Eye of the Pharaoh

Please welcome author Nancy Fraser, who's doing a virtual book tour for her paranormal/time travel novel available from Soul Mate Publishing.

For this occasion, Nancy is giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC to a randomly drawn commenter. So don't hesitate to leave yours, and please follow the tour to stand a better chance of winning! Please use this link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1951

I asked Nancy what she finds so interesting in Egyptian history. Here's what she answered:

My interest in ancient Egypt and the Egyptian culture was first piqued in an elective course I took in college many, many years ago. I found the everyday life of both the nobility and the average citizen fascinating.

Then, in 2004, I was in Chicago for a writer’s conference. Having arrived a day early, I decided to take a trip to the Field Museum. Inside Ancient Egypt was, and still is, one of their premier displays. The avid interest that had laid dormant for a number of years was revived in a big way. I spent hours inside the exhibit, and far more money than I’d intended in the gift shop. However, I came away with some wonderful research books and, best of all, the renewed desire to set a romance among the ancient pyramids.

One of the things I found most intriguing was the way women, even those of a lower class, had more rights than women in the U.S. up until the twentieth century.

In ancient Egypt, although women were expected to obey their fathers and husbands, they were equal to men in many ways. They had the legal right to participate in business deals, own land, and were expected to represent themselves in court cases. Women even faced the same penalties as men. Sometimes wives and mothers of pharaohs were the "real" ruling power in government, though they ruled unknowingly to common people. Queen Hatshepsut was the only woman who ruled out right by declaring herself pharaoh. And, because of Hatshepsut’s daring, I purposely included her persona as one of the supporting characters in Eye of the Pharaoh.

Marriage in Egyptian times was another area of interest for me. Again, they were way ahead of modern times. Peasant girls usually married around the age 12, the boys were a few years older than the girls. Girls of more affluent families married a few years older. The marriages were arranged by parents of the children although some young people chose their own spouse. While the ordinary man normally had one wife, the kings always had several. Before the marriage ceremony, an agreement was signed by the couple. The pre-nuptial agreement stated that the wife was to receive an allowance from her husband. The contract also stated that any material good the wife brought into the marriage was hers to keep if the marriage ended for any reason. Both could own land separate from each other but the wife usually let her husband administer her land along with his.

I’m currently working on an outline for a second Egyptian-themed romance, this one set in ancient times, rather than utilizing time travel to get my characters among the Pharaohs. I anticipate many months more of research and I’m fine with that.

I don’t have all the details worked out as yet, but I do expect it will be as steamy a romance as the hot, Egyptian sun! 

More info about the novel:

Blurb

Publicist Teri Hunter has her hands full promoting Professor Joshua Cain and his new non-fiction book, The Pharaoh’s Mummy. She’s not even sure it’s possible to turn this absent-minded, modern-day, Indiana Jones into a best-selling author. Dr. Cain’s PhDs in archeology and art history have prepared him for almost anything on the lecture circuit and among ancient ruins. He’s just not sure about a book tour...or the sexy publicist sent to monitor his every professional move. When an odd request falls in their laps while in New Orleans, Josh and Teri find themselves transported to 1920’s Egypt where they must resolve an ancient curse in order to be sent home. Will the dangers facing them hinder their success and threaten their very lives? Or will help from an other-worldly guardian keep them on-track and safe?


Excerpt

Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.


Teri Hunter mouthed the motivational phrase she’d chosen for her personal mantra as she stepped across the threshold into the dark and musty storeroom.


A dim light shone from a glass-enclosed workroom in the far corner. Taking a tentative step forward, she faltered when the floorboards creaked beneath her feet. Something fast and furry brushed against her ankle. A shiver ran down her back, yet she fought the urge to retreat.


Do one thing every day that scares you.


This was obviously today’s obstacle. Were it not for her professional commitments and intricately organized schedule, she’d have no doubt bolted for the door and returned to the safety and illumination of the main building.


‘Sorry, but the storage area doesn’t have overhead lighting. Preservation of the antiquities. You understand.’ The dean’s words echoed in her head. What little outside light there was had become nearly non-existent due to an impending thunderstorm.


Drawing a deep breath, she took a second step and then a third, winding her way past a half-dozen crates, some open, some not. To her left she heard a rustling of paper; to her right the distinct sound of footsteps.


Her apprehension grew, the hair on her forearms stood at attention. She’d barely made it halfway across the room before bumping into something large and solid. Reaching out, she laid her hand against the oversized object. Slowly, she raised her head and came face to face with the painted mask of an Egyptian noble. The chipped finish gave the death mask a deranged look.


“You come here often, big boy?” A nervous giggle followed her softly-worded, albeit silly, question and she pressed her fingertips to her lips to stifle an outright laugh before lowering her hand to her side.


Go big! Home is boring.


Silently she cursed her habit of dredging up poster-worthy quotes to mask her fears.

Author bio and links

Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published twenty-two books in both full-length and novella format. Nancy will release her 25th book in early 2017. She is currently working on a Valentine’s Day novella, her next Rock and Roll novella, and a story about a racy Scot titled “Kilty Pleasures”.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Media:
Website: www.nancyfraser.ca  Blog: http://nancyfraser.ca/wordpress/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor@nfraserauthor
Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser