WARRIOR OF THE NILE: Khenet the warrior of the title, and Lady Tiya are sailing down the Nile on their journey…He’s her bodyguard, appointed by Pharaoh and she’s going to marry a Nomarch (ruler of a province) as ordered by the goddess Nephthys. Their ship has put into the harbor of a small city for a day and Tiya asks Khenet to accompany her on a trip to the marketplace.
“Something for your lady?” asked the old crone tending one booth where Tiya lingered.
“Isn’t this necklace clever – see the tiny hippos painted on the flowers?” Admiring her reflection in the burnished metal plate the seller used as a mirror, Tiya turned to show Khenet the effect of the necklace against her elegant neck.
“I see by your golden badge you’re a member of Pharaoh’s own guard,” said the vendor, her next words uttered in a honeyed, wheedling tone. “A high-ranking soldier like yourself can surely afford to buy fine jewelry for his sweetheart.”
Hastily Tiya set the necklace in the midst of the display, stepping away from the booth, smoothing her linen dress with one hand. “We should probably return to the River Horse.”
RT Book Reviews sez: “4 Stars HOT…you’re in for the most romantic desert story since Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra…”
Night Owl Romance reviews sez: 5 Stars – Top Pick! “Another awesome read by the wonderful storyteller Veronica Scott…”
The Story:
Lightly re-edited since the original release in 2013.
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Adopted brother to Pharaoh, warrior Khenet is fiercely loyal and willing to undertake any mission, no matter how dangerous. Assigned as the bodyguard to Lady Tiya while she travels down the Nile to an arranged marriage with a provincial ruler, he soon finds himself caught between the gods of Egypt, the black magic of an enemy and undeniable feelings for the lady in question.
Chosen by the goddess Nephthys to assist in a scheme to defeat the sorcerer, Tiya knows she’s going to die but has been promised immediate entry to the fabled afterlife. During the river voyage, she discovers powerful reasons to regret her choices, including her growing love for Khenet. Life has never seemed so precious and her fate so bitter. Forbidden by the goddess to tell Khenet the truth about his own destined role in the battle against the forces of black magic, Tiya desperately seeks a way to save the man who has come to mean to much to her.
Can these two successfully circumvent the goddess’s plot while still working to save Egypt from the scheming enemy? Will their love be strong enough to bring them through the danger and let them find a future in this life together?
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Note: Harlequin retained the rights to the audiobook and the original cover for Warrior.
As always, I’m in love with the world building in this. Can’t wait for September!
Fantastic description as always. 🙂
Incredible description!
Great description. Can’t wait to read this.
How long can Tiya fight the feeling?
Reminds me of a line from an old Marvin Gaye song, “Don’t hold back the feeling inside..” Maybe from “Let’s Get It On?”
Fantastic!
This story is sounding wonderful. I can’t wait for September! 🙂
Interesting story. And I want to see that necklace!
The details are so lovely, Veronica. Wonderful six.
Uncomfortable moment for them! Lovely descriptions of the jewellery and the crone.
This six says so much. Wonderful job, Veronica!
Very nice six. Your historical details are wonderful–they really pulled me into ancient Egypt!
You took me to this moment, nicely done. Thanks for the trip.
I think the stall owner just lost a sale!
Great scene, could totally picture it and see the effect of the vendor’s words on her reaction. Great detail too!
I love your descriptions of ancient Egyptian life.
Great description, I could see it and hear it.
Haha! Great scene. Love how much I can tell about the characters and the situation before I read the synopsis. 🙂
I bet Khenet would love to buy it for her, too! But does he dare? Lovely six.
Way to put the guy on the spot. 😉 Well done!
I love ancient Egypt. This story sounds great.
Such a wonderfully awkward moment! I love your descriptions in this, particularly of the necklace itself. 🙂
That necklace sounds lovely–and I think she wanted him to buy it for her!
Great six! 🙂
Does he buy the necklace? Does he? Does he? *takes a deep breath* Sorry. I’m apparently spending too much time around the new puppy, who is very excitable. But I do want to know if he buys her the necklace. Did I mention that? 😉
I’m so glad people have enjoyed this excerpt – thanks for the kind words! I keep saying I’m not doing any more snippets from this novel until closer to the publication date but I’ll do one more next week, answer the question about whether Khenet buys the necklace or not …
Sounds like she doesn’t want to go public yet. And yep, I’m wanting to know if he gets her the neck;ace. 🙂 Great six!
Oops. The old crone misplayed that, hey? Great six!
You make this world so familiar to me. Excellent writing, and I’m glad the snippets will keep coming. ;c)