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The Search for the Stone of Excalibur Blog Tour


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The Search for the Stone of Excalibur - Blog Tour Button

About the Book

Title: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur (The Chronicles of the Stone, Book 2) | Author: Fiona Ingram | Publication Date: October 6, 2014 | Publisher: The Educational Publisher / Biblio Publishing | Pages: 376 | Recommended Ages: 10+

Summary: A modern day adventure as our protagonists search for Excalibur and the treasures it holds!

Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur.

However, their long-standing enemy, Dr. Khalid, is following them as they travel to Scotland to investigate an old castle. Little do they know there is another deadly force, the Eaters of Poison, who have their own mission to complete. Time is running out as the confluence of the planets draws closer. Can Justin and Adam find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why did Aunt Isabel send a girl with them?

Join Justin and Adam as they search not only for the second Stone of Power, but also for the Scroll of the Ancients, a mysterious document that holds important clues to the Seven Stones of Power. As their adventure unfolds, they learn many things and face dangers that make even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that their tag-along companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they are stumped.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram

The first book in the series, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab has enjoyed the following book contest wins and nominations:

* Finalist Children’s Fiction Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards

* Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009

* Winner Pre-Teen 2009 Readers’ Favorites Awards

* Number 2 in the 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 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards

* Winner Gold Medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Goodreads

 

My Review

 After reading Ingram’s first novel, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, I became a huge fan of the Chronicle of the Stone series. As soon as I put the first book down, I started reading the second one right away.  As with the first story, the second installment of the series is packed with page-turning adventure, interesting historical facts, and funny and relatable characters. Apart from the continuation of the search of the stones of power, there’s also an added conflict between cousins Adam and Justin: little Kim, Aunt Isabel’s foster daughter, gets thrust in their midst as part of this new journey.

This particular story finds Adam and Justin, entrusted with new addition to the team Kim, on their way to Scotland — the land where their archaeologist friend James was born. Arthur’s mythical Excalibur has allegedly been found (thus showing proof of the existence of King Arthur), and the group believes the second Stone of Power to be in it. However, the trio is not to go after the stone, but in the search of The Scroll of the Ancients instead. In that document they’ll be able to find information on the location of the remaining 5 Stones of Power, and therefore be a step ahead of evil Dr. Khalid. Adam keeps learning more about his role in the search for the stones, and he also has to deal with Justin’s jealousy both of Kim and his own place in their quest.

Blending history, mythology, fantasy and a wealth of imagination, Ingram weaves a fabulously well written story that would make any tween or teen interested in history. The Chronicle of the Stone adventures are a sort of Indiana Jones crusade with teenagers as the leads. As an adult I found it mildly unbelievable that the kids would be left alone by the adults around them at some points of the story, but I’m sure that all kid readers would strongly disagree with me.

My daughter is only 6, but a really avid reader and a history enthusiast. I can’t wait for her to read this books to compare notes. However, I’d say the series is more intended to tweens and early teens. But if you’re an adult lover of fantasy, such as myself, I would recommend you pick a copy of these books and give it a try!

 

The Early Buzz

“Fiona Ingram’s storytelling is masterful; she adroitly weaves historical fact and fantasy in a smooth and fluid style that makes reading this book both an exciting and intellectually satisfying treat. The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is filled with action and adventure, puzzles and ghostly presences, and stalwart companions ready to face any and all perils that come their way. What more could a reader ask for? The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is a marvelous historical adventure tale, and it’s most highly recommended. (5 stars)”~ Jack Magnus, Readers Favorite

“As always, Fiona Ingram’s masterful description paints a vivid picture of the setting for this adventure, beginning with the honey-tinted Cotswold beauty of Oxford before moving on to the wilder, rugged landscape of Scotland. But Fiona’s particular skill lies in the wonderful characters which she creates to people these adventures… (5 Stars)” ~ Dassie, Amazon

“Character development is the key to the story, and the dialogue is snappy… If there are young reluctant readers in your family, this might just be the kick they need to get over that hump. (5 Stars)” ~ Lit Amri, Readers Favorite

“Fiona Ingram has once again taken myth and legend and blended it into an exciting page turner. The mystery will keep the reader on the edge of their seats as they follow the cousins in their search for clues in old books and on the grounds of a Scottish castle. The story is well told and is suitable for tweens and up. (5 stars)” ~ K. Springs, Amazon

“Ingram describes her characters and locals in such a vivid way that the reader cannot help but picture themselves right there alongside the cousins. I loved the historical information at the end as well as the preview of the next book! I cannot wait! The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is certain to be the next great young adult series of our time! (5 stars)”~ Heather Osborne, Readers Favorite

 

About the Author: Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram, 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—Chronicles of the Stone. The second book is 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.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur Blog Tour Schedule (2015)

February 16

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Review & Launch)

Enter Here Canada (Excerpt)

February 17

Cherry Mischievous (Excerpt)

February 18

InkSpired: A Blog (Review)

2ReadBook (Review)

February 19

The Book Lovers’ Lounge (Review)

February 20

Bookroom Reviews (Review + Interview)

February 21

Jemima Pett, Author (Review)

February 23

Kay LaLone ~ I Love Books! (Review)

February 24

The Logonauts (Review)

February 25

Christy’s Cozy Corners (Guest Post)

February 26

Mami Tales (Review)

February 27

Coffee Books & Art (Excerpt)

February 28

Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)

March 1

Something Smells Fishy Here… (Author Interview)

WhenIGrowUpIWannaWriteaKidsBook (Review)

 

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner’s choice

Contest closes: March 15, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Fiona Ingram and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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About Erika

Worked in film and TV for several years before having my two wonderful children. Now I try to bring that creative input into my home to raise my kids. Hope you enjoy following this journey!
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7 Comments

  1. This sounds like something I could get into, not just my kids!!

  2. Thanks so much for taking part in the blog tour for “The Search for the Stone of Excalibur”. I often lament the lack of adult supervision in middle grade novels too! But, as my daughter is set to turn 12 next month, I have to admit that her need and ability for independence is increasing exponentially. Geez, kids that age really do go off and do stuff together on their own without adults supervising. Scary … but we are grappling with this these days. Regardless, I’m really glad you enjoyed the story and I’m also looking forward to the next book. Fiona really crafted an engaging story!

    • Renee, I’m so glad I got to read this series! Thanks so much for bringing Fiona Ingram into my life and my book collection 🙂 About tweens… yes. Even mine, at 6, wishes she were an adult to do things independently!! Why do kids are always to eager to grow so fast? *sigh*

  3. Pingback: Blog Tour Launch, Review & Giveaway: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur by Fiona Ingram | Mother Daughter Book Reviews

  4. Thanks for such a fabulous review, Erika. I am delighted you enjoyed both books. I am sure you will love Book 3 set in the Mexican jungle. Alas, adults would only get in the way of the incredible adventures the kids have so one has to at least get them out of the way for a little while… Luckily their aunt seems to understand they can actually fend for themselves.

    • Fiona, I’m a big fan — the review was very well deserved. Thank YOU for writing such fun books! My daughter is reading the first book and completely enthralled by it 🙂 And yes, I have to say the mother in me complaints about the lack of adult supervision, but the child in me is happy to go along with the story!

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