Title: GHOST OF THE NILE (THE GODS OF EGYPT)
Author: Veronica Scott
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book Blurb:
Egypt, 1550 BC
Betrayed, murdered, and buried without proper ceremony, Egyptian warrior Periseneb is doomed to roam the gray deserts of the dead as a ghost for all eternity.
But then the goddess of truth offers him a bargain: return to the world of the living as her champion for 30 days. If he completes his mission, he’ll be guaranteed entry into Paradise. Periseneb agrees to the bargain but, when he returns to the living world, two hundred years have passed and nothing is quite as he expected.
Neithamun is a woman fighting to hang onto her family’s estate against an unscrupulous nobleman who desires the land as well as the lady. All seems lost until a mysterious yet appealing ex-soldier, Periseneb, appears out of nowhere to help her fight off the noble’s repeated attacks.
Meanwhile, Periseneb’s thirty days are rushing by, and he’s powerless against the growing attraction between himself and Neithamun. But their love can never be. For his Fate is to return to the Afterlife, and Death cannot wed with Life…
Excerpt:
Neithamun took one look at the chattering, laughing nobles waiting for her and grabbed his arm, fingers digging into his muscles. “The family didn’t expect me to come. Oh, I should have stayed home. What was I thinking?”
He patted her hand and set it in her lap. “You were thinking you’d do your duty as the lady of Heron Marsh and welcome your friend’s new bride to the nome. Things will be fine, you’ll see.” But even he had doubts as they reached the foot of the stairs and he drew the longsuffering donkey to a halt. The expressions on the faces of their hosts varied from frowns to puzzlement. A few of the women were smirking behind their ostrich feather fans, probably at Neithamun’s decidedly non-noble mode of travel.
An older man in rich robes and an elaborate wig came forward, his wife beside him. “Lady Neithamun, my house is honored by your unexpected presence at our celebration.”
“But—but I was invited,” she said, hesitating as she prepared to descend from the cart. Her hand tightened painfully on Periseneb’s. “A sealed invitation with the Kingfisher cartouche was brought to the estate last week.”
“Of course, now you’re here, you’re more than welcome,” said the lady of the house, brow furrowed, giving her husband a scorching glance. “You must be tired and thirsty, my dear. Pray, come inside and refresh yourself.”
“I want no trouble with Haqaptah,” the lord of the estate said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
A younger man burst from the door, followed by three women. Periseneb had no doubt this was the son of the house. He clattered down the stairs, brushing past his parents. Shouting, “You did come! I’m so glad.” He lifted Neithamun off the ground and enfolded her in a crushing hug.
Periseneb noticed disapproving glances from the bystanders, but a moment later, the young noble had released his flustered childhood friend. He darted up the stairs to take one of the young ladies by the hand, leading her to where Neithamun stood straightening her dress. “Darling, may I present my childhood friend, Lady Neithamun of Heron Marsh? Neity, this is my wife, Lady Tashed, youngest daughter of the High Judge of Thebes. I’m hoping you’ll be friends.”
“Life, prosperity, health to you.” Neithamun inclined her head in greeting. “And blessings on your marriage.”
“What a unique dress.” His wife’s tone indicated unique was perhaps not a good thing. The two women who’d accompanied her onto the broad porch tittered behind their showy ostrich fans.
Although no expert on feminine apparel, Periseneb realized the bride and her companions were dressed in finely pleated, sheer linen gowns, with subtle gold trim, and gemstone collars at the neckline. The new dress of which Neithamun had been so proud was clearly nothing like what the Thebans had on, or even the older women of Kingfisher, although their robes were less sheer.
Apparently sensing the tension in the air, the young noble stared wide-eyed at his parents and then at the other guests clustered on the wide porch. “Is there a problem? Of course I sent an invitation to Heron Marsh when the scribe mentioned none had been directed there. Our families are the oldest of friends. I particularly desired my wife to meet my childhood companion. I want them to be friends.”
Periseneb could see Neithamun was consumed by anxiety now, blushing red, running one hand through the beads of her wig. Hoping to take some of the focus from her, he stepped forward, making a slight bow. “I’m Periseneb, late of Pharaoh’s Own Guard.” How late he wasn‘t prepared to explain. “I’m a guest at Heron Marsh, so I felt it only proper to invite myself along, to escort the lady on her journey.”
The lord of the estate reciprocated the bow. Voice perfunctory, he intoned, “The guest of my guest is welcome, of course.” Dismissing Periseneb and Neithamun with another shake of his head, he took his wife’s elbow, shepherding her and the majority of the onlookers inside. “The refreshments and the gaming boards await, my friends. The excitement is over.”
Although she followed her father-in-law to the top of the stairs, the new bride and her ladies remained outside.
His son also lingered. “I’m Userkaf.” While he and Periseneb shook hands, the heir to the Kingfisher estate glanced with open jealousy at Periseneb’s golden falcon badge. “I saw service in the war against the Hyksos, but wasn’t privileged to be at Pharaoh’s side. Met him at court of course, after he took the throne from the Usurper.” He laughed, but his handsome face was sober. “Never had the chance to bring myself enough glory on the battlefield to be invited into the Guard and wear one of those golden falcons. No gold of valor, as long as we’re truth-telling. But Pharaoh was well pleased with the sign of loyalty from our family. Later—at dinner perhaps—you must share some stories of your battles with us.”
“I wouldn’t dream of boring the ladies with such grim tales,” Periseneb said with a grin he didn’t feel. His Pharaoh had met the Hyksos many a time, but not in any battles this young man had ever heard of.
“We should have a mock skirmish. Or maybe an archery contest!” The other was brimming with energy and ideas. Userkaf’s constant motion and stream of excited conversation was jarring to Periseneb. More suggestions came thick and fast. “I doubt I could organize a chariot race on such short notice, but we could have a fishing competition. There are some other guests coming. I’ll see what I can plan for tomorrow. Possibly we can hunt. The gazelle herd is plentiful this year.”
Neithamun had a wistful, faraway look in her eyes. “You always enjoyed your sports.” She glanced at Periseneb. “I used to tag along after him when my family would come for a visit. I carried the arrows, lugged the basket of fish—it was his price for enduring my company.”
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Mix one heroic soldier given a chance by the gods to solve his own murder of 200 years ago (in 1350 BC), with a beautiful woman struggling to keep her home in ‘current day’ Egypt of 1550 BC, which is also the place where the soldier was murdered in his own time and the inevitable consequences are romance, action and adventure!
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Author Biography:
USA Today Best Selling Author
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the official audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor