A Passionate Tale of, A Pharaoh, a Spell & Jade (Paperback)

In a well-developed prequel the story is laid out as Pharaoh Sneferu and his faithful priest Rahotep set the stage for the upcoming adventure. Knowing after several assassination attempts and failure to uncover the assassin's identity it would only be a matter of time before they succeeded. Sneferu and Rahotep made a pact with the God Osiris that if the assassins did succeed, there would be a way to bring Sneferu back from the dead for a second chance at life by one 'the Gods deemed worthy' of the task.
It was Jade's passion and expertise in Egyptian jewelry that had brought her (the last virgin Egyptologist - at least to her mind) to the attention of other notable Egyptologists and archeologists. This entitled her with an invitation to accompany them on a new excavation project setting out for Memphis, Egypt. While on the dig she accidentally found a secret door, and Jade's natural enthusiasm overrode caution as stepping into the room she found not only a gorgeous sleeping man but an exquisite a golden armlet, which after reading the inscription, she couldn't help but slide onto her arm. The man sleeping on the stone table also had a beautiful golden amulet, Eye of Ra, lying on his admirable chest which also drew her attention and after running her finger over it a few times the next thing she would remember would be waking up in a wonderfully soft bed with the most divine chocolate brown eyes staring down on her.

Surely a dream, but soon Jade realized that she was not only in bed with one perfectly gorgeous man but she also realized that she was in another time altogether - ancient Egypt! When Sneferu recognized the armlet she wore, he knew that she had been sent to him by the Gods to save him, but a woman! It was still going to take some convincing on the part of Jade that she was not really 'his' - no matter what he seemed to think when she was sent to his harem. After being bathed, oiled, and perfumed Jade was initiated into loving by a master in the art of seduction. On one hand, she'd found the love of her life, but treachery and betrayal in the palace dogged her steps from the very beginning. After being stolen from the palace by a sick and demented noble, Jade would have to fight her way back to warn Sneferu of the planned assassination before it was too late.

--- I was hooked from the very first pages by this well-written vividly sensual, and outstanding suspenseful adventure. While her debut A PIRATE, A SECRET AND ROSE was very good, showing promise with originality and adventure, this surely surpassed that effort establishing Arwen as an author to watch! The characters were plentiful, cleverly drawn with depth and passion. As a whole it is an emotional read that runs the gamut from edge of the seat suspense, to humor, to highly sensual and loving relationships, and a most poignant and tearfully joyous ending! It's a totally satisfying read and a real 'keeper'!

Jade has a passion for anything Egyptian. She thinks she is the only virgin Egyptologist left on the planet. This is fine with her…sort of since she has just been asked to participate in the dig of the century in Egypt. She’ll worry about her lackluster romance once she returns. But, while on the dig Jade finds something she didn’t think possible and before she knows it she has traveled back in time to the rule of Sneferu the Pharaoh. At first she thinks she’s living a dream but the kisses and touches are too real. She is instantly drawn to this ruler. He awakens her dormant desires and Jade is having a hard time accepting the fact that she must share this man with his harem and his many wives. But, Jade is there for a reason. Someone wants Sneferu dead and it’s up to her to sort out who will stop at nothing to kill this leader. But will her love believe her or will he be stubborn and not willing to listen?

This was a very entertaining romance. Ms. Arwen has brought to vivid life the Egyptian world. One can almost see themselves in ancient Egypt. This is a wonderful romance and I can hardly wait to get my hands on her first effort.