BLITZ: "Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby" by Ella English (Middle-Grade Fantasy)

SELENA FLOWERS AND THE CURSED RUBY by Ella English
	Publisher: Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Publication Date: April 30th, 2024 Series: The Merblood Saga, #1 Standalone: Yes
Description from Publisher:
When the Tide Turns, the Merblood Rises... In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers' dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the "Just relax. You can breathe easily. I’ve got total control over you." Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona's strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena's window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world. The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina's haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim. Faustina's power stems from a mysterious ruby necklace, an artifact of untold magic and menace. Its dark magic can turn the tide of fate, offering salvation or doom. As Selena grapples with bullies at her new school and the complexities of a small town riddled with secrets, the necklace becomes her only hope to save her mother from a watery, undead fate. With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the necklace's hidden past and its current whereabouts. The journey takes her deeper into Faustina's world—a world of betrayal, ancient curses, and underwater lairs. As the clock ticks and Fiona's transformation accelerates, Selena must confront her deepest fears. Plunging into the murky depths, she faces off against Faustina in a heart-stopping struggle for the necklace. In this underwater chess game, every move could be her last. Will Selena retrieve the necklace and reverse the curse, or will she become another lost soul in Faustina's mermaid kingdom? As Selena's story unfolds, she discovers that the true power lies not in a ruby's glow, but in the strength of her own heart. In a final, breathtaking climax, Selena must decide the fate of the necklace, balancing the weight of its power against the safety of those she loves. "Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby" is a tale of magic, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a story that reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is always a glimmer of hope. ...For in the Depths of Despair, a Hero Rises.

About the Author:
Ella English is a British author and illustrator who swapped afternoon tea for lattes to go when she moved from London to Baltimore, USA 23 years ago. She writes children's books, including the beloved Kitty in the City chapter book series about a singing cat in Manhattan, as well as the Merblood Saga which deals with magic and mermaids in Madderly Bay. The inspiration for the Merblood Saga can be traced back to Ella's childhood holidays on the Kent Coast in the UK. With massive waves crashing against the seawall and the occasional freak wave pulling unsuspecting beachgoers into the water, young Ella's imagination ran wild. She began to wonder if a hidden community of mystical mermaids could be living beneath the surface, their lives intertwined with the ebb and flow of the tides. Years later, those childhood musings have transformed into a middle grade series that will enchant readers. The Merblood Saga brings the magic of Ella's coastal daydreams to life, inviting readers to dive into a world where mermaids are real and adventure lurks beneath the waves.
Tour Information