Blood of the Nile by Shireen Nemnich-a review

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Sandy

BLOOD OF THE NILE (The First Ones #1) by Shireen Nemnich-a review

Blood of the Nile

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released November 2012

Princess Eshe lives within the ancient lands of Egypt where Ra reigns supreme and the Nile gives life to all. Eshe is young, beautiful and secretly in love with her teacher, Baruti. Her father King Oba has sent for suitors from three tribes to come petition for her hand in marriage. Yet Eshe only wants Baruti, someone she cannot have or tell anyone about, not even him.

Eshe struggles with her transformation into a vibrant woman and she’s further thrust into turmoil when she meets her suitors. One of her suitors captures her attention and her teacher warns her to stay away from him. Yet he is beautiful to gaze upon with his honey kissed skin and dark eyes. But now she isn’t sleeping well and her stomach burns with vivid dreams of tearing flesh and drinking blood. Then to top it all off the light of Ra is burning her eyes and she must stay within the shadows just as her teacher.

Baruti’s distraught with the death of his wife and disappears for many years only to be found hidden within the walls of the human king. Baruti lives in secrecy watching, guiding and teaching the king’s daughter, Eshe. He’s been in love with Eshe and knows she’s his only salvation and the salvation of their people.

A Seer has foretold that Baruti, son of Omari will be king and his wife will be queen to the First Ones – Vampires. But there is more than one vampire manipulating their lives and if Baruti loses Eshe he’s vowed that the Nile will run red with the blood of humanity

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REVIEW: I was first introduced to Shireen’s writing style through her book The Royal Assassin which was one of my favorite reads from a new author in 2012. Although there were some dark moments in The Royal Assassin it doesn’t compare with BLOOD OF THE NILE.

Blood of the Nile is a storyline that develops on the theory that vampires are born into a world of hierarchy and political infighting for control of an empire run by their King and Queen but for most vampires the struggle becomes personal. Enmeshed in a world of vampires, half-vampires and humans, each must discover where they fit into a centuries old fight for power and control and the love for their Queen.

The storyline follows the life and love of Ashe-a young female vampire whose true identity was kept secret from her until the age of her transformation. Throughout the story Eshe discovers that life as a vampire comes with the bonus of power and control, the need to feed, the need to kill and the ability to sire an army of followers who will die to defend their maker. And in the premise Eshe will uncover a plot that goes back several generations to gain control of the vampire Queen when she ascends onto the throne.

Blood of the Nile was not an easy read for me. The first half of the book was comparatively slow to the second half and I think it was because there was so much character and world building with regards to our heroine (if you can call her that). Eshe’s personality changed several times on so many different levels, that at one point I thought she was the enemy. She was not an easy character to love.

The secondary characters all play a pivotal role in our heroine’s life but they are numerous and some are very controversial. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow but there were more dark moments than happy-murders, betrayal, mistrust, kidnapping, assault, slavery, confinement, incest and adultery- the happier times were few and far between. And our heroine is not the picture of perfection. She too has the desire to kill whenever she is displeased.

Blood of the Nile is a dark vampire tale filled with passion-a passion that is mired in betrayal and hate. The love story between Eshe and her mate spanned decades and one that began centuries earlier in another lifetime, between other lovers and mates but even a love as solid as Eshe and Baruti’s left room for doubt and questionable behavior. The storyline was filled with mistrust between lovers and mates, family and friends and one with an ending that was not necessarily a happily ever after.

The first 2/3 of the book was told from Eshe’s point of view and the final 1/3 from her lover and mate Baruti. Baruti’s passion for his mate was tangible through his pathological need for his mate- in this I felt a connection. His need for his mate felt real; It just ….pulled me in: I felt the love: I felt the need; I felt the pain. But once again when the couple is reunited, jealousy and mistrust threaten to engulf their love and everyone who loves them in return.

I had a difficult time, in general, liking Eshe and Baruti. Their inability to trust one another, their thoughts of betrayal, revenge and murder overshadowed their love and thusly fueled my inability to like them together. As a reader, I would suggest patience in the first half of the book, because the second half is well worth the struggle.

Overall, Blood of the Nile is an interesting read. This is not your average vampire romance storyline but a story of love born and bred at the deepest level of one’s DNA. Shireen writes a passionate storyline of love and hate, trust and betrayal and one that you will not forget.

ORDER LINK: Amazon

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

THE ROYAL ASSASSIN-Free Kindle ebook April 11 only

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Sandy

THE ROYAL ASSASSIN by Shireen Nemnich

On Wednesday April 11, 2012 author Shireen Nemnich is offering the first book in her Shadows of Myst series–FREE for Kindle e-readers.

For ONE day only, The Royal Assassin will be free for download from Amazon.com

Follow the link: Amazon-The Royal Assassin by Shireen Nemnich

Read our review: The Royal Assassin

SHIREEN NEMNICH-Interview with the Author

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Sandy

Shireen Nemnich -Interview with the Author

Shireen Nemnich -The Interview

The Reading Cafe would like to welcome author Shireen Nemnich. Shireen has recently released a new paranormal fantasy series SHADOWS OF MYST, with her first novel-THE ROYAL ASSASSIN

The Reading Cafe has reviewed THE ROYAL ASSASSIN and I (Sandy) believe it is one of the best NEW series I have read. You can find Sandy’s review dated February 19,2012. Welcome-Shireen Nemnich.

TRC: Hi Shireen. We would like to start with some basic background information:

Name: Shireen Nemnich
Year of Birth: 1964
Birthplace: Kansas
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Resides: Williamsburg, Virginia
Number of Children: 3
Grandchildren: 2
Career: Licensed Practical Nurse
Favorite Authors of Fiction: Christine Feehan & Lisa Kleypas
Writing Genre: Romance

TRC: Would you tell us a little something about yourself.

SN: I’m full of energy and love living life. My daughter Sarah has a 5 word-cloud describing me: Energy, Sweet, Funny, Smart, Nurturing. It really does describe me pretty well. But I think I really should tack on Spiritual, which is not the same as religious.

I love reading an writing and spend most of my time doing that. Also love to play computer games and xbox. I used to play on a text based mud, Genesis the Original LP mud, http://www.genesismud.org. Then I became a wizard (Programmer) on the game. My wizard char is Damaris, my mortal chars are secret. :). I still log in occasionally to catch up with everyone. I must confess that Genesis and the people who play the game have been a very large influence in my fantasy writing along with LOTR and Dragonlance. Now I’ve not actually read the Dragonlance books, only a stray one here and there, but in the game I played a knight. It’s great role-playing because it inspired me to do quite a bit of fantasizing and writing.

TRC: When and how did you first become interested in writing? Have you always liked to write?

SN: I first began to love writing while in High School, after I wrote a short story for English. I got an A. 🙂
A few years ago I bought a book by Jack Canfield, Keys to living the law of attraction. In this book there are several questions you have to ask yourself and you write it all up. The amazing part was. Two major things came up. Writing and speaking/teaching. So that’s when I really made a personal commitment to do what I love to do. So I decided to stop just “dreaming” of being a writer and just be one.

TRC: What is the first piece of work that you have ever published?

SN: Poetry from the Darkside.

TRC: You have said, that you once published some poetry on lulu.com. Have you considered re-releasing a book of poems?

SN: I do plan to put a more cohesive book together that expands my previous book. I really haven’t written a poem for awhile. However it really doesn’t take much for me to be inspired to write one if I choose to. But I am a rhyming poet, which seems out of fashion.

TRC: Will you offer up some poetry for our interview? 🙂

SN: Of course! Be forewarned Dark or Erotic or Dark and Erotic is my thing.

Battered

Battered, beaten, shamed and torn
This is the life for which she was born
In the dark of night, what he made her do
No longer a child but nobody knew

Her eyes aglow so warm and kind
Began to darken with the measure of time
Her soul was payment of which she paid
A lovely spirit, which began to fade

No longer seeing, no longer does she care
This is a cross that she alone must bare
Love and happiness is only a dream
Which comes in the silence after her scream

Branded
I lay thee out upon the ground
Thou looks at me without a sound
I spread thy thighs in a sweeping motion
Thou breathes in deeply with such emotion

I find the brand that holds my mark
While the coals and fire begin to spark
I look back at thee lying so still
All because this is my will

Thy heart is pounding in thy chest
Thou knows that this is no test
I’ll brand thy flesh in good time
I’ll make thee scream that thou art mine

TRC: The Royal Assassin is a wonderful, short story about the people in the fictional land of Myst. Would you tell us a little about the premise of the story?

SN: TRA – Is really a love story between Reis and Shadowen that is seen through the eyes and heart of Reis, the Royal Assassin.

TRC: The premise is different than many fantasy/paranormal novels. The idea of using shadows to communicate and travel is very novel. How did you come up with the idea?

SN: I mentioned before playing Genesis, in this game there is a Guild, The Shadow Union. I always thought it sounded a bit… mysterious, sexy even. So the name Shadowen came to my mind as a main char in a story. Then halfway down the page she suddenly had a twin brother Shade. By page two they were mystics. Then several drafts later, It only seemed natural that Shadowen would travel through shadows, and Shade would too, so of course all Mystics would use shadows. Then Shadowen would be special in being able to communicate with shadows. Then to communicate with them, they needed to be some form of a spirit. It just seemed to make sense. However it’s really an inspiration thought I saw unfold in my mind as I wrote.

TRC: The first novel in any series, can be filled with so much background information about the different characters, as well as the unfolding future storylines, that the main plot is overwhelmed with too much information. But The Royal Assassin blends very smoothly. Did you have a difficult time deciding how to envelope the premise and the all the characters into a novella-style book?

SN: I love it when a book simply pulls me in right from the start. I will be honest, I can become bored if I have to read more than a page of setup in the beginning. I tried to make this grab you, pull you in right from the start, allowing Reis to explain to you while he takes you on a journey of his life. I want him to explain as you go along. Why do you need to know about moving through shadows until you watch him do it? Why do you need to know anything until it’s time to reveal it? Or at least that was my thought. Grab you, suck you in and explain on the way. Especially with a series, because it will get old fast if you have to repeat it all to a point it’s like reading a glossary. I’d rather it be like a mystery revealing itself.

TRC: Reis and Shadowen are the central characters in The Royal Assassin, but the young couple, suffer some terrible losses. Will we see more of Reis and Shadowen in the future novels?

SN: Reis and Shadowen are pivotal characters through the series. The Royal Chalice is written in both their POV. The Forgotten Assassin is Shadowen’s POV, and it takes place a 1,000 years after The Royal Assassin.

TRC: Do you have plans for Shadowen’s twin brother Shade? An upcoming novel?

SN: Shade is a very troubled, dark character and yet I find him quite beautiful and tortured. His story will be told in The Royal Conjurer. It’s perhaps going to be the darkest of the series, not only because it involves Shade but it takes place during the height of the Troll War.

TRC: You have listed 3 additional novels that you are writing for The Shadows of the Myst series: The Royal Seer, The Royal Conjurer and The Forgotten Assassin. Will you tell us a little bit about each book eg. Characters or plotlines.

SN: The books so far in the series, in Mystic timeline are:

– The Royal Seer – POV is Scious and Vestrial – Parents of Reis, their love story and the obstacles they must over come. This book touches more on the relationship between Mystic and Nightelf. The society, religion, politics, prejudices and revelations of the past and the future of Myst.

– The Royal Assassin – POV is Reis. Their love story as mentioned before.

– The Royal Warrior – POV is Darken. This actually begins during a tragic time for Shadowen and Reis in TRA – Then picks up from there to see Myst through Darken’s eyes and heart and his quest to find Mysteria’s Temple and reclaim his sword, becoming The Royal Warrior. This is when the Troll War begins.

– The Royal Conjurer – POV is Shade. I really don’t want to give anything away on this, just yet, but there is much Shade will have to go through in this story. It’s also during the height of the Troll War and he faces much loss.

– The Royal Chalice – POV is Reis and Shadowen – This is where the Troll War ends. It will start out with Reis POV and will switch to Shadowen’s POV It has a lot of of conflict, twists and turns with devastation being high on the list.

– The Forgotten Assassin – POV is Shadowen – This takes place 1,000 years or so after TRA. Shadowen has a new consort and takes on another. 🙂 Go Shadowen! However this book will bring true insight into her and her relationships. It pulls in all the characters you love and hate back together leading to a final climax that will probably cause you to read all the other books all over again. Plus it introduces two new chars, Abril and Crow. These are Shadowen’s consorts and Crow has his own story/book in another series and Abril does as well.

TRC: Do you have any releases dates for you next novel?

SN: I don’t have a date, but I am really shooting for The Royal Seer to be released in April.
I am also working on releasing another short story E-book in either February or March. Depends solely on how much time it takes to complete the editing. However I promise you will be the first to know the title and synopsis, once it’s finalized.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the Shadows of the Myst series?

SN: There are six in total. – but on that note… Spector has made a few comments in my head about him telling his side of things… Which would mean a whole new series about Mystics and Nightelves, It would take place around the war that brings the nightelves under the surface.

TRC: You have just released an ebook for Kindle entitled: Witch Mistake and you plan to offer it free on Kindle February 13 and 14th in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Why did you decide to offer the novel FREE for Valentine’s Days?

SN: It just seems to make sense to offer a sweet love story on Valentines Day. My Valentine gift to everyone!

TRC: Will you tell us a little about Witch Mistake?

SN: Anjelis is a cute little witch who has spent her entire life believing she’s a mistake and told she must stay away from Lucien. Lucien is a vampire who hates witches. Vampires and witches are forbidden to have any form of a relationship. Mix in a bit of Fate and tada a love story!

TRC: What are you working on at the moment?

SN: The Royal Seer, The Royal Warrior and The First Ones.

TRC: Do any of your children write? Are they involved in your writing?

SN: My teenage daughter, Sarah. She actually inspired and influenced me to publish on lulu my book of poetry. She published a short story but later decided to remove it and revisit it into more a novel. I actually find myself smiling and laughing out loud when reading some of her dialogue. She has a quick whit and it shows. However she killed her main character off and my friends and her’s who read her book, were screaming over it. But that’s what I loved, she’s unconventional and I think she is really going to do well.

Sarah proofs all my work with me and she does my editing as well. She’s not big with fantasy but my more modern and especially my YA work, she is a big fan and she screens everything.

TRC: What do you have planned for future books or novels (not including The Shadows of the Myst series?) Are you working on any different series?

SN: In the realm of Valantis, where Shadows of Myst takes place, there are a few more series. The Knights of Provencia to put a name to one out of the five so far.

Another series is my Vampire series, the first book in the series is The First Ones.

TRC: Who is your muse?

SN: I have way too many muses running around my head.

LIGHTING ROUND

Favorite Song:
Too many! – It really depends on my mood. But Shadowen’s song is Falling Again – by Lacuna Coil. That’s the only song I listen to while writing TFA. I slip it on repeat and listen to it for hours. Obsessive I know. 🙂

Favorite Music Group:
Again, too many! But I do love Disturbed (David Draiman – Mr.. hotty), Apocalyptica and Creed. But it truly varies.

Dark or Milk Chocolate:
Seriously? Dark of course!

Favorite Food:
Swedish pancakes. (Swey cakes) 😉

Favorite Dessert:
Custard – flan

Last Vacation Destination:
Virginia

Favorite TV Show:
Star Trek – All time.

Last Movie you saw at the theatre:
Underworld Awakenings

Favorite Movie:
All Star Trek’s

Favorite Actor/Actress:
Johnny Depp / Angelina Jolie — (So you know I was stoked when they did The Tourist together!

Favorite Flower:
Freesia

Favorite Fictional Book Character: (other than one of your own)
This question really made me think and after careful, but a quick observation I have to say, Dracula. He’s been a fictional character in more than a single book and no matter what his background is, good, bad or whatever, or his incarnation. I love reading about him. Way to go Bram Stoker.

TRC: Shireen, WE would like to thank you very much for taking the time to complete the interview questions. We wish you the best of luck with your upcoming books and novels. Your storylines are a breath of fresh air-something new in the realm of paranormal fantasy.

Shireen’s Website: Shireen Nemnich

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞GIVEAWAY∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Shireen if offering 2 signed copies of her book THE ROYAL ASSASSIN

1. You must be a registered member of THE READING CAFE. If you are not, go ahead and register. We welcome everyone!!

That is all you have to do. Register today!!

Giveaway Dates: February 20 to February 24, 2012

OPEN: To US and CANADA only

THE ROYAL ASSASSIN by Shireen Nemnich-a review

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Sandy

The Royal Assassin by Shireen Nemnich

THE ROYAL ASSASSIN (Shadows of Myst Book #1) by Shireen Nemnich

ONE OF THE BEST NEW SERIES I HAVE READ

THE ROYAL ASSASSIN is the premiere release for Shireen Nemnich’s Shadows of Myst series.. The Royal Assassin novella introduces the people of the Royal House of Darkness and Shadow in the magical land of Myst—a group of beings bathed in the power of magic and shadows.

Reis, part Nightelf, part Mystic, and the Royal Assassin for the Royal House of Darkness and Shadow, must bestow congratulations onto Essence-the Heir to the Chalica, and the woman who should have been his consort. But 4 years after the birth of her twins, and marriage to Phantom, he is still reluctant to acknowledge their union. And to complicate matters, one of their children was offered as a consort and/or apprentice in training, as compensation for his loss of a consort. With great reluctance, Reis bestows his blessing upon the couple’s children, but not before, he is enthralled by their 4year old daughter–a child, so innocent and sweet, that he loses his heart and soul, when he realizes that she will be his consort and mate. But Reis senses an evil presence within the shadows surrounding the couple, especially when their young boy is offered into servitude without consideration or thought.

Shadowen and her twin Shade, have a connection, unlike anything Reis has ever seen, in children so young. They seem to communicate without talking, and feel without touching. The power of their magic engulfs Reis with a feeling of both wonder and awe, but there is also darkness within the House of the Royal Chalice. When it becomes apparent that something evil lives within the family, Reis is determined to claim his consort, before further injury is dealt.

For eight years, Reis must hide in the shadows, in order to protect his young consort. He must sit back and watch as she grows into a young woman, and begins to fall for Darken, the young neighbor boy. But when Shadowen’s pain overtakes Reis, he knows it is time free her from her parent’s care. The cruelty and abuse inflicted by her father, are more than either can bear. Their connection already strong, Reis rescues the 12 year old, but not without threat to his life and family. But sadness pales the young child, when she must leave her twin brother behind and at the mercy of their twisted parents. Shadowen’s magic and her use of the shadows in the land of Myst, both surprise and scare Reis. There are time when she literally disappears into herself. Is she communicating with another?

In the land of Myst, the citizens travel using the shadows and darkness, and it is these shadows, that also encompass the very essence of their being. The shadows surrounding the individual vibrate with sensuality, anger, love or anxiety, depending on the action of the moment, and it is among these shadows, that magic proceeds. When an attempted abduction by her own father, sends Shadowen into the darkness, Reis is lost, in the knowledge, that he was unable to protect his future mate, as well as his grandmother. But a call from the Royal Magistrates’s office, to answer to charges of neglect, for the disappearance of the young woman, only reinforces their love for one another. Her parents are refused visitation and contact, but this also brings the realization to Shadowen, on the loss of her twin-no contact with her parents, also means no contact with her brother.

Over the next 5 years, Reis and Shadowen’s relationship grows, as does the woman. Shortly after her 17th birthday, Reis claims Shadowen’s heart as well as her body, but her connection to her brother and family is so strong, that they sense what has happened, and her father is outraged and seeks to destroy their lives. He is determined that she is his property and wants her back.

Several forces of magic play into the lives of the people of Myst, including dark, light, life and death magic, as well as different planes of existence. Many different levels of the Royal House involve political allies and enemies-all will converge in this storyline, to defend and protect the young couple, as well as fight for dominance in the world of political intrigue. The Royal Seer, Reis’ father, has been long absent from his son’s life, and has only recently renewed a relationship with his only child. The Royal Conjurer takes it upon herself to mentor and teach Shade, the ways of a skilled warrior, and ,a heritage of shadows from family long gone, seem to embody the spirits that drive the current generation of the people of Myst.

When Reis is called away , to fulfill his duty as the Royal Assassin, Shadowen reveals that she is with child. But when Reis is captured and held prisoner, Shadowen and the child suffer from the loss, but not before Darken lays claim and wishes to be her new consort. Once again, Reis is overcome with guilt, at his own actions, leaving his pregnant mate behind, but when Shade affects his escape, Reis is determined never to leave her side again.

There are heartbreaking losses that affect the young couple, as well as the duty Reis must perform for his father, that will wrench one’s soul. The death of a child or parent, can be one of the most devastating losses, and it is within the pages of this books, that love will heal the broken and shattered heart. The Royal Assassin is my first peak into one of Shireen Nemnich’s novels. It was an easy read, but the premise is new and unusual. I liked The Royal Assassin, and I am hoping to continue the series, as soon as possible.

Read our interview with the author: Monday February 28, 2012 and look for our giveaway of 2 signed copies of The Royal Assassin by Shireen Nemnich

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shireen Nemnich was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, but now calls Virginia her home. She is the mother of 3, and the grandmother of 2. As well as a registered practical nurse, Shireen follows her dreams of writing, and published her first book of poetry on lulu.com, but has since entered the world of self-publication. Her writing genre is romance, whether it is fantasy or science fiction.

Reviewed by Sandy

WITCH MISTAKE by Shireen Nemnich-free ebook for Kindle

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Sandy

Author Shireen Nemnich is offering a gift for Valentine’s Day for Kindle ebooks.

On February 13th and February 14th, Witch Mistake will be available for FREE for Kindle ebooks.

Witch Mistake is a love story between a witch and a vampire.

ABOUT THE STORY:

Anjelis Breeze has never really fit in with her family of witches. She never should have been born, she makes the forth daughter in a family who only have threes, a mistake. She’s always making mistakes and now while fleeing from a couple of witch hunters, she must have inadvertently cast a spell that’s thrown her back in time to eighteen forty-two and in the arms of Lucien Grey, vampire.

Vampires are forbidden to witches. No good witch ever consorted with a vampire and lived to tell the tale. She will never forget the day her sisters told her Lucien was a vampire and for her to stay away from him. Her heart was simply broken, he’d become her childhood friend in some strange way. Of course that was when she was just a little girl. She’s a full grown witch now and she knows better than to allow his dark eyes and sincere voice to have any effect on her. Or at least that’s what she keeps telling herself when he pulls her close to him and presses earth-shattering kisses along her skin.

Lucien Grey hates witches. He’s hunted and killed witches starting with the witch who cursed him centuries ago. He’s even surrounds himself with charms to ward off witches magic. Yet when he meets Anjelis he’s taken totally unaware. Anjelis couldn’t possibly be a witch, in fact he swears she’s an angel that’s fallen from heaven. A sweet loving angel that deserves to be placed back into heaven. But Lucien can’t seem to let her go. When she’s near him, he can’t stop touching and kissing her. Surely she’s an angel sent from heaven to ease his loneliness and bring him a small amount of heaven in his life of hell.

Check your Kindle supplier: If you are using Barnes and Noble, follow our link, along the right side bar.

FROM: http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Mistake-ebook/dp/B006V474DU

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