Book Spotlight and Giveaway: REAL MERMAIDS DON'T SELL SEASHELLS (Real Mermaids #4) by Helene Boudreau (MG)

Teenage girls have to deal with a lot of tough firsts. 

First zit. First crush. First... mermaid’s tail?

In the fourth installment of Hélène Boudreau’s breezy, fun and “unputdownable” Real Mermaids series, our favorite mer-girl Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate peace in the underwater mer-world than with a tropical vacation in the Bahamas with her family and BFF.

REAL MERMAIDS DON'T SELL SEASHELLS

Real Mermaids Series #4

by Hélène Boudreau

Release date: February 4th, 2014

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Sun, surf and tropical breezes are no ‘day at the beach’ because being a teenage mermaid never takes a vacation.

With all the mers in Jade’s life now safe, happy and legit (with passports to prove it) and the underwater mer-world off the coast of Port Toulouse on the road to democracy, it’s time to relax and plan for the future. Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a tropical wedding in the Bahamas with Mom and Dad to finally make their family ‘official’.

Soon, Jade is enjoying the tropical sunshine, all-you-can-eat buffet, and island day trips. But when Jade gets lost in the island’s famous waterfront Straw Market, something doesn’t feel quite right. A body splashes into the water as a cruise ship enters the harbor and a teen boy selling conches from his boat behind the market knows more than he’s willing to admit.

With no body, no leads, and no other witnesses, though, the local police don’t seem too concerned. Maybe Jade’s imagination has been acting up on her, just like Cori said, considering everything she’s been through in the past few months.

But with Mom and Dad off on a honeymoon excursion it wouldn’t hurt to check things out, would it? Little do Jade and Cori realize, they are about to uncover more secrets about the splashing body, dangerous cruise ship cargo, and more questions than answers lurking in the nearby Caribbean waters.

MY THOUGHTS

I adore this series to pieces!!! It has been so much fun reading all about Jade and her mermaid experiences - being a teen is not easy. And being a mermaid-teen is even harder!
Lots of humor and adventure!!!
I am really looking forward to reading the conclusion to the Real Mermaid saga!!!

To see my reviews of the first three books to the Real Mermaid series,
please click here!!!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Hélène Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau never spotted a real mermaid while growing up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but she believes mermaids are just as plausible as giant squids, flying fish, or electric eels. 

She now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her land-locked home in Ontario, Canada. 

Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings was a 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kit Member Choice award finalist.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Blog Tour: "SPLASH INTO SPRING FLING" Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels by Helene Bourdreau (Review and Giveaway!)

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels

Real Mermaids #3

by Helene Boudreau

Release date: February 1st, 2013

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult (Tween 9 and up) - Contemporary, Fantasy, Humor
Format read: ARC

SUMMARY

The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...

Or not.

The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.

If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.

MY REVIEW

I love how this series continues without pause! In the third installment to the Real Mermaids Series, there is more action, more humor and more love! Helen Boudreau has a true gift in creating a world where mermaids really do exist...

Jade is still trying to be a normal teen girl trying to find her way, this time, through high school.
But the Mermish Council's interference is making it difficult for her to keep her two feet on on the ground, literally...
But nothing ever gets in Jades way! She is the most determined and caring girl I have ever came across in literature - she is strong minded, creative and extremely smart when put in a bind. Jade is not your average mer-girl, since she was born human, she is the only one who can transform within minutes, making her very special and giving her the advantage in spur of the moment problems and plans.
Her take-charge attitude is endearing and proves just how much she cares about everyone.

What I love most about this series is its main focus on how important family and friends are. Sticking up for one another, caring and protecting each other. Also, the way that Jade strives in girl-power, taking charge and believing in yourself. All very important messages for our young woman, teens and tweens.

The blossoming girlfriend/boyfriend relationship between Jade and Luke is adorable - it's the way a relationship should be at the age of 14 and 15. They are completely smitten with each other, but respectful and sweet.

Full of action and humor, I highly recommend this to all girls who believe in mermaids...
and even those who don't! Helen Boudreau will make a believer out of you!

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

 Real Mermaids #1

Release date: December 10th, 2010

My review of Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings can be found here!!!

Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath

Real Mermaids #2

Release date: May 1st, 2012

My review of Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath can be found here!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Helene Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. She is also a compulsive walker, a chicklet wrangler and a lover of cheese and cheap chocolate.

Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.

Official Website, Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter

GIVEAWAY

WIN ALL THREE REAL MERMAIDS BOOKS!!! 

- Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

- Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath

AND
- Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels

ALL directly from Sourcebooks!

Giveaway rules:

- Please use the rafflecopter.

- U.S. and Canada only, sorry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A "Nobel Beehive Award" Review: REAL MERMAIDS DON'T HOLD THEIR BREATH by Helene Boudreau

Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath

Real Mermaids #2

by Helene Boudreau

Release date: May 1st, 2012

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult (Tween, 9 and up) - Contemporary, Fantasy, Humor

Format read: Paperback

SUMMARY

Jade begins her summer confused. Yes, there's that whole "will this be a leg-day or a tail-day" kind of confusion, but Jade's got even bigger problems: it's been three weeks since Mom returned to the ocean with no news of her whereabouts. Plus, it's been twenty-one days since Jade first kissed her mer-boy Luke and now-nothing.

Will Mom find the enchanted tidal pool that will allow her to become human? And why is Luke acting so weird? 

The SEAquel to Helene Boudreau's critically acclaimed Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings is as energetic and fresh as a salty sea breeze. 

MY REVIEW

Fast-paced, quirky, adorable and super fun!
This sequel immediately follows where Jade's first mermaid adventures left off...

It's summer vacation time! And Jade's stuck at her summer job. While scooping ice cream for her customers, she's trying to come to terms with a lot of things that have happened to her in the last few weeks: first period, first kiss, first mermaid- tail and turning 14!!!
But, most of all, finding out that her mother is still alive!

Now, Jade is trying to figure it all out -
dealing with her dad who won't let her date (Is she really ready to have a boyfriend right now?)
Trying to lead a normal life while trying to keep the biggest secret ever from her BFF! (SO hard!)
AND, most importantly, how to finally get her mother home safely!

Jade's wish is to have her mom home again and she will do anything to make it happen.
 But is she prepared for the consequences to her actions???

Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath is a page-turner! Lots of humor and even more memorable moments. The bond of family and friends is heart-warming.
The more I read about Jade and 'her gang', the more I grow to love them all. Each and every character has a major impact to Jade's life and story. The author truly knows how to weave a realistic fantasy!

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

 Real Mermaids #1

Release date: December 10th, 2010

SUMMARY

First zit. First crush. First…mermaid’s tail?

If she hadn’t been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But this revelation raises a serious question: if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?

Jade is determined to find out. But how does a plus-sized, aqua-phobic, mer-girl go about doing that, exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend Cori, and her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting.

You can see my review here!!!

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels

Real Mermaids #3

Release date: February 1st, 2013

SUMMARY

The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...

Or not.

The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.

If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.

You can see my review here!!!

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Helene Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. She is also a compulsive walker, a chicklet wrangler and a lover of cheese and cheap chocolate.

Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.

Official Website, Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter

A "Nobel Beehive Award" Review: REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS by Helene Boudreau

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

Real Mermaids #1
by Helene Boudreau

Release date: December 10th, 2010

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult (Tween, 9 and up) - Contemporary, Fantasy, Humor
Format read: Paperback

SUMMARY

First zit. First crush. First…mermaid’s tail?

If she hadn’t been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But this revelation raises a serious question: if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?

Jade is determined to find out. But how does a plus-sized, aqua-phobic, mer-girl go about doing that, exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend Cori, and her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting.

BOOK TRAILER - Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

MY REVIEW

Helene Boudreau has written a humorous coming-of-age story; brilliantly combining contemporary and fantasy! I wish that this book was around when I was a tween - so witty, entertaining and fun - loved every second I spent with Jade!

Jade is your average tween just trying to find the perfect swimsuit for her best friend's pool party... so happy to have found the perfect one, she was not prepared for all that happens afterwards!
First period. First crush run-in. Major embarrassing moment with Dad in front of first crush.
Could Jade's day get any worse?
How 'bout a giant fish-tail???
Yes. It is completely possible for a bad day to get worse.
Poor Jade! In less than 24 hours, Jade 'becomes a woman' and finds out that she's half human, half mermaid. And that her mother used to be a mermaid too.
Her mother who drowned in the lake last summer.

Everything about Jade, her family and friends, her life seemed so realistic. Her attitude, whit and independence made Jade such a strong character that many girls will love and admire. Jade is inspiring, no matter what happened, she dealt with it the best way she could. And I loved that she was so close to her dad and was able to go to him for anything that she needed help with - including the embarrassing trip to the store! Which made their relationship and story so much more realistic and relatable. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, I was smiling the entire time. And of course, there were moments where my heart went out to Jade - this is an age where a girl really could use a mother figure and she was truly missing her mom so much, there were quite a few tender moments where she needed her so much.

Oh, and Jade's crush, Luke.
I wasn't sure at first if he was a keeper or not. Still not sure.
But Luke's got a few secrets of his own!
He's a keeper, for now!

Also, the way that the author was able to integrate Jade's transformation from human to mermaid was so natural. Every time it happened it seemed like something normal, something that may actually be able to happen in real life. The changes that Jade went through physically were not simple, but the explanation and details made it seem very believable and mesmerizing.

I am really looking forward to watching Jade grow and blossom, and also learning more about Luke and what has happened to Jade's mom in the next book,
Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath.

More about the Real Mermaids series... 

Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath
Real Mermaids #2
Release date: May 1st, 2012

SUMMARY
Jade begins her summer confused. Yes, there's that whole "will this be a leg-day or a tail-day" kind of confusion, but Jade's got even bigger problems: it's been three weeks since Mom returned to the ocean with no news of her whereabouts. Plus, it's been twenty-one days since Jade first kissed her mer-boy Luke and now-nothing.

Will Mom find the enchanted tidal pool that will allow her to become human? And why is Luke acting so weird? 

The SEAquel to Helene Boudreau's critically acclaimed Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings is as energetic and fresh as a salty sea breeze.

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels
Real Mermaids #3
Release date: February 1st, 2013

SUMMARY
The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...

Or not.

The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.

If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Helene Boudreau

Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. She is also a compulsive walker, a chicklet wrangler and a lover of cheese and cheap chocolate.

Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.

Official Website, Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter

The REAL MERMAIDS Love the Holidays Blog Tour: A Festive Treat!

As the holidays get nearer, the majority of us are looking for quick holiday treats to help us relax and enjoy the festivities... I am so very happy to have the ever-famous mermaid, Jade from the Real Mermaids series, visit my blog today to share a special and super quick-fix holiday treat with us :) 

REAL MERMAIDS FESTIVE TREAT

Hi everyone! Jade here from Real Mermaids. 

One of my favorite things about the upcoming holidays is the great treats we get to make and share. I love food so much, in fact, that I included a recipe for some of my favourite snacks in each of the Real Mermaids books. 

My friend Cori and I thought we'd experiment a bit and 'holiday-size' each recipe for you!

In Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings, I was stuck at my Gran's cottage without any chocolate in sight. That's when I turned to Google and found a recipe for a 5-minute Chocolate Mug Cake. Yes! Cake in FIVE MINUTES. I added raspberries and whipped cream to this version. Holiday dessert, anyone?

Chocolate Mug Cake with Raspberries

and Whipped Cream

First, get yourself the biggest microwaveable mug in the cupboard. 

Add: 

- 4 tablespoons flour

- 4 tablespoons sugar 

- 2 tablespoons cocoa 

Mix it well. Then add:

- 1 egg

Mix. Then add: 

- 3 tablespoons milk

- 3 tablespoons oil 

Mix. Then add: 

- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (NOT optional - at least as far as I'm concerned.)

- 1 capful of vanilla extract

And... MIX!

Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will look like it's going to overflow but don't freak out! Let it cool for a bit (unless you want to burn your lips off) and add raspberries and whipped cream to make it fancy, then ENJOY!

Happy treats and have a great holiday, everyone!

Love, 

Jade 

Thank you so very much, Jade, for stopping by and sharing one of your delicious holiday treats with us! I know for sure that my family and I will definitely be treating ourselves to this delight over the holidays :) 

And a big thank you for Sourcebooks for putting this together, too! 

More about Jade and the REAL MERMAIDS series... 

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

by Helene Boudreau

Release date: December 10th, 2011 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 

Genre: Middle Grade - Science Fiction, Fantasy

SUMMARY 

First zit. First crush. First... mermaid's tail? 

If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail? 

Most. Embarassing. Moment. Ever. 

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But this revelation raises a serious question: if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown? 

Jade is determined to find out. But how does a plus-sized, aqua-phobic, mer-girl go about doing that, exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend Cori, and her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting... 

Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath (#2)

by Helene Boudreau

Release date: May 1st, 2012 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: Middle Grade - Science Fiction, Fantasy

SUMMARY 

Jade begins her summer confused. Yes, there's that whole "will this be a leg-day or a tail-day" kind of confusion, but Jade's got even bigger problems: it's been three weeks since Mom returned to the ocean with no news of her whereabouts. Plus, it's been twenty-one days since Jade first kissed her mer-boy Luke and now - nothing. 

Will Mom find the enchanted tidal pool that will allow her to become human? 

And why is Luke acting so weird? 

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels (#3) 

by Helene Boudreau

Expected release date: May 1st, 2013

Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: Middle Grade - Science Fiction, Fantasy

SUMMARY 

Jade is finally ready for life to return to normal - 

even if starting ninth grade is like being a goldfish in a shark tank and being asked to the school dance means Jade must get over her fear of awkward dancing. 

But just as Jade settles into high school life, there is unrest in the ocean, and the whole mer-world is on the brink of civil war. Can Jade find a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain, keep her mer-ness a secret, and finally figure out if she and Luke are officially dating?

Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-sized aqua-phobic mer-girl?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Helene Boudreau 

Hélène Boudreau never spotted a real mermaid while growing up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but she believes mermaids are just as plausible as giant squids, flying fish, or electric eels. 

She now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her landlocked home in Ontario, Canada. 

Her first book of this series, Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings, was a 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist.

Official Website, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter