Today at 5pm we launch Abduction of a Slave, the fourth Eye of Isis novel, at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona! If you can’t attend in person you can watch (and ask questions) on the PP’s Facebook Live and YouTube channels. There will be swag for those who attend, some very nice bookmarks and postcards in the first 100 copies of the book sold (that goes for mail orders, too), and stickers featuring the images from the covers of the books. 

It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun writing historical novels, especially this series, in which I get to imagine what really went on in the life of one of the most interesting women who ever lived. I love Tetisheri, Uncle Neb, Apollodorus and the Five Soldiers, and lovelovelove the Owls (can’t wait to explore Agape’s backstory), but I must admit that when Cleopatra enters the scene she lights up the time and place like a Roman candle (see what I did there).

I’ve written many posts about these novels, first on how I got interested in Cleopatra in the first place. I wrote about my trip to Egypt to see what the place looked like, where I found the Cleopatra emoji. I found interactive maps online telling me how long it took Tetisheri and Neb to get from Alexandria to Cyrenaica. There are simply astonishing resources in print–who knew there were any legible papyri left from that day? I tore out my hair over what time it was when. I figured out how to light a lamp in 47BC. I posted about aqueducts (one makes an offscreen appearance in Isis4). And then there is silphium.

Meanwhile, back at the Danamaniacs, contest winners Arlene, Judy, and Stephanie should now have their prizes in hand. Congratulations, guys, and enjoy!

Finally, fan BettyAnn left this comment on my Facebook page:

I am reading these stories now. Thank you. My library does not have this one so I will buy it, and then donate it to the library. You have a gift of telling a story so that the reader feels transported to the location be it Alaska or Memphis.

One of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received for my work. Thanks, BettyAnn, and thanks for supporting your local public library!

See you all this afternoon–