Nefertiti

NEFERTITI

A MISSING QUEEN. A DARK GAME OF POWER.

With her husband, Akhenaten, Nefertiti - the most powerful, charismatic and beautiful Queen of the ancient world - rules over an Empire at the peak of its glory and domination.

Together, they have built a magnificent new city in the desert on the banks of the Nile and are about to host kings, dignitaries and leaders from around the Empire for a vast festival to celebrate their triumph.

But suddenly, Nefertiti vanishes.

Rahotep - the youngest chief detective of the Thebes division- can see patterns where others cannot. His unusual talents earn him a summons to the royal court.

With ten days to find the Queen and return her in time for the festival, Rahotep knows that success will bring glory - but if he fails, he and his young family will die...

Αbout the author

Nick Drake was born in 1961. He lives and works in London. His first book-length collection, The Man in the White Suit (Bloodaxe Books, 1999), was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 1999, and was selected for the Next Generation Poets promotion in 2004. From The Word Go was published by Bloodaxe Books in 2007. His most recent projects include a stage adaptation of Philippe Petit’s To Reach the Cloud; the screenplay for the Australian film Romulus, My Father, starring Eric Bana, which won Best Film at the Australian Film Awards; Success, a play for the National Theatre's Connections project; and a trilogy of historical novels (Nefertiti, shortlisted for CWA Best Historical Crime Novel, Tutankhamun and Egypt: The Book of Chaos which Mammoth Screen are developing for TV). He is a screenwriter, and is also working the composer Tansy Davies and director Deborah Warner on an opera for ENO. In September 2010 he was invited to join Cape Farewell's trip to the Arctic to explore climate change, and from that journey arose a commission from United Visual Artists to create poems and texts for their ground-breaking installation High Arctic at the National Maritime Museum (2011). Those poems, together with others inspired by the Arctic and its voices, are gathered in his collection The Farewell Glacier (Bloodaxe Books, 2012). 

My Review

I love detective stories and I have a deep fascination with Ancient Egypt. This book combines the best of both worlds as amazingly we have an Ancient Egyptian detective investigating a missing person, none other than Nefertiti, ruler of Egypt. Rahotep is rather like Hercule Poirot going back in time, as I definitely feel Agatha's Christie's influence as well as that of one of my favourite writers, Christian Jacq. It is incredibly difficult to find the culprit when there are no forensics. All Rahotep has is his wit otherwise, he and all his family, will be put to death. The book is entertaining, educational and a pleasure to read. I'm really looking forward to reading Nick Drake's next book, Tutankhamun.

The Wife

 

Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to the moment when she would make kind, handsome Toby her husband.

Then, there was a blank.

They said she must have fainted, overcome with emotion. But nothing felt quite right afterwards. Did something happen in that missing time?

Now, Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a perfect life. They’re planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. The invitations have been sent, the food ordered. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married.

But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating. Zoe catches Toby lying about where he’s been. One of her best friends seems to be ignoring her. And someone is spreading stories that might stop the party from happening at all.

Zoe is increasingly sure that she doesn’t have the full story. But does she want to know the truth, if it will destroy everything?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the first page to the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.  

Author Bio:

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing psychological thrillers (in between school runs and sorting endless baskets of laundry).

http://www.facebook.com/ShaliniBolandAuthor
http://www.shaliniboland.co.uk
https://twitter.com/ShaliniBoland  

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2QOWjOB

Apple: https://apple.co/336FRR1

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2X3KbfW

Google: https://bit.ly/310OERO

My Review

A clever psychological thriller that carefully builds up the suspense. Zoe doesn't remember what happened on her wedding ay ten years ago and now as she plans their anniversary she keeps getting glimpses of that day which she can make no sense of. With an old school enemy back on the scene, fleeting glimpses of her estranged sister, and a sister-in-law who starts shunning her for no reason, Zoe is starting to get worried that something terrible must have happened. I half guessed the ending and then just as I was congratulating myself there was a brilliant twist that changed everything. 

A Tuscan memory

In a tiny hamlet nestled in the Tuscan mountains, farmers gather after a hard day in the meadows, and children’s laughter rings across the square: but one little boy does not join in their play. Behind his deep brown eyes, hides a heartbreaking secret…

Ninety years later. When elderly Giselda Chiozzi discovers a lost little boy, curled up asleep in the beech forest outside her grand but empty home, she can’t help but take pity on him. It’s been a long time since she had a visitor. Waking up to her kind smile and the warming smell of Italian hot chocolate, Davide soon blurts out what drove him into the cold Tuscan night: he’s different from everyone else, he’s never belonged anywhere, and now his beloved mother is ill.

With her heart full of sadness for this lost child, Giselda promises to help Davide trace his family history – she knows better than anyone that connecting with your roots can ground you in the present, and hopes it will make Davide realise that home is where he truly belongs.

Together the unlikely pair discover the story of Davide’s great-grandfather, Giuseppe Starnucci, a young boy who spent his days milking cows, helping with the harvest, and hammering horseshoes in the forge. But after a terrible incident that changed his life forever, Giuseppe also ran away. Forced to become a man before his time, Giuseppe joined the treacherous pilgrimage all Tuscan farmers must make from the mountains to the plains, sacrificing everything to ensure the survival of their families.

Engrossed in the story, Davide is slowly starting to heal when he and Giselda discover a shocking secret which Giuseppe took to his grave – and which now threatens to tear apart Davide’s family for good. Will Davide let the pain of the past determine his future, or can he find the courage, love and loyalty within him to return home… and even if Davide himself finds peace, will it be too late for Giselda?

Inspired by true stories of rural Italian life, this absolutely stunning historical read is perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Rhys Bowen, and anyone who’s ever longed to stroll beneath the cypress trees and taste the fresh mountain air of Tuscany.

Previously published as Now and Then in Tuscany.  

Author Bio:

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable.

In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.

Twitter: @Angela_Petch

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3lpSBZG

Apple: https://apple.co/2CITQ4O

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2EaEq9H

Google: https://bit.ly/2OUuxzk

My Review

A wonderful portrayal of Tuscany and the difficulties of life in the past. The author seamlessly intermingles the present day with the fortunes of the inhabitants of previous generations. The skill is in making the characters come alive so that the reader cares about them. I enjoyed both stories and how they were interlinked and connected to the previous book. However, the skilfully drawn relationships between the characters is what kept me turning the pages. This book will appeal if you are a fan of Italy, love historical fiction or just like a darned good read.

The Second Marriage

From the internationally bestselling author of The Secret Wife comes a tale of love, sacrifice and betrayal, available for pre-order now.

JACKIE
When her first marriage ends in tragedy, Jackie Kennedy fears she’ll never love again. But all that changes when she encounters…

ARI
Successful and charming, Ari Onassis is a man who promises her the world. Yet soon after they marry, Jackie learns that his heart also belongs to another…

MARIA
A beautiful, famed singer, Maria Callas is in love with Jackie’s new husband – and she isn’t going to give up.

Little by little, Jackie and Maria’s lives begin to tangle in a dangerous web of secrets, scandal and lies. But with both women determined to make Ari theirs alone, the stakes are high. How far will they go for true love?

About the author

Born

Glasgow, The United Kingdom 

Website

http://www.gillpaul.com

Twitter

GillPaulAUTHOR

Genre

Historical Fiction, History, Health, Mind & Body

Influences

My friends

Member Since

April 2012

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Gill Paul’s historical novels have reached the top of the USA Today, Toronto Globe & Mail and kindle charts, and been translated into twenty languages. They include JACKIE AND MARIA (retitled THE SECOND MARRIAGE in the UK), two bestselling novels about the Romanovs – THE SECRET WIFE and THE LOST DAUGHTER – as well as WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST, which was shortlisted for the 2013 RNA Epic Novel of the Year award, NO PLACE FOR A LADY, shortlisted for a Love Stories award, and ANOTHER WOMAN’S HUSBAND, about links you might not have suspected between Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana. 
Gill also writes historical non-fiction, including A HISTORY OF MEDICINE IN 50 OBJECTS, and she speaks at libraries and literary festivals on subjects ranging from the Titanic to the Romanovs. 
Gill lives in London, where she is working on her tenth novel, and she swims daily in an outdoor pond.

My Review

Gill Paul brings to life the complicated, fascinating worlds of Maria Callas and Jackie Kennedy as their worlds intersect through enigmatic Aristo Onassis. This is a fictionalised account, not a biography, so some events have been adapted to fit the narrative. Having long been obsessed by Onassis and his rise to fame and fortune, this book goes a long way to demystifying some of the enigma surrounding him. The joy is in the relationships between the three of them and the fact that despite the glitz and the glamour, underneath they experienced the same suffering as everyone else. The kindest description of Onassis would be a 'lovable rogue' yet I can't help feeling he didn't deserve either of those women. Now I feel inspired to research more about this era which is depicted in such great detail by the author.

Athena's Child

Athena’s Child blurb

Daughter. Sister. Priestess. Protector.  

Son. Brother. Demi-God. Hero. 

Monsters.

Gifted and burdened with beauty far beyond that of mere mortals, Medusa seeks sanctuary with the Goddess Athena. But when the lustful gaze of mighty Poseidon falls upon her, even the Temple of Athena cannot protect her.

Young Perseus embarks on a seemingly impossible quest. Equipped with only bravado and determination, his only chance of success lays in the hands of his immortal siblings.

Medusa and Perseus soon become pawns of spiteful and selfish gods. Faced with the repercussions of Athena's wrath Medusa has no choice but to flee and hide. But can she do so without becoming the monster they say she is.

History tells of conquering heroes. Tales distorted by time. Medusa’s truth has long been lost. Until now. Now it is time to hear her truth.

Revel in this powerful retelling of one of mythologies greatest tales today.

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CHGMWHW/

Release date: 3oth August 2020

Hannah Lynn 

Hannah Lynn is an award-winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments - a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. The Afterlife of Walter Augustus - a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist - won the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and IPPY Gold Medal for Best Adult Fiction. She has also penned the delightfully funny and poignant Peas and Carrots Series

While she freely moves between genres, her novels are recognisable for their character driven stories and wonderfully vivid description.

She is currently working on an Urban Fantasy series and, having reimaged the story of Medusa in her latest novel, another mythological story.

Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent ten years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then around Asia and for a while the Austrian Alps. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and then adult fiction. Now as a teacher, writer, wife and mother, she is currently living in Amman, Jordan.

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My Review

I've been fascinated by the Greek myths since childhood and there has always been something about Medusa, the Gorgon monster, that I find both fascinating and repulsive at the same time. Hannah Lynn puts a totally new slant on the myth, bringing into play Medusa's emotions and suffering so that in the end, the reader goes away with a completely different image of her. This retelling is cleverly done - Lynn has done for Medusa what Miller    has done for Circe.