Why I Wrote The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

With my second MG adventure, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, coming out soon, I looked back on how I began writing for kids in the first place. Writing a children’s book was an unexpected step, inspired by a family trip to Egypt. In fact, I should say I owe it all to my (wonderful) late mother, who read about a tour to Egypt in a magazine. I wasn’t sure about Egypt because Europe is more to my liking, but Mum was insistent, so I went along with her whim. We took my two nephews with us, and they became the ‘models’ for the two young heroes of the book, Justin and Adam Sinclair.

Mom, me, my nephew Connor (Adam in the book), and nephew Michael (Justin in the book).

 

The tale of the sacred scarab began life as an anecdotal short story for my nephews (then 10 and 12). When we got back to South Africa and had admired the photos and sorted out the souvenirs, I wanted to give them a special memory of the trip. I picked up a writing pad and a red pen (I remember the colour so clearly) and thought … ‘What’s it called?’ Then, without even thinking about it, I wrote the title, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and the first word, Egypt! The rest just seemed to flow. I used our actual trip as the plot outline and tried to incorporate the many unusual things that had happened to us, just infusing them with a more sinister meaning. With a black-hearted villain like Dr. Khalid for an arch-enemy, it wasn’t too difficult.

This short story grew into a children’s book, the first in the middle-grade adventure series, Chronicles of the Stone. It had to because by the end of the first book I realized that my heroes couldn’t possibly save the world in one book ... they’d have to continue the adventure, which just grew from there. The fun part was basing the plot on actual events. The boys’ journey closely mirrors much of what we saw and did in Egypt, but obviously is a thousand times more exciting. I’d give anything to actually find an old scarab that was the key to an ancient mystery. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is available on Amazon. You can follow Adam and Justin's adventures by visiting the website. Live the adventure!

by Fiona Ingram

How Fiji's Most Famous Dog Got Saved

Playful Poppy, the famous Fijian dog who grabbed headlines two years ago, is back again with her very own book, The Poppy Project. Poppy shot to fame when animal lovers world wide contributed to her reconstructive surgery after a hunting accident left her maimed and on the brink of death. Poppy got a new nose, a new life, and a new Happy Ever After family in Australia.

Although Poppy is now famous in her home country of Fiji and her new country Australia, I had never heard of this brave little dog until I saw an episode of Bondi Vet on Animal Planet, dedicated solely to Poppy’s story of rescue and reconstructive surgery. I cried and laughed alternately through the show as I watched Poppy’s tale of woe unfold and then turn to joy. Despite the horrific injuries to her snout, and the pain and discomfort she must have felt many times during her long road to recovery, that tail never stopped wagging and her wonderful doggy smile never left her face. Poppy showed love and joyfulness at all times. She was just ecstatic to be with people. I was moved by the number of people who formed a chain of love stretching from Fiji to Australia and, indeed, the rest of the world in an effort to give one dog a chance at life. Poppy grabbed that chance between her teeth and ran with it. Poppy’s miracle began the day someone spotted her foraging for food, malnourished and clearly suffering. Without significant and drastic help, Poppy would never have survived. That help came.

Poppy on arrival at Animals Fiji

Julie Hoskison of the West Charity Trust Society says: “Poppy’s story shows what is possible when people refuse to look the other way. This poor little creature was just holding on to life and could not have lasted more than a few more weeks without food. In Fiji, thin, unwanted dogs are a dime a dozen and Poppy was just another one of these. My thanks go to Headmaster Segran Pillay who was the first to notice her and took time to help; and to the hundreds of others who then played their part in her miraculous journey. I hope Poppy’s story inspires others to go out of their way to help creatures in need.”

This book is a must for readers who enjoy heart-warming animal stories and who would like to do more for animals but do not know how. Included are easy tips on how to make a difference, a wonderful poem written by Poppy about her Pretty Ever After life, Poppy’s Classroom Capers quiz, and a short story fiction for younger readers. Poppy makes public appearances as the spokesdog for Animals Fiji and inspires even more people she meets in person.

 

Poppy in her role as Ambassadog for Animals Fiji!

Poppy has never forgotten her friends left behind in Fiji and, as Ambassadog for Animals Fiji, this playful pooch is doing something to help the many needy animals in Fiji. Animals Fiji’s motto is “No animal is turned away” but they need help and Poppy’s book aims to raise both awareness and funds for this worthy cause.

Poppy’s miracle is now complete.  Please share her message of happiness and, by doing so, in some small way you will be helping other animals—the ones left behind.

Book Review: Little Bird Lost

Little Bird Lost by Steve and Kate Larkinson is the story of four little birds (baby swallows), discovered by Steve in the eaves of a bakery in south-west France. One of the little birds seems to have disappeared. Is he safe? Has he fallen out the nest? Can he be rescued? Do his parents know where he is? This delightful story in photographs (by Steve) and rhyming couplets (by Kate) will absolutely enchant readers aged 3-5, but actually, adults will also just love this little tale from the world of nature. What I especially enjoyed about this book is the beautiful photographs. I love children’s illustrations but the unique angle of actual images really struck me. Not only are they absolutely first-class and clear, but it is the perfect way to teach young readers about the real world of birds.

Children are generally interested in animals and wildlife, and parents and relatives could use this delightful book as a springboard to other books involving wildlife. This is a great book for bedtime reading, and I would also encourage children’s libraries to include a copy. Children will enjoy the images as well as the captivating story. What a lovely start to getting your child interested in reading! As an added bonus, there is a delightful little cartoon book video on YouTube to really round off an enchanting reading experience.

 

 

 

Book Review: Dair Devil

In this fourth book in the Roxton series - Dair Devil - Lucinda Brant continues the saga of the Roxton family and delights her fans with another passionate romance, the story of Alisdair ‘Dair’ Fitzstuart and Aurora ‘Rory’ Talbot, granddaughter of Lord Shrewsbury, England’s Spy Master General. Set in the 1770s, the story encompasses politics and intrigue, both at home and abroad, and also the secrets and lies a great and powerful family perhaps needs to conceal. Dair Fitzstuart has justifiably earned his nickname ‘Dair Devil’ because, to all concerned, he appears to be the epitome of a reprobate and a womanizing scoundrel. Amazingly, he has emerged unscathed from his exploits on the battlefield and his exploits in society keep tongues wagging incessantly. With a history of past mistresses, he is the most unlikely person to find Aurora attractive. She is unmarried, and despite her fair, understated charms, she has neither the ravishing beauty nor great fortune that would more than make up for her physical deformity, a twisted foot. Their first meeting is particularly inauspicious. A prank that Dair engages in to help a friend win the affections of a lady goes disastrously and scandalously wrong. Against a background of military espionage, unrest in the colonies, hints of treason and double crossing, this seemingly doomed romance blossoms. But trouble looms and various people are not too pleased with the idea of a union between Dair and Rory.

What a sensuous read, with Dair himself oozing sex appeal on every page. One word that epitomizes this book is passion: the passion and tumult of the times in which the Roxtons live; the passion of love, and also the passion of ambition, both thwarted and realized. From the elegant swish of satin skirts to the flutter of a flirtatious fan, readers will be transported into a world of vivid detail, and will emerge knowing more than they could ever have imagined about this colorful and vibrant era. The author takes readers right into the heart of this wonderful romance, and they will experience each heartbeat and thrilling moment as Dair and Rory discover and explore their love. There are also brilliantly drawn lesser characters, with their pettiness, spite and narrow-mindedness, as well as others altogether much more appealing. Readers who have been avidly following the Roxton series will be delighted to pick up on clues from previous books. Ms. Brant has a gift for intertwining those threads into a constantly developing tapestry. This series has created a superb niche readership of the Georgian era. I have read all the books from Book One, so it was a delight to connect with familiar characters. For readers coming new to this series, I would recommend starting at the beginning, although the author’s skill in weaving in back story means this book can be read as a stand-alone. Highly recommended. 5 Stars.