This week, we're so pleased to welcome historical romance author Veronica Scott. Her latest release, PRIESTESS OF THE NILE, is set in ancient Egypt. Veronica is here to talk about the novel and give away a copy. Here's the blurb:
Thank you, Veronica and best of luck with sales of Priestess of the Nile, new from Carina Press. Readers, please leave your comment for Veronica for a chance at a free copy of her latest!
Egypt, 1500 BC
Drawn to his abandoned temple on the banks of the Nile by an enchanting song, Sobek the Crocodile God is even more captivated by the sight of the singer herself. Appearing to her as a man, he learns she is Merys, a descendant of his last priestess. Though filled with lust, Sobek believes Merys deserves to be more than just his mistress. But the rules that govern the Egyptian pantheon forbid anything beyond a physical joining of a Great One and a human.
Merys is attracted to the handsome stranger, who arouses passions in her that no man ever has. But with no dowry and no hope of ever leaving her village, she dares not dream of the future—or love.
Sobek takes every opportunity to visit Merys, taxing his resolve to leave her pure. When he saves her life, their mutual desire must be sated. But can a love between a human and an immortal survive the ultimate test of the gods?
Sounds simplistic but WRITE. Do not doubt yourself. Do not
edit yourself prematurely. Make yourself get at least a few words on the page
every day. Once the story is done in first draft, then find beta readers, Critique Partners, revise, edit, etc. But
until it’s written, it’ll never be published.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637
*Q&A with Veronica Scott*
What kind of research do you do?
I start with online research and follow the links wherever
they take me. I can spend delirious days lost on the internet, soaking up
tidbits and trivia, but eventually I realize I’m not writing. Then I hit the keyboard. Having been fascinated by Egypt
since I was a little girl, I have a library of reference books on the Egyptian
civilization and mythology, including the Book
of the Dead; most with beautiful illustrations and photographs. I’m not
writing strictly historical fiction, since I put a big paranormal twist into
the world building, so I start with research and then bend some of the facts to
suit my story. We’re in an alternate
universe version of Ancient Egypt!
What drew you to make the Crocodile God the hero of this story?
Sobek goes through quite
an emotional and personal growth arc in the story, which is an immensely
appealing challenge to a writer. At one time, he was unthinkably
powerful, according to the legends, but by 1500BC, he pretty much just tends to
the Nile, keeping it flowing smoothly, flooding on schedule. Other gods have
come along and are above him in power, like Isis and Osiris. As a writer, I
found him and his backstory intriguing. He’s been around since the universe was created yet
never felt true love, doesn’t relate to humans until he meets the right woman! Which
puts his immortal heart in serious jeopardy of being shattered...
Sobek is always depicted in paintings and statues as either
crocodile or half man/half crocodile. The key to the story hit me one day when
I realized he was a shifter, to
use our paranormal terminology. Obviously, he could shift all the
way and take human form if he wanted to. The ancient Egyptians just never saw
him do it!
And what made Merys the right woman for a Crocodile God?
I had to ask myself what kind of woman would appeal to a Crocodile God in his human form, could send him
falling into love for the first time ever. During my research I found out crocodiles
are very sensitive to sound, so I knew Merys must have a beautiful singing
voice. Hearing her sing would be what first attracts him, sight unseen, as well
as the fact she knows the traditional songs he hasn’t heard in a long time. The
opening scene in the book almost wrote itself after that. Descended from a long line of priestesses,
Merys isn’t afraid of Sobek. She keeps the abandoned temple in some kind of
order, which he appreciates, having been pushed aside by newer gods Then as he
gets to know her, and what is important to her, he starts to understand the
feelings of a human heart...
What’s the one thing that’s been a surprise to you about being a
published writer?
How important the social media and the promo activities are
these days! Before Carina Press bought Priestess
of the Nile, I had almost no internet presence but then I discovered
twitter and instant love affair, me and tweeting! Between research and
tweeting, it’s hard for me to get actual creative writing done. (You think I’m
kidding?!) Well, and the day job of course. I have a blog, which is fun, love
writing the posts & getting comments, love guesting on other blogs as I’m
doing today. There’s such a vibrant community online – other authors, editors,
publishers, agents and of course the Readers. Having tremendous fun. So I’ve had to really
improve my time management skills, which was never my problem before.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
You can find Veronica at:
http://twitter.com/#!/vscotttheauthorThank you, Veronica and best of luck with sales of Priestess of the Nile, new from Carina Press. Readers, please leave your comment for Veronica for a chance at a free copy of her latest!
