The Sekhmet Bed (The She-King, #1) by L.M. (Lavender) Ironside

Jun 06, 2012 Lolly's rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, part-of-a-series, pick-of-the-litter

4.5 stars

I'll be honest. Normally I shy away from self-published and independently-published books for the mere fact that I have a very strident and strict editor in my head. When I read books, even mainstream, big house-published books, and find errors, that editor aches to pop out and start flaying the pages with a bold red pencil. Knowing that self-published works suffer even more as they lack the polish a professional editor can achieve, I just don't want to put myself through that kind of a...more 4.5 stars

I'll be honest. Normally I shy away from self-published and independently-published books for the mere fact that I have a very strident and strict editor in my head. When I read books, even mainstream, big house-published books, and find errors, that editor aches to pop out and start flaying the pages with a bold red pencil. Knowing that self-published works suffer even more as they lack the polish a professional editor can achieve, I just don't want to put myself through that kind of anguish, as I would no longer be reading the book for pleasure, but constantly seeking out and destroying all the errors. Not to mention many of the stories put out there are often amateurish, juvenile, and downright execrable. However, almost none of those things apply to The Sekhmet Bed, and my inner editor and I were able to enjoy the book with a minimum of red pencil usage.

I won't bother to synopsize (that's a word, right? If not, it is one now) the novel as it's been done so by others, in a clearer, more concise way than what I could achieve. I will say that publishers should be sitting up and taking notice of Ironside. She's managed to write a novel full of compelling characters as well as intense, atmospheric settings. Frankly, she leaves Michelle Moran in the dust; anyone who compares Ironside to Moran is insulting Ironside. The interactions between characters feel real and authentic; the insertion of mystical elements doesn't compromise the integrity of the historical setting as they're not presented as though they're really happening (except to the person experiencing them, which is only natural; people who have divine visions believe they're real, even if no one else does or understands what they're talking about). The "bad guy" character, Mutnofret, is sufficiently despicable, yet she occasionally shows flashes of humanity in the way she wavers from her actions and shows doubt--which is how "bad guy" characters ought to be written. Even the protagonist isn't perfect as she does things which are questionable and acts out, behaving quite badly at times. About the only character who isn't as fully developed is Thutmose and that's probably because for a lot of the novel he isn't present.

It's obvious Ironside did her research as she was able to deviate from some of the accepted theories concerning the characters in an authentic manner, unlike some authors who maybe skim some of the research and decide, to hell with it, they're going to write the story the way they want to, no matter how things really happened. One of the interesting deviations was the way Ironside presented the marriage of Ahmose, Mutnofret, and Thutmose. The prevailing theory is that Thutmose was originally married to Mutnofret--who may or may not have been related to Ahmose as well as Amenhotep I--they had three or four sons, and then Mutnofret died well before Amenhotep I died and Thutmose married Ahmose. However, by making Mutnofret not only a contemporary of Ahmose, but her sister and sister wife, Ironside neatly introduces a built-in package of tension and strife into the royal household, giving her a rich storyline to mine for drama. This alternate history is presented in such an authentic manner, it's easy to believe that it could've been true.

Ironside also did what I've been ranting about for years: she used the true Egyptian names for divinities and titles rather than their Greco-Egyptian counterparts. That said, for some of the gods she kept their Greek names, i.e. Osiris and Hathor rather than Ausar/Asar and Het-Heru (which means 'House of Heru [Horus]', just as an aside), which seemed rather strange. However, I was just happy that she even bothered using the ancient Egyptian language in the first place. It has annoyed me for quite some time when I see historical fiction set in ancient Egypt and an author is using the Greek transliterations of Egyptian words. How difficult would it be to use Ausar, Auset, Heru, Tehuti, Nebt-Het and simply place a glossary in the front of the book? It doesn't take long to understand that Tehuti is Thoth or Nebt-Het is Nephthys and using their real names makes the novel that much more authentic.

Other than a few editing errors (punctuation errors, the occasional misspelling, missed capitalization) which are to be expected, the book was surprisingly well-written, taut and streamlined. Surprising for the mere fact that I didn't expect it to be so; I expected to find a lot more extraneous narration or choppy dialogue. There was none. Which means finally I've found a writer of ancient Egyptian historical fiction who can wipe the stench of Michelle Moran from my brain. Which also means I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment in Ironside's series.

By the way, I'm simply an armchair Egyptologist. I've been fascinated by the subject for many, many years, but I've never undertaken a scholarly investigation of the subject. My (scanty) knowledge comes from years of absorbing books and other works on the subject. So if something I've pointed out as being wrong isn't, in fact, wrong, then I accept that I'm the one who's wrong. Is that enough wrongs to make a right?

Disclaimer: I was asked by the author herself to read and write a fair and honest review of this book. No monies or other favors were promised or exchanged by either party in return for this review and I had never had previous contact with said author.(less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Isis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Isis by: Lolly's

Shelves: bronze-age-5000-to-1100bce-fiction, all-starting-to-look-the-same

This independently published e-book was recommend to me by a friend whose literary tastes are mostly similar to my own and whose judgment in such matters I consider sound. Like her, I tend to be a tad wary of small, independently published or self-published works because, broadly speaking, the quality tends to be lower than books from big publishing houses, and a lot more grammatical and spelling mistakes tend to slip by without a team of proofreaders on hand. Mind you, I often spot such sporadi...more

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Dec 08, 2011 D.L. Morrese rated it 5 of 5 stars

Let me start out by saying that I am not well suited or remotely qualified to review this novel. I seldom read historical fiction; I have only a superficial knowledge of ancient Egypt, and stories of family strife and romance seldom engage my interest. Despite all of this, The Sekhmet Bed held my attention.
I downloaded this book mainly because Ms. Ironside is a prolific contributor to Goodreads discussions and I have found her comments consistently well informed and well considered. That, and sh...more Let me start out by saying that I am not well suited or remotely qualified to review this novel. I seldom read historical fiction; I have only a superficial knowledge of ancient Egypt, and stories of family strife and romance seldom engage my interest. Despite all of this, The Sekhmet Bed held my attention.
I downloaded this book mainly because Ms. Ironside is a prolific contributor to Goodreads discussions and I have found her comments consistently well informed and well considered. That, and she was running a free promotion and I thought it was time to read something different than science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, which are what I normally select for leisure reading and are the genres in which I write.
The story is set in ancient Egypt, a little over 3,000 years ago. The main character, Ahmose, is the younger of two princesses, both of whom become wives of the next pharaoh. As first wife, Ahmose is expected to produce a male heir. This becomes the central plot of the story. Expertly interwoven within that plot is an account of Egyptian history and culture, a description of how ancient Egyptian nobility lived, an exploration of sibling rivalry, some romance, and a bit of political intrigue and power manipulation. It even has a touch of fantasy in the form of prophetic dreams. I can’t say it is the type of novel that would keep me up late but it held my interest for the three days it took me to read it and I never considered not finishing. For someone with my taste in books, this is high praise indeed.
The Sekhmet Bed is very well written, although a bit more literary than I prefer. I don’t think I’m an impatient reader but waxing poetically about the stillness of the air or the history and significance of an article of clothing are normally bits I skim over. And there is some of this in this book but it is not overdone to the point of distraction and I’m sure it is both suitable and even expected for this genre. The characters are well formed and feel real with believable personalities. It is easy to identify and sympathize with them.
I found, at most, about half a dozen typos and a few cases of awkward prose but nothing that disrupted my reading for over a second. These types of things are normal in both traditionally published and self published books so I am quick to overlook them, especially if the price is low.
I would recommend this book to readers of historical fiction. I don’t wish to sound sexist, because I don’t believe I am at all, but I think this particular novel will appeal especially to women because of the female main character, romance, and exploration of family relationships. My overall rating is 4.5 stars.
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Dec 01, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lavender Ironside presents the characters so successfully that the reader sits on the edge of their seat in anticipation and genuine care about what is going to happen next. Ironside skillfully uses descriptions to take you into the time period allowing your imagination to piece together the surroundings with a satisfying vision. Often when I read a novel I find myself bored with the story or completely uninvested with the characters, and I inevitably put the book down without finishing it. The...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Diane Dooley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ahmose is a young Egyptian of royal blood. When her father, the Pharaoh, dies without an heir, she and her elder sister are both married off to General Thutmose, that he might rule Egypt via his connection to the royal line.

Ahmose is a more than deeply religious girl. She is chosen of the gods and has the ability to read prophetic dreams. Despite being the younger sister she is selected as the first queen, setting off a traumatic and bitter rivalry with her beloved sister, Mutnofret.

The sisters...more Ahmose is a young Egyptian of royal blood. When her father, the Pharaoh, dies without an heir, she and her elder sister are both married off to General Thutmose, that he might rule Egypt via his connection to the royal line.

Ahmose is a more than deeply religious girl. She is chosen of the gods and has the ability to read prophetic dreams. Despite being the younger sister she is selected as the first queen, setting off a traumatic and bitter rivalry with her beloved sister, Mutnofret.

The sisters must give Thutmose children, but Ahmose is harboring a secret. Having witnessed her young friend die in the agony of childbirth, she is utterly terrified of pregnancy and giving birth. Yet Ahmose must do her duty; she has foreseen that she will be the mother of the next Pharaoh. As her sister is delivered of boy child after boy child, Ahmose must fight to retain her authority as queen and the love of her husband.

* * *

High drama in Ancient Egypt! Ms. Ironside has created a compelling fictional account of the lives and struggles of these ambitious royals. It is beautifully written, with a fine grasp of historical detail combined with a confident and poetic use of language. Egypt comes alive: the heat of the desert sun, the aroma of scented wax cones melting, the juice on a plate of figs. The characters seem like real people: dutiful, passionate, scared, jealous, loving and determined. All in all, it was a wonderful read that I found difficult to put down. I’m hoping Ms. Ironside will continue the series.

I’ve been going back and forth on whether this is a four or a five star book. My one disappointment was that it covered very little in the way of politics. With Thutmose off subduing various factions for lengthy periods of time, I would expect Ahmose to be deeply involved in the smooth running of Egypt in his absence. This aspect of her life was given short shrift in comparison to the ferocious battle with her sister for supremacy in their husband’s eyes. On the other hand, the plight of royal women across centuries and countries has been to be more valued as a womb than as a person. The importance of pregnancy, fertility, and the repeated bearing of healthy (and preferably) boy children cannot be overstated. Ms. Ironside does this aspect full justice, including some of the most realistic and well-written childbirth scenes I have ever encountered in fiction. So, 4.5 stars and a hope for another book in the series.

Full disclosure: I first encountered this story in a writer’s community I am a member of. I read the synopsis, then wished the writer luck with what sounded like a great story. She asked me if I’d be willing to critique the first three chapters before she started submitting the manuscript to agents. I did so, fully believing that one day I’d be buying The Sekhmet Bed in a bookstore. I believe that this book had the backing of two literary agents, but failed to sell to a big publishing house. I’m delighted to be finally able to read the entire story. I’ve been waiting for a long time. It was well worth the wait.
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Aug 19, 2011 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Aside from a half dozen scattered typos and the occasional awkward turn of phrase (e.g., use of the word "against" in the phrase "her feet were cold against the mosaic floor" seems to imply the floor was warm, when the scene dictates otherwise), The Sekhmet Bed was surprisingly well-written for what I assume is a first novel. Ms Ironside has obviously done her research and artfully weaves in historical details without becoming pedantic, thus avoiding the dual traps common to historical novels of...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I adored this book.

I "know" Ms. Ironside from the Absolute Write forums, though we haven't interacted much there. But when I saw she'd written an novel set in ancient Egypt, I had to try it. The folks at AW are savvy, savvy people.

Somewhat apropos, I was traveling in Egypt when I started reading the novel.

I could not put this book down. The tension between Ahmose and her sister and their husband Thutmose is intense and unforgettable. Ahmose is hardly the perfect person, but almost everything she...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ancient-egypt-fiction, historical-fiction, e-book, need-physical-copy, so-much-love

The Sekhmet Bed is one of the few books I've read set in Ancient Egypt that actually feels like it's set in Ancient Egypt. It's one of the few books where the novel feels populated by Ancient Egyptians, where the characters are real, complex, flawed people. I'm trying to think of who else writes Ancient Egypt that way, and I can only think of Pauline Gedge.

If anything, The Sekhmet Bed shows how weak some of the more recent historical novels set in Ancient Egypt are. On the basis of plots, The S...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Lynne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great first novel! The author is skilled at moving the plot along with believable dialogue and intrigue. I like the way she keeps predictability at bay by offering the reader other options before the actual reveal. You get sucked in, whether you want to or not because of the exotic Egyptian theme and location. The characters are all believable. The character names are a bit different. However, true to the author's explanatory message in the beginning, she has made the names easy to remember by s...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'll be honest, from reading the blurb I thought this was going to be a fluffy Egyptian love story with no real depth, but as I love reading about different cultures and it had received such good reviews previously, I thought I'd give it a go.

I have tried to read one or two books previously about this period of Egypt's past and I could not finish them as they read more like a history book rather than a story. This one was easy to follow, exciting but not too melodramatic, and although I am no hi...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction-egypt

I really enjoyed this book; the characters were intriguing and were well-developed throughout the story, it was well-written and had a great plot. It reminded me a bit of 'The Heretic Queen', but there were also many differences. I also thought the author portrayed the importance of religion to the Egyptians of this time period very well. I also feel that this is a great novel to read preceding 'Child of the Morning' by Pauline Gedge (which I would highly recommend reading).

Overall, this was an...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Allison Macias rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's a dark night in Egypt when wailing pierces the stillness. The Pharaoh is dead. Fourteen year old Ahmose is troubled and seeks solace. As the god chosen daughter of the Pharaoh, she knows life will soon be changing. In the darkness, she meets Thutmose, her father's friend and general. The kind man makes Ahmose's skin tingle. In the morning, Thutmose is presented to Egypt as the new Pharaoh. Ahmose will marry him as his Great Royal Wife and her older temperamental and sensual sister Mutnofret...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of well written historical fiction with engaging characters

Shelves: historical-fiction

The Sekhmet Bed

Again, another Indie-published book has moved me beyond my ability to express, has left me in tears, and will remain with me for a very long time. Publishers had a chance at this and passed? It’s really inconceivable. (I don’t know if this book was even offered to agents or publishers, so my comment/question might not apply.)

Okay, short rant over.

I’ve read many historical novels in the past few years, or tried to, and have been disappointed repeatedly, almost to the point where...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Richard Coady rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is my favourite book set in ancient Egypt. Ironside is an indie author, but that should not colour your judgement about her abilities. Many indie books are, I know, of very poor quality. Not so this one. I would challenge anyone to tell the difference in writing quality between The Sekhmet Bed and any book of the genre published by a major publisher. I have read books in this genre by such luminaries as Christian Jacq and Wilbur Smith. Ironside is better than both of them, and by a country...more This is my favourite book set in ancient Egypt. Ironside is an indie author, but that should not colour your judgement about her abilities. Many indie books are, I know, of very poor quality. Not so this one. I would challenge anyone to tell the difference in writing quality between The Sekhmet Bed and any book of the genre published by a major publisher. I have read books in this genre by such luminaries as Christian Jacq and Wilbur Smith. Ironside is better than both of them, and by a country mile.

This is a book of real people. I could tell that Ironside had really thought about the characters who would inhabit the world of The Sekhmet Bed. There are far too many books out there with good guys and bad guys where the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad and never the twain shall meet. Real people aren't like that. Good people do bad things, and vice versa. This is how it is with the people in The Sekhmet Bed. These people are historically real - there really was an Ahmose and Hatshepsut and all the rest - but beyond very fragmentary history we know nothing of the personalities of the historical people. These characteristics come from Ironside's imagination, and she has taken the opportunity to fill the book with genuine personalities. Ahmose herself makes some questionable decisions, sometimes with questionable motives, but the reader can sympathise all the more with her because of it.

There is also an authenticity to the world that Ironside paints that is missing - or at least not so evident - with other writers of the genre. She walks a difficult tightrope - she has done her research and certainly knows her stuff, but the research doesn't show. I mean that in a good way. It's very easy for a writer to research something to such a degree that they can't bear to not show you what they know. The joy of The Sekhmet Bed is that the research is so seamlessly woven into the scenery that the reader barely notices that it's there.

This leads me to perhaps my only criticism. I wanted to be able to read the book without having to refer to Google to find out what Ironside was writing about. I've made that sound worse than it is. Those unfamiliar with ancient Egypt probably won't know what 'ka' and 'maat' are, for example, but Ironside is good enough of a writer to write about them without ever explaining them (to do so would break with the character of the rest of the book) and the reader instinctively knows what they mean. But there are other things, like referring to well-known places and gods by their original Egyptian names which - while it is yet another example of flawless historical authenticity - broke my concentration and had me reaching for my laptop to look them up.

But this is a minor complaint, and one that I suspect the majority of the genre's fans would heartily disagree with. It doesn't take away from the fact that this is a great book. It started strong and didn't let up until the epilogue left me reaching for the laptop once again, this time to order the sequel, The Crook and Flail

Buy this book. You won't be disappointed.
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Sep 22, 2012 Johanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Where to begin with this....
The first half was lovely and gripping. I could not put the book down no matter how hard I tried.

Then the second half just deflated on itself and completely deviated from what actually happened and the descriptions of family life and places seemed unrealistic. The writer tries to write it off as "Wild artistic license"--well, if you want to let your imagination run free, create completely new characters and write about them. The ending had me going "Oh, BROTHER."

*sig...more

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May 25, 2012 Kevis Hendrickson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, novel, indie-book

It's been a very long time since a book actually moved me. Not just make me think, grin, chuckle, or even look over my shoulder. But actually move me. This one did. When I started reading The Sekhmet Bed, I had no idea what the story was about other than it takes place in ancient Egypt. So I waded through the opening chapters, intrigued by the cast of regal figures come to life from the dusty pages of history. As the drama unfolded, I found myself lingering on each page while I savored the hypno...more It's been a very long time since a book actually moved me. Not just make me think, grin, chuckle, or even look over my shoulder. But actually move me. This one did. When I started reading The Sekhmet Bed, I had no idea what the story was about other than it takes place in ancient Egypt. So I waded through the opening chapters, intrigued by the cast of regal figures come to life from the dusty pages of history. As the drama unfolded, I found myself lingering on each page while I savored the hypnotic cadence of the prose. I let the author guide me through a world of ancient temples, pharaohs, princesses, and gods. I feasted with queens, danced with harem girls, drifted down the Nile river on a sail barge, and bathed in the light of the moon while riding in a golden chariot. I heard the voices from the past, telling me their story, telling me about their triumphs and their losses, about the people they loved and how they died. I heard the voices of the divine. And then, I reached the end.

I imagine The Sekhmet Bed is the kind of tale that an ancient Greek Playwright might have had performed at the amphitheater. It's difficult not to find yourself moved by the sacrifice of Princess Ahmoset, or Ahmose for short, who trades her own happiness for the welfare of her people, subjecting herself to the often cruel whims of fate. Her trials with her sister, Mutnofret, who is always scheming to wrest control of their husband Thutmose, the reigning Pharaoh, as well as take back her birthright as rightful queen of Egypt, sets the stage for a series of heartbreaking, but emotionally charged confrontations. One can't help but root for Ahmose as she runs the gauntlet, even at times resorting to sleight of hand or force, to find ways to fulfill her destiny as the Gods chosen Queen of Egypt.

This is the first historical novel I've read that blends mysticism with history, blurring the lines between what's actually happening with the internal musings of its protagonist. Did the gods really speak to Ahmose through visions? Or was she the victim of an overactive imagination? The path she walks is perilous and often has deadly consequences for the people in her life. Whether or not her choices were made at the behest of divine figures or hubris only heightens the drama.

When it was all over, I had a tough time saying good-bye to the characters in Ms. Ironside's book. Many days after reading The Sekhmet Bed, I'm still thinking about them. They are a part of me now and exist somewhere alongside Huck Finn and Frodo. Needless to say, this is a story that stays with you long after the final pages of the book has been turned. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an emotionally charged tale or, like me, wants to journey to a time and place that exists beyond the insipid pages of history books.(less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Therese rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Women, Egypt fans, history lovers, lit fic lovers

Shelves: historical-fiction, literary-and-general-fiction, magical-realism, page-turners, mom-lit

A historical novel set in Ancient Egypt, depicting events leading up to the ascension of a (real, historical) female Pharaoh to the throne. This was wonderfully well done. The prose is ambitious, the devotion to historical realism is palpable, the characters are complex and engaging, and the plot is gripping. For me the prose was actually a little too ambitious - my personal preference is for a slightly more streamlined style, and I believe loading up your paragraphs with too many juicy metaphor...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Anna Patricio rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

This is a story about royal sisters Ahmose (who will later become Hatshepsut's mother) and Mutnofret who vie for the attention of their husband, Tuthmosis I. On the outset, it may seem like a typical royalty / female rivalry plotline. But Ms Ironside managed to develop this pretty well. The tension was so real, you could nearly touch it. At one point, the two women nearly killed each other, which made me fear for their lives.

However, Ahmose and Mutnofret aren't merely power-hungry worka...more 3.5 stars

This is a story about royal sisters Ahmose (who will later become Hatshepsut's mother) and Mutnofret who vie for the attention of their husband, Tuthmosis I. On the outset, it may seem like a typical royalty / female rivalry plotline. But Ms Ironside managed to develop this pretty well. The tension was so real, you could nearly touch it. At one point, the two women nearly killed each other, which made me fear for their lives.

However, Ahmose and Mutnofret aren't merely power-hungry workaholics. Remember they are sisters as well, and close ones at that (or at least, were close). In fact, Ahmose had high hopes for the future of her elder sister Mutnofret. But when a change in plans alters the destiny of these two women, their relationship sours severely, even more so after the marriage to their husband. Thus alongside jealousy, they also feel regret and loss, and that is what made me truly care about them.
As for whether they ever get reconciled or not, it's probably best I don't say. But it was nice to see they were pretty multi-dimensional.

Indeed, the character development was really good. The author described their emotions really well - pain, frustration, turmoil, regret. And I really like seeing the Ancient Egyptians as human beings too because - well - that's what they really were. No different from people today (although they had the better eye makeup).
Still, I felt I was transported to another world, thanks to all the vivid, beautiful imagery the author painted. I could nearly see the purple dusk skies, the common people (rekhet) labouring along the river, and the golden dust behind the chariot as Tuthmosis and Ahmose rode throughout the land. I also like the metaphors used, such as (these are paraphrased, by the way): "her thoughts hung like river mist" and "her feeling were like water among the reeds." Really lovely.

And I liked the portrayal of Hatshepsut, though she appears only briefly (towards the end of the book). She was really cute - in a feisty way. This is probably not surprising, considering she will one day be gutsy enough to ascend the throne.

The ending was emotionally draining, pretty shocking and kind of sad. I certainly won't go into details but all I can say is that it had a strong emotional impact on me. These days, I've rarely come across a novel that has managed to accomplish such a feat.
So yes, I do recommend you check out The Sekhmet Bed. I haven't read an Ancient Egyptian novel this well-written in ages! (less)

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May 03, 2012 Charlotte English rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

The standard of writing in The Sekhmet Bed is excellent, particularly so for a first novel. The main characters are well-drawn and complex, and their relationships are appealingly complex too. Ahmose is a heroine to cheer for, and while Mutnofret is clearly the villain of the piece I liked that it was impossible to just hate her. She has qualities that make her human and just sympathetic enough.

The author has obviously done her research extremely well. I had no trouble believing I was in ancien...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Zoe Saadia rated it 3 of 5 stars

'The Sekhmet Bed' is an interesting novel set in ancient Egypt, with two royal sisters competing for the throne, each in her own very peculiar way. The prize is very high and they are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve it.

This story develops slowly, but pleasantly. The two main female characters are very vivid and alive. The secondary characters are less so. I gave it less than four stars mainly because of this. I would love to see the male characters livelier, more complicated, more thre...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Charvel Vizitei rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the first independently published novel I have read (I think) and I have to say it was very good. It was an easy read, and I was hooked right away. The history was very good and not at all dry, If I ever successfully write historical fiction, I hope to aim for this fluid yet reliable detail Ms Ironside is able to weave in her story. The plot wasn't terribly complex, and it reads like a first novel (which it is), but I enjoyed it enough to read through it in a day, and buy the sequel. Ove...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Megan Inserra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, favorites

I've read a few self-published books since getting my Nook and discovering an online world of indie books. This is the first one of which I just absolutely cannot understand why it did not get picked up by a publisher.
The writing grabbed me right away and transported me to ancient Egypt. I was engrossed in the story of Thutmose, Ahmose, and Mutnofret. I am very excited to read the rest of the books in this series and hope L.M. Ironside will write even more books set in Ancient Egypt as there's...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Jill Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had a friend's kindle for a couple of days, and she happened to have this book on it. It truly was a fascinating read!

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Jul 27, 2012 Kelly-Jane marked it as to-read

OKAY THIS LOOKS TOTALLY AWESOME.

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Mar 30, 2013 Tierra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Amazing. Love the rivalry between sisters and the depth of description of ahmose feelings.

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Mar 11, 2013 ETA: soon marked it as 0-tr_new

Shelves: z2-freebie-kindle, 4-fiction-historical, hist-ancient, 5-ntm-or-debut

Ancient Egypt anyone?

FREE Mar 11-13, 2013 @ Amazon

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May 20, 2013 Elaine rated it 5 of 5 stars

well written, I look forward to more from this author.

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Feb 28, 2013 C.P. Lesley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Beautifully written study of the beginnings of Egypt's 18th Dynasty, told from the perspective of Pharaoh Thutmose I's young Great Royal Wife, Ahmose, 14 when the story opens. Ahmose has a special connection to the gods, who have destined her for the role of mother to Egypt's only female pharaoh. The history is well researched but engaging, never overwhelming, and the conflict between Ahmose and her older sister for Thutmose's attention is plausibly rendered. This is self-publishing at its best.

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Sep 05, 2012 Melissa Summers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, kindle

Amazing self-published historical fiction.

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Mar 26, 2013 Debra rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: HF readers

Recommended to Debra by: a blog, I can't remember the name.

I really enjoyed this book. Lavender did her research and her prose is wonderful when it comes to putting you in the scene. I am very picky about my Ancient Egyptian fiction and she did not disappoint. I will not go into detail about the story but the start is good...a death and an introduction, wonderful stuff. Oh... and don't forget to read the second in the series...that one is even better.

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The Indie Exchang...: The Sekhmet Bed: Egyptian historical novel, free through November!	14	47	Nov 22, 2011 08:44am
Indie Book Club: The Sekhmet Bed: Egyptian historical novel	2	10	Nov 20, 2011 06:50pm

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12398627-the-sekhmet-bed?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362665125l/12398627.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12398627-the-sekhmet-bed?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Sekhmet Bed by L.M. (Lavender) Ironside[/url]

The Sekhmet Bed (The She-King #1)

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The Sekhmet Bed (The She-King #1)

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Books by L.M. (Lavender) Ironside

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