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In my paranormal romance set in Ancient Egypt DANCER OF THE NILE Nima the dancer and Kamin, one of Pharaoh’s warriors, are traveling with the caravan for a few days as they seek to escape the pursuing enemy and get vital information to Pharaoh to stop an invasion. Nima is being exposed to various temptations involving her future as a dancer and Kamin realizes how much she means to him. But he’s got secrets he can’t share…
Today’s excerpt comes after the Minoan dance master Andrios provoked an argument between Kamin and Nima, after which she danced with the troupe, spending the night in their company, while Kamin kept a self-imposed watch over the area to be sure she was safe. I’m skipping some further contemplation on Nima’s part and banter with the Minoan dancers. I’ll start with Kamin’s greeting to her. There’s been some editing from the published version.
Giving her a bow, as if she was some grand lady at Pharaoh’s court, he said, “One of the camels has given birth this morning, out of season, but the calf appears healthy.”
Surprised by his choice of topic, she went along with it, “Is that the source of the delay in departure?”
“Yes, Ptahnetamun doesn’t want to abandon a perfectly good camel, so we’ve waited for the mother to give birth. I—I thought you might like to come see the baby – it’s a cute little thing.” He rubbed the back of his neck as if suddenly uncomfortable with the notion.
“I’d love to, thank you,” she said, pushing away from the stone wall, and they walked together out of the center of the oasis, down the caravan line.
“I want to apologize for my words last night,” he said as soon as they were well away from the cluster of Minoans. “I never meant to spoil your pleasure in the dancing.”
New cover SEPT 2019
The story:
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Nima’s beauty and skill as a dancer leads an infatuated enemy to kidnap her after destroying an Egyptian border town. However, she’s not the only hostage in the enemy camp: Kamin, an Egyptian soldier on a secret mission for Pharaoh, has been taken as well. Working together to escape, the two of them embark on a desperate quest across the desert to carry word of the enemy’s invasion plans to Pharaoh’s people.
As they flee for their lives, these two strangers thrown together by misfortune have to trust in each other to survive. Nima suspects Kamin is more than the simple soldier he seems, but she finds it hard to resist the effect he has on her heart. Kamin has a duty to his Pharaoh to see his mission completed, but this clever and courageous dancer is claiming more of his loyalty and love by the moment. Kamin starts to worry, if it comes to a choice between saving Egypt or saving Nima’s life…what will he do?
Aided by the Egyptian god Horus and the Snake Goddess Renenutet, beset by the enemy’s black magic, can Nima and Kamin evade the enemy and reach the safety of the Nile in time to foil the planned attack?
Can there ever be a happy future together for the humble dancer and the brave Egyptian soldier who is so much more than he seems?
DANCER OF THE NILE, an Amazon Best Seller, is AVAILABLE on Amazon Barnes & Noble KOBO Apple Books GooglePlay
VS Note: I love Nima and Kamin so much I wrote a sequel for them entitled RETURN OF THE DANCER OF THE NILE (yeah, I freely admit I’m not creative with titles) and then a third book about their adult son DANGER ON THE NILE. Here’s my page with full details on all the ancient Egyptian paranormal romances.
Nice snippet. The subtext is clear but not jumping up and down and yelling at me. 🙂
I feel for Kamin, he is trying. He definitely seems worried that he (almost) pushed her away for good.
Nice dialogue, good description…and baby camels are the cutest damn thing in the world. ;D
Veronica, you’ve painted a scene resonating with teen age awkwardness and charm. He woos her away to a safe place with the lure of a new born camel. Delectable. And in ancient Egypt! Thank you.
Thoughtful exchange between interesting characters, loved it.
Ha! Nice of you to warn us of a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read this. Great snippet.
I like how he says, “I never meant to spoil your pleasure in the dancing.” Nice bit of humor at the end.
I enjoy his discomfort…is that wrong? : ) Have been enjoying these two week after week. Will need to add to my reading list, since you are eventually leaving us dangling and drooling : )
I know, I feel so badly ending the excerpts from DANCER (but not for a few more weeks) but since it isn’t a serial, I really have to force myself to stop and switch to the newer book eventually!
What a sweet little snippet. Interesting happenings, great dialogue, and fab show of character. 😀
You definitely captured his discomfort. I like his apology though. I wonder if it’ll be ebough
He’s got more to say, you’re right! Next week…
I can sense Kamin’s remorse. love his demeanor in this snippet
I like Kamin’s behaviour and the way he tries to make amends;). Well done.
I’m really enjoying his unease…and his attempts to pull her away to have some time to talk…and starting with an apology is always good.
Awkward and sweet. Such a nice show of character:)
Very nice interaction between them. I’d want to see the baby camel too.
No photo of a baby camel? (I loved this scene in the book.)
Thanks, Sueann, glad this scene worked for you in the book! I can see I really missed the boat, er camel, as far as not having the right illustration for my excerpt today LOL.
*lol* Yeah, where’s the baby camel??
Even in these short excerpts, you manage to make them not only realistic but like we’re alongside the characters. I love that kind of immediacy and intimacy. Even though there’s nothing huge going on with this excerpt, it’s still a great little piece. Thanks for posting this!
Loved the book and this was one of my favorite scenes! Well done, Veronica!
Thank you very much, J. A.! I’m always SO pleased when someone enjoyed the book, makes my day 🙂
Enjoyed your snippet. Now I want to see a real baby camel. I’m wondering if they really are cute. I would imagine them to be quite gangly.
Aw, that’s so sweet the way he uses the baby camel to get her alone.
Few women can resist an apology accompanied by a baby animal. I know I can’t! 😀
I love this scene—I love this whole story!
didn’t see any baby camels in Egypt, nice way to speak to her in privacy
Bummer, we could have asked you to share a photo, if you had seen newborn camels!
What a guy! Cute camels and apologies go well together.
Great scene, banter and love the apology. 🙂
Adorable babies are a great conversation starter! Good job on his part. 🙂 Now he just has to stick with the apology and get her to forgive him.
Such a great romance developing! I like that he kept an eye out for her safety. Okay, I just bought this one…couldn’t chance losing track of it. I don’t know when I’ll get to it. I don’t have any time to read right now. But I am looking forward to it!
TYVM, Teresa, I hope you’ll enjoy the book when you have a chance to read it. I wasn’t trying to pressure people but I have a bad habit of wanting to share ALL The Things here on the excerpts (so much fun every week) and it really isn’t meant to be a web serial LOL!
Good icebreaker to get back on track cause who doesn’t want to see a baby camel? The apology had to have earned him some points too. A touching scene I thought. Well done.
The Murders of Polly Frisch
Any scenes that include a newborn camel are bound to be a winner. Great job, Veronica!
I really liked this! Baby camels fix everything.
I liked his apology, it ‘sounds’ humble. Though, I’m guessing it might not be enough for her… Great snippet!
Great apology. He sounded genuine. I hope they work it out. 🙂 Well done!
Good boy!
You made me want to see the baby camel too. 🙂
A baby camel is a great way to start a conversation with someone.