"Vividly Sensual and Suspenseful Time Travel"
In Ms. Arwen's second novel, she has surely hit her stride
in providing the reader with another thrilling and sensual
read that delivers 'in spades' vivid imagery, dramatic
suspense, and action set in a wonderfully exotic location. In a well-developed prequel the story is laid out as
Pharaoh Sneferu and his faithful priest Rahotep set the
stage for the upcoming adventure. Knowing after several
assassination attempts and failure to uncover the
assassin's identity it would only be a matter of time
before they succeeded. Sneferu and Rahotep made a pact with
the God Osiris that if the assassins did succeed, there
would be a way to bring Sneferu back from the dead for a
second chance at life by one 'the Gods deemed worthy' of
the task. It was Jade's passion and expertise in Egyptian jewelry
that had brought her (the last virgin Egyptologist -- >i>at
least to her mind) to the attention of other notable
Egyptologists and archeologists. This entitled her with an
invitation to accompany them on a new excavation project
setting out for Memphis, Egypt. While on the dig she
accidentally found a secret door, and Jade's natural
enthusiasm overrode caution as stepping into the room she
found not only a gorgeous sleeping man but an exquisite a
golden armlet, which after reading the inscription, she
couldn't help but slide onto her arm. The man sleeping on
the stone table also had a beautiful golden amulet, Eye of
Ra, lying on his admirable chest which also drew her
attention and after running her finger over it a few times
the next thing she would remember would be waking up in a
wonderfully soft bed with the most divine chocolate brown
eyes staring down on her. Surely a dream, but soon Jade realized that she was not
only in bed with one perfectly gorgeous man but she also
realized that she was in another time altogether -- ancient
Egypt! When Sneferu recognized the armlet she wore, he knew
that she had been sent to him by the Gods to save him, but
a woman! It was still going to take some convincing on the
part of Jade that she was not really 'his' -- no matter
what he seemed to think when she was sent to his harem.
After being bathed, oiled, and perfumed Jade was initiated
into loving by a master in the art of seduction. On one
hand, she'd found the love of her life, but treachery and
betrayal in the palace dogged her steps from the very
beginning. After being stolen from the palace by a sick and
demented noble, Jade would have to fight her way back to
warn Sneferu of the planned assassination before it was too
late. --- I was hooked from the very first pages by this well-
written vividly sensual, and outstanding suspenseful
adventure. While her debut A PIRATE, A SECRET AND ROSE was
very good, showing promise with originality and adventure,
this surely surpassed that effort establishing Arwen as an
author to watch! The characters were plentiful, cleverly
drawn with depth and passion. As a whole it is an emotional
read that runs the gamut from edge of the seat suspense, to
humor, to highly sensual and loving relationships, and a
most poignant and tearfully joyous ending! It's a totally
satisfying read and a real 'keeper'!
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted January 6, 2007
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Fourth Dynasty, Inebu-hedj, Egypt: Sneferu "He of Beauty", the first pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty and one of Egypt's most benevolent rulers, has survived several assassination attempts, but he knows it is only a matter of time before the killer will succeed. Seeking the aid of the gods through his high priest, the pharaoh casts an ancient spell giving him the power to return to a time just before his murder -- if the gods grant his request. Sneferu is murdered and his high priest is able to secret his body away, which is the only hope for his return. Almost five thousand years later, Jade Morgan, an American Egyptologist is working on a stone altar. Catapulted back in time, the two must forge an alliance to keep Sneferu from being murdered a second time, but their hearts soon find that time is no barrier to true love. Weaving in and out of the traitors in the harem, as well as those in his court, the two quickly find they are traveling on the same path together. When the Nubian army is found camped across the Nile from his palace, Sneferu and jade must risk all and almost lose all to keep Egypt safe. Despite being kidnapped, captured, tortured and traded to their enemies, Jade and Sneferu overcome danger, deceit and death to find their together place in time.
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