only $0.99 so I guess it wasn't too bad. The story didn't have a lot of depth but it shed some light on Mira's past and we got to see a fire mage. There were of course grammatical errors, which I have come to learn is always present with this author, I have read all the elemental books so far and every single one of them has multiple errors - sigh!
The book was decent but there isn't really much to say about it, is it a good read? Sure, does it leave you on a cliff hanger? Of Course, will it make or break the series? Nope, if you don't read it I don't think you will be missing out on anything.

[Cheryl Viner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little story. I was a Little slow-paced for me. However it did make me want to check out more books by this author.

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good delivery of storyline. Love the continuing story of Mira. Exciting writing- love it! I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary review consideration.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

Mira Belshaw is a mermaid, a siren. She's been at sea for a while now, though she doesn't know how long. But now, her siren blood is singing for her to have a baby, to do this, she has to go back on land, become human, find a fitting mate and hopefully have a child with even stronger abilities than herself. That's only an option though if she doesn't use her Siren voice to win him over and make him hers. But when the man she finds who makes her blood sing is currently seeing someone, her ability to keep a hold on her siren ways becomes harder and harder. And after finding a rare coin at the bottom of the ocean, she has other things to worry about when the person who bought it is after more. Why is being a human so complicated?

I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would to be honest. I was drawn in by the prospect of reading a story revolving around a mermaid, I was keen to find out which lore and myths Knorr would incorporate into her story and I thoroughly enjoyed what I got. One thing that I absolutely LOVED about the world that Knorr has created is the rules surrounding mermaids. If there is too much salt in the water, they become almost primal, animalistic to the point of losing logic, where freshwater makes their minds clearer and more 'human'. I absolutely loved this, I love that there is potential danger and downsides to the alluring life of a mermaid. It makes the story that much more believable.

I also loved how at different points in the story, depending on which form or "brain" Mira was thinking with more, her narration voice was different. As a mermaid I had the feeling of very floaty, calm, serenity, where when she first became human I could feel how confused, foggy and unsure she was as she tried to navigate the human world the best she could in her current state. Then as a clear headed human, she came across calculating, shy and more sure of herself and what she was doing. For such a short story, I truly applaud Knorr at being able to inject such different tones into one character's being, an absolute master stroke.

The story was very fast paced and I felt myself needing to know what happened next. I enjoyed all the characters that we met, and I especially enjoyed the kindness displayed by the motel manager. I don't know why, but he's just stuck in my mind for some reason. I would definitely put this as an urban fantasy story and I think the world development and introduction was done splendidly.

This was a fantastic introduction to Mira and her world, and I cannot WAIT to continue on with it!!

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch it in full at ♀ Bookworm

I know, I know, I should’ve started Elemental Origins with this shorty, but… how was I supposed to know that? I rarely look at the information page telling me the reading order of a series. At this point in time, after 5 books, we are getting back to basics with Mira. It’s time for us to know how Targa came to be. Well, we know how… reproduction is as old as time, but we all have been curious about Mira’s story… Actually, Akiko (from Born of Aether) and Mira were the most secretive characters I have ever met.

When I was reading The Wreck of Sybellen, I had a nagging suspicion that Mira was Sybellen, but she forgot herself due to her return to the salty water and the erased memories… but, Mira said she wasn’t her… She was right, I was wrong. Easy as that. Now it all begins with Mira swimming back to land, to her place of birth (like turtles when they are putting eggs, they return to lay their own eggs. Mermaids are the same, apparently) in search for the one.

Although this was a shorty, Mira has to embrace her human side to the maximum, she needs to get her memories back by drinking non-salty water, she has to get herself money (but she’s covered by a very valuable coin), clothes, friendships, job, a male she connects with without her powers… because without the lure a child might become more than a mermaid, as Targa. Oh, and, boy! This mermaid will certainly stumble on a fire magus without even meaning too. And then you realize how connected everything is. How well-built this world is.

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author A.L. Knorr brings us the opening chapter of the prequel trilogy to her Elementals series. As this novella opens we meet Mira as she is choosing to return to the human world after eight years in the ocean. On her way back to the sea side down that she grew up in before her mother passed away of cancer and she lost contact with her father she spots a gold coin on the ocean floor. But she can't find any other even though she knows that once she sells it she will have enough money to return to her human life. She had left home for the sea at the age of eleven and under the circumstances of everything that was going on her mother a siren herself had wanted her to go. She steals some clothes and stays at the local hotel where she learns were to sell the coin and then bumps into Crystal who will ask her if she wants to move in with her and gets her a job at a floating restaurant. This is a good short fantasy novella and if you're just getting into this series like I am, it's a good jumping off point. I highly recommend it and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good short story. Something quick to read with a satisfying ending when you just want something short. The writing itself was basic but very easy to read and imagine. The story it's self was basic and not totally unique but it held my attention and I did want to see how things turned out no matter how predictable it was.

The MC was very likable and the other characters had solid characterisations. The only thing that pulled me put of the story was the inconsistency in terms of the MC knowledge. Like she remembers things from when she was human, but some stuff she wouldn't have know. Like the dart, and how she described someones voice being robotic even though she would have had very limited intereactions with something that has a robotic voice. It didn't seem natural for her to describe it like that. But I can see that the author did her best to make sure those kind of things were explained. Alot otlf things made sense.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning: A Water Novella, my sixth read from author A.L. Knorr. After reading Born of Water: An Elemental Origins Novel, I welcomed the chance to read Mira’s story. WOW, another incredible read, perhaps even better than Born of Water. I’ve been given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. Gabra Zachman’s talented narration adds to the well-written book's enjoyment. Extremely well written, the characters, even the minor ones, are well developed with an attention-grabbing storyline. I’m a character reader, I get into the characters. Who and what they are. Why they do the things they do. The things that make the reader get invested into the characters and thereby the story. I’ll be reading more from this author! Another must-read book! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Elda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this story the second time around. I can’t believe I missed reviewing it the first time. I must have been mesmerized just as I am now. This story just sucks you right in even the second time around as much as the first. This one is about Mira when she first meets Nathan, Targa’s biological father. This is Mira’s first time out of the water after eight years of living in salt water and doesn’t remember much of her earlier years growing up. Gradually memories come back to her and she feels the intense pain of her losses. Then she gets threatened and sucked in to a greedy schemer who wants to take advantage of her. This short story is jam packed with a little bit of everything. Highly recommended.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

With power comes responsibility
Just because we can do something doesn’t mean that we should. Especially not when there’s no defense against what we can do to people (let alone when they’re unaware of what we can do). High-tail it outta there far away from people who uses their powers for no good.


Well, she didn’t lie…:
‘I feel like I’ve been…underwater these last years. But it’s time to start over now. Come up and live in the sun.’
Mira has many social and cultural nuances to relearn once she resurfaces in Saltford. I likened her transition to a bi-.multi-ethnic young adult visiting is or her land of birth after having lived abroad since early childhood.


Next in series are ‘Falling’ (have) and ‘Surfacing’, then ‘Born of Water’ (have).

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved AL Knorr's wonderfully creative Elemental Origins series, so it's no surprise that I really enjoyed Returning I, which is a prequel to Born of Water. While any of these books can be read in any order that happened to have been the first one I read and the one that hooked me in the series. As such, more about mermaids and sirens, and more basic backstory to that novel, was a treat.

Definitely recommended. Note that, as implied by the Roman "I" in the title, there is clearly at least one more of these books to come. As such, while there is no cliffhanger here, it's clear that there is more to tell about this particular lead character.

[Izzybear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I actually started my adventure with Born to Water. It’s Mira’s daughter’s story. Coming back to the beginning has been wonderful. I really like Mira. She’s a strong, intelligent and very adaptable individual. I’ve gained more insight into Mira’s personality. For as much we are lead to believe that sirens don’t have a lot of human emotions and feelings I felt that Mira had quite a bit. More than Mira allows herself to believe she has.
My heart went out to her while she experienced the flash backs from years ago.
The start of Mira’s adventure has some good twists and surprises in it. I can’t wait to dive into the next part of her journey.

[Elektra | My Trending Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously for me to go into a prequel the author must be good!
Yuss she is.
So this book is about the mother of Traga and how she got together with her father. It's two books and I gotta say that it's interesting to see a story like that in a different perspective like in a mermaid perspective. I enjoyed the first book so yeah I am going to the second book. If you read the first book and liked it then you better pick this one up it's doesn't fail you.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.L. Knorr's Returning is a story about Mira, a mermaid, who has returned to land to find a mate. Her search is complicated after she pawns a coin she found in a ship wreck too deep and dangerous for experienced divers. After she meets Nathan, the one she is drawn to, her true identity is threatened by someone who has guessed her secret.
This is a fun read, so much so, I continued right into Episode II. I recommend this story whether you like mermaids or not.

[Keith Bornmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed reading this book. A. L. Knorr is a great author. I've enjoyed every book of hers that I've read. This story about Mira finding and falling in love with her man was written with a good measure of suspense and conflict. I appreciate A. L. Knorr for writing his moral character into her main characters.

This is a clean read and is suitable for most teens.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic and I love the entire three books in the series. I listened to the audiobook and Gabra Zackman does an amazing job. Mira is a mermaid and she is coming to land to find a mate and have a child. Its a part of being a siren and her biology is calling her to land. I love the story building and how ALKnorr builds the story of how the mermaids in this fantasy world are born, live, and survive.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella kept my attention throughout. It explains where protagonist, Mira, came from and why. It also includes some tense events involving a greedy fire mage. There’s a tiny bit of romance that sounds like the beginning of something big. I enjoyed it very much and hope you will also.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born of Water: A Mermaid Fantasy and Elemental Origins Novel (The Elemental Origins Series Book 1)

I really enjoyed and read this book instead of falling asleep at 1P00 am figured I would read a few pages… and it was so good, I can not wait to read this series and find out what happens with them in the next book..
definitely recommend this book 📖

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a quick peek into the life of a mermaid. Who knew that they came ashore when it was time for the next mermaid.

Mira seeks life in Canada when her time in the lifecycle occurs. How will she fit? Who will she meet? Are there other supernaturals? A whole lot of unanswered questions during her quest.

This really is a very lovely story.

[Brittany Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into the beginning of one Siren's journey. This is a look into a world where mermaids aren't your typical Disney mermaids nor are they the horror of every sailor's nightmare. It is a nice blend of the two where one mermaid surfaces and begins a journey that hints at more to come.

[Rachel Brunello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet

This is a short story but I love the backstory to the elemental series! I’ve never really been into the mermaid scene until these books and I am definitely seeing the attraction (hehehe) after reading them!

[George Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story

Enjoying this series so far. Strong characters and an interesting and engaging plot. Having just read the first Salt book I am trying to figure out the connection to Seybellin.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not normally a fan of novellas or short stories, so this had that working against it from the start. I knew that i would probably be left feeling like I was missing something, and I was. This really could have been a whole book and then the author could have fleshed it out more.

[Ambrozine Trent-Johnney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

I love to read mermaid romance and this one was good, with a promise of more to come. Wish I had just bought the whole series, now I'm gonna buy the other 2 books. I think I'm in for a good ride with these books.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG, it was so boring! Everything is narrated, mostly, there are very few dialogues, and the antagonist was like a cartoon. He felt like Elmer Fudge or Josemite Sam to Mira’s Bugs Bunny. Definitely won’t continue the series. The cover is gorgeous, though.