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. Finally alone in the temple’s office, Sahure has confronted Tyema about her “masquerade” on the night of the festival. The conversation continues. (A little editing and some creative punctuation has definitely occurred here.) Tyema has just reminded Sahure she can’t abandon her daily duties:
“I understand but surely you can delegate some tasks, spend a portion of the days 
with me – the afternoons at least?” Sahure picked up a tablet from Jemkhufu’s desk at random, scanning the hieratic writing. “A request for prayers about the birthing of the new calves?” Staring at her, one eyebrow raised, he said, “You don’t handle every single aspect of this temple’s business and religious activities yourself, do you?”
Actually, I do. “I can’t tell— are you proposing we conduct business or pleasure together?”
Dropping the tablet on top of the others, he nodded, “Oh, I’m all business, I assure you, with a scroll of authority from Pharaoh attesting to my mission, which I can duly show you if required. I’ve a feeling your overly protective scribe is going to demand the proof…”
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
Reblogged this on Illuminite Caliginosus.
Good characterizing scene here, and wonderfully detailed, as ever. Nice work!
I do like the word ‘proposing’. They skirt the real issue. She’s over worked and he wants a whole lot more. Soon there will be a HEA, I hope or whatever it was called back in their day. Yum about your writing, Veronica. You always delight the reader and make us want more.
Great imagery, I can always see exactly what’s going on in your scenes. Poor guy has no idea what being high priestess is all about, though I suppose he’s about to find out. It’s easy to get caught up in your characters, Veronica 🙂
I don’t think the business is going to stand much of a chance against the pleasure. Another great eight, Veronica.
Oh, I don’t for a minute believe he is “all business.” Unless it’s the business of pleasure. 🙂 Great 8. Very vivid scene.
You show so much in your little snippets, from the movement, to personality, to need … Another fab snippet, Veronica. 🙂
I hope she gets more than a little pleasure out of the business they conduct together. 🙂
I believe his business wants in her business 😉
Nicely done on giving us another great tension in the dialogue. Good snippet!
I like this snippet. It flows well with a great writing voice.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/07/weekend-writing-warriors-blog-hop-72014.html
And this is me requesting they conduct pleasure together too. 😀 Fabulous, as always, Veronica!
Oh sure, it’s all about business ; ) ; )
Hehehe, Love that he’s making their visit official in the eyes of the scribe, even if he wants more. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
And now she has something better to do! 😀
(Let’s make the scibe his own copy and frame it for his office, shall we?)
I have a feeling you and Jemkhufu the Scribe wouldn’t get along any better than he and Sahure do LOL.
Sure it’s about business! 😉 But I like how he’s got the proof to protect her if need be…
I do believe they’ll find a little time for pleasure too.
As always, I really enjoy and appreciate the comments! I’m glad this last little bit of the scene was good for people….next week I’ll probably excerpt the start of the bad times…(but they do have several very happy weeks together first).
The back and forth between these two intrigues me. Can’t wait to see more.
You write so well!
He has the scribe’s number, all right.
They will find a compromise, I’m sure. Another fantastic snippet, Veronica!
I definitely got a sense of the characters in this snippet. Very nice!
Love the dialogue! Though I doubt the “all business” will last for long 🙂 Great characterization, dialogue, and imagery. Another great snippet!
Awwwww! Tyema is socially awkward, which makes her easy to identify with. I was too actually, still am XD I love her bluntness and how she just comes out and asks him if he’s into her. Hmmm, I’m a bit confused why he responds that it is all business. It’s obvious sparks are flying. Is he worried of rejection? He seems really self-confident. And the part about praying for new calves is also a nice touch. I’m Christian, and I pray for lots of things, but I feel like in Ancient times, they were much more dependent on the gods for everything. Things like that help immerse the reader in the world you’ve created 🙂
Somebody else has to do some pf the praying, right? Seems unfair to make her do it all.
He says business, but I don’t think I believe him… 🙂
Hopefully there is some pleasure there. lol Wonderful snippet. You always know how to draw the reader into your world.
Doesn’t sound like an all business request to me. Great snippet.
“Actually, I do” – I’m not sure if this is inability/unwillingness to delegate, or honest devotion to duty. I suspect a bit of both.
The “all business” comment just doesn’t ring true. 😀 There’s definitely something else going on. Hopefully, Tyema will let loose a little.
He’s hopelessly head over heels! Business will probably soon turn to pleasure.
I love the small but essential details in your writing. Nice anticipation too. 🙂
I love how you put me right there into the scene and add these little details that illustrate the action and the time. Well done.
I liked the playfulness between the characters, especially with the “Actually, I do” inner-thought followed by the dialogue. I think it’s fun to watch people in the story lie, scheme, and try to one up each other. I really enjoyed the dialogue.
Keep smiling,
Yawatta
So he is all business, hum, I wonder for how long.
Loved her answer. Got right to the point. That was a great scene Veronica!
(I’m still catching up before tomorrows list starts. Sorry so late)