Eclectic writer

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"Toth's Priest" tells of Amara's and Namose's adventures and growing love for each other

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Toth's Priest #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #paranormal #alternate ancient Egypt #romance #adventure

Join the authors at MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com and is from Toth's Priest a paranormal story featuring an ancient alternate Egypt.

BLURB:

Amara faces trouble and she uses a phone number given to her by a friend who has vanished. When she is offered the chance to be sent to an ancient Egypt, she accepts even though she must perform a task and risk losing her life. But here, she faces the same fate. She arrives and there is much she must learn before she can rescue a young man held by the priests of Aken Re.

Namose was taken prisoner by Hebu, beloved of Aken Re, and forced to translate ancient scrolls giving Hebu some of the powers given to the priests of Toth by the Three of the Two Lands, Toth, Bast and Horu. After his rescue, further troubles arise. He and Amara must join their powers to save their land and friends from the evil Hebu.

Juliet Waldron

End of the Series

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2015

A teen age girl in desperate circumstances flees into an alternate past, hoping to find a better life. Here she steps into another, just as dangerous, world, one of magicians, rival gods and spell-casting. This is the final book in a YA series set in an alternate past—Ancient Egypt. There is plenty of action, brave young characters, twists and turns, all set in well-researched ancient setting. Egypt, all by itself, is sufficiently interesting for many readers, but here the “alternate” adds a bit more spice. The names of real history players and gods are here, slightly changed.

S.A. Martin

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2015

In her contemporary life, Amaa is an orphan, raised grudgingly by her uncle and threatened with rape by two men. When given a chance by two women skilled in magic to travel back in time to ancient Egypt, she accepts.
Namose wants to become a priest of the god Toth but is captured and forced to follow the dictates of an alien god and to translate scrolls of that god.
"Toth's Priest" tells of Amara's and Namose's adventures and growing love for each other. This book was obviously well-researched and is full of action. For those reasons, I gave it a 5 star rating. However, the sentences didn't show much variation and often read monotonously. I would have liked to see a bit more narrative interspersed with the dialogue.
Neverlheless, this is a great adventure and worthwhile read.

EXCERPT:

When the men entered the apartment, she raced lightly up the rest of the stairs and opened the door to the roof. The heavy metal slab nearly slipped from her hands. She paused for a moment to use a piece of wood to block the handle. She ran across the roof. Once she reached the edge, she slipped over the low wall and placed her feet on the fire escape. Step by step she made her way down until she reached the fourth floor and the windows of her uncle’s living room. Had she missed anything of importance? The unseasonable heat of the autumn day meant open windows. She crouched where she could hear.

“Mr. Ramos, what do you want from me?” Her uncle’s voice vibrated with fear.

“I have come to offer safety for you, your wife and children. There will also be money allowing you to relocate.”

Ramos’ smooth voice sent chills darting over Amara’s skin. Her hands clenched.

“What do you want me to do?” her uncle asked.

“You have a beautiful niece. I have a handsome nephew who is my heir. Miguel wants the girl. Bring her to me and all will be as I promise.”

Would her uncle accept? Amara knew the answer. He had no love for her other than for the money she brought into the house. Her body tensed. The metal of the fire escape burned her hands.

“What if she won’t obey me? She holds herself apart from the family.”

Ramos laughed. “You will make her obey. Aren’t you the man of the house? Bring her to me. She was seen entering the building not long ago.”

When her uncle said nothing, Amara felt a moment of hope.

“I said now,” Ramos barked.

“But…” Her uncle rose. Would he tell the drug lord she hadn’t come home?

To keep from crying out, Amara bit her finger. Time to move. She had to escape but where could she go? When they didn’t find her in her room would her uncle remember how she often went to the roof? She eased to her feet. No time or way to reach her room and the stash of money she’d hidden. She needed a place to hide. With care she climbed to the roof and rolled over the wall.

After her breathing slowed, she searched her pockets. Phone. Twelve dollars, mostly singles and some change. The paper Seth had given her before he disappeared. If she ever needed an escape, today was the time. She read the words.

Life got you down? Have unsolved problems?

Looking for an escape? The answer is in your stars.

A counselor is available night and day.

Dial 1-800-555 ASTR

Was it possible? Though this sounded like a joke, Seth had said they would help. She trusted him. Did she have a choice other than to explore this option? If she didn’t call her life would change in a manner she feared most. She had to reach the street and make the call. Before making the call, she wanted to be away from this building. Maybe she could make the call now but the sound of banging on the door to the roof spooked her. She scurried across the roof. The next building was close enough to jump.

She drew on the lesson of the day. She backed several yards, ran and used the edge of the wall to propel herself across the three foot gap. Curling into a ball, she twisted and landed lightly. A laugh burst free. Three more times she leaped gaps between the buildings until she reached one where an alley intervened. She walked to the edge looking for a way to the street. A rusty fire escape gave her hope. She opened the phone and made the call.

My Places

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Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Horu's Chosen #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Paranormal #Alternative ancient Egypt #romance #action atventure

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot,com and is from Horu's Chosen

BLURB:

Seth, an undercover cop has been betrayed by his handler. To escape he calls a number on a flyer and is transported to an ancient Egypt he doesn’t understand. He must rescue the Daughter from the evil priests of Aken Re.

Merin is the Daughter. She must find the man who by wedding her will become Pharaoh. She plots to escape the priests of Aken Re and flee to those who years ago saved her life.

Can Seth and Merin find a way to defeat the priests? Is love the answer to their problems? Can they join with the Warrior of Bast and of Horu to bring unity to the Two Lands?

RT Review
Following on the heels of The Warrior of Bast, this story is filled with magic and fascinating characters. Those interested in ancient Egypt will find this an enthralling tale. A satisfying ending is presented for the hero and heroine, with a promising lead-in to the next story.

Excerpt:

Seth slumped in the subway seat and shielded his face with a newspaper. Of all the luck. He was on his way to a meet with his handler and he didn’t want to be recognized. With care he moved the tabloid to study Tira. Panic showed in her expression. Perspiration dotted her forehead. Her tee shirt bore dirty smudges. She snatched a piece of paper from the seat beside her and seemed to study the words. As the car slid into the third stop she jumped to her feet and followed the crowd.

Another bit of bad luck. His stop, too. Just before the doors started to close he jumped out and headed up the stairs. When he reached the surface he searched and saw her running across the street. She entered the coffee shop. Strike three. That was the site of his meet.

Damn. Not a good idea to go inside. He would be late but late was better than made. Not that he didn’t trust Tira, but Ramos wanted her and the drug dealer had ways of making people talk. Tira’s sister had been a user and seller. Luci had angered Ramos by not paying what she owed and stealing drugs.

Seth slipped into a dark doorway and waited. Five minutes. Ten. At the fifteen minute mark Tira exited and stopped to use her phone. Moments later she dropped something on the sidewalk and hurried away.

Seth dashed forward and picked up the paper and read.

Life got you down? Have unsolved problems?

Looking for an escape? The answer is in your stars.

A counselor is available night and day.

Dial 1- 800- 555- ASTR

He read the paragraph again. Truth or scam? Had this piece of paper lured Tira into danger? Should he follow her? He frowned and peered down the street. She had vanished. When he’d warned her not to go home, he’d done more than he should have. But he liked her and knew she’d done nothing wrong. Her sister’s murder had put Tira in danger. The cops would have questioned and released her. Then Ramon would have stepped in. Seth hoped she had a safe place to hide. Holding this thought close he tucked the flyer in his pocket and entered the coffee shop.

As he slipped into the rear booth his handler glared. “You’re late.

“Better late than identified.”

Bob Tolena rubbed his hand over his receding hairline. “What?”

“The girl who just left the shop was Luci Gray’s sister.”

“And you let her get away?”

Seth shrugged. He grabbed the cup of coffee and drained the bitter brew hoping a caffeine jolt would unclog his head. If he didn’t get some rest soon he would make a fatal mistake.

The waitress arrived and refilled his cup. She slammed a plate with a burger and fries in front of Seth. He glanced at the older man. “Yours?”

“Not. Eat. You look like hell.”

As soon as the waitress left, Seth looked up. “That lead to Ramos is dead. What now?”

“If you see that young woman, have her picked up.”

“Why? She’s innocent.”

“Don’t you think someone official should make that call? No matter. We’ll keep an eye on her.” The older man slid a piece of paper across the table. “There’s some new info surfacing. You still have an in at that church-run community center?”

“Sure.” Seth picked up the burger and took a bite. How much longer could he continue undercover? For two years he had slunk through the alleys passing information to his handler. Three drug busts based on what he’d learned had gone down. But the bosses wanted more and more. Ramos would be the biggest.

Seth’s hands shook. Would he ever see the end? He felt older than his twenty-five years. “I want out.”

“Not yet. You’re young. Hang in there for another year or two. About the center, Ramos is sniffing around.”

The burger dropped to the plate. A year was too long. So was a month. He hadn’t gone to the academy or joined the force for this secretive life.

Bob clamped a hand on Seth’s wrist. “You’re good at this. Pete would be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Seth rose. He felt sick. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

By bus and on foot he made his way to one of his hidey holes. He stretched on the bed and slept.

My Places

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Thursday, March 30, 2023

Thursday's Opening Scene from The Secret of the Jewels #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy #action #adventure

Seven Jewels and seven threads. Find them, twine them, bind them into a braid to discover how to unlock the secret of the Jewels. What was pale becomes dark and dark changes to light. Sometimes destruction is the way to end a cycle of tyranny. Blazing sun and icy moons unite in the Yellow Jewel. You must go over land, across the sea and back again. Seek the thread and learn this lesson. What makes a home does not have to be a place. Fears may lurk and fears are faced when one learns to trust.

~*~

Disa turned and waved farewell to the Holders and their Chosen who remained at the mages’ stronghold. All but she and Brader stayed to tend to the living and the dead. Just days ago, the elderly healer had appeared and had given prophecies to all. The moment Disa had heard those words she knew she and Brader had to leave. Their role in the destruction of the mages lair had ended. The overland journey to Quato where they would board a ship to Thanis would take a seven day.

She prodded her horned horse and caught up with her companion. “Must we race like prisoners released from a dungeon?”

He slowed his steed. “Why not? I wish to reach my home as soon as I can.”

Home, she thought. Hers had been a peddler’s wagon and then the tavern in Pala. She didn’t understand his being drawn to a place. “Thy home won’t run.”

He laughed. “Thee are right, but some inner yearning pushes me to hurry to High Sanctuary. What if the mages have established a refuge there?”

She made a face. “Didn’t Andalor mention a ship filled with Queen’s Guards and mages that arrived in Quato around the time when thee did?”

“One or more might have remained. I need to find out.”

She supposed he was right but that wasn’t his real reason for the rush to return to his home. He wanted to visit his mother’s grave to bid her farewell. Did he really believe her spirit lingered on this plane waiting to hear of the success or failure of Liara’s quest?

At dusk they arrived in Desert’s Edge where they purchased enough supplies for the journey. She nearly suggested they stop at the Healers’ House for medicinals, but could think of none they would need before they reached the market in Quato.

Eight days of traveling from dawn to dusk brought them to the seaport town. On the outskirts they passed the villa where she had received her Jewel. “Remember our time here?” she asked.

“Clearly. What a pompous fool I was. Attacking Valmir when he wasn’t the enemy. Angering Liara and thee.”

She reached for his hand. “Thee feared someone would harm her and keep her from the quest.” She sighed. “I wonder how the others fare.”

“If there were problems couldn’t they reach us on the inner path?” Brader asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve listened every night and the voices have grown fainter. Should we stay here or go directly to the docks?”

He prodded his horse. “This is too far from town. We’ll find an inn. Word of ships leaving for Thanis will be heard at one, but we can’t leave for a day or two.”

She nodded. “We have to sell the horses.”

“And arrange for passage. We’re too late for today’s animal market.”

Once inside the town Disa led him to the inn where she and Andalor had stayed. They were in luck and one of the suites on the third story was available. After leaving their packs in the suite’s central room, they ordered a meal to be brought as soon as they finished in the baths.

A short time after returning to the suite, Disa opened the door for a serving woman bearing a large tray of food. Disa inhaled the aroma of brewed chokla and grinned. She slipped the woman a coin. Brader entered from his sleeping chamber. He fastened his amber colored hair at his nape with a thong.

“What of our plans for tomorrow?” Disa filled a mug with her chosen drink.

“Sell the horses. Find a ship. Purchase some extra food for the journey. Ship’s food is plain and sometimes not tasty.”

“Will we have to wait long?” Though they’d taken coins from the mages’ treasury, if they were forced to stay too long their coins would vanish.

He shrugged. “Who knows? I’ll slip down to the common room. Someone there will know about sailings.”

Disa lifted a banta leg. “No tragon.”

He laughed. “Guess Liara told thee how little tolerance I have for spirits. I’ll stick to ale.”

Though Disa had planned to stay awake until Brader returned, the soft mattress lulled her to sleep.

My Places

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Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday's Book The Secret of the Jewels #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy, #action #adventure #Jewels

Seven Jewels – Seven Holders and their bondmates. The words of an elderly Healer send each pair on a quest to learn the secret of the Jewels. Are these gems just tools or do they hold hidden danger for the Holders? The seven leave on seven quests to discover the answers. When they find the answer, they must decide the fate of the Jewels.

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Thursday, September 22, 2022

Thursday Meet some of the characters from Search for the White Jewel #BWLAUthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy #young adult #jewels of power

Liara is the daughter of the forner queen of Erda, sent into exile by her sister. Liara wants to find the white jewel and restore fairness to the land. She is opposed by Reena, daughter of the Holder of the Black Jewel. When her mother dies, she recieves the black jewel but has no idea how to use it.

Andalor is a musician who during a storm seeks refuge at the house where Reena is staying. He falls in love but she leaves him behind when she goes to sieze the black jewel from her mother. Bradon is Liara's foster brother who goes withher on a quest to find the white jewel.

Other characters such as Disa, an orphaned girl who has been working as a near slave in her uncle's tavern. There is also a desert rider who comes to help Liara in the search.

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who control the elements are joined on a fantastic journey as the battle the forces of evil

Friday, April 9, 2021

Join Kim McMahill as she talka about being a Panster or a Plotter #MFRWAuthor #Plotter #Panster #Plot #Characters

1. Are you a panster or a plotter or perhaps a bit of both? I’m definitely a bit of both. If the plot is exceptionally complex, I will plot. For example, in Shrouded in Secrets, I outlined most of the chapters, had a cork board with character profiles and other pertinent information, and used a map with pushpins and yarn to find geographic intersections. For the Risky Research Series as a whole, I predetermined how many books in the series, the title of each book, and which piece of the diet and nutrition industry would be highlighted in each novel. But the scenes and stories that I have the most fun writing are those where I can just sit down at the keyboard and let the characters and action inspire me to write off the cuff.

2. Which comes first - characters or plot for you? It varies. In Big Horn Storm, I had to have a cowboy named Deuce, and I wrote the story for him. In the Risky Research Series and several other novels, I had an idea for the stories and created the characters to pull off the action, adventure, and suspense.

3. What are you working on now? Is this a book in a current series or something totally new? I just released the fourth novel in the Risky Research Series, A Measure of Madness, and I’m currently working on the fifth and final installment, A Recipe for Revenge.

4. Do you have some kind of object or place that figures in most of your books? I use gems a lot, hospitals and caves. The Risky Research Series is all about the diet product, nutrition, and fitness industries and the science supporting those. However, most of my novels are more action/adventure based and I love remote unforgiving natural environments which adds an additional obstacle that the characters must overcome for success and a happily-ever-after ending.

5. Do you write everyday or just when the spirit hits? I can’t force creative writing. I just have to feel it. I do generally spend time everyday on various marketing projects like writing and programming blogs, and putting content on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, but novel writing comes more in spurts.

6. Where can we find you?

Blog: https://www.kimmcmahill.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcmahill/

Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill

7. Who are your favorite authors? What about a book you’ve enjoyed? I have read every book in Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series. I don’t know if his son will continue with that series or not since Mr. Cussler’s passing, so I’ve started reading his other work. I also love James Rollins and Dan Brown. The element all these authors have in common is great adventures, amazing locations, and a gift for creating suspense.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Sunday's Book Moon Summoned #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Fantasy #Romance ## heroes, heroines and villains #Epic adventure #Sword and sorcery

Three Moon Summoned women. Ashiera the Seer who controls the winds and sees into the thoughts of others. Dian the Warrior who controls fire and fights with the sword. Egeria the Healer who controls fluids and heals those who are injured. They are joined in their battle by Sieper a sailor who knows the winds, Kobe once sworn to the Lord of Shadows and Jetan a healer of animals. These three vow to help the three women against those sworn to Evil.

Lugal the Cabal reads the winds and thoughts. Sargon the Gladius controls fire and the armies of the Lord of Shadow. Lugal the Cabal has knowledge of herbs and uses them for evil. These three with their cohorts will face the three and three sworn to the Mistress of the Moons.

Editorial Review: Janet Lane Walters has written a story that will take you to another time and place. She gives vivid descriptions of her characters and their role in this story. Ms. Walters has constructed a civilization so real that you will feel its very existence. A place where men rule women as chattel for their sexual needs, and three evil rulers who drain their bodies of their very essence for spells and to gain power. There is betrayal and treachery inside of plots, as each priest plans to rule alone. Ashiera, Egeria, and Dian are bound to the spirits of the ones who came before them. They discover a truth that will astound them, and have them doubting their chosen path. They will experience a love that is forbidden and discover that two stand together better than one. I could feel the emotional struggle between love and destiny, described so passionately by the author. I hope Ms. Walters plans to continue this story. I could feel that this is just the beginning of this tale. Janet Walters book, Moon Bright, Moon Dark will go on my keeper shelf, beside such authors as Charlotte Boyett-Compo and Nancy Gideon. I give this story Five Hearts and recommend it highly. Enjoy!

Kat Taylor

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2014

Walters is a phenomenal world builders. This is not my first fantasy by her and it will not be my last. Three woman, who control the elements are joined on a fantastic journey as the battle the forces of evil.

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