EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper
(The Chronicles of the Stone Book 3)
(The Chronicles of the Stone Book 3)
by Fiona Ingram
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper is the third book in The Chronicles of the Stone series by Fiona Ingram. Also available: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab and The Search for the Stone of Excalibur (read my blog post).
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper is currently on tour with BeachBoundBooks Promotions. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
A plane crash! Lost in the Mexican jungle! Will Adam, Justin, and Kim survive long enough to find the Third Stone of Power?
With only a young boy, Tukum, as their guide, the kids make their way through the dense and dangerous jungle to find the lost city of stone gods, where the Stone of Power might be located. River rafting on a crocodile-infested river and evading predators are just part of this hazardous task.
Of course, their old adversary Dr. Khalid is close behind as the kids press on. But he is not the worst of their problems. This time Adam will clash with a terrible enemy who adopts the persona of an evil Aztec god, Tezcatlipoca, and is keen to revive the ancient tradition of human sacrifice. Adam, Justin, and Tukum must play a dreadful ball game of life and death and maybe survive. Will they emerge alive from the jungle? Will Dr. Khalid find the third Stone of Power before they do?
Book Video
Excerpt
They squelched through the soggy undergrowth, following Tukum as he headed away from the river. Hours seemed to pass as they wound their way back into the hot, green, endless tunnel that was the jungle. Just trees, ferns, more trees and more ferns, more insects buzzing and hovering, more birds screeching and monkeys constantly screaming as they leaped from branch to branch. Adam grew tired of the racket. Who would have thought the jungle was so noisy?
One good thing about the disgusting dye they wore was that it kept the insects away, even after their dunking in the river. Adam swatted the air in front of his face to chase away the occasional gnat, but no mosquitos had attacked. Back home, the “mozzies,” as they called mosquitoes, seemed to go for Adam. Gran always said they must like the taste of his blood.
Perspiration beaded on his forehead and trickled down his face. His feet felt like lead, making his legs ache as he mechanically lifted each foot and plonked it down in front of the other. The scarab in his pocket knocked against his leg each time he moved. It also seemed to weigh a ton now, but just having it was reassuring. Sweat coated his body, and his tunic, still damp from being in the river, felt coarse and scratchy. He wasn’t alone. Even Justin appeared to be tiring, his usual bold stride slackening with every step. Adam could hear him panting. Kim stumbled along next to Adam, looking exhausted. Once, she almost fell. When he reached out to help her, Kim shook her head.
“I’m okay. I must keep up. I’ve got to do this by myself.”
Only Tukum maintained the grueling pace without any signs of fatigue. He sped ahead, a slim shadow dodging through the trees and undergrowth. At one point, Adam imagined that Tukum had disappeared altogether. Panic rose inside him and he almost threw up out of sheer terror—the terror of now being so far off any beaten track, with no hope of rescue. Then Tukum reappeared. Kim and Justin, plodding along with lowered heads, didn’t even notice he had been gone from view for those few moments. Tukum waved to them. Adam waved back and tried to move faster, but every step was agony. A cramp stabbed in his side and his lungs were on fire as each breath came with a huge, burning gasp.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]
Praise for the Book
“Ingram's story educates as it entertains ... Following the tradition of classic adventure writers such as H. Rider Haggard, Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Ingram makes the varied locales in which she sets her stories come alive so fully and vibrantly. Seeing her three young heroes grow as they learn, explore and solve the succession of challenges, setbacks and puzzles that come their way in those far-flung locales is a grand experience indeed ... these books are illuminating entertainment for adventurers of all ages, including those fortunate adults who still thirst for adventure and the thrill of the undiscovered.” ~ Jack Magnus, author and Readers Favorite reviewer
“Fiona Ingram’s masterful writing conjures up the colours, sights, sounds and smells of the Mexican jungle, creating a wonderful backdrop to this story. The book is also filled with a wealth of Maya and Aztec history, myth and legend, making this a real educational experience, but one which is combined with a thrilling adventure that young readers will surely devour. As for me, I’m already anticipating book #4, eager to know where the quest will take me next!” ~ Clio
“I enjoyed catching up with this group of young adventurers. Non-stop action, danger around every turn, as well as the magic and mystery surrounding the ancient jungles and people of Mexico will be sure to keep readers turning pages. If you've missed Books 1 & 2, I highly recommend getting those also.” ~ Cheryl Carpinello
“The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper by Fiona Ingram will be an excellent addition to any home library. I recommend it as a great reading material for any lovers of fantasy, young adults, and Mayan and Aztec history buffs, no matter their age. It is refreshing, good paced, has lovable characters and mean enemies.” ~ Anna del C. Dye
“As this is the third in a series, I expected to feel a little lost coming in. I haven't read the previous books, but Fiona does a good job of catching the reader up to speed on the basics so you don't feel lost at all. Overall, it's an imaginative story that is filled with the history and legends of South America. And while I don't know if all the stories are true, it's enough to make me wish they were.” ~ Karlie Lucas
About the Author
I am a children’s author, but up until a few years ago, I was a journalist and editor. Something rather unexpected sparked my new career as an author - a family trip to Egypt with my mother and two young nephews. We had a great time and I thought I’d write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir ... Well, one book and a planned book series later, I had changed careers. I have now published Book 3 (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) in my MG adventure series Chronicles of the Stone, with many awards for the first book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and a few for Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and one already for Book 3! I also teach online novel writing for aspiring authors and I find that very satisfying. Relaxation time finds me enjoying something creative or artistic, music, books, theatre or ballet. I love doing research for my book series. I love animals and have written two animal rescue stories. I have two adorable (naughty) little dogs called Chloe and Pumpkin, and a beautiful black cat called Bertie.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.
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