A fun way to sample new books and find new writers! Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…
Continuing with my newest – MAGIC OF THE NILE. After last week, everyone wanted to know how wild Tyema was going to be on her evening out with Sahure so I’ll follow that tangent for a bit. Skipped a bit of dialog and the description of Sahure’s imposing chariot. (I may have played with the punctuation to make it eight sentences and I deleted a bit.):
“I’ve never ridden in a chariot,” she confided as he handed her into the vehicle.
“A war chariot is hardly the normal mode of transport for a lady,” he agreed. Raising the reins, he set the horses into motion. At first the team trotted but as they reached the main road to the village, Sahure glanced at her for permission. Seeing her nod, he set the team into a gallop and the chariot shot forward as the powerful animals responded to his command.
Hair flying, Tyema laughed in sheer pleasure, “This is wonderful! Oh to be able to move so fast through the world!” Deciding this was a night for daring, working up her courage, she said, “May I drive?”
What do you suppose he answers?
As always, I love your comments and feedback. Although this is a published work, the input helps for the future novels…
Here’s the story blurb:
The standalone sequel to Priestess of the Nile…picks up about fifteen years later and tells the tale of Tyema, who was the younger sister in Priestess of the Nile…
After a childhood spent scorned and ignored by her family because of her crippled foot, Tyema was magically healed then installed as the High Priestess of his temple by Sobek the Crocodile God. But Tyema is still haunted by her memories, scarred by the abuse she endured. Despite Sobek’s protection, as an adult she’s become a near recluse inside the temple grounds…
Until Captain Sahure arrives in her remote town, sent from Thebes on an urgent mission for Pharaoh, requiring High Priestess Tyema’s help. From that moment on, her quiet, safe life is upended in ways she never could have expected.
But after a whirlwind romance with Sahure, the two part as Pharaoh orders him to undertake another assignment on Egypt’s dangerous frontier, far from Tyema’s remote town.
Heart-broken, Tyema is ready to return to her life of loneliness, official duties and, now, regret. But the Crocodile God has other plans for his priestess: she must uncover the sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh’s life with black magic. Soon enough, Tyema finds herself thrown into the chaos of Pharoah’s court, neck deep in intrigue and danger. Just when she thinks she can’t take the pressures of a very public court life and her secret investigation for the Crocodile God any longer, Sahure re-enters the scene.
But is her former love there to help or to hinder? Can they resolve their differences and work together to find the dark sorcerer who threatens Pharaoh and Egypt? Will the love between a proud warrior and a shy priestess lead them to a future together?
Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books
How much in this day and age we take speed for granted. I’ll bet the chariot did seem fast to her. You put me right on the chariot with her.
Great snippet — I would love to ride in a chariot! =D
Loved it! I can imagine the nervous excitement going through her as the horses gain speed. I think he might let her drive, but only if he’s pressed against her, holding her hands and helping her direct. Great snippet!
Nicely done and intriguing. Let her drive? Perhaps but with reservations since he will be risking chariot and his horses. Definitely pulls the reader into the setting.
hey that was the Lamborghini of the time, I’d wanna be driving too 🙂
Lovely expressive excerpt, as always. I like to see women characters enjoy themselves and maybe get a bit reckless 🙂 I’m betting he lets her drive because he likes to see her happy!
I’ve always wanted to ride on a chariot. I’m guessing he’ll say no as I assume that women were forbidden from operating chariots at that time. Great snippet!
You have a way of bringing a distant past zoom to the future with this wonderful descriptive eight. How often have I said, “Let me drive.” A zillion times.
I did think it was probably a universal, timeless human impulse to “want to drive” LOL. And Tyema is a step or so outside the norms anyway, having been selected by Sobek to run his temple, so….
Great snippet! Lol, his answer will depend on how typical a man he is;). I look forward to finding out.
Thrilling! I can feel her excitement. If he steps behind her, he can let her drive while having his arms around her and still be in control. Love the action here.
“May I drive?” – LOL – “Sure, just don’t get pulled over!”
Great description of a novel experience.
I’m really liking Tyema! If I were him I’d say, “are you nuts?” But if he’s romancing her, maybe he’ll let her hold the reins while he enfolds her from behind. Hmm, guess you sparked my imagination.
I think he’ll say no but maybe she’ll persuade him. Fun snippet!
You make that sound like a lot of fun!
If he says yes, I hope he slows down first. Probably her first attempt at driving should not be high speed.
I hope he considers the temperaments of his horses before answering!
I love her courage and delight in riding with him. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
I completely agree with Dani. I can feel Tyema’s excitement. What a truly captivating and beautiful moment for us and her. 🙂
Loved it! And I love these two together. You bring the era to life in the modern world.
Great snippet! If he’s romancing her, I think he’ll let her drive, but with him still in control of the reins–like when your dad let you drive when you were 6 yrs old sitting on his lap. LOL
You’ve shown her excitement so well. I don’t think he’ll let her drive.
Now I’m wondering…will he, or won’t he allow her to drive? The speed must have felt she was racing on the wind. Well done, Veronica; great job capturing the magic of the moment!
I hope he does let her drive. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of speed.
Good imagery and your words exude her joyful excitement at “moving so fast”. Very nice job.
I’m picturing his expression when she asks to drive–and wait eagerly to see his response. 🙂
He’s going to say ‘no’, isn’t he? Great imagery!
Oh boy, what’s it gonna be? I hope he lets her drive!
Love how she decides to go with the flow!! Wonderful 8.
I’m not sure he should let her drive, especially for her first time on board.
Ooo, felt like I was there with them! Love her boldness 🙂
Awesome and enticing snippet. I’ve bought all (or nearly all) of your Egyptian novels so I am locking forward to reading it in context!
Thank you very much! I hope you’ll enjoy the books…I need to get going on the next one, still trying to finish an SFR.