Ultramarine

Book 2: Pretty Little Mermaids

by A.L. Knorr

Genres: Fantasy; Urban Fantasy; Young adult; Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology; YA Fantasy

Synopsis

As the waters of the Hudson River whisper forgotten tales, Gina's quest for identity propels her into a world of danger, mystery, and a love that transcends time.

"I can’t go on like this much longer. I’ll go insane. I will have to find the courage to ask for help. Because I know what I have to do, and I can’t do it alone."

Gina needs fresh water to wash away the salt-flush amnesia that stole her memories, but the Faysea has produced only nightmares, leaving her with the mere shadow of the man from her past. 

An unexpected reunion with Seth, the man whose life she once saved, presents a bitter ultimatum. Desperate to unlock the memories from that pivotal night, Gina is torn between her own needs and the potential harm to the triplets who came to her rescue.

With no alternative in sight, Gina, alongside two of the Jackson Three, embarks on a journey to the bustling streets of New York City. The waters of the Hudson River hold the key to unlocking a cascade of memories—some light and joyous, others dark and disconcerting. Yet, amidst the revelations, a pressing question emerges: has her fiancé patiently awaited her return for three long years, or has he forged a new path without her?

A.L. Knorr weaves a dual narrative, unraveling Gina's enigmatic past while she strives to reclaim her present and, perhaps, construct a future. Building upon the mermaid mythology introduced in Born of Water, Mermaid’s Return, and The Siren’s Curse, the story hurtles towards an unforeseen climax, promising a final twist that will leave readers breathless.

Release date: March 31, 2024

Publisher: Intellectually Promiscuous Press

Print pages: 310

Sample

For context: Gina and the triplets have retreated to the bedroom to discuss how to explain Gina’s appearance to Seth. Gina’s point of view.

I turn to them after shutting the door tight.

“He doesn’t know,” says Eadie in a rush. “He never saw your tail. He can’t remember. You must have glamoured him. I’ll just tell him—”

“We cannot tamper with his memories, Eadie,” I say. I look at Larimar and Lazuli so they know I mean it includes them. “No one uses siren magic on him. Got it?”

The impact of my words shows on their faces. They exchange looks of suppressed panic, and it’s remarkable how alike they are.

“What do we tell him then?” Larimar whispers, tugging her sleeves over her hands, so only her fingers poke out, though the house is warm.

Lazuli grips her elbows with her palms. “We have no reasonable explanation for how you can be here.”

Eadie opens her mouth but Lazuli goes on: “You can’t have just washed up on shore. This isn’t some halfwit we’re talking about here. It’s Seth. He’ll know we’re lying.”

Eadie snaps her mouth closed and her shoulders drop.

“Even if it was plausible that you washed up on shore, we have no explanation for why we haven’t taken you to the authorities after all this time,” says Larimar.

Eadie is visibly trembling. “He can’t know, though. I’m not ready for that.”

“I don’t think you have a choice, Eadie,” Lazuli says simply.

I squeeze Eadie’s shoulder. “She’s right. I’m sorry.”

There is fear in her eyes as she whispers, “But what if he hates me?”

“He won’t hate you, Eadie,” Larimar says, though she sounds unconvincing.

At the same time, Lazuli says, “That’s a risk you’ll have to take.”

Eadie’s fingers twist and twist. “Why, though?”

“Seth has information that I need. I don’t remember anything about that night, but he does. If we tamper with his memories, the truth—my truth—will be lost forever.”

I watch it sink in. Eadie nods.

“I need Seth’s memory to be as intact as possible, which means if I glamoured him—which sounds pretty likely—then I need to remove that glamour.”

Larimar bites her lip. “He’s not just going to learn what his girlfriend is, but what all of us are, and Jana, too. We’re in this together.”

From downstairs we hear Warren yell, “Girls? I thought we were supposed to be having a barbecue?”