Cover by Frauke of Croco Designs

Today I’m feeling in the mood for one of my ancient Egyptian paranormal novels so I’m offering up MAGIC OF THE NILE!

There are a few spoilers in this book for PRIESTESS OF THE NILE, but in general all the books in the series can be read as standalones.

Tyema is the High Priestess of the  temple of Sobek in a rather remote province (nome). Sahure introduces himself in the snippet:

Happy to be alone, done with her responsibilities, Tyema sighed. Rubbing her forehead, she enjoyed the soft breeze on the cliff’s edge. Changing out of the ornate headdress, the elaborate wig, the jewelry and the elaborate ceremonial garments into a simple sheath before going to meet Hotepre had been a good idea. Now she could relax, with all the day’s tasks checked off.  Stomach rumbling, Tyema knew her dinner would be set out in the privacy of her apartment, but for now she was content to stand high above the Nile, savoring the beauty of the sunset.

“Hello? Excuse me?”

Hearing a man’s voice where no one should be, startled her out of her reverie. She wasn’t afraid—no one would ever dare lay a hand on her again, not protected as she was by Sobek—but she was annoyed as she turned on her heel. Who in the Seven Hells would dare to trespass here?

“You’re too late for the evening ceremonies,” she said, barely polite. “The temple is closed.”

“I was afraid I’d missed the time.”  As if his tardiness couldn’t possibly be an issue, the newcomer’s wide smile lit his cleancut face, accented by high cheekbones and a square jaw. He was a tall, broad-shouldered warrior, wearing a crisp white kilt, with leather straps crisscrossing an impressively muscled chest. The black and gold nemes headcloth framing his face denoted a high-ranking officer, as did the golden-handled flail tucked into his waistband. The man covered the last yards of the path in a few steps, joining her at the cliff’s edge, taking a quick view over the silvery Nile. “Beautiful. I can see why the crocodile god wanted a temple here.” Hand on the ornate golden falcon hilt of his sword, this unusual supplicant bowed. “I’m Sahure, captain in pharaoh’s army, nephew to the nomarch of this province.”

Tyema inclined her head with a smile. She was fond of the nomarch who ruled the Ibis Province for Pharaoh. Being his relative was a point in this newcomer’s favor. She saw no need to introduce herself, not wanting to listen to any petitions at this late hour, but her curiosity was piqued. “What brings you to the temple? The nome’s capital is a day’s ride away from here.”

“I’m visiting my uncle, combining business with pleasure, inspecting fortifications for Pharaoh and admiring some of the local wonders.” His appreciative glance at her was pure flattery.

She pointed at the golden falcon badge on the shoulder of his tunic, so rarely seen in this remote province. “You’re one of Pharaoh’s Own Guard?”

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He laughed. “I have that honor, yes. The Great One sent me to evaluate the Nile in this area, see if there might be potential for a port. Nowadays there’s so much river traffic, with the Hyksos menace repelled and the increase in prosperity Nat-re-Akhte has brought to the Black Lands in the last fifteen years, we could use another commerce hub.” Studying her with narrowed eyes, he said, “Why am I talking of civil engineering when you shiver in the twilight breeze? Don’t let me keep you here on the bluff while night falls.”

Rather than entering the grounds, Tyema took a different direction, walking along the path toward the main temple complex, good manners forcing him to accompany her. “Indeed, it’s chilly when the sun goes down and the wind rises,” she said, rubbing the goose bumps on her arms, most likely brought on by mention of the Hyksos rather than the weather.

            But Sahure was already apologizing. “I’m sorry, perhaps I was insensitive to mention the enemy. Your village suffered a Hyksos raid during the worst of the times, didn’t it?”

She nodded. “Yes, long ago. What brings you to the temple today?”

“Other than sightseeing?” He laughed. “I wanted to meet the high priestess, tell her my plans, in case the god had any objection, any portion of the river he doesn’t want developed. And I might need her help in examining possible sites. This temple is a significant influence in the local area, I have to consider its needs in the new development.”

Tyema opened her mouth to speak. “I—”

He was intent on finishing his thought. “But as I’ve obviously missed my chance tonight, is there an inn in the town you’d recommend?”

VS: He’ll find out who she is eventually….but not this evening.

Sobek Author’s own collection

MAGIC OF THE NILE (GODS OF EGYPT)

She’s a priestess, he’s a proud warrior … is love enough to bridge their differences?

When the high priestess of an Egyptian temple falls in love with a captain of the royal guard, their bond is tested by the intrigue and peril of their duties to the gods and Pharaoh.

Tyema serves Sobek the Crocodile God as High Priestess of his Nile river temple. But despite her beauty, grace, and the power she wields, the shy priestess lives as a recluse in the remote temple grounds. For though Sobek rescued her from a childhood of abuse and neglect, and healed her crippled foot, her dark past haunts her still.

When Sahure, a dashing captain of Pharaoh’s guard, arrives to ask her help for Pharaoh, Tyema’s wounded heart blossoms. The captain is captivated as by her well … until Pharaoh orders him to the dangerous frontier, far from Tyema. He rides away, bound by duty and honor, leaving Tyema with even more secrets to bear.

Heart-broken, Tyema returns to her lonely life … until the Crocodile God reveals other plans for his priestess. For Pharaoh’s life is threatened with black magic, and only one who wields the power of a god can unmask the sorcerer. Tyema must brave court life, and somehow withstand the pressures of swirling gossip, intrigue and danger. And she must hurry, before ancient evils overcome all her efforts.

But when Sahure returns, is he there to help or to hinder? Will love lead them to common ground, and a future together … or will their differences tear them apart forever?

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I’ve switched to my newly released paranormal romance DANGER ON THE NILE!

The excerpt, continuing on, close to the beginning of the book. 

Excerpt – Captain Khay and his friend Nesmont are discussing the future.

“Missing home? I know I am. I’ve had enough of these raucous feasts and ceremonies. I’m ready for civilization again.” Nesmont leaned on the next tree and regarded the serene waters of the oasis’s lake.

“Not like Pharaoh’s palace,” Khay said, voicing his earlier thoughts.

“True. Are you planning to seek a wife when we get home? I heard rumors your mother and the queen were plotting to force the issue next time you were ordered to Thebes.”

“Actually my mother is surprisingly pragmatic about the entire subject. She always says the gods will direct me to the person I’m to love. She and my father found each other when they were prisoners of the Hyksos, you know.”

“I’ve heard the story.” Nesmont’s tone was dry. “Many times. Your parents are legendary.”

“Well at least they don’t meddle.” Khay drew himself up. “I can find my own wife.”

“You do need one,” Nesmont said with practicality. “I know you’ve ambitions beyond the military and for the kinds of positions you covet, the right connections are necessary.”

“I have connections of my own,” Khay said with a bit of annoyance. Was his father not a cousin to Pharaoh?

“What about Lady Senetites?” Nesmont seemed determined to probe the subject tonight. Snapping his fingers, he said, “Wait, I know, Lady Merestekh. She’s beautiful, accomplished, well born, has a large dowry, is a lady in waiting to the queen and if the gossip be true, you know the way to her bedroom.”

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DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances…

I’ve switched to my newly released paranormal romance DANGER ON THE NILE!

The excerpt, continuing on, close to the beginning of the book. 

Excerpt – We meet Captain Khay:

Khay leaned against a palm tree and studied the cloak of stars the goddess Nuit was spreading across the sky. Behind him the drums pounded, the flutes shrilled, the many voices sang and there was much laughter and merriment going on. It was boisterous and energetic and entertaining and about as far removed from the dinners in Pharaoh’s palace as could be. He turned, watching the circle of dancers moving in the firelight, snaking through the camp and returning to the main fire where his host the king of this tribe was enthroned. He’d have to go back in a few minutes or his absence could be taken as an insult.

Truth be told he liked this king and his warriors a great deal, although as Pharaoh’s ambassador, his personal likes and dislikes had no bearing. Only the treaties he’d negotiated for trade and mutual aid along the restless border, as well as the copious gifts and precious objects he’d already crated and sent north to Thebes under heavy guard on several occasions, including two gawky young giraffes for Pharaoh’s zoo. The need to send the tributes and gifts on their way depleted his own forces but he’d been sent with a large contingent and his next stop would be Neserakhet, where he could requisition more men from the garrison if he thought it wise. Pharoah had demanded regular updates by courier and Khay deemed it prudent to send along samples of the riches he was garnering for the Great One as well.

Depositphotos

DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances…

I’ve switched to my newly released paranormal romance DANGER ON THE NILE!

The excerpt, continuing on, close to the beginning of the book. 

Excerpt – I’ve jumped ahead a bit. Mayet has escaped the temple but the sights which meet her eyes are terrifying:

As Mayet rushed past the end of the trash pits, she gasped and stopped, hand to her mouth in horror. The city was burning, flames reaching to the skies and smoke obscuring the sun.

For one brief moment she hesitated, looking longingly to the southwest, where her home village lay, far away. She’d give anything to be safe at home with her family but she knew the journey there would be impossible on her own. Surely Shabak’s army was patrolling in that direction.

Streams of people were moving across the plains away from the city, some on the road north but most striking out on various paths as they attempted to flee the devastation and killing. Mayet hastened to join the one of the motley groups. There was a tiny window of opportunity for these people—and her—to escape the invaders while the southern warriors were intent on killing the governor and the priests and priestesses and high-ranking nobles and scribes and looting the temples, the granaries and the finer homes. Right now the raiders had no attention to spare for the poor folk unless they literally ran into each other but that would change.

Author’s own photo

DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances…

I’ve switched to my newly released paranormal romance DANGER ON THE NILE!

The excerpt, continuing on, close to the beginning of the book. The high priestess Inu has been gravely wounded and stumbled into the inner sanctum where Mayet was cleaning. Mayet is speaking: 

“But what am I to do? Who can I go to for help?”

“No one. They’re all dead or dying.” Inu roused herself although her eyes were glassy and her breathing labored. “You must get the goddess’s effigy to safety. The statue holds much power and I know Shabak wants to get his hands on it. The raiders will be here soon. Take it and go.”

Go where? Mayet didn’t give voice to her question for fear of the answer.

There was a pounding on the door and dust drifted from the beautifully painted ceiling above. Head swimming, Mayet turned to Inu for more instruction but the priestess was dead, having used the last of her strength to reach this sanctuary. Mayet was frozen in terrified indecision until the pounding at the door renewed, increasing in force. It sounded as if whoever wanted entry had a battering ram.

Rising to her feet, Mayet faced the statue of the goddess. Putting her hands together and bowing her head, she said, “Protect me, Great One. I beg for thy assistance in carrying out this fearsome task.”

There was no sign from the statue as the goddess continued to stare serenely into the distance.

Depositphotos

DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances…

(Pssst: I currently have a mega sale on my Badari Gladiators boxed set, books 1-3 – just $.99!!! This is the last weekend for the sale. Check it out below the post – scroll all the way down.)

I’ve switched to my newly released paranormal romance DANGER ON THE NILE!

The excerpt, from close to the beginning of the book. Mayet, a new priestess, is in the inner sanctum of the temple, cleaning the altar when the high priestess stumbles in, gravely wounded: 

Terrified, Mayet rushed to obey the order, forcing the door to swing shut as fast as the mechanism would move. “What is it? What’s going on? Should I go for help?” she asked as she hurried to rejoin Inu, sandals slipping a bit in the trail of bright red blood on the black-and-white tiled floor. The high priestess was plainly not much longer for this world.

With a bitter laugh ending in a gurgling cough, Inu shook her head. “There is no help.”  She grabbed Mayet’s wrist with surprising strength. “You must get the sacred statue of the goddess away from here. The effigy must not fall into their hands.”

“Whose hands?” Mayet rushed to select a goblet of the wine which had been offered to the goddess the night before and brought it to Inu, kneeling and tipping the alabaster cup to her lips. “Take a moment, my lady, gather your thoughts and explain matters to me.” She hoped to assist the priestess’s memory. “You and the others went to the formal greeting ceremony at the mayor’s palace, to take part in the welcome for the delegation of the southern tribes—”

“It was a trick, a trap, the fucking bastards slaughtered everyone and then their soldiers poured through the city gates. We’ve been betrayed by false promises of peace and trade and now it’s a war. I managed to flee through a side corridor—I had guards with me but they were cut down.” Belatedly recognition dawned in Inu’s face how severely she was injured, as she glanced at the slashes in her dress and touched the one on her belly with a fingertip. “I’ll be in the Afterlife by sunset. Promise to sing the proper chants that I may pass to my judgment.”

Author’s own collection

DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances…

BADARI GLADIATORS BOOKS 1-3

I’ve bundled my three gladiator books into a box set and put it on sale for $.99 this month! Of course I’m hoping if readers like my gladiators they’ll want to read the ongoing, original Badari Warriors series too. And if you’re already a fan of one or both series, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

This Badari Gladiators box set gathers the first three science fiction romance novels from this series into one collection. Featuring genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then unscrupulous lab techs faked the deaths of a few men, smuggled them off the planet in cryo freeze and sold them to be gladiators. They meet their human fated mates in alien arenas and must fight to save themselves and their mates. Kyden is a Generation Five Badari whereas the main characters in the long running series are from a later time and are Generation Eight. This new series stands alone and you don’t have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. I couldn’t resist the temptation to tell a few other Badari stories, set in the galaxy’s Hinterlands, and who can resist gladiators? Please note each novel has been previously published on its own and all are standalone tales. No new material has been added, aside from a brief Author’s Note about why I wrote each novel.

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