Review of "The Secret of the Sacred Scarab" by Fiona Ingram ~ Blog Tour

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to review as part of the Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure/Fiction

Book Description from Goodreads: Cousins Justin and Adam are ecstatic about accompanying their aunt to Egypt. Both love adventure and know the work of James Kinnaird, an archaeologist searching for the tomb of an ancient Egyptian ruler, the Scarab King. Some dismiss the tomb as legend, but Justin and Adam believe differently.

From the moment their plane lands, Justin and Adam bounce from one mysterious event to another, starting from the moment a street peddler gives Adam an ancient scarab. Dr. Khalid, head of the department of antiquities and research at the Egyptian Museum, shows excessive interest in the cousins and their relic. Then, when the boys learn that James Kinnaird is missing, they realize something sinister is afoot.

Kidnapped and taken across the desert, the boys are plunged into serious danger and chased by ruthless enemies. Dr. Khalid will stop at nothing to discover the Scarab King's tomb and claim its treasures. But he has underestimated the boys' ingenuity.

Join Justin and Adam as they evade their captors and unravel the secrets of the Scarab King. Relying on their wits, courage, and each other, the boys must solve the mystery of the sacred scarab and rescue James Kinnaird before time runs out.

My thoughts: Adam and Justin are excited to take a trip with their aunt and grandmother to Egypt. What could be better than going to Egypt with your cousin? They believe that there is treasure to be found in Egypt, but this is to be an educational trip, not an adventure.

When you are a tween, adventure is waiting to be found. Their imagination has been sparked by a missing archaeologist who is looking for the Scarab King's tomb. It is pretty much all they can think about. While in the market they speculate about the finding the tomb and meet a peddler. They peddler suddenly gives them three ordinary scarabs and slips a fourth into one of the boys pockets.

Suddenly the boys find that this is not just an educational trip but is definitely an adventure.

I loved the historical fact brought to life in this fictional book. Seeing Egypt through their eyes is great.  (I wish that I could see it in person!) It is a fun book to read, and the boys are mischievous and full of fun. I think that tweens will love this book and relate to the characters.

Watch the Trailer:



About Fiona Ingram:

Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children’s book—The Secret of the Sacred Scarab—was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into an award-winning children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has already completed the next book in the series—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—a huge treat for young King Arthur fans.

Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted teenage foster child, from an underprivileged background who is just discovering the joys of reading for pleasure. Fiona’s experiences in teaching her daughter to read has resulted in her interest in child literacy and in creating ways to get kids more interested in reading, as well as helping parents to instil a love of reading in their children.

Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

Fiona’s latest book is the middle grade adventure novel, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab – Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Stone series.

Visit her website at www.fionaingram.com.

Announcement of Winners!

I've had a couple of contests recently come to a close and it is time to announce the winners. :)

For T.P. Boje's Afterlife:Beyond the winners are:

Paperback copy ~ M.A.D
eBook copy ~ alterlisa

I have sent an email to both and forwarded their information on to T.P.

The winner of the Young Adult Giveaway Hop was:

Entry #1035Amanda J.

She chose "Die for Me".

Follower Love Hop ~ International giveaway

I love winning books in a hop.  Thanks I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson.  You are both fabulous for putting this together.

Today I am going to give away one book that I really want.  I haven't read it, and I haven't won it from anyone, so I may have to purchase it for myself.  So to my followers I am giving a book that I would LOVE to read. :)

Isn't it pretty?  It sounds good too!  It's average rating on Goodreads is 4 stars.

Here's the book description:  Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt, hoping to rid the island of half-fey maidens. 

Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn't expect to be accused of witchcraft, forced to flee with her two best friends, or offered shelter by the handsome and enigmatic Garth Huntsman, a warden for Dragonswood. But Garth is the younger prince in disguise and Tess soon learns that her true father was fey, making them the center of an exciting, romantic adventure, and an ancient prophecy that will bring about peace between all three races - dragon, human, and fairy.

Enter using the rafflecopter.  The mandatory entry is to follow my on GFC or Networked Blogs. A few extra entries can be earned.  Just use the links in the Rafflecopter.  This is international as long as the Book Depository ships to your country without charging shipping.  US winner may be shipped from another vendor, if it is less expensive option for me.  Must be 13 years old or older to enter.

Review of "Possess" by Gretchen McNeil

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: ARC from Goodreads First Reads
Genre: Horror/Paranormal YA

Description from Goodreads: Rule #1: Do not show fear. 
Rule #2: Do not show pity.
Rule #3: Do not engage.
Rule #4: Do not let your guard down.
Rule #5: They lie. 

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. 

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.


My thoughts: Bridget Lui isn't your typical high school student. Her father was brutally murdered, she hears voices, she has a stalker, and she wears steel toed boots.  She is a loner and I think she would like to keep it that way.  She has a handful of friends and a whole lot of attitude.

She attends a Catholic school where her priest is teaching her to banish demons. Enter another priest sent from the Vatican to determine the recent increase of demonic activity leaving Bridget confused. She knows that clues are given with each banishment telling about the rise of a very strong demon.  Her job is to stop his rise.

This was a very interesting book. It is darker and edgier than typical YA books. I kept on reading waiting to see what would happen to Bridget next.  I love the relationship she has with her younger brother.  I think he is what keeps her grounded.  She develops some interesting friends and relationships in the course of the book.  Not recommended for younger or less mature readers. Also swearing and use of the 'f' bomb.

Review of "Spellbound" by Cara Lynn Schultz

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz

source: Netgalley

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

 Description from Goodreads: Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she’s irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams. Visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Colleen's Thoughts: This book is listed as Young Adult fiction, but I would not allow my teenagers to read it.  It is a better fit for adult fiction, even though it is about high school and teenage romance.  As creative and captivating as the story is, it is riddled with abrasive swearing, underage drinking and drugs, sex, and violence.  However, I am a sucker for a good story.  Despite the language, etc. this book was definitely engaging.  Too bad they don't have Clear Play for books!

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale ~ Blog Tour

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca  H. Jamison
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Religioius Contemporary Romance
Publication date:  February 14, 2012

Description from Goodreads: When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she'd never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil's brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil's return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen's most romantic novel.

My thoughts: This may be a gush fest.  I loved reading this book.  It is a modern retelling of one of Jane Austen's books, Persuasion.  It has been many years since I read the original, so I can't compare the two, but I am now more interested than ever to read the original.

Anne was 19 when she became engaged to Neil.  She was insecure and facing battles with her inner-demons when she made the huge mistake to break off her engagement.  It is a decision that she has regretted.

Neil comes back into her life seven years later.  Her father is over his head in debt and forced to sell his home.  It just so happens that Neil's brother purchases her childhood home.  The story then becomes one where they are often forced together, pretending that nothing happened and that they do not know each other that well.

Moments of jealousy and misunderstand are the course of the middle of the story.  Both of them are dating someone else, who just doesn't spark for them. 

I loved this book.  I couldn't settle down to go to sleep until I had read every single word.  I went to sleep with a smile on my face.

Both of the main characters are religious, their religion plays a large part of their lives and thus is part of the overall theme of the book.  While the religious aspects were present, they were not preachy.  It was just the right amount of love, religion, angst, and resolution for me.


I went and purchased the hard copy. I just had to have it in my library.

My friend Colleen also read and reviewed the book.  She gave it 4.5 stars. Here are her thoughts:

A delightful, easy, and relaxing read!  

Persuasion is the story of a sweet girl, Anne, who gets taken advantage of in nearly every aspect of her life.  Her family constantly assumes that she will do everything for them without ever considering that she may have her own plans.  Her friends often use her simply for transportation, her boy-friend of sorts is needy and creepy.  All the while, she is desperately in love with a man she was engaged to eight years ago, but broke off the engagement because of her family's objections.  Many women can identify with Anne's plight; a story about sticking up for yourself and following your heart - doing what you know is right, even if you have to go against your friends' and family's wishes.

I love Jane Austen and I often shy away from any retellings since no one is Jane and often cannot do justice to her works.  However, this was a very enjoyable book to read.  It was very similar to Austen's, but in a contemporary setting and with an LDS background.  I was also nervous about reading an LDS version of it.  They are often sappy and annoying, in my opinion.  I appreciated that though there were many references to the LDS church, they were not syrupy and contrived.  I loved the humor.  There were some very funny situations - funny enough to stop reading and tell my husband about it before I went on.  I was very grateful for such a clean, romantic, and touching story.

See the trailer!

Want to find out more or see other reviewers thoughts?  Here are the links for the tour.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
			February
			1	2	3	4
			Bookworm Nation/ Six Mixed Reviews/ The Stubby Pencil/	Krazy Book Lady/ The Stubby Pencil/	A Book A Day/ Jacob’s Beloved’s Books/ Lisa is a Bookworm/	Misty Moncur/
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Book Lover’s Paradise/	Book Spark/ Fire and Ice/	Tristi Pinkston/ Getting Your Read On/ Thoughts with Chris/	The Character Connection/ Le Vanity Victorienne/ LDS Women’s Book Review/	Neurotic Writer/ Community Bookstop/ My Book Addiction/	Hopeful Happiness/ Practical Frugality/	WV Stitcher/ Community Bookstop/
12	13	14
	Laurie LC Lewis/ Reading For Sanity/	Dearest Dreams/ WV Stitcher/

Links for more info!

Author Website: http://www.rebeccahjamison.com  (if you only do one link, please use this one)

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/RebeccaHJamison

Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/

Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks

Blog Hop ~ Spreading Love NOT Hate

Today a bunch of bloggers are getting together to spread the message that we would love to have a world free of bullying.  Unfortunately  sometimes people bully without even realizing what they are doing.  That's why it's important to educate and teach the importance of words and actions.

I am a book nerd.  Obviously, the name of my blog is Bookworm Lisa.  When I have a lesson that I want to get across to my kids, I love to go to a book.  It's a way that isn't as in your face and we are able to discuss ideas without me having to lecture.   Doesn't always work, but I like to try this first.

One of my favorite children's picture books about bullies is "Stop Picking on Me" by Pat Thomas.  In this book it explains the self esteem issues that bullies have and positive ways to overcome being the victim of bullying.

On pages 16-17 the book says "Bullies don't like themselves very much.  This makes it hard for them to like other people and treat them well.  The only way bullies can like themselves is to pick on others.  Doing this makes them feel more powerful."  Then on page 23 it says "All bullies hope that their victims won't tell on them. Keeping it to yourself lets a bully know that it's all right to go on hurting you."

If you have a child who is a victim, this is a great book.  I highly recommend.  If you have a child who is bullying, this is a good book to talk to them about with their behavior.  I know that at times my children have been bullied and have been the bullies.

Education is the key.

Here are some other blogs posting about it today.  Stop by and see what they have to say!  Remember to Spread the love and to stop the hate.







Other book ideas that are fantastic!
















Last but not least, my all time favorite book about a bully.  I seriously love this book!

Review of "Frank, Incense, and Muriel" by Anne K Albert

Frank, Incense, and Muriel by Anne K. Albert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: won in a blog hop!
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Description from Goodreads: What happens when a gullible intellectual reluctantly joins forces with her sexy high school nemesis, now an even sexier private investigator, to find a missing woman? The stress of the holiday season is enough to frazzle anyone's nerves, but Frank and Muriel must also deal with... an embezzler, a femme fatale, a kidnapper, and of course, Muriel's eccentric, (but loveable) family 


My thoughts: Muriel is in her late twenties and moved on from High School. She answers her door one December day to find Frankie, her high school nemesis and crush, on her door step. He asks her to help him work on a case that he has been hired to solve. (He is a Private Investigator.) Reluctantly she agrees to help find another person from high school she would love to forget, Rachel.

This is a great book. I thought that the chemistry and whit between Muriel and Frankie was wonderful. They were two characters who you can't help but really like. Obviously the flirtation and angst from high school have not been forgotten by either one.

They work well together as a team. This book makes me smile. It is definitely worth reading. Even though it happens in the month of December, it is not a Christmas story. You can enjoy this good book at anytime of the year.

I did not find content objectionable.  There are situations however, that have some suspects describing themselves in compromising positions that lead to blackmail.