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 the excerpts from MAGIC OF THE NILE =>This excerpt follows after last week’s.
Tyema is in her office at the temple, Jemkhufu the scribe has grudgingly admitted Sahure for his unscheduled audience and Tyema has now told her scribe he can go. (A little creative punctuation and editing has occurred here.)
The scribe gathered up his tablets, rolls of blank papyrus and sharpened quills in an untidy armful and backed from the room, closing the door, complaining to the guard about the unscheduled audience interfering with the day as the portal closed.
Before she could say anything, Sahure was standing in front of her, his arms caging her in the chair. “And I thought Theban ladies played games,” he said, “Imagine my surprise this morning to see that the high priestess of Sobek was none other than my little waif from the previous evening. She whom I thought to be Ema was in reality the legendary and rarely seen Tyema herself.”
“Waif?” Tyema couldn’t decide whether to be amused or insulted – true the plain dress wasn’t the best garment in her wardrobe but surely it didn’t give such an insignificant impression?
“Were you laughing at me the entire evening?” His tone was cold, “Did you enjoy your masquerade?”
And we’ll get her response next time….
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 for MAGIC OF THE NILE:
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
Nooooo! You’re leaving me hanging like this?! *sigh*
I like how controlled he is despite his anger and am looking forward to finding out her response. And the waif and her response to it is a great touch;).
I hope she’s able to set him straight and convince him it’s not what he thinks it is.
I think she’s upset enough to give him a straight answer.
Haha, I love this little moment. Can’t wait to see what her reaction is.
Ohhh, he’s so sexy when he’s mad. I bet she agrees. 😀
Sounds like he’s gone and riled the High Priestess… Whoops… Bet it’s gonna be worth it, lol. 🙂
Damn. That was a great snippet. You’ve left me so hungry for more. Well done.
You are a master of dialogue, Veronica! Fabulous excerpt! 🙂
The heat of this eight warms my bones. WOW, Veronica. Romance is in the air.
Oops! I think he’s pissed! Understandable reaction, and shows a real backbone which is not a bad thing…providing she can win him over, of course 🙂
Well, I certainly enjoyed her masquerade, so I hope she did too. Really looking forward to her response. Another great snippet, Veronica.
Thanks for all the kind words! I plan to keep going right through this scene in eight sentence bites since it’s a pivotal moment for them (and also it’s fun)…working on the next ancient Egyptian novel now, GHOST OF THE NILE. Turned in my next science fiction romance to the editor last week so at some point you’ll see snippets from it…
Oh, I do hope she’s able to set the record straight…but I am rather amused by her reaction to being called a waif. lol.
He is proud and indignant at her deception, however calling her a waif certainly is not going to wrangle an apology from her. Love the tension and the interaction between these two strong characters.
You left us hanging! Must know her response. Great imagery– like always. 🙂
Yeah, he took that the wrong way! I’d go with insulted, if I was Tyema–he’s definitely in her personal space, and seems angry. Maybe she can convince him she just wanted to be seen for herself, not her position.
Vibe–your characters have it in spades, and there are real personalities sparking behind the dialogue.
Uh oh. I think some male ego is involved here. I can’t wait to hear her answer.
Uh oh! Tyema has some ‘splainin to do. Nicely written, Veronica. I got a good visual of him leaning over her in her chair.
Boy, is he mad! Love his take charge attitude caging her in the chair. I bet she gets an earful from him! Love the tension between these two!
Oops! Should have known he’d take it this way! I can’t wait to see her reaction. And his reaction to her reaction. And . . . 🙂
Oh silly man…don’t take things so seriously. I hope she makes him wriggle a little…
Great excerpt, I could just picture the whole bit. He’s embarrassed, she didn’t mean to upstage him, they’re kind of off on the wrong foot – but I’m looking forward to seeing a little of how they overcome that 😉