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Tuesday 15 September 2015

Blog Tour Interview - The Search for the Stone of Excalibur by Fiona Ingram




The Search for the Stone of Excalibur
Author:
Fiona Ingram
Publisher: Biblio Publishing
Pages: 376
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Format: Paperback/Kindle/Nook

Book Description:
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. Book extras include some historical background on King Arthur, the Dark Ages, warfare and weaponry during Arthur’s time, and details on Excalibur. A fascinating peek into the life and times of the real King Arthur, perfect for young time travelers and budding archaeologists.

Book Links:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23302364-the-search-for-the-stone-of-excalibur

 
Author Interview

1. What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I’ve always written something, either plays for my four brothers and me to act out for my parents (when we were very young!), creating ghost stories to entertain my younger brothers and their friends, or writing amusing poetry for family members (usually about them!); and then after drifting from the theater into working in the publishing industry, I started writing seriously. It could also be that my parents were both avid readers and there were always loads of books in the house.

2. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Apart from winning a bunch of awards for my first book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, I think so far my most rewarding experience has been signing publishing deals with first a Japanese publisher, and then a Chinese publisher, something that opens doors to a much wider international readership. Oh, yes, and when people say, “I think I’ve heard of you…” and when readers say, “I LOVED your book!”

3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
That would be The Lord of the Rings, signed by J.R.R Tolkien himself, and I chose this book because I have read it regularly over the years, always discover something new, and it is my #1 Desert Island Read.

4. If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I’m torn; should it be flying or invisibility? Upon seriously considering invisibility, I think it has an inherent flaw (one has to take one’s clothes off!) so my choice is flying.

5. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If you’re looking for a wonderful adventure, filled with excitement, mystery, danger, secrets, history, geography, archaeology and very bad baddies … The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is for you!

6. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
Book 3 of the Chronicles of the Stone series, The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper, is with the editor so I’m looking forward to sharing my young heroes’ adventures in the Mexican jungle with young explorers very soon. Then I’ll be pressing on with the remaining books in the series.

7. Do you write as you go or do you have the book planned before you start the first draft?
All my Middle Grade books are planned to some extent. I have the locations, plot points, the mysterious clues that pepper the books, the cryptic codes worked out, so all I do is get started and I find that with all of the above mentioned in the back of my mind, the action flows quite seamlessly.

8. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
I live in South Africa so we get movies a bit later than the US – however, I’m looking forward to the remake of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and any new Avengers movie.

9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Europe really appeals to me, either in a very beautiful old city, like Lisbon, Barcelona, Budapest, or else in the countryside where I’d just look out over mountains and greenery.

10. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
 Absolutely. I am the young heroes’ Aunt Isabel. In Book 1, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, I modelled my young heroes on my two nephews who accompanied me on a trip to Egypt, me on the boy’s aunt (since I am their aunt!), and the boys’ Gran on my mom who was the reason we went to Egypt in the first place.




About the Author
Fiona Ingram 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 multi award winning The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children’s adventure series—Chronicles of the Stone. Fiona has just published 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.

For More Information
•    Visit Fiona Ingram’s website.
•    Connect with Fiona on Facebook and Twitter.
•    Find out more about Fiona at Goodreads.
•    Visit Fiona’s blog.

Blog Tour Organised by:
  http://www.pumpupyourbook.com

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