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Mermaid's Return #3
Surfacing (Mermaid's Return, #3)
The series was previously published as "Mira's Return".
Surfacing ties together the stories of Returning, and Born of Water. Follow Mira's story as she faces life as a single mother, wrestles with the constant call of the ocean to her mermaid nature, and joins an all-male salvage team who is less than thrilled to have her.
When my mother died, I ran to the ocean like a coward. Its cradle of salt puckered my memories and withered my sorrow like a grape drying in the sun. I had cheated grief and was foolish enough to think I had gotten away with it.
When Nathan died, I couldn’t run away. No matter how much I flinched, bending toward the Atlantic the way ivy strains for rays of light, I could not leave. Grief was back to take what belonged to it for the time it was allotted.
I had everything I wanted a few short years ago. My mate. My daughter. A home, a family. It made my head spin to think how much could change so suddenly. I mused, wondering later if I was the only mermaid to ever walk fully through the five stages of grief. But I had my daughter.
Targa had yet to turn, the color and shape of her fins were yet to be revealed, but she would. I had been so sure of it then. Siren genes are passed from mother to daughter, without fail. Young legs melded into a shimmering virgin tail in response to a salty sea. But Targa didn’t turn in response to ocean water, not the first time, not any time after that. Something was wrong. I shoved my fear down deep into some dark corner where Targa would not see it and said with a smile that we’d just have to keep trying. I had turned at the age of three, but if there could be late-bloomers in the human race, why not ours too?
Her fifth birthday came and went, still she hadn’t turned. Concern sent its barbs into me like a thistle, then it rooted and grew.
Targa and I had weekly late night secret swims in the Atlantic, which had once been fun but were now polluted with expectation and suspense. Coaching sessions (my idea), where I attempted human psychology exercises I’d found in outdated textbooks at the library; guided visualization, breathing techniques, and even a failed go at hypnosis. The memory of her skinny little frame sitting in a bathtub containing more salt than water (Targa’s idea) is still enough to fill my eyes with moisture.
I don’t know exactly when she lost hope, but she hid it expertly, patiently participating however I asked.
I ignored the creeping thoughts that whispered in my mind; she didn’t even like water, didn’t really want to go for swim, couldn’t hear the ocean calling her. I would shove the thoughts away violently, excusing them as nothing but my own anxiety. It was ridiculous. A daughter of a mermaid who disliked the ocean. Impossible. When I muzzled those fears, I became aware of others of a different kind. Not my own, but hers, for me.
She could see the want in my eyes. Whatever mechanism bees and dogs used to smell fear, Targa had it for despair. She could sense it on me, reeking like cheap perfume. Her eyes dipped in desperation, her obvious desire not to disappoint me sliced through me like a white-hot blade from heart to gut.
Surfacing ties together the stories of Returning, and Born of Water. Follow Mira's story as she faces life as a single mother, wrestles with the constant call of the ocean to her mermaid nature, and joins an all-male salvage team who is less than thrilled to have her.
When my mother died, I ran to the ocean like a coward. Its cradle of salt puckered my memories and withered my sorrow like a grape drying in the sun. I had cheated grief and was foolish enough to think I had gotten away with it.
When Nathan died, I couldn’t run away. No matter how much I flinched, bending toward the Atlantic the way ivy strains for rays of light, I could not leave. Grief was back to take what belonged to it for the time it was allotted.
I had everything I wanted a few short years ago. My mate. My daughter. A home, a family. It made my head spin to think how much could change so suddenly. I mused, wondering later if I was the only mermaid to ever walk fully through the five stages of grief. But I had my daughter.
Targa had yet to turn, the color and shape of her fins were yet to be revealed, but she would. I had been so sure of it then. Siren genes are passed from mother to daughter, without fail. Young legs melded into a shimmering virgin tail in response to a salty sea. But Targa didn’t turn in response to ocean water, not the first time, not any time after that. Something was wrong. I shoved my fear down deep into some dark corner where Targa would not see it and said with a smile that we’d just have to keep trying. I had turned at the age of three, but if there could be late-bloomers in the human race, why not ours too?
Her fifth birthday came and went, still she hadn’t turned. Concern sent its barbs into me like a thistle, then it rooted and grew.
Targa and I had weekly late night secret swims in the Atlantic, which had once been fun but were now polluted with expectation and suspense. Coaching sessions (my idea), where I attempted human psychology exercises I’d found in outdated textbooks at the library; guided visualization, breathing techniques, and even a failed go at hypnosis. The memory of her skinny little frame sitting in a bathtub containing more salt than water (Targa’s idea) is still enough to fill my eyes with moisture.
I don’t know exactly when she lost hope, but she hid it expertly, patiently participating however I asked.
I ignored the creeping thoughts that whispered in my mind; she didn’t even like water, didn’t really want to go for swim, couldn’t hear the ocean calling her. I would shove the thoughts away violently, excusing them as nothing but my own anxiety. It was ridiculous. A daughter of a mermaid who disliked the ocean. Impossible. When I muzzled those fears, I became aware of others of a different kind. Not my own, but hers, for me.
She could see the want in my eyes. Whatever mechanism bees and dogs used to smell fear, Targa had it for despair. She could sense it on me, reeking like cheap perfume. Her eyes dipped in desperation, her obvious desire not to disappoint me sliced through me like a white-hot blade from heart to gut.
She thought she was my tormentor.
The realization struck like a hammer and gave me the strength to do what was needed: Let it go.
The ocean could call. I’d let the smell of it crucify me, the sound of its waves crash against me, echo through me, call me, beg me.
Targa’s need and my love for her was greater. If she never turned and I was locked in a land-cycle for the rest of our lives, so be it.
So be it.
- GenresFantasy
159 pages, ebook
Published August 29, 2018
49 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Knorr
63 books691 followersA.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.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release:
www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com
Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01NBAUVKO
Facebook:
https//www.facebook.com/alknorrbooks
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.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release:
www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com
Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01NBAUVKO
Facebook:
https//www.facebook.com/alknorrbooks
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 30, 2018
I was addictively obsessed with A.L. Knorr’s Elemental Origins series and have really enjoyed the spin-off series that flowed from it. Mira’s tale, in the first two Returning books, was the first of these to draw me in and now, in Surfacing: A Water Novel (Returning Book 3), we get her story properly tied together with her daughter Tasha’s tale in Born of Water. This is both a wonderful way of filling in the background of these characters and a fabulous story in and of itself that I would’ve enjoyed even if I’d never heard of the Elemental Origins series. That’s a neat truck to pull off but it’s done superbly here. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
April 14, 2020
Author A.L. Knorr brings us the last book in the Elemental prequel trilogy with Surfacing. Mira is now a single mother and has to make a life for her and her daughter. But as the story opens we learn that her husband has passed away and that she was forced to move her and her daughter into a trailer. But after this had happened and she had learned that the restaurant that she had been working at was about to change hands and that the new owner was a smile ball that she had to find another way of making money. She did find another way when she overheard a TV reporter say that a richman's boat had gone down and that in the safe of that boat was documents that would help him. Mira talks with her daughter and decides to take on the task of retrieving not only the documents but that of the boat itself. This leads her to finding new employment with a pro salvage team called the Bluejackets. This is a great novella and I highly recommend it for all Fantasy fans.
August 27, 2018
This is a perfect in-between story about Mira beginning her life as part of a salvage dive team and how she came to find it. As a mother myself, I can relate to Mira’s hard choices and struggles to leave her small child for long periods of time in order to make a living and keep her family out of the poor house. She also had to deal with men who didn’t take too kindly to a woman who acted as if she knew more than they did (even though she did). I thought Ms Knorr put to paper all the right words to express how Mira felt, acted and lived the best Mira could, even making whatever sacrifices she had to make. I also loved how cute Ms Knorr cast Targa’s character as a young child. I just wanted to pinch Targa’s little cheeks and give her a big hug. I highly recommend reading this book for all lovers of this series as it will greatly enhance your appreciation for these books.
Read
December 14, 2019Surfacing: A Water Novel (Returning Book 3), my seventeenth read from author A.L. Knorr. After reading Born of Water: An Elemental Origins Novel & Returning I, 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).
September 8, 2018
BRILLIANT.
So much detail, so much history and research must have taken place to piece this story together so convincingly. I had to read it in one sitting, it was impossible to put down, l swear l was there with Mira. I enjoyed seeing Targa through Mira's eyes and it gladdened my heart to see Phil still involved with them later. I could easily read more stories on Mia's life after finding out her land life so far, l think she's facinating. It would be wonderful in Audio too. RECOMMENDED READ! 🤓🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
So much detail, so much history and research must have taken place to piece this story together so convincingly. I had to read it in one sitting, it was impossible to put down, l swear l was there with Mira. I enjoyed seeing Targa through Mira's eyes and it gladdened my heart to see Phil still involved with them later. I could easily read more stories on Mia's life after finding out her land life so far, l think she's facinating. It would be wonderful in Audio too. RECOMMENDED READ! 🤓🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 10, 2018
Absolutely prefect!
I loved everything about this book! I actually felt like I was there witnessing this story play out in front of me. I chose the rating because it was absolutely perfect. Well, maybe the only thing I would change is I wished Mira was a little bit more aggressive. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a great story and mermaids.
I loved everything about this book! I actually felt like I was there witnessing this story play out in front of me. I chose the rating because it was absolutely perfect. Well, maybe the only thing I would change is I wished Mira was a little bit more aggressive. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a great story and mermaids.
September 26, 2019
It was heartbreaking when Mira and Targa lost Nate. To see both of them struggling to come to terms with that loss. Although the oceans call is strong Mira’s love for her daughter is stronger. Surfacing is well written and does a great job transitioning Mira’s story to Targa’s story.
Now that I’m all caught up I can’t wait to start Born of Aether.
Now that I’m all caught up I can’t wait to start Born of Aether.
December 12, 2018
Amazing author
I wait patiently for every new book because the story just gets better and better. Love this series and back stories
I wait patiently for every new book because the story just gets better and better. Love this series and back stories
September 3, 2018
More about The Elementals' universe!
As a big fan of Knorr's Elemental series, I am extremely happy to dig deeper into the background of the characters and the universe itself. Here, we see an important period in Targa's childhood: her mother's struggles and the change of career that defined her, from a waitress to a pro diver. After all, what better career for a mermaid? The writing is great and the characters are well developed but without taking from the action. Knorr managed to bring out the best in the characters and storylines and this makes no exception. All I xan hope is that there will be more books in this universe!
As a big fan of Knorr's Elemental series, I am extremely happy to dig deeper into the background of the characters and the universe itself. Here, we see an important period in Targa's childhood: her mother's struggles and the change of career that defined her, from a waitress to a pro diver. After all, what better career for a mermaid? The writing is great and the characters are well developed but without taking from the action. Knorr managed to bring out the best in the characters and storylines and this makes no exception. All I xan hope is that there will be more books in this universe!
May 15, 2022
Surfacing: Mermaid's Return, Book 3 (The Elemental Origins Series)
I loved 🥰 everything about this book! I actually felt like I was there witnessing this story play out in front of me, Mira is very great mom and I loved everything about this book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves a great story and mermaids.
I loved 🥰 everything about this book! I actually felt like I was there witnessing this story play out in front of me, Mira is very great mom and I loved everything about this book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves a great story and mermaids.
September 2, 2018
Another homerun novel
Once again, A.L. Knorr has brought her Supernatural world to the forefront. This tale of Mira, and her beginning at the Blue Jackets is superb. I loved the interactions and being able to finally find out how things worked out for Mira was just the best.
Once again, A.L. Knorr has brought her Supernatural world to the forefront. This tale of Mira, and her beginning at the Blue Jackets is superb. I loved the interactions and being able to finally find out how things worked out for Mira was just the best.
October 24, 2018
A transitional story that connects Returning to Born of Water, Surfacing does a wonderful job of filling in all the gaps while still being a great, stand-alone story that takes Mira through the difficult transition to a responsible, working mother in the human world.
August 2, 2023
These books are so good!
I loves all of these so far. I can't wait to read the rest of them! I love the way she writes! Is really draws you in and connects you to the characters. I will be sad when I finish all of the books!
I loves all of these so far. I can't wait to read the rest of them! I love the way she writes! Is really draws you in and connects you to the characters. I will be sad when I finish all of the books!
September 21, 2023
I had started thus series with the start of "the elementals" so it was amazing to know more about Mira and her history. This brings a whole different light and explains why she doesn't put up with any of the divers crap.
August 23, 2018
I loved it. I started it and only stopped when it was finished. It was nice to read how Mira survived after Nathiens death. More books about Myra and her daughter would be appreciated.
February 12, 2019
Nice read
Enjoying this series. Good strong characters and an interesting story. Good writing makes it even better. Looking forward to more.
Enjoying this series. Good strong characters and an interesting story. Good writing makes it even better. Looking forward to more.
April 8, 2022
A great read.
August 25, 2022
A fun and fast-reading sci-fi series, Returning is a great setup for the main series, The Elementals.
September 2, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this third part of Mira's story and look forward to reading Born of Water next.
July 31, 2025
major drop off after the first 2 books a bit disappointing
August 24, 2022
I was surprised with the way the story opened. However, I felt the plot in the second book was too good to be true so I am glad that the characters see a little hardship in this book.
June 13, 2019
I thought the conclusion to Mira's story was just okay, it wasn't anything mind-blowing or earth shattering and honestly I think Mira's series could have been condensed into 2 books. There really wasn't a lot going on in this book and there was an extraordinary amount spent on her first dive with the team, which personally I feel could have been shortened to the parts of the main concern - we didn't really need all that information about dives, and boats, etc. It was more of a story filler.
I noticed the author always reiterates the same stuff about mermaids/sirens in each book, which I don't feel is necessary since this is a series and you wouldn't be randomly reading book 3 before reading the rest, although she does add a couple new points every time.
This story was NOT worth $3.99, should have been totally free, but it does bring us to the beginning of the elemental series so there's that.
I only bought it because I of course wanted to finish the series, before the rest of the books come out.
If you can read it for free or borrow it - do that, but you could probably just skim the book and get the jist of it or read a quick synopsis instead of reading the whole thing. Too much fluff.
I noticed the author always reiterates the same stuff about mermaids/sirens in each book, which I don't feel is necessary since this is a series and you wouldn't be randomly reading book 3 before reading the rest, although she does add a couple new points every time.
This story was NOT worth $3.99, should have been totally free, but it does bring us to the beginning of the elemental series so there's that.
I only bought it because I of course wanted to finish the series, before the rest of the books come out.
If you can read it for free or borrow it - do that, but you could probably just skim the book and get the jist of it or read a quick synopsis instead of reading the whole thing. Too much fluff.
November 5, 2018
I absolutely loved seeing this fresh take on the Elementals books! It was so sweet and endearing to see the relationship between Mira and Targa (seriously melted my heart), and I loved being able to read about Mira's venture into salvage diving. It isn't a common topic in novels I've read, so it was definitely interesting, and I wished we had gotten a little bit more. Excellent story and well worth the read! Disclosure: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2021
The third novelette of Mira's story is where we first get to see her relationship with Targa. I love the connection the mother and daughter have and how Targa knows her mother's a mermaid and looks after her - making you wonder who is the kid and who is the mother! Great ending to the prequel series and really gives a better connection to Born in Water.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews