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Dec 14, 2010 
It’s book launch and give-away time! Today, we’re celebrating the launch of Mixed-Up Author, Hélène Boudreau’s, new novel for tweens, Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings.
A bit about the author: Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults from her land-locked home in Ontario, Canada, though she grew up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. She has never spotted a mermaid in the wild but believes they are just as plausible as sea horses, flying fish, or electric eels.
A bit about the book:
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?
*Read to the end to find out how YOU CAN WIN A COPY!
Hi, Hélène! Now is the time to get the story behind the story. What was your inspiration for your main character, Jade, in Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings?
Jade’s not so different from other girls her age. She’s wondering about boys, trying to figure out friendships, and seeing changes in her body. Though, in Jade’s case, make that BIG changes!
My own daughter is almost ten and just at the precipice of entering those uncertain years of raging hormones and topsy-turvy emotions. I really wanted to write a fun story for her (and girls like her) to help ease her into the land of zits, training bras and smelly armpits. The upside being that—no matter how hard puberty might get—at least she doesn’t have a TAIL!
Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings is available in paperback and has also been released in audiobook form. How has that been?
Well, I’m a HUGE fan of audiobooks (I blogged about my fave picks here a few months ago!) so it was a big thrill for me to be able to listen to Jen Taylor narrate Jade’s voice. You can listen to the first chapter right here!
Dreamscape Media produced the audiobook and is offering three chances to win a copy HERE. (Contest closes December 20th, 2010)
You’ll be signing books at the book’s launch at your local library TONIGHT! How can someone get a signed copy of Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings for their favorite teen or tween, otherwise?
Well, I don’t have a fancy stamp signature like Suzanne Collins or a remote-control signing robot like Margaret Atwood but in a fun promotion for the holidays my publisher, Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, is offering signed RMDWTR bookplates with proof of purchase for anyone who’d like a ‘signed’ copy. More info HERE.
Cool! Now, Jade is quite a whiz with the microwave. Care to share her Microwaveable Chocolate Mug Cake recipe?
Sure! But I’ll let Jade do the honors…
Hi guys!
When Wigwags are in short supply, this is the quickest way I’ve found to chocolate bliss. First, get yourself the biggest microwaveable mug in the cupboard. In it put:
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoaMix it well. Then add:
- 1 egg
Mix. Then add:
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons oilMix. Then add:
- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (NOT optional—at least as far as I’m concerned)
- 1 capful of vanilla extractAnd…wait for it…MIX!
Cook 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, then ENJOY!
Notes & Tips:
-Some say this can serve 2 but, yeah right; whatever.
-TAKE OUT THE SPOON before you microwave the mug. Don’t ask me why I know this…
Can you believe it? With this recipe, you are only ever 5 minutes away from chocolate bliss! You’re going to make this RIGHT NOW, aren’t you?
-Jade O<~~{
Thanks, Hélène! Best of luck with the release of Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings.
Readers, if you’d like a chance to win a copy of Hélène’s new book, leave a comment below, and our random generator will choose a lucky winner on Thursday. You’ll get extra entries for sharing a link on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter (please mention each link in a new comment).
You can find Hélène on Twitter, Facebook and on her Website.
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