Jun 1 2014

Urgent Business MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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, when Tyema has returned to her office as the ceremonies are complete for the morning and the scribe was so pleased with himself that he’d denied Sahure’s request for an audience. I’m skipping some byplay between Tyema and Jemkhufu the scribe, who has “thoughts of advancement” in more ways than one, shall we say? The scribe finally goes to summon Sahure. Last week Sahure entered the office….this excerpt follows directly after Tyema’s thought that she couldn’t have waited until tomorrow:

Tyema remained regally seated in her chair with an effort, curling her fingers tight against the desire to touch him as she said, “I’m sure your business is urgent.”

“Indeed, I’m here at the command of Pharaoh, very pressing affairs.” He raised his eyebrows and gave a sideways glance at the scribe.

“You may go, Jemkhufu,” she said, following Sahure’s line of sight.

“But, my lady, what if notes need to be taken?” The scribe was startled, his eyes opening wide and his mouth hanging open. Tyema never met with anyone alone, other than the god Sobek, so she wasn’t surprised by Jemkhufu’s reaction. Swallowing hard, the scribe glared at Sahure while questioning her order for privacy again, “Are you sure you won’t need me?”

We’ll keep going with this scene for a while since Tyema and Sahure have some things to say to each other about her deception the night of the festival…and the scribe is still in the room as an interested observer right now.

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

May 25 2014

Couldn’t Wait from MAGIC OF THE NILE for Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

Jemkhufu added an admonition to the visitor, “Be honored to enter the presence of High Priestess Tyema.”

She caught her breath as Sahure sauntered in, resplendent in his full uniform, the golden falcon badge prominent on the leather straps crossing his broad chest, scarlet cloak swirling around his legs. He was even more handsome than she’d remembered. He bowed, “Good morning to you, my lady.”

“And to you, captain.” With great effort, she kept a smile from forming on her lips as unfamiliar heat pulsed in her core and she suppressed the urge to shift her hips in response.

“I appreciate your seeing me today instead of tomorrow,” he said, staring at her with narrowed eyes.

Oh, I couldn’t wait till tomorrow.

As always, I love your comments and feedback. Although this is a published work, the input helps for the future novels…

And, in exciting news, ESCAPE FROM ZULAIRE is a Finalist for the 2014 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award! I was thrilled. I used to excerpt that one on this loop (some people here referred to it as “Captain Tom and Andi”….)

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

May 18 2014

Is There An Audience? MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

Added May 18 – I literally just got home from RT in New Orleans so I’ll be late getting to everyone’s post to savor and comment but I will make it, probably during the week.

Continuing with the excerpts from MAGIC OF THE NILE =>This excerpt follows right after last week’s, when Tyema has returned to her office as the ceremonies are complete for the morning. The temple scribe is speaking. (I messed with the punctuation a tiny bit, trying to be sensitive to the Moderators’ excellent point about how much we all can read at each stop and still make the rounds).

“We’ve a busy morning ahead of us, my lady – reports on the grain harvest, the tally sheets for the papyrus shipment—”

Tyema thanked her maids as they removed the complicated headdress and wig, substituting a simpler style, accented with a small circlet bearing Sobek’s cartouche in relief. As the women took the ceremonial items away to be stored for tomorrow’s rituals, she rubbed her forehead and sat in her gold—and—ebony chair. Putting her feet on the hippo shaped stool, she forced herself to ask the one thing she cared about right now, “Are there any audiences?”

Surprised, he moved his quill down the list of items on the scroll, ticking each off as he went. “Why, yes, there’s a Captain Sahure who requests a meeting.” With a satisfied sneer on his thin lips, the scribe raised one eyebrow, saying. “I told him to wait until tomorrow as your schedule was full today.”

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

May 4 2014

I Need One of These MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

Not making a habit of this but I HAVE to squee (again, just little, oh kindly moderators?) DANCER OF THE NILE, which so many of you were so very supportive of, here in the excerpts, just Finaled for the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal Romance of 2014!!! Kamin and Nima and the baby camel and I will find out in July who won….

Continuing with the excerpts from MAGIC OF THE NILE, however =>This excerpt follows closely after last week’s. Tyema enjoyed her brief stint at the reins but now they’re at the town’s gate and Sahure is in solo control. (I may have played with the punctuation to make it eight run-on sentences so please forgive me….)

Trying to smooth her hair into some semblance of order as the chariot rolled past the guards, Tyema laughed from sheer pleasure, “Thank you, handling the reins was wonderful! I might have to get one of these myself.”

He looked at her askance, “A chariot – for a temple?”

“Why not?” She’d tasted the glory of traveling with the speed of the wind and she craved more, enthralled by the idea of escaping the confines of her normal life any time she pleased, going so fast no one in the nome could ever catch her.

“Keep in mind you’ll need a groom, a proper stable—horses are expensive to feed.” Sahure waved his hand at Nahkti and Senbi, now walking docilely down the crowded road as he said, “They’re beautiful but they eat their heads off – your head priestess might not like the idea much.”

Tyema laughed. “Oh there’s no problem there, I assure you.”

(At this point Sahure doesn’t know she is the high priestess.)

(Nome is roughly equivalent to the word for a province of Egypt…)

Actually the chariot is a recurring theme in the novel…

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

Apr 27 2014

On An Unknown Road? MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

I HAVE to squee (just little, oh kindly moderators?) – Night Owl Reviews gave MAGIC OF THE NILE 5 stars and made it a Top Pick this week!

Continuing with the excerpts from this novel => After last week, everyone wanted to know whether Sahure would let Tyema drive the chariot so I’ve followed up with the next few sentences. (I may have played with the punctuation to make it eight run-on sentences so please forgive me….) Sahure speaks first:

“In the twilight, on an unknown road? Hardly the place for me to teach you to handle a high spirited team,” he demurred.

“When will I ever have such a chance again – you must be one of Pharaoh’s best charioteers, surely? Who better to learn from?”

Glancing at her face, which must have shown her disappointment despite her wheedling tone, he laughed, drawing the horses to a halt in a cloud of dust. “I can’t resist such a charmingly worded request. All right, as a compromise, you can hold the reins with me, if you’d like.”

He stood back as she sidled to a position in front of him and he folded the leather reins into her hands, never actually releasing them himself, saying as he did so, “You wanted to drive, lift the reins and click your tongue so they know to run.”

Actually the chariot is a recurring theme in the novel…

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

Apr 20 2014

May I Drive? MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

Apr 13 2014

What Am I Doing? MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

So we’ve moved on to the newly Released MAGIC OF THE NILE. This week’s excerpt follows Sahure’s invitation to Tyema to accompany him to the festival. I’ve skipped a bit of cajoling on Sahure’s part. (I may have played with the punctuation to make it eight sentences. I think!):

Tyema hastened to her quarters, the whole time asking herself what she was doing. She rarely set foot in town, with all its sad memories, not even to visit her sisters. Never to attend festivals! Am I so susceptible to a handsome stranger? She giggled, thinking of her half-sister Merys and the handsome stranger she’d met, who of course was revealed to be the god Sobek himself. “I don’t think this Sahure is a god in disguise,” she laughed to herself as she returned to the gate, half expecting to find him gone. But he’s a pleasing companion and tonight I’m in the mood to be wild, to do the unexpected.

“You were quick, my lady,” he said, pushing away from the wall and coming to take her hand.

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

Apr 6 2014

Will You? MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…
So we’ve moved on to the newly Released MAGIC OF THE NILE, which is the sequel to the book I had been sharing excerpts from. Last week we had the first eight sentences. Just so you know, she refused old Hotepre the Crocodile Keeper’s well intentioned suggestion that she attend the festival and he gave up, leaving to enjoy the festivities. I’m going to jump ahead for now, past her first moments of conversation with the extremely handsome and dashing Captain Sahure from Thebes, enjoyable as they were LOL, to the point where he issues an unexpected invitation. Sahure doesn’t realize she’s the high priestess he came to talk to, since she’s not wearing her ceremonial garb, but a more simple dress. (I may have played with the punctuation to make it eight sentences. I think!):

“I noticed the town was preparing for a festival of some kind,” he said, “You don’t attend?”

“It’s in honor of Horus, not Sobek.” An easy answer, which should deflect further questions. Sometimes she wished her defenses weren’t so well honed, so automatic. So imprisoning. Putting her hand on the gate, she pushed the painted gilt panel ajar.

“Well then, I must certainly put in an appearance, since Horus is my patron god.” He peered through the open gate at the deserted temple compound and said, “Will you come with me?”

Ah, that moment of temptation!

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books

Apr 2 2014

Blogging at USA Today HEA About Anxiety, Ancient Egypt and Me

April is National Anxiety Month (and probably some other “National Months” too, so many topics need attention)…so I’ve written a special column over at USA Today Happily Ever After blog on this subject.

Now I’m strictly a layperson, but as I understand it, almost everyone suffers stress and anxiety from time to time in our modern world. There are plenty of things to stress a person in the normal day – commuting to work, the big meeting with the boss or client, the final exam, making a speech etc. Anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with a person’s everyday life.

In my house, we call it “Mama’s feeling tense”, which can be quite an understatement at times. But I’m happy to say it isn’t all the time, every day either! Everyone has their own health challenges – I have migraines, asthma and oh, anxiety attacks. None of the three things is 24 hours of the day, seven days a week, thank goodness, and there’s stuff I can do to alleviate each one when it comes on. Now I’m not trying to make light of the topic, not in the least. After a near fatal car crash on the way to work one morning, I became subject to anxiety attacks, particularly when I had to drive. Especially when I had to drive to work along the same route where I had my accident!

I pretty much avoid that particular bridge on the 605 freeway every time I can, even after all these years.

Now I’m not my characters and they aren’t me, but when I was writing my latest novel, MAGIC OF THE NILE, I realized the adult heroine Tyema had been through a very stressful series of events as a child, when the enemy had invaded her village, killed a number of people she knew and kidnapped her. (These events form part of the plot of my first novel PRIESTESS OF THE NILE, about Tyema’s older sister.) It wasn’t believable that Tyema wouldn’t have some lingering effects as an adult. Symptoms of anxiety were well recognized in ancient Egypt, although not of course by that name.

You can read more in my post over at USA Today Happily Ever After. My primary reason for writing the post was to urge anyone who might have symptoms of anxiety not to hesitate, but to do something about it. I was so lucky that my family doctor diagnosed what was going on right away, so I’ve always known what to do for it.

My character figures out what to do about her challenges over the course of the novel, in ways that work for her. And yes, she has a Happily Ever After! It’s a romance after all 🙂

Best wishes!

Mar 30 2014

Every Broken Claw MAGIC OF THE NILE Weekend Writing Warriors

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…

So we’ve moved on to the newly Released MAGIC OF THE NILE, which is the sequel to the book I had been sharing excerpts from. I’ll just jump in with the first eight sentences for now (and have played with the punctuation to make it eight sentences. I think!):

Patience running thin, Tyema tried in vain to focus on the endless details her head crocodile keeper Hotepre was only too eager to share. Proper care for Sobek’s animals was her responsibility as high priestess but the god didn’t expect her to know about every chipped tooth and broken claw.

“Did you want to inspect the new clutch of eggs?” Hotepre asked as they left the pond where promising juvenile crocodiles were kept.

Glancing at the sun sinking over the Nile, she shook her head, saying, “I’d intended to, but the ceremonies ran long today – we had so many petitioners. Can I see the eggs tomorrow?”

“Of course, my lady.” Hotepre’s frown deepened the wrinkles on his aged face as they climbed the gravel path from the ponds, winding up the cliff where the temple itself was located, “Are you going to the festival in town tonight?”

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…

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.

Available at Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Google Play Books