“A thrilling adventure for two young boys, whose fun trip to Egypt turns into a dangerously exciting quest to uncover an ancient and mysterious secret.” —Shelf Unbound (2016 Finalist for Best Independently Published Book)

In this exciting Middle Grade adventure set in Egypt, a 5000-year-old mystery comes to life. 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 learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. 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.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the kind of adventure book boys and girls love The fast-paced action, the evil villain readers delight in hating, the secrets of the past, and the mysterious ancient setting make this novel a sure-hit favorite for all the young and adventurous at heart. Ingram's impeccable and fascinating research into Egyptian history illuminates the adventure and makes the secrets of Egypt's past as thrilling to the reader as the boys' dangerous encounters.

Awards:

2016 Shelf Unbound Competition Finalist for Best Independently Published Book

2013 Wise Bear Book Awards Gold Medal Winner

2011 Sharp Writ Book Awards (SWBA) Second Place Winner for Young Adult

2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards Gold Award Winner for Preteen Mystery

2011 Rubery Book Awards Finalist

2010 Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medal Winner for Teen Fiction

2010 International Book Awards Finalist for Children’s Fiction

2010 Moonbeam Book Awards Bronze Medal Winner for Preteen Mystery Fiction

2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Juvenile Fiction

2009 American Book Fest’s Best Book Awards Finalist for Children’s Fiction

2009 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Honorable Mention for Preteen

Named Number 2 Favorite Book of 2009 in The Children’s and Teen’s Book Connection’s “Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens and Teens”

More Reviews:

“An action-packed children’s novel set in Egypt, featuring mysterious happenings, an intrepid granny and a sinister plot to gain absolute power.” —Rubery Book Awards 

“Adventure lovers will get the opportunity to become tourists on an exciting tour to Egypt through this magnificent novel…. This is an engrossing children’s mystery with non-stop action and interesting dialogue. I enjoyed the entertaining drama while learning about Egypt’s rich historical past…. Fiona Ingram impressed me immensely with her relaxed, eloquent storytelling that will delight both pre-teens and adults. I look forward to the continuing adventure...” —Readers’ Favorite

“Once I started reading The Secret of the Sacred Scarab I never wanted to put it down, and I was ready to read it all over again as soon as I was done.  If the first book in The Chronicle of the Stone series by Fiona Ingram is this superb, I hold out high hopes for future installments.  I eagerly anticipate Book 2 in the series, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur!” —The Children’s and Teen’s Book Connection

"This is one of the most thrilling children's books that I have read in a long time. Author Fiona Ingram ... has combined an exciting story that is filled with adventure and suspenseful mystery to keep the reader turning the pages with a lot of interesting factual information about the history and geography of Egypt."  —Stories for Children Magazine 

"It is a rollicking tale, in which the young protagonists have to rely on their wits and their courage as they come up against influential crooks out to get their hands on some of Egypt's greatest archaeological treasures ... Pacy and lively, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the first in a projected series."  —The Witness 

"It's time to tell the other books on your bookshelf to make room for a classic in the making! Thrilling, riveting, and packed with action, adventure, and suspense, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is destined for greatness. My 14-year-old son devoured this book with relish and is threatening to run away to Egypt if I don't get my hands on the sequels soon!"  —Phillipa Mitchell, Founder and CEO, Red Pepper Books 

"Fiona Ingram is the master of writing historical fiction for young adults. Her way with wording has you feeling as though you are part of the adventure. Each turn of the page delivers more action, adventure, and history. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is a must-read for all young adults, especially young Egyptologists. Fiona Ingram has not only added a brilliant cast of characters but has also included Egypt as one of the characters instead of using it as just a backdrop for the story. Truly, a book I would recommend reading. An amazing start to what I'm sure is going to be a wonderful series, full of action and adventure."  —Angela Simmons for Review the Book

"What a great summer read for tween boys especially. This book has all of the elements that boys would find interesting: boys for the main characters, the adventure of Egypt, the mystery behind a sacred scarab, and the action of the chase and kidnapping. Girls will enjoy this book as well. A byproduct of this book may spark an interest in Egyptian culture and history and what a better way for kids to spend time than learning. Great book!" —Mindy Detweiler for Review the Book

Author Bio:

Fiona Ingram was born and educated in South Africa. Her interest in ancient history, mysteries, and legends, combined with her love of travel, has resulted in this award-winning first volume of her exciting children's adventure series, The Chronicles of the Stone.

"With a gripping plot, mind-blowing storytelling, and unpredictable twists, Amulet's Rapture is going to be among my top three favorites of this year." —Readers' Favorite

"One of the novel's most ambitious gambits is its richly atmospheric blending of supernatural elements into the broader story. The tale features ghosts, animal familiars, shapeshifters, and all kinds of spiritual communications, and Tanner's skill at interweaving these elements is shown by how seamless the whole process feels...This is a strong entry in Tanner's enjoyable series." —Kirkus Reviews 

Blood stains her Celtic home and kingdom. The warrior Druid princess will do anything to retake her kingdom. 

Although Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne in Britannia, she is lucky to be alive. After witnessing the slaughter of her family at the hands of her half-brother, who was aided by the Romans, she is enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion with the belief that she is an oracle of Apollo and can foretell his future. The sole bright spot in her miserable new life is her forbidden lover Marcellus, the great-grandson of the famed Roman General Mark Antony.

But Marcellus has been wounded and his memories of Catrin and their secret marriage were erased by a dark Druidess. Though Marcellus reunites with Catrin in Gaul and becomes her ally as she struggles to survive the brutality of her Roman master, he questions the legitimacy of their marriage and hesitates to help her escape and retake her kingdom. If their forbidden love and alliance are discovered, her dreams of returning to her Celtic home with Marcellus will be shattered.

More Reviews:

2020 The Coffee Pot Book Club Award, 5 Stars

"Tanner pens a compelling narrative, and she writes with imagination and a great deal of energy. This is a book that is triumphant in all ways. If you are looking for your next great historical fantasy series set within a realistic Roman backdrop, then look no further than Amulet's Rapture...Fans of Jez Butterworth's Britannia will fall in love with this book. I highly recommend." —Mary Ann Yarde for The Coffee Pot Book Club

"…readers who seek a strong romantic feel to their fantasies will appreciate Tanner's writing. She peppers her plot with just enough of these steamy scenes to keep romance fans invested." —Literary Titan (Gold Book Award) 

"The author, Linnea Tanner has done extensive research into Roman history, mysticism, anthropology, and religions. For those that had not read books 1 and 2, the author brings the story-line forward smoothly. I had read the previous two books, but it was good to have a little refresher. This trilogy is one of my favorite books of the year." —★★★★★ Reader Review

Author Bio:

Award-winning Author Linnea Tanner weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue into the backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology which held women in higher esteem. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids. 

Depending on the time of day and season of the year, you will find her exploring and researching ancient and medieval history, mythology and archaeology to support her writing. As the author of the Curse of Clansman and Kings series, she has extensively researched and traveled to sites described within each book. 

A native of Colorado, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry. She lives in Windsor with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren.

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