"The Secret of the Sacred Scarab" by Fiona Ingram

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
(The Chronicles of the Stone Book 1)

by Fiona Ingram

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the first book in The Chronicles of the Stone, recommended for children ages 10 and up. Also available: The Young Explorer's Companion to The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. Coming soon: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur and The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper.

This book blitz and giveaway is brought to you by Mother Daughter Book Promotion Services.

Description

A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt.

Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs.

Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab.

They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor.

With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!

Awards:
Finalist Children's Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers' Favorites Awards
Number 2 in the USA Children's & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
Finalist Children's Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children's Literary Classics Awards
2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards
Winner Gold medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards

Book Video

Excerpt

Pointing to the open books, Adam asked, “Are you writing another article, Aunt Isabel?”

“Perhaps,” Isabel replied. She had a mysterious expression on her face. “Maybe something on this Scottish archaeologist.” She pointed to her desk where a newspaper lay open, half-hidden beneath the books.

“What archaeologist?” the boys chorused. They loved hearing about how their aunt would come up with interesting articles. Many of her articles had won her top awards for journalism.

As soon as Justin read the bold headline—“Controversial Archaeologist Sticks to Legend Claim”—he grabbed the newspaper. “That’s the guy who says there was an ancient Egyptian ruler called the … something king—I forget the name—who has treasure still hidden away in a tomb somewhere.”

“The Scarab King,” Adam broke in. “Miss Briggs read us the article in history class.”

“Well,” Isabel said, “it’s an interesting theory, but none of the experts have found any important reference to this king. Looks as if he’s on a wild goose chase.”

Gran appeared in the doorway to summon them to tea. “What’s this about a goose, a scarab, and a king?”

Justin put on an air of importance as he explained. “Well, Gran, we just did Egypt in history class. It was so interesting because there was a big article in the local newspaper about this archaeologist James Kinnaird and his controversial theories.”

“What’s contro—controv—?” Adam asked.

“It means he says what he thinks,” Isabel replied.

Adam was confused. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

“Well,” his aunt murmured, “I suppose it depends who you’re talking to.”

Gran put her hands on her hips and then raised her eyebrows. “I’m just an old lady who doesn’t know anything, but will somebody please explain.”

Isabel replied, “James Kinnaird is a Scottish archaeologist who’s always off on some fantastical quest or other. He says he’s made a sensational discovery about ancient Egypt that will rewrite history.”

She walked over to her desk and flipped open a large book, riffling through the pages until she found a map of ancient Egypt. “Come and look at this, then it’ll be clearer.”

The boys and Gran clustered around the desk.

“As we know,” Isabel continued, “Egypt was once divided into two parts: Upper and Lower Egypt—it’s plainly marked here.”

“Oh, I know,” Justin interrupted. “The two Egypts were united by some king—Menes, I think. And that’s when they started recording history and the Egyptian dynasties for the first time, right?”

His aunt said, “That’s quite right, Justin. However, Mr. Kinnaird believes that long before that—in the prehistoric time—there was a ruler called the Scarab King. Not much is known about him, but there seems to be some sort of popular legend about his treasure. It would be a major archaeological scoop for whoever found it. It would make a great story for the newspapers as well.”

Isabel smiled at her nephews’ eager faces.

“About a year or two ago, James Kinnaird made this his quest, just about demanding that the Egyptian government allow him to search for the Scarab King’s tomb. He managed to ruffle so many official Egyptian feathers that he was almost deported. It’s rather strange he’s been so insistent.”

“I thought the Egyptians were keen to dig up stuff from the past,” Gran said.

“Yes, I’m sure they are,” Isabel said, closing the book, “but recently there have been an extraordinary number of thefts of valuable artifacts from archaeological digs. Artifacts are being smuggled out of the country at an alarming rate. Mr. Kinnaird has pointed fingers at certain people in high positions in the government, almost accusing them of stealing.”

“Well,” Adam said, “this is a chance to look for treasure ourselves. We could make a discovery that’ll go down in history and make us famous.”

Justin narrowed his eyes. “What rot,” he scoffed. “If experienced guys like that archaeologist can’t find anything, how do you expect us to? Anyway, we’ll be on a tour. We can’t just go off and look for things.”

Adam glared at Justin. “I don’t know how,” he said, “but anything can happen.” He hated feeling put down like that. Justin could be quite mean at times.

Then Adam beamed hopefully at his aunt. “We could have an adventure, though, right? Just a small one.”

Praise for the Book

"Wow! That was an action-packed story! I loved how Ms. Ingram just dove right into the story. From the time that Adam is given the scarab to the time that Adam and Justin return home, there is non-stop action. Through Ms. Ingram’s fantastic writing skills, I was able to visualize all of the events as they were occurring. I can totally see the story in this book transformed into a screenplay for the big screen. I think it’s a fabulous story filled with mystery, intrigue, and action." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Author Fiona Ingram mixes history and legends in this fast action adventure that keeps you reading till the very end. The characters are cleverly written. Young readers can easily step into the shoes of these two cousins and experienced this exciting adventure that takes you into the heart of Egypt. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery..." ~ 5-Star review from Coffee Ramblings "Billy", Amazon (US)

"If you enjoyed reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Enid Blyton's The Famous Five, I am sure you will look forward to reading this book. It will keep you spellbound to the end. The mysteries of the Sacred Scarab and the Scarab King unfold gradually. The story is even livelier because of its references to ancient history, legends and archaeology..." ~ 5-Star review from Book Review, Amazon (US)

"This story ROCKED! It was exciting, action-filled, adventurous and history filled book! It pretty much had everything me (as a boy) would want in a book - danger, mystery, legends, exciting setting, myths and much more. The story was written really well and it kept me reading page after page. I really liked the simple pencil illustrations in the book. I liked the characters of Justin and Adam. They were both nice, smart and brave. The book has no bad language or graphic violence in it..." ~ Erik @ This Kid Reviews Books

"...[T]his is a fun read that reminded me more of the Hardy Boys than anything else. Characters using their minds to solve the problems in the modern world. The writing is tight and fun. It doesn't linger on the unnecessary, rather, it constantly moves forward, always capturing your attention and finding reasons to read on and neglect whatever is burning on the stove. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a fun mystery in what projects to be the first in a well-crafted and original series." ~ 5-Star review from J. Lurie, Amazon (US)

About the Author

Fiona Ingram (B.A., Hons. (Natal), M.A., (Wits)) was born and educated in South Africa, and has worked as a full-time journalist and editor. Her interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and her enjoyment of travel has resulted in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children’s adventure series The Chronicles of the Stone. Fiona has recently completed the second book entitled The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, a treat for young King Arthur fans. She is busy with Book 3 entitled The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper.

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"Birds of the Nile" by N. E. David

EXCERPT

Birds of the Nile:
An Egyptian Adventure

by N. E. David

Birds of the Nile is currently on tour with Reading Addiction Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

  

Description

British ex-diplomat Michael Blake has been blinded and is confined to his flat in Cairo. Every few days a visitor comes to read to him. It’s a year since he took early retirement and booked a long–awaited birding trip on the Nile.

Half way through the voyage he meets Lee Yong and finds himself falling for her. But she’s falling for Reda, their tour guide. He isn’t all he seems either and when the Egyptian revolution kicks off, Blake finds himself embroiled in a tangled web of love and intrigue. When Reda is captured and thrown into jail, Blake will be forced to decide – to help Lee Yong and join the revolution or stand aside and risk losing everything.

Set against the background of the events of January 2011, Birds of the Nile is a powerful story of loss and self discovery as three disparate characters, each with their own agenda, seek to come to terms with change. Part political thriller, part love story, Birds of the Nile reminds us of the complex nature of global cultural interaction and how, as individuals, we try to deal with it.

Excerpt

Chapter One

There were times when he thought he could see the light - or at least sense it - a faint blur amidst the general darkness. He knew it was there, for each morning when he shuffled across the bare boards of his room and threw open the shutters to let in the day, he remembered how it would come flooding in, great long shafts of it slicing into the space between the window and his bed, the covers turned back, the sheet still warm from whatever rest he had managed the night before. Then he would feel it too, the heat of it on his hands and feet, and for a minute or two he would bathe his face in it, slanting his chin upwards toward the sun which even at that early hour still had the capacity to burn. It would strike him how pleasurable this was, and rather than go to the bathroom for his morning ablutions and take the risk of boiling a kettle and pouring scalding water into a sink, he would remain by the window and wash himself in a brightness he knew but could not see. And so, in this way, another day would slowly but surely begin.

On this particular morning he had woken with a jolt. The dream which had continually afflicted his sleep had returned and was plaguing him once more. He had thought himself free of it, but it was back and with it the suspicion that it would never truly leave him.

And yet it always began so well. He would find himself running in the midst of a large crowd, almost like a herd of buffalo charging across an open plain. He was filled with a feeling of joy and light-headedness and he imagined he was carrying something in his hand (was it a flag?) which he seemed to hold aloft as if in triumph. Then he would become aware of the noise, the raised voices of the tumult surrounding him, the shouts and cries of the crowd and the deep rumble of stones landing on corrugated sheeting. And somewhere at the back of his throat he could taste what he thought was the bitterness of gunsmoke.

Then the dreaded moment would arrive, preceded as if it were a herald’s trumpet by the loud whinnying of a horse. The massive beast and its rider would suddenly appear out of the confusion and rear up before him in fear. He would find himself staring at its hooves and a moment would pass in which he could hear nothing save a strange rattle as though a tin can were being kicked down the street. Then it would fall silent again for a second before everything erupted in a deafening roar and the searing pain would begin.

Here he would jerk himself awake and sit bolt upright in the bed, his upper body drenched in sweat and his breath coming in short, sharp gasps like those of a panting dog. He would stay there, his arms pushed back against the sheets behind him until he had finally calmed himself and told himself that it was only a dream. But after a while, when he felt ready, as if in the hope that all life since had been part of his imagination too, he would gradually prise his eyelids apart to test the reality.

Yet still there would be nothing.

Eventually, he would swing his legs over the edge of the bed and instead of trying to fall back to sleep and risk a repeat of the same painful journey, he would make his way across to the window where he would open the shutters once more.

Featured Review

By Ozziereader

It is always a joy to find a good read among the dross that one finds out there these days. Michael Blake, newly retired from the British Foreign office in Egypt, doesn't return home. He loves his adopted country. We know at the beginning that he is going to lose his sight. How, we wonder. He goes on a boat tour along the Nile to bird watch. Along the way he meets people who he suspects may be involved in the political unrest threatening the country and gradually becomes involved. Any further explanation on the story would be a spoiler. This book is by someone who knows how to write and construct a tale. It is a book I will remember for some time.

About the Author

N. E. David is the pen name of York author Nick David. Nick tried his hand at writing at the age of 21 but like so many things in life, it did not work out first time round. Following the death of his father in 2005, he took it up again and has been successful in having a series of short novellas published both in print and online.

Nick maintains he has no personal or political message to convey but that his objective is merely to entertain the reader and he hopes this is reflected in his writing. Besides being a regular contributor to Literary Festivals and open mics in the North East Region, Nick is also a founder member of York Authors and co-presenter of Book Talk on BBC Radio York.

His debut novel, Birds of the Nile, is published by Roundfire.

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