BLOG TOUR - 221 BC: SCROLL 1 OF THE NARMER WAR TRILOGY - Official Blog for the Animated Insights of Shannon Muir: Animation Writing and Production Pro, Author, Lover of Libraries

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Today, find out more about 221 B.C.: SCROLL 1 OF THE NARMER WAR TRILOGY.

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About the Book

221 BC: Scroll 1 of Narmer War by Kendall Price and Laura Vosika

Publisher: Mill City Press, Inc. (January 31, 2018)
Category: Historical Fiction, Ancient Civilizations, Supernatural Powers, Young Adult
Tour dates: October-November, 2018
ISBN: 978-1545626108
Available in Print and ebook, 364 pages

Set against the backdrop of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, an alternate history unfolds, linking the power of the pharaohs to magic. Brother is pitted against brother in a race to find twelve amulets, lost with the ancient pharaoh, and unlock their powers. Whoever holds the amulets holds that power; to save the world…or destroy it.

Praise 221 BC: Scroll 1 of Narmer War by Kendall Price and Laura Vosika

“As the debut novel opens, King Ptolemy IV, Macedonian ruler of Egypt, is distraught over the apparent murder of his friend and mentor, Qibo (“Multiple gashes covered his body. His eyes stared at the ceiling, as if he could still see whatever had killed him”). The ancient Taoist master had worked at the Museum of Alexandria for years. This act seems to be the dark culmination to a number of days in which Ptolemy has been plagued with nightmares laced with what appear to be strange signs. He dreams he is the Pharaoh Amenhotep, worrying over his kingdom and suffering from dental pain, the latter of which seems to affect Ptolemy’s waking hours as well. After exhuming the dead pharaoh’s body, experts discover that he did indeed have advanced abscesses in his teeth, which leads head librarian Eratosthenes to posit that someone might be working magic against the king, perhaps to re-create history. The theory is that Qibo was murdered to prevent him from translating ancient tablets that might help Ptolemy unlock the magical powers of a set of 12 amulets that have been in the possession of the pharaohs for untold years, each associated with a different element. Using the artifacts, someone might be able to wrest control of the kingdom. As the story proceeds, Price paints a vivid, intricate portrait of war, juggling a wide array of famous characters, including the notorious Hannibal, and using meticulous research to flesh out this universe, rooted in historical facts and details. The prose is rich and involving, and the twists are carefully designed and executed. An inventive blend of Egyptian history and magic, this dynastic tale opens what promises to be a stellar series.”- Kirkus

“What grabbed my attention was the fact that it was based in Egypt during the time before Christ, about the Pharaoh Ptolemy III and his family struggle to maintain their control of the united Egypt. I love how the story is created with historical facts into mystery of hidden artifacts that hold magical powers and having characters with unusual powers too. It makes for a very entertaining novel and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next.”- Valerie I. Rosica, Amazon Review

“Clearly a great deal of research was done to write this book. It’s also exceptionally creative and engrossing! Hope there’s more to come….”-Kathryn Price, Amazon Review

“Very interesting take on the Egyptian family the Ptolemy’s and their possible aliens within the ancient world and the invasion of Rome by Hannbal. Historical fiction worth reading!”-Char, Amazon Review

Guest Review of the Book

221 BC: Scroll 1 of Narmer War by Kendall Price and Laura Vosika

Guest Review by Katy

Magic and Mayhem and Murder, oh my! This book had it all. What a thrill ride from start to finish. I started this book trying to keep my hopes in check. I love ancient Egyptian culture and history but I actually don’t know that much about it and I’ve read a lot of historical novels that didn’t feel well researched.

I wanted this to be a book that combines my love of ancient Egypt with some magical realism elements, drama, adventure and maybe even a little romance. This did exactly that and I was not disappointed. It’s obvious that the author did an insane amount of research in order to write this but it doesn’t have that dry, high school history textbook feel that some historical novels get.

The action and supernatural elements kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. Without giving away too much of the plot, the gist of the main story is that King Ptolemy’s mentor and close friend is murdered. At the time of his death, the friend was working on translating some ancient tablets that are believed to have magical powers. The tablets are supposed to lead the way to these 12 amulets that are incredibly powerful and Ptolemy, of course, wants to find them. What follows is an action-packed romp through a stunningly familiar yet totally alien historical time.

There is so much going on in the story that for most of it, I couldn’t put it down. I really can’t recommend this highly enough and I would give it to anyone that enjoys epic war stories, magical mysteries and great writing. If you see that cover and immediately want to read the book, than you will enjoy this for sure.

Author Interview with Kendall Price

What initially got you interested in writing?

About 12 years ago I had finished 13 years of medical training (6 yrs med school, 7 years residency and fellowships; mostly due to poor planning on my part! J) and I was looking for a project to keep the intensity up (train and study like we tell our kids).

I have always loved comics and D&D and sci fi/fantasy. I listened to a book on tape of Alexander the great and I was like this is awesome! So I continually study looking for interesting bits for 220 BC and 219 BC.

How did you decide to make the move into being a published author?

I figured if I studied enough and I could find someone brilliant like Laura Vosika to fill in the blanks, I had and have full confidence in success. Laura has been a wonder and pleasure to work with.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

All of history is connected. 221 BC is a pivotal year in world history and our book centers on the struggles of the characters as they help each other. Connection (not will power) is the only important thing in this and any life.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

Sharing the stories and getting nice reviews J. The more feedback I get, the harder I work. Still trying to figure out all of the big details for 220 BC but its going to involve raiders from the north (Dorian frost giants-Greece; Gasga hill giants-Anatolia).

What do you find most challenging about writing?

Finding time to write. I don’t worry so much about the details because I’m just trying to have fun!

What advice would you give to people want to enter the field?

Practice practice practice.

What ways can readers connect with you?

kprice_stanford@hotmail.com.

I am on facebook and Amazon

221bc.org (website)

Thanks!

kendall

About Kendall Price

Dr. Kendall Price was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland, the third of four children. He attended high school at the Phillips Academy Boarding School in Andover, MA, a place that left him with many fond memories, and that he calls the most formative time of his life. The friendships in 221 BC are loosely based on his time at Andover.

Following in the footsteps of his father and two grandfathers, all doctors, Kendall attended Amherst College in Amherst, MA and the University of Illinois College of Medicine and studied pathology at Stanford University. While there, he did four fellowships, including medical staff/ autopsy, hematopathology, surgical pathology, and immunohistochemistry.

Doctor Price lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife Michelle and their three children. It was Michelle’s influence, with her study of Chinese medicine, and a masters degree in Chinese acupuncture, that led Dr. Price to become certified in acupuncture himself. The magic in 221 BC is based on Chinese medicine.

In addition to writing and Chinese medicine, Dr. Price enjoys exercise, reading, and travel. He has been to all 48 continental US states, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and Copenhagen.

Other writing credits include a small booklet, available on Amazon, on healing dental caries by nutritional means.

About Laura Vosika

Laura Vosika is a writer, poet, and musician. Her time travel series, The Blue Bells Chronicles, set in modern and medieval Scotland, has garnered praise and comparisons to writers as diverse as Diana Gabaldon and Dostoevsky. Her poetry has been published in The Moccasin and The Martin Lake Journal 2017.

She has been featured in newspapers, on radio, and TV, has spoken for regional book events, and hosted the radio program Books and Brews. She currently teaches writing at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

As a musician, Laura has performed as on trombone, flute, and harp, in orchestras, and big bands. She lives in Brooklyn Park with 5 of her 9 children, 3 cats, and an Irish Wolfhound.

Website: www.bluebellschronicles.com
Blog: http://bluebellstrilogy.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.vosika.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauravosika

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Giveaway 221 BC: Scroll 1 of Narmer War by Kendall Price and Laura Vosika

This giveaway is for 3 winners choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends November 30, 2018, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.