Blog Tour: The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper by Fiona Ingram

Continuing the adventure that ended in Britain just a short while ago, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair, with their friend Kim Maleka, are now hunting for the third Stone of Power, one of seven mysterious stones lost centuries ago. The third stone might be located in an ancient city, hidden in the depths of the Mexican jungle. When their small plane crashes in the jungle, Adam, Justin, Kim, and James are rescued by an uncontacted tribe. James, who is wounded, must stay behind as the kids, with only a young boy, Tukum, as their guide, make their way through the dense and dangerous jungle to find the city. River rafting on a crocodile-infested river and evading predators are just part of this hazardous task.

Of course, their old adversary Dr. Khalid is close behind as the kids press on in search of the lost city of stone gods. But he is not the worst of their problems. This time Adam will clash with a terrible enemy who adopts the persona of an evil Aztec god, Tezcatlipoca, and is keen to revive the ancient tradition of human sacrifice. Adam, Justin, and Tukum must play a dreadful ball game of life and death and maybe survive. Will they emerge alive from the jungle? Will Dr. Khalid find the third Stone of Power before they do?

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I am a children’s author, but up until a few years ago, I was a journalist and editor. Something rather unexpected sparked my new career as an author—a family trip to Egypt with my mother and two young nephews. We had a great time and I thought I’d write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir…. Well, one book and a planned book series later, I had changed careers. I have now published Book 3 (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) in my MG adventure series Chronicles of the Stone, with many awards for the first book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and a few for Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and one already for Book 3! I also teach online novel writing for aspiring authors and I find that very satisfying. Relaxation time finds me enjoying something creative or artistic, music, books, theatre or ballet. I love doing research for my book series. I love animals and have written two animal rescue stories. I have two adorable (naughty) little dogs called Chloe and Pumpkin, and a beautiful black cat called Bertie.

Connect with the Author here: 

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The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper is the third book in the Chronicles of the Stone series by Fiona Ingram. Filled with obstacles every step of the way, Adam, Justin, and Kim must navigate the jungles of South America to find the third stone of power before their evil nemesis, Dr. Khalid, does.

This series in intended for middle grade audiences but, as an older audience, I found it enjoyable. The prose flows well, with just the right mix of action to slow sections to keep things interesting. There really aren't any dull moments in this interesting tale.

As this is the third in a series, I expected to feel a little lost coming in. I haven't read the previous books, but Fiona does a good job of catching the reader up to speed on the basics so you don't feel lost at all. Overall, it's an imaginative story that is filled with the history and legends of South America. And while I don't know if all the stories are true, it's enough to make me wish they were.

I give it five stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.

Here's a snippet from the book:

Kim let out a piercing scream as a small group of about ten people materialized out of the bushes. They must have been there all the time. Adam was amazed at how they had blended in with the environment. The tribesmen were not much taller than Justin, but they were muscular and looked strong. They wore loincloths and carried spears. Some carried bows. Black paint was daubed across their eye sockets, forming a mask. Tattoos and strange ritual scars ornamented their light-brown skin. Some wore armbands, and decorations around their ankles; a few wore elaborate necklaces of wooden beads. Thick plugs went through most of their earlobes. They all had longish black hair, cut so that the fringes came down to the top of their paint masks. Their dark eyes glittered as they stared back at the trio.

Check out the Book Trailers of the first 2 books in the series

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Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 12: The Christmas Switch by Laura L Walker

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time Laura was young, she spent hours drawing characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when Laura met her own hero and they eventually became the parents of six children. In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. She is the author of four contemporary romances.

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1890 Nebraska

For schoolmarm Amanda Cordell, Christmas Eve means getting through the special program she and her pupils have put together for the townsfolk in Langdon. And even though she has vowed to not set eyes on handsome Calvin Hunsaker, it becomes inevitable when his incorrigible son needs her help. Everyone knows how bitter Calvin is over his wife's sudden death, and somehow Amanda senses that he sees her the same way, as the spineless, helpless socialite she used to be.

Calvin Hunsaker is determined to ignore the feeling of attraction stirring inside him for the new schoolmarm, even if she is the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. But she's here to pick up the pieces after her brother and sister-in-law's untimely deaths and raise their two youngsters, not bedazzle him with the same charms his first wife possessed. Better to bundle up and head out of this one-room schoolhouse the second the program's ends.

But a winter storm and two mischievous boys have other plans, and Amanda and Calvin's plans to avoid each other go awry when Calvin is stranded at Amanda's house over the Christmas holiday. Will there be joy and thanksgiving in their future or will the winter blues descend on them once again?"

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Snippet: 

            She had just finished conversing with Mrs. Winters when she came face to face with none other than Johnny’s taciturn father. Once again, those stark eyes of his bore down into hers, as if searching her innermost thoughts. Heat crawled up Rachel’s neck and she barely resisted the urge to tug her white collar with its tied bow away from her throat. “Mr. Hunsaker.” She nodded politely.

            “Miss Ambry.” His responding nod was even shorter, and his deep voice carried a note of pride. Keeping one hand on his sidearm, he tipped his Stetson. “Mighty fine program. I’m obliged for your good care over Johnny these past months. I know he can be a handful.”

            Rachel glanced over to the boy in question. He was currently entertaining a small group of children who, no doubt, had gathered around to listen to his tall tales. “He may be a bit more high-spirited than most children at times, but he has a good heart.”

            A reluctant smile pulled at his lips. “Yes, I know what you mean. He has big ideas.”

            “That will serve him well someday,” she countered.

            When it seemed they had nothing more to offer each other, Calvin tipped his hat once again and back out of the way, calling out to his son, “Bundle up, Johnny. It’s time to go.”

            Johnny’s animated face, which had been so terrified before, now contorted into a frown. “Ah, do we hafta, pa?”

            “It’s Christmas Eve. Time to get you into bed if you want a certain visitor to come. And besides, I can hear a storm brewing outside. Let’s beat it home so we can feed the livestock.”

            Johnny turned toward the others. “I hafta go. See you all later. Merry Christmas!”

            “Merry Christmas, Johnny!”

            Rachel caught her nephew’s eye and motioned for him to grab his heavy coat and scarf as well. Clark followed behind Johnny, absently noticing they both wore pants that were similar in style and color.

            A few more parents called out to their children. In the flurry of buttoning coats and pulling on hats and scarves, followed by several adults bustling out the door, Rachel was waylaid by the last few parents who offered one final word of praise over the afternoon’s success. Struggling to remain calm on the outside while listening to the wind that had picked up, Rachel started to panic inwardly. She had felt the icy air through the doorway of the schoolhouse when some of the parents left. She, Clark, Abigail, and Genevieve lived two miles south of town. They needed to hurry and beat the storm or else they might get stuck along the way. She shuddered at the thought. No one should be stranded on Christmas Eve.

            She couldn’t imagine a worse fate.

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Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 11: An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson

Cindy Roland Anderson is an Amazon best selling author who writes clean, contemporary romance with a combination of humor, romantic tension and some pretty great kissing scenes. She and her husband live in northern Utah, and are parents to five children, and grandparents to six adorable grandchildren. She is a registered nurse and has worked in the NICU as well as the newborn nursery. She loves to read, almost as much as she loves writing. And she loves chocolate…probably a little too much.

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Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. 

Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than Cole Taggart, the guy she kissed at the airport?

*NOTE TO READER: THIS IS A REVISED EDITION WITH A BONUS EPILOGUE. "

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~ BookGorilla ~ 

Snippet: 

 Startled, the man only stared at her. Lucy didn’t have time to appreciate how good he smelled. She was on a mission. The man must have seen the distressed look in her eyes. Although somewhat stiffly, he brought his hands up and settled them around her waist.

“Lucy? What’re doing?” Lance’s voice was loud and irritated.

“Um, hi,” Lucy said, ignoring Lance, and trying not to get distracted by the color of the man’s eyes. “I’m Lucy, and I need you to kiss me. Right now.”

“Are you crazy, lady?” the guy answered.

Was it a good sign that he hadn’t dropped his hands yet?

“Maybe a little. But I’m also desperate.”

“Lucy, who is that man you’re with?”

Lance was closing in.

“Please. Just one little kiss. If he sees me kissing another man maybe he’ll finally get the message and leave me alone.”

The guy’s eyes flickered up, and his gaze narrowed slightly. Then his hands tightened around her waist and, in one smooth motion, he dipped his head and covered her mouth with his.

The kiss was tentative, like a kiss between strangers should be. Not that Lucy had ever done this kind of thing before. Still, it was nice and warmed her all the way down to her toes.

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Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 10: The Tree Keeper's Promise by Tamara Passey

Tamara Passey was born and raised in Massachusetts around a large family, one that has served as inspiration for most of her writing. She was named Arizona Young Mother of the Year in 2013 and contributes marriage and family articles to FamilyShare.com. She loves most creative endeavors and when she isn't writing or re-writing, you can find her baking or cross-stitching or walking--though not all at the same time. She lives with her husband and three children in Arizona. Other titles by Tamara include The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel, and Mothering through the Whirlwind, a short memoir.

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Four seasons. That’s how long Angela Donovan hoped to know Mark Shafer before they married. But less than a year later, she still fears that she’s repeating the mistake of a failed relationship. 

As Christmas approaches, she senses Mark’s plans for a proposal, and wonders if she can learn to trust again. Mark has learned all there is to know about the Shafer miracle trees—or so he thinks. 

Papa reveals secrets about the trees’ matchmaking power just as a highway expansion threatens to destroy the family legacy. Mark is determined to save the farm, and the promise of love stirring in the branches of the Shafer miracle trees. Heartwarming and engaging, 

The Tree Keeper’s Promise captures the warmth and wonder of the holiday season.

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Snippet:

“They say no two trees are exactly alike. Growing them may be a science, but choosing the right one to decorate for Christmas—well, that’s an art. And it was the only thing Angela’s daughter wanted for her ninth birthday—to go to Mark Shafer’s farm and find the perfect tree for Christmas. And why wouldn’t she? As Mark’s grandfather Papa Shafer had told them last year, they were miracle trees.”

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Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 9: The Christmas Tree Keeper by Tamara Passey

Tamara Passey was born and raised in Massachusetts around a large family, one that has served as inspiration for most of her writing. She was named Arizona Young Mother of the Year in 2013 and contributes marriage and family articles to FamilyShare.com. She loves most creative endeavors and when she isn't writing or re-writing, you can find her baking or cross-stitching or walking--though not all at the same time. She lives with her husband and three children in Arizona. Other titles by Tamara include The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel, and Mothering through the Whirlwind, a short memoir.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Blog ~ Website ~ 

"Though Angela Donovan is out of work and needs money for rent, she yearns for her eight-year-old daughter to have a carefree holiday. The last thing she wants is the pressure of her daughter expecting a miracle. But when they pick out a Christmas tree at a cozy Massachusetts tree farm that’s exactly what happens when they learn the trees might be miracle trees.

Mark Shafer is soon to be the new keeper of the Christmas trees when he inherits the family farm. He’d like to run it with a family of his own, but his girlfriend wants nothing to do with farm life. He makes plans to sell so he can propose to his girlfriend and pursue a career in music. Then he meets an unforgettable customer and her daughter, and an anonymous gift compels them to learn the truth about the trees.

With a buyer willing to pay top dollar for the land, Mark has the fate of the trees in his hand. Will he be able to see what and who is most important? And will Angela give the miracle of love a chance?"

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Snippet: 

From Chapter One:

"The Nor’easter brought the snow, but that didn’t start it. The radio station began playing carols around the clock, but that didn’t start it. Main Street wrapped the lampposts in candy-cane-striped garland, but even that wasn’t enough. Not until the decorated tree stood in the front window with soft lights glowing around the angel’s contented face did Christmas officially begin in the Donovan family. This year, Angela promised her daughter she could have the honor of choosing the tree." 

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