♦ The Fallen Pharaoh ♦ Quest #3 ♦ Cover Reveal & Giveaway ♦

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It’s time to reunite without the burden of a perilous quest.
Let’s just sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.
The idea is simple enough. What could possibly go wrong?

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Tragedy sends a shockwave across the land, and rumours begin to surface and spread. Has the very thing that protects the Pharaoh gone missing? An ancient Egyptian legend foretells that without it, the safety of the Pharaoh is doomed. Khafre calls upon his trusted friends from the future to seek out the fabled Ankh of Life.

It’s a quest to discover if the legend is true. If it is, our heroes need to find the ankh and return it to its rightful place. The awesome foursome from the future are in the race of their life – against the passage of time and mysterious forces that want them stopped.

This edge-of-your-seat adventure weaves its thrills and mystery through the very crossroads of time itself. From ancient Egypt, to the centre of time, to modern Paris. The gang of four must face their most amazing encounters so far.

The pressure is on. Who is trying to stop them? Will our heroes overcome the danger and challenges of their newest quest? Only time will tell.

The time has come for the legend to rise and protect.

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The Fallen Pharaoh eBook launches at Amazon on the 1st June 2013
Click here to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

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About The Quest Series

The Quest series is an exciting time-travel adventure like no other, which has won over fans from all ages.  Kids love it because it takes them on an action-packed ride, and adults love it because it reminds them of their childhood dreams of adventure.  It has been described as Harry Potter meets Percy Jackson meets Indiana Jones meets The Mummy.

The underlying essence that I have tried to inject into this series is maximum adventure, maximum action, amazing settings, awesome humour and relatable characters.  I wanted my heroes to be just everyday kids, who find themselves in the most awesome adventure of their lives.  These books are so vividly burnt into my mind, that I can see the settings, smell the air, and feel the emotions of the characters.  It has taken me years to get the story to where it is now, and there are still a couple more books to come.  My dream would be for the series to become loved enough to spawn a CG movie or two or more (A very wild dream, I know – but one that I’ll hold onto – ya gotta have dreams.).

JJ, Linc and Rani are just three normal kids who have found themselves in adventures that none of them could ever have imagined.  The series is an edge-of-your-seat tale of time-travel that spans from modern times to ancient Egypt.  The past and present collide as our heroes are tasked with saving history (and the future) from turmoil.  It’s not an easy job, especially when their arch enemies have an army of living statues, known as Uberdiles at their side.  Over the course of the quests, our heroes meet many wonderful characters and learn about their own strengths, the importance of teamwork and loyalty, and how trust each other.

Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to Singapore and I visited Universal Studios (I’m a theme park fan).  One of the key things that attracted me to visit the newest Universal theme park was that I knew there was an ancient Egypt zone, which housed one of my favourite rides, The Mummy.  Well, as soon as I arrived in the zone I felt just like I had stepped through time and into my books.  The ancient Egypt theming was awesome and the detail and scale were stunning.  There were even some giant statues of one of my characters, Anubis.  To read more about my visit, click here to jump to my blog post.

I’d be honoured if you would give the Quest series a go and read each of the exciting quests.  I’m confident that you’ll find that it will take you on an adventure that will knock your socks off.

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 To celebrate, I have a few things happening

The Golden Scarab (Quest #1) is reduced to $0.99 at Amazon for a limited time
♦ Click to take the plunge at Amazon US  ♦  UK  ♦  Canada  ♦  World  ♦

 I’m also holding 2 awesome giveaways

Here are the links

Goodreads – 1 x paperback edition of The Fallen Pharaoh.
Click here to enter
Open for US, CA, UK, AU, NZ.

 Rafflecopter – 2 x sets of The Quest Series ebooks.
Each set contains 1 copy of each book:
The Golden Scarab, The Cursed Nile, The Fallen Pharaoh.
Click here to enter
Open internationally.

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I’m also proud to be part of the Kid Lit Giveaway Hop
which is in celebration of Children’s Book Week.

Happy hopping everyone, thanks for dropping by.

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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

 

♦ The Fallen Pharaoh ♦ Quest #3 ♦ Coming Soon ♦

Warning: Those of you who read this book will travel through time. If you suffer from motion sickness, you may experience some uncomfortable symptoms as time-travel occurs. If you currently suffer from boredom, you will experience un-boredom while reading this book. If you have a tendency to laugh-out-loud, then you may annoy others sitting close by. If you like action and adventure, strap yourself in for the ride of your life.

♦ Click the pic for my NewsFlash ♦

(Here’s a tip: My NewsFlash is different to following my blog)

 

♦ Kid’s Review by DeAnnah ♦ Michaela’s Gift (Cordelia Dinsmore) ♦

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I’m the moderator of a fantastic group on Goodreads called GREAT MIDDLE GRADE READS. This group has a forum that provides a tool for real kids to read and publish their very own reviews of middle grade books.  Who better to review middle grade books than the kids themselves.

Keep checking back here from time-to-time for more REVIEWS BY KIDS of great middle grade reads.

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Kid’s Review by DeAnnah (age 10 years)

Michaela’s Gift - by Cordelia Dinsmore

Goodreads Blurb

Michaela Cochran still believes in enchanted mountains and fairytale castles, but her happily-ever-after will never happen if she can’t convince her mother to accept the magical gift Michaela has inherited.

Michaela Cochran and her family make the trip to her father’s ancestral home every year, but this year is special. Michaela is now twelve, the age when every girl in the family receives a special gift. When Aunt Sharon explains that Michaela’s gift is a magical ability to bring one of her drawings to life, Michaela begins making plans.

What she wants most is a castle high on the mountain, where her family can live together. But if she can’t figure out how to resolve the growing hostility between herself and her mother, her gift is meaningless.

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DeAnnah’s Review

Michaela’s Gift is a mix of magic, fun, family and a bit of mystery. There were some shocking moments in the book to. I loved this book so much that I read it in a matter of hours! Sean, Michaela’s brother, is funny and sometimes clever. Michaela is smart and resourceful. I’m really glad that I read this book.

4 Bookworms

This is what DeAnnah’s mom thought

My daughter and I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Michaela has come with her family to her Grandparent’s to receive the gift that all girls in her family receive on their 12th birthday. While she is excited that she is going to finally get her gift,  she doesn’t understand why her mother is so upset about her gift and is so angry with her.  I really enjoyed this story. It is full of magic of all sorts, from magical gifts to the magic of a family’s love for each other. There were some very good twists and turns throughout the book that kept it interesting.

I thought this author did a good job of portraying the tension that was between Michaela and her mother as well as showing how families can overcome difficult circumstances and still care for each other. I originally thought that some of the issues in the book might be a bit heavy for the reading level but after my daughter read it and I read it wasn’t a concern any longer. The only thing that I was left wanting was to know more about how the gift worked.

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Thanks DeAnnah, your review was published as part of the GREAT MIDDLE GRADE READS
group’s REVIEWS BY KIDS initiative.

You’re review will help other readers around the world!!

The rating scale is ‘Bookworms’.

1 = I didn’t like this book.
2 = This is an ok book.
3 = This is a good book. I liked it.
4 = This is a great book. I really enjoyed it.
5 = This is an awesome book. I loved it and so will the world.

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The World’s Top 10 Best Images of Rainbow Cats

Reblogged from The Worlds top 10 of Anything and Everything!!! :

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Did you know that as a result of their ability to catch mice Ancient Egyptians would turn cats into sacred feline deities. They called them 'miw' and as a result of their closeness and indeed deep fondness with our feline friends they went into mourning whenever a 'miw' passed away, much like we would do when we lose our pets now.

Read more… 184 more words

For those of you who have read my first book The Golden Scarab, you'll know how the cats in ancient Egypt are part of the story. One of the characters in the book is a cat named Mau. He wanted me to share this post with you all.

 

♦ My Review ♦ The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis ♦ by Sharon Ledwith ♦

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The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
by Sharon Ledwith ★★★★

When Amanda Sault and her four classmates are caught in a major food fight at school, they are given the choice of suspension or yard duty. It was a no-brainer. A two-week crash course in landscaping leads the kids to discover a weathered stone arch buried in an overgrown backyard. Instead of a forgotten lawn ornament, it turns out to be an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.

Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from an evil force—the five children, along with two offbeat adults, are sent on the adventure of their lives to save the Earth from an uncertain future.

The Timekeepers’ first mission lands them in England in 1214, where they must find an adolescent Robin Hood and his band of merry teens before history is turned upside-down. [Goodreads].

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My Review

This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.

In a nutshell, The Arch of Atlantis is a story of a group of opposing teens thrown together into a thrilling time-travel adventure. The group are involved in a food fight at school which ends in them all receiving detention together (you could say the situation is reminiscent of The Breakfast Club). Quite simply, this cast of characters don’t get on, and I think that is why the author has chosen to put them together.  In between a volley of one liners (I hope my kids grow up with more respect for others than these teens show), we  see their attitudes to each other evolve as the story progresses.

Whilst on detention, they discover the Arch of Atlantis hidden in the overgrown garden of a volunteer from their school.  It’s a mysterious gateway to time-travel and adventure.  Amanda unlocks the key to the arch and they find themselves transported to Atlantis, where they are told of the legend of the arch, and bestowed the roles of The Last Timekeepers. I’m guessing, that it looks like there will be more time-travel missions ahead for these guys.

Their first mission sends them way back to 1214 in Sherwood Forest, where they meet up with a band of merry teens, a young guy called Robyn, and feisty lass known as Miriam (do they sound familiar?). My favourite parts of the book were the adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham.  I could almost smell the stench from the mud and hear the sounds of the locals. The dialogue used was also reminiscent of the time – thou didth enjoyeth it – (clearly I’m no expert here).  There are many trials and obstacles that they must overcome along the way, until it all culminates with ….. (I’m not telling you). As with all my reviews, I try not to inject them with too many spoilers. If you want to know more about the medieval adventures. then you’ll need to read it for yourself.

The target audience for the book is 9 to 16.

My Bottom Line: This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.

Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.

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More about Sharon Ledwith and The Last Timekeepers

It just so happens that Sharon is celebrating 12 months since the release of
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and is currently hosting a giveaway.

So, if you’re inspired or curious, jump on over there for a peek and maybe win a copy for yourself.

Click to time travel over to Sharon’s 1st Anniversary Book Release Celebration

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This post is part of the greatest blog hop on the block.

Click the kids below to check some more blogs to hop.

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♦ Cover Reveal ♦ The Talent Seekers ♦ by Jemima Pett ♦

The Talent Seekers by Jemima Pett is the fifth book
in the Princelings of the East series.

Keep an eye out for the launch later this month.

This exciting new adventure is set in the months between the Prologue and the Epilogue of the Princelings and the Lost City (Book 3), but with otherwise little connection to the previous stories in the series.  It’s suitable for readers aged 10 and upwards.

Humphrey is on the run.  He has  no friends, no past, no purpose, and no future.  He’s just a guinea pig  trying to find his way west in a world of dark forests, wild hills,  strong castles, and assorted vagabonds and other nameless things that  might or might not begin with the letter V.

White Horse Castle has a proud  past but an uncertain future.  The new king, Benson, is trying to hold  his realm together against the avaricious intentions of his neighbour,  Lord Colman of Castle Deeping. Fortunately, White Horse Castle has a  secret.  It knows that there are special guinea pig people out there… people who need a purpose… people with skills and talents that could be  put to good use. The trouble is, how to find them?

The other books in the series are:

The Princelings of the East

The Princelings and the Pirates

The Princelings and the Lost City

The Traveler in Black and White

Check out my review on Amazon
for The Traveler in Black and White

Click here to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

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The buzz about the author – Jemima Pett

I’ve been writing since I was about 8 years old. When my mum died in 2003, I found a small booklet in her box of treasures, written in a very childish hand, entitled The Little Stream. I’ve been writing articles and reports for newsletters and magazines ever since, but I couldn’t find interesting characters and plot for a novel!

I had worked in business for many years. I wrote manuals, reports, science papers, blogs, journals, anything and everything that kept the words flowing. Finally the characters jumped into my head with stories that needed to be told, and THE PRINCELINGS OF THE EAST was born.

I now live in Norfolk with my guinea pigs, the first of whom, Fred, George, Victor and Hugo, provided the inspiration for my stories. And the picture is me with Fred. That’s Princeling Fred, of course!

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Facebook page: www.facebook.com/princelings

Website: http://princelings.co.uk

Blog: http://jemimapett.com

Twitter: @jemima_pett

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Jemima Pett is also taking part in a worldwide
Kid Lit Giveaway Hop for Children’s Book Week.

Click here to enter her Rafflecopter giveaway

The prizes are:

• one copy of the Princelings Trilogy (paperback) to a winner in the EU (plus Norway and Switzerland)
• a bundle of the first three ebooks (as pictured) for a winner elsewhere in the world.
• one copy of my latest ebook The Talent Seekers (or another of the series if preferred) to a winner (worldwide)

It’s open now and it will close at midnight 19th May (New York time).

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♦ New Kids Movie Trailer ♦ Tad – The Lost Explorer ♦ (2012/13) ♦

Hiya, This is just a quick post to let you know that I’ve added a new kid’s movie trailer to my KIDS MOVIE TRAILERS page.

TAD – THE LOST EXPLORER (2012/13)

There’s no prize for guessing why I’m looking forward to this one being released on DVD (here in Oz) in the near future. Something like this for my books would be a dream come true. Dare to dream everyone!

Tad is a celebrity archeologist and adventurer just like his hero Max Mordon… in his dreams! In reality, Tad is a Chicago construction worker. One day, however, he is mistaken for a real Professor and takes his place on a flight to Peru in search of the Lost City of Paititi. Professor Lavrof and his beautiful daughter Sara are waiting for the famous professor to crack the code. Unfortunately for Tad, Sara is engaged to real-life hero Max Mordon, but Max has secretly betrayed the Professor by teaming up with the evil Kopponen and his shady Odysseus corporation. Time for Tad to step up. (IMDB)

As a BONUS, here is a short called Nefertiti’s Hand which was created to publicise the Tad movie. I love it, I think it’s very clever and provides a few good laughs.

If you liked that, then click the MOVIE TRAILERS link at the top of this page or click on the MOVIES category in the right hand margin to see all of the other new and favourite trailer links I’ve posted.

 

♦ My Review ♦ Diary of a Penguin-napper ♦ by Sally Harris ★★★★★

Click the cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf

DIARY OF A PENGUIN-NAPPER
by Sally Harris ★★★★★

3 weeks … 2 boys … 1 little penguin … What could possibly go wrong?

When 11 (and a half) year old Marty is partnered up with Jessica on the overnight science trip, he thinks all of this dreams are about to come true.

It’s his big chance to impress the most beautiful girl in Year 7 (and probably the world) and he wouldn’t miss it for anything. Only problem is: Marty can’t afford to go on the overnight trip. Yet.

Inspired by the urban myth that it is possible to steal a penguin from the zoo on a school visit, Diary of a Penguin-napper is a hilarious tale of growing up, bending the rules and how one big fuss can be caused by stealing just one little penguin. [Goodreads].

 

 

My Review

This is a funny, entertaining tale of two boys, a girl, and a penguin that made me laugh plenty of times.

The first thing that grabbed me about this book was the awesome cover. My hat is off to the illustrator/designer. The second thing that grabbed me about this book was the great story. My hat is off to the author.

It’s one of those tales where a small thing in itself (the need to go to a camp) leads from one event to the next, like a snowball. From the title, you already know that there is a penguin involved. Well, that penguin is central to the story but it isn’t the main focus.

The story follows the antics of Marty, who along with his best friend, Turds, embark on a simple journey to find a way for Marty to go to an overnight school excursion. That sounds simple enough … well, it’s not that easy. One thing leads to another, and much of the tale is how the kids solve the problem that they’ve caused while they’ve been trying to solve the previous problem.  Lack of attention to detail in their planning, contributes to their woes. As I said, it’s like a snowball that grows as it rolls.

I’m not going to fill this review with spoilers so you’ll need to read the book for yourself to get any more details. But I will say that the bank scene was hilarious and written so well that the awkwardness between the characters burst from the pages.

My favourite lines are:

I freeze. I don’t really want to give her my real name in case the whole thing backfires. I scan the nearby pamphlets. “Mr Investment,” I say, picking the first word that I can see that might be a surname. I could hardly pick Mr Money Manager or Mr Business Banking, now could I?

My bottom line:

This is a funny, entertaining tale of two boys, a girl, and a penguin that made me laugh plenty of times. I recommend this to anyone who would like a read that makes them chuckle at the awkward circumstances kids can bring upon themselves. As a parent, I’ll be on the lookout for clues from now on, in case this ever happens at my place.