THE SECRET OF THE LOST PHARAOH
Matthew Connor Adventure series, Book 2
By Carolyn Arnold
Published: April 17, 2018
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.
Blurb:
Mystery lovers will need to hold on to their hats for this follow-up to City of Gold, which reviewers described as “a fast-paced action adventure” that is “akin to an Indiana Jones story set in modern times.” Now, the second in the series promises to bring much of the same excitement! Join archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor and his friends as they go after the Emerald Tablets to save the world in The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh.
In Egypt’s Western Desert lies the tomb of an unnamed pharaoh that hides a secret so powerful, it could destroy the world as we know it.
Archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor has made a career of finding legends the world has all but forgotten. Though there’s one in particular that has fascinated him for years—the Emerald Tablets. Myth says that they possess the knowledge of the universe, allowing humankind to traverse Heaven and Earth, and have the power to bestow wealth and wisdom upon whomever possesses them. But if they fall into evil hands, it could cause a global disaster.
So when a former colleague stumbles across an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets, there’s no way he’s turning down her invitation to join the dig. He only has one stipulation: his best friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers come with him.
The road ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, and their shared dream of recovering the Emerald Tablets is being crushed at every turn. And just when they think it’s all over, they learn there are a few clues they have overlooked. But they’re no longer the only ones searching for the Tablets. Now, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and soon they’ll find out that when it comes to hunting legends, they can’t trust anyone.
Buy Links:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play
What to expect from the Matthew Connor Adventure series:
Action-adventure books for the mystery lover. Does treasure hunting excite you? What about the thought of traveling the globe and exploring remote regions to uncover legends that the world has all but forgotten? If so, strap yourself in for an adventure with modern-day archaeologist Matthew Connor and his two closest friends. Indiana Jones meets the twenty-first century.
This is the perfect book series for fans of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, National Treasure, and The Relic Hunter.
Excerpt from the Chapter 3 of The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh (Matthew Connor Adventure series)
Robyn went to get up when her door opened and Matthew Connor strolled in. His eyes were bluer than she remembered. She swept some of her dark hair behind an ear. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, it’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other,” he responded casually.
“You’re the one who took off to Alaska, and before that to—” She stopped talking before it came across like she was keeping track of his schedule. “It’s good to see you.”
And it was. It always was. They’d been friends since college and lovers there for a while, too. But just when things started to get serious between them, she’d been offered this job. And with her life plan coming together and Matthew’s selfless understanding, they’d ended things so she could focus on her career. She’d even gone so far as to avoid expeditions with him for a time, claiming they were too dangerous.
“You too.” He flashed her a smile that could stop her heart if she allowed it to.
“If you had been around yesterday, you could have joined us at Gretzky’s.” By us, she meant, Cal, Sophie, and herself, but Matthew would know that.
He was still smiling as he sat down in the chair across from her. “I figured you’d end up on a patio for drinks.”
“Uh-huh.”
She regarded the light in his eyes but also picked up on shadows of secrecy. He got that look when he was thinking about an expedition. But she didn’t have time to go away to wherever it was he had in mind. Maybe he had the luxury of dropping everything on a whim, but she didn’t. She was tethered to a job she loved, and Lord knew she had enough that needed taking care of. The e-mail about the African exhibit was far from being the only thing on her to-do list.
“If you’re here about an expedition, I can’t go,” she stated, certain she was getting in front of what he’d come here to ask.
“You don’t even know when I’m going.” Matthew leaned forward, one corner of his mouth lifting as if it had been raised by a hook. It was a carefree and devilish expression, and one that she found titillating, whether she wanted it to or not. And she didn’t want it to. They were better off as friends. It was so much less complicated. He did his thing; she did hers. And when they did go on quests together, it was an experience they shared as friends.
“It doesn’t matter.” She was shaking her head. “I have too much to do here.”
Matthew’s gaze went to her tidy desk before meeting her eyes. “It doesn’t look like it.”
“You know that my desk isn’t an indication of my workload. Do you want to see my in-box?” She gestured toward her monitor and then set her hand down on her desk.
Matthew reached forward and put his hand on top of hers. Her heart began to beat faster. She pulled her hand away and swallowed, hoping he hadn’t sensed how uncomfortable his touch made her.
His gaze dropped to her desk but then tracked up to meet her eyes. “You seem a little jumpy. I think someone needs a vacation.”
“Ha!” She mocked laughter. “You have no idea.” Truth be told, she hadn’t taken time off since the better part of a year ago, when they had gone in search of the City of Gold.
Matthew splayed out his hands. “No time like the present, then.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “An expedition”—she pointed a swirling finger at him—“isn’t a vacation. It’s work.”
Matthew sat back in his chair and bobbed his head side to side. “Fun work. And in this case, it could affect the fate of the world.”
“Excuse me while I roll my eyes. The fate of the world? Really?” She expected him to smile or laugh, but his eyes darkened and his mouth fell into a straight line. “You’re serious?”
“I am dead serious.”
“So what is this mission that could affect the fate of the world?” She’d started off armed with cynicism but found that her shield was starting to lower. What was wrong with her? Was he really baiting her with the fate of the world? Was she that desperate for time off that she was buying into his hyperbole?
“Before I continue,” he said, “I just want to make sure you realize that what I’m about to tell you is highly confidential.”
My Review:
A woman from Matthew’s past calls him up and invites him to come to Egypt where she is working on an archaeology site. She has found an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets. Matthew has been searching years for the Emerald Tablets and can’t refuse her invitation.
Matthew takes with him to Egypt his two best friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Meyers. Robyn and Cal have both worked with Matthew on more than one dig. When Matthew first approaches both Robyn and Cal about going with him they both hesitate to go for reasons of their own.
Robyn has always wanted to visit Egypt so after given it some thought she realizes that she will just have to push past her reasons for not going because there is no way she is going to miss out a chance of a lifetime.
With knowing that he could lose the love of his life Cal can’t pass up going either as he loves traveling the world, going on adventures and working on digs. This is who he is.
After arriving in Egypt they soon learn that they are not the only ones that are searching for the Emerald Tablets. Danger is lurking around every corner. Cal is worried about the curses that it is said every tomb may hold if they are disturbed that could put their lives in danger. The curses are said to be myths but Cal may not be too far from the truth.
Once I picked up The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh I couldn’t put it down. I had to keep reading until I finished it. I had to know what was going to happen next. The author knows how to give you little clues here and there you know just enough at one time to keep you hanging on and not giving you all the information at one time. When I was reading The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh I could see it in my head as if I was one of the characters myself.
I would recommend The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh to fans of action, adventure, suspense, and mystery or anyone who loves ancient Egyptian.
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives in London Ontario with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
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