Staying with my latest release, Dancer of the Nile, which takes us back to Ancient Egypt. This follows last week’s snippet where Nima warned Kamin not to eat the stew. Avoiding spoilers, I’ve moved ahead a little, skipped a bit, as they’re trying to make their getaway from the enemy. A little creative editing to stay within the eight sentence rule. The story blurb is below the photo.
She’d already gotten one horse hitched to a chariot. Kamin set the sword and shield in the vehicle and grabbed the halter of another horse. “Where did you learn to harness teams?”
Nima was following the line now, loosening the straps holding the animals to the tether and flapping her arms in an attempt to make them shy and bolt. She frowned over her shoulder at him. “My family travels by oxcart – I figured ox, horse, four legs, not much difference.” Impatiently, she shoved at a horse nibbling her sleeve. “These damn animals won’t move.”
(The above action figures adorn my desk sometimes when I’m writing…)
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Egypt, 1500 BCE
Nima’s beauty and skill as a dancer leads an infatuated enemy to kidnap her after destroying an Egyptian border town. However, she’s not the only hostage in the enemy camp: Kamin, an Egyptian soldier on a secret mission for Pharaoh, has been taken as well. Working together to escape, the two of them embark on a desperate quest across the desert to carry word of the enemy’s invasion plans to Pharaoh’s people.
As they flee for their lives, these two strangers thrown together by misfortune have to trust in each other to survive. Nima suspects Kamin is more than the simple soldier he seems, but she finds it hard to resist the effect he has on her heart. Kamin has a duty to his Pharaoh to see his mission completed, but this clever and courageous dancer is claiming more of his loyalty and love by the moment. Kamin starts to worry, if it comes to a choice between saving Egypt or saving Nima’s life…what will he do?
Aided by the Egyptian god Horus and the Snake Goddess Renenutet, beset by the enemy’s black magic, can Nima and Kamin evade the enemy and reach the safety of the Nile in time to foil the planned attack?
Can there ever be a happy future together for the humble dancer and the brave Egyptian soldier who is so much more than he seems?
DANCER OF THE NILE, an Amazon Best Seller, is AVAILABLE on Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks iTunes Smashwords
She’s full of spirit isn’t she! I like her!
Trying to recall the PBS special on the Egyptian horse chariot–wasn’t there s0me problem with how the harness worked?
When they were doing the recreation, at first the wooden yoke, I believe, wasn’t coming out correctly. I really enjoyed that program.
Terrific eight. Love her spirit and there’s a sense of humor here adding to the scene.
A great eight, and love the inspiration adorning your desk!
Haha, I can just imagine an urgent situation with these horses like “DURR HURR I LOVE YOU!”
Really great eight this week, Veronica.
I’m sure she’ll figure out pretty soon there’s a difference between an ox and a horse… ;D
I love this, a girl’s got to be practical. Nice details.
Harnessing sounds like a challenging skill to master. And I love your desk decoration. It’s nice to have something like that to look at when you’re writing.
The picture made me LOL! Love that. Great eight. Where are they going. Can’t wait to find out.
Hee! I love your action figures! What great inspiration. And it’s obviously working like a charm because this excerpt is fab! 🙂
Sometimes animals just won’t follow the script.
Nice 8!
She’s adorable. Gotta love this little trooper.
four legs or two – sometimes characters don’t do what we want, or what the characters wish either
Ooh, love this premise–and her remark about “ox, horse, four legs…” LOL! And where’d you get the figures that sit on your desk? How awesome is that!
I’m loving the show of character here. Well done, Veronica.
Great snippet! I like her. She’s practical and feisty. And the blurb? Oh my–you’ve sold me on this one. Adding to my TBR. 🙂
My sekrit plot has worked Mwahahahahaha…actually, TYVM and I hope you’ll enjoy the book 🙂
Awesome snippet! I love the humor at the end too! Excellent historical details here, bravo!
I like the humor here. She’s thinking though, and not shy to step in and help. Great 8 🙂
Thanks for all the comments! I thought it might be time for something a little lighter in tone than the last two snippets so I’m glad my action figures and my choice of snippet are working for you all today. Nima is one very resilient and resourceful lady, if I do say so myself. I had fun writing her!
I like her thought process and the snippet made me smile. 😀 Ox, horse, what’s the difference? LOL
I just love the comparison between oxen and horses and the 4-legs quip, such spirit!.
*snort* Love her attitude 🙂
She’s fantastic- so spirited! Great snippet!
That’s the problem with well-trained horses—they won’t bolt when you need them to! Great snippet, as usual!
LOL I like this girls practical, no-mucking-around style. Great 8
Great excerpt, and I love the inspirational figurine. I used to have a picture of a sexy guy on my desk.
Yep, all four-legged critters like ox, horses, donkeys are the same. 😛
Love the detail of the horse trying to eat her clothes. They’ll do that.
Love her pluckiness! Great 8!
Loved the dialogue and the scene. Her answer was great and the horses gives stubborn as an ox new meaning. 🙂
History Sleuth’s Milk Carton Murders
Loved the scene. Great detail!