Guest Blog: Veronica Scott

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:

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?

*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?

 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.

You can find Veronica at:

http://veronicascott.wordpress.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/vscotttheauthor

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637


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!

Excerpt Thursday: Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott

This week on Excerpt Thursday, we're so pleased to welcome historical romance author Veronica Scott. Her latest release, PRIESTESS OF THE NILE, is set in ancient Egypt.  Join us on Sunday, when Veronica will be here to talk about the novel and give away a copy. Here's the blurb:

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?

**An Excerpt from Priestess of the Nile**

The sweet high note Merys held came to an end as she put a hand to her throat, then bent over the tiny waves. She searched along the riverbed, no longer focused on her song.

      A movement to the right caught his eye. What is the name of Set’s horns is that crocodile in the shallows doing? Is it actually swimming to attack her? Enraged, Bek threw himself down the trail at a breakneck speed.

      Merys stood carefully in one spot. She pushed her hair out of her eyes roughly and sighed in frustration, checking her neck one more time, not quite accepting the loss of her necklace. The slithering sensation against her skin as the old leather thong parted and the amulet fell had been so startling, she had not grabbed for it in time. Peering uselessly into the murk of the Nile, Merys blinked back tears. The only possession of bmy great-grandmother’s I had left, the symbol of my being a priestess—gone. I’ll wait for the silt to settle and then hopefully I can find it. Taking a moment to enjoy the soaring flight of a flock of white ibis against the blue sky, she stood straighter, easing her muscles. I envy them their freedom.

      The sky tilted and vertigo assailed her as her feet were violently yanked out from under her. A crocodile closed its mighty jaws around her ankle, ripping a desperate scream from her throat. The bone-crushing force sent a sheet of hot pain up her leg and through her body until adrenaline pulsed in her system. The beast dragged her under the surface of the Nile, pulling her toward the center of the river. Cold water rushed over her face, into her open mouth. Merys gagged, tried to hold her breath, beating on the animal’s closed jaws with her fists, then trying to jab at the nearest eye. Her stomach heaved, nausea and weakness from the intensity of the pain in her leg spreading outward from her gut.

      The crocodile rolled her over and over, tossing her like Tyema’s puppy with a rag doll. Black spots

danced before her eyes and she scrunched them tightly  closed against the dizziness. What do I do to get away before I drown? I have to breathe. My chest is going to explode. I’ve got to have air. Just as her lungs were bursting, something huge flashed by her in the water and struck the crocodile with enough force to shove it sideways a few feet against the current. The predator opened its jaws to deal with the threat and Merys floated free.

      A tiny hope of survival bloomed within her. A spurt of energy sizzled through her nerves, giving her

new strength. Kicking as hard as she could with the injured leg, heart pounding, Merys clawed her way to the surface. The water in her vicinity churned bright red. Something solid rose from the murky depths. Merys screamed and flailed, too weak to swim. A hard surface lay under her, lifting her completely out of the water, supporting her as if she were stretched out on a board or a raft. Thank the gods for helping me. Nausea and dizziness overwhelmed her and the world faded from her view.

      When Merys regained consciousness, she was held safe in Bek’s muscular arms, nestled against his broad chest. Too exhausted to question the miracle of his presence she curled closer to him in relief while he strode across the beach toward her favorite spot under the palm trees. Tenderly he laid her in the softest spot, then bent to examine her leg.

      Blood gushed from a long series of deep, serrated slashes, staining her dress as well as his hands and kilt. The crocodile’s teeth had shredded her lower leg from ankle to knee. The bone showed through. The pain was excruciating.

      Merys leaned to the side and vomited river water that burned her throat while Bek held her hair out of the way. As she wiped her mouth, exhausted, he pushed her gently to a reclining position. Chanting

something, he proceeded to run his hands over her legs. The pain spiked, then receded.

      What is he doing? Some kind of healing, but how?

      Green light shone from his hands, radiating from his palms in a cold, numbing rush. The light brought

blessed relief, mending her skin and bones in front of her eyes. Thank the gods.

      When he finished, Bek sat on his haunches, resting his hands on his thighs, and scrutinized her. His face was lined, his eyes shadowed. He was dripping wet.

      Another time I would have appreciated this view. But right now I need to understand what happened.

     “You saved me? How? How could you defeat a crocodile? And what did you do to my leg?” Wriggling her toes, Merys touched her shin hesitantly with the tips of her fingers. I’m safe in his arms. Her

pulse slowed. The weakness ebbed away as she relaxed.

      Bek gathered her in for a hug and she breathed deeply of his clean masculine scent. Crooning her

name over and over, he buried his face in her hair. Then he pulled back, framing her face with both of his broad hands, and met her eyes. “I thought I’d lost you.”

      She put a trembling hand on his cheek. “Who are you, Bek?”

     “Sobek.” He cleared his throat as he stroked her back with one hand. She realized her soaked dress

must be clinging to her as tightly as his wet tunic was plastered to his body. She leaned into the shelter of his mighty arms. Bek rested his lips next to her ear and whispered, “I am Sobek.”

      New adrenaline pumped through her, making her heart pound and sending a hot pulse along her nerves. “The Crocodile God?” I’ve been sitting and talking to the Great One all this time, treating him like a human man? I fell in love with him. How could I have been so blind? So stupid?

      “The Crocodile God himself?”

      “Yes.” He nodded, watching her closely, his green eyes steady on her face, his brows slightly raised. “I’m sorry I misled you.”