I'm so pleased to share with you all the release of my good friend, Stephanie Dray's latest historical fantasy, Daughters of the Nile, the third book in her Cleopatra Selene series. I thoroughly devoured the first two books in the series and I can't wait to read this one! Perfect timing for my month of December read-a-thon, where I catch up on all the books on my TBR!
From critically acclaimed historical fantasy author, Stephanie Dray comes the long-awaited new tale based on the true story of Cleopatra's daughter.
After years of abuse
as the emperor’s captive in Rome, Cleopatra Selene has found a safe harbor. No
longer the pitiful orphaned daughter of the despised Egyptian Whore, the twenty
year old is now the most powerful queen in the empire, ruling over the kingdom
of Mauretania—an exotic land of enchanting possibility where she intends to
revive her dynasty. With her husband, King Juba II and the magic of Isis that
is her birthright, Selene brings prosperity and peace to a kingdom thirsty for
both. But when Augustus Caesar jealously demands that Selene’s children be
given over to him to be fostered in Rome, she’s drawn back into the web of
imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave behind. Determined and
resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the emperor’s wrath, all
while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. Can she find a way to
overcome the threat to her marriage, her kingdom, her family, and her faith? Or
will she be the last of her line?
Read the Reviews
"A stirring
story of a proud, beautiful, intelligent woman whom a 21st century reader can
empathize with. Dray's crisp, lush prose brings Selene and her world to
life." ~RT Book Reviews
"The boldest,
and most brilliant story arc Dray has penned..." ~Modge Podge Reviews
"If you love
historical fiction and magical realism, these books are for you." ~A
Bookish Affair
Read an Excerpt
Below me, six black
Egyptian cobras dance on their tails, swaying. I watch their scaled hoods
spread wide like the uraeus on the crown of Egypt. Even from this height, I'm
paralyzed by the sight of the asps, their forked tongues flickering out between
deadly fangs. I don't notice that I'm gripping the balustrade until my knuckles
have gone white, all my effort concentrated upon not swooning and falling to my
death.
And I would swoon if
I were not so filled with rage. Someone has arranged for this. Someone who
knows what haunts me. Someone who wants to send me a message and make this
occasion a moment of dread. My husband, the king must know it, for he calls
down, "That's enough. We've seen enough of the snake charmer!"
There is commotion
below, some upset at having displeased us. Then Chryssa hisses, "Who could
think it a good idea to honor the daughter of Cleopatra by coaxing asps from
baskets of figs?"
The story the world
tells of my mother's suicide is that she cheated the emperor of his conquest by
plunging her hand into a basket where a venomous serpent lay in wait. A legend
only, some say, for the serpent was never found. But I was there. I brought her
that basket. She was the one bitten but the poison lingers in my blood to this
day. I can still remember the scent of figs in my nostrils, lush and sweet. The
dark god Anubis was embroidered into the woven reeds of the basket, the weight
of death heavy in my arms. I can still see my mother reach her hand into that
basket, surrendering her life so that her children might go on without her. And
I have gone on without her.
I have survived too
much to be terrorized by the emperor's agents or whoever else is responsible
for this.
If it is a message,
a warning from my enemies, I have already allowed them too much of a victory by
showing any reaction at all. So I adopt as serene a mask as possible. My
daughter blinks her big blue eyes, seeing past my facade. "Are you
frightened, Mother? They cannot bite us from there. The snakes are very far
away."
I get my legs under
me, bitterness on my tongue. "Oh, but they're never far enough away."
Available now in print and e-book!
Did you miss the first book in the series?
Available now in print and e-book!
STEPHANIE DRAY is a
bestselling, multi-published, award-winning author of historical women’s
fiction and fantasy set in the ancient world. Her critically acclaimed
historical series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into more than
six different languages, was nominated for a RITA Award and won the Golden
Leaf. Her focus on Ptolemaic Egypt and Augustan Age Rome has given her a unique
perspective on the consequences of Egypt's ancient clash with Rome, both in terms
of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide
decline of female-oriented religion. Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a
lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the transformative power
of magic realism to illuminate the stories of women in history and inspire the
young women of today. She remains fascinated by all things Roman or Egyptian
and has-to the consternation of her devoted husband-collected a house full of
cats and ancient artifacts.
