Rai Aren's Blog - Posts Tagged "mystery"

Hello Goodreads friends,

We are having a great week with two recent stellar reviews of Secret of the Sands! I thought I would share them here with you:

reposted from Amazon:

5-stars: "Tell all your friends about this Secret", May 9, 2009

"Secrets, deceit and lies can make almost any novel exciting. But, add to that, two stories simultaneously told then throw in some romance, science fiction and a power struggle and what do you get? A true page turner that takes you on one heck of a journey.
Rai Aren and Tavius E. have masterfully intertwined a story about a modern day archeological dig in Egypt with a story that took place at the same exact location in ancient times.
Enjoy digging through the pages as you meet archeologists, Mitch and Alex as they unearth an extremely powerful artifact. Then fall back into ancient times and learn how and why King Traeus hid this same strange artifact 12,000 years ago.
In these two completely different stories, it is fascinating to see the differences, yet, even more so, the similarities of how true power effected people in ancient times as it does today.
While power, deception, and lies run concurrent in both stories. So do honor and integrity.

Not having much interest in ancient Egypt, I was somewhat skeptical at the beginning of this tale, but I was quickly won over by the wonderful characterization and scenes. I also really enjoyed the transitions between modern and ancient stories. Secret of the Sands is an enjoyable, fun to read novel that has me looking forward to the authors' sequel, Destiny of the Sands.

Very nicely done, Ms. Aren and Mr. E."

Michael Balkind
Author of Sudden Death & Dead Ball


Our second review was posted on a very cool book blog, The Book Girl Reviews, here is our link:

The Book Girl Reviews: Secret of the Sands

I thought I would also share that review here:

May 10th, 2009: "This book is about two archaeologist who uncover a secret from 12000 yrs ago. The book goes back and forth between the past and present day.
The past deals with the Kiernan people and the royal family who ruled them, and how the family suffered and coped with their decisions dealing with the secret that Traeus has been keeping.
The present deals with Alex and Mitch uncovering this secret and how they handle what they find. Also how they're handling the person trying to undermine them and they must find out who is secretly helping them and why.
The sequel should have the answer to all and am really looking forward to see how all turns out.

This book was very good. I thought the humor dispersed between the archeologist helped to get through the technical facts you need to know to fully understand just how much research and detail they have to go into to arrive at their conclusions. I really felt an emotional pull to the royal family they were researching, and got caught up in the excitement every time Alex and Mitch found out something new. The way the book was written kept you moving right along and descriptions of events made you feel like you were right there with them. I was thoroughly immersed in the royal family's story and suffered right along with Traeus. I am anxiouly awaiting the sequel, Destiny of the Sands, and expect it will be even more exciting to see how Traeus will go on and what Alex and Mitch will do next about reviving the secret. Until then, I wait expectantly."





As always, I am deeply grateful for these wonderful reviews and to know that our story continues to resonate with our readers. The sequel, Destiny of the Sands, is coming along smashingly!!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

I am very happy to share the news that our publisher, Bristlecone Pine Press/Maine Desk LLC is in the process of striking a deal with Sony to offer their ebooks for the Sony reader. We've been receiving requests from interested readers who want our book for their Sony readers, so I am very happy that we will soon be able to offer this cool option!







Do stay tuned! I will let you know when it becomes available :)

In the meantime, you can find our trade paperback copy here:

Secret of the Sands trade paperback on Amazon


Our Amazon kindle version:

Secret of the Sands Amazon kindle edition


And our Mobipocket link:

Secret of the Sands on Mobipocket


Happy reading always, my friends!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands



For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx of Giza. In present day Egypt, a frightening, yet awe-inspiring story unravels as archaeologists race against time to decipher an ancient truth...

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

So cool to be on the cover of a magazine!! My co-author & I are the featured authors in Cold Coffee Magazine, & Secret of the Sands is the featured novel. As our book takes place in Egypt, this issue of the magazine was given an Egyptian look on the front cover & back & there are some gorgeous Egyptian images inside as well accompanying our interview.




The magazine also includes many other interesting features such as an article on writing historical fiction, poetry, short stories, and marketing tips. Here is the link to where the magazine can be purchased:

Purchase Cold Coffee Magazine




We are deeply honored by this & a great big huge thank-you goes out to the creator of Cold Coffee, David Price, our interviewer, Dave Tallman "10 Quick Questions with Dave", and the magazine's Design Specialist Shannon Morrow. Well done all of you!!





If you are interested in joining this lively, interactive writing community, here is the link their site:

Cold Coffee



I am also a member there & would love to add you as a friend :)


Happy reading always, my friends!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

Hi Goodreads peeps,

We just received some fantastic news - a publisher in Turkey has offered us a publishing deal for translation rights to Secret of the Sands!! I can't wait to see the book in a new language!

I'll share details as I get them :)

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

Tavius & I are honored to have been interviewed by author Kathy-Diane Leveille for her blog, "Behind the Books". We hope you'll stop by, have a read, leave a comment, and also check out all of the other interesting features on her blog. Here's the link:

Behind the Books Interview with Rai & Tavius


Kathy-Diane is also a fellow Goodreads authors, so do add her as a friend, if you haven't already. Here's her page:

Kathy-Diane Leveille's Goodreads page


Happy reading always, my friends!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

Hello fellow readers!

I just wanted to share our good news with you - this past week, Secret of the Sands appeared on the Amazon Kindle Bestseller list for Historical Fiction. Thank-you to all of you wonderful readers out there who are giving our mystery tale about ancient Egypt a try...

Here's a screen shot, we might have been higher than #89, but that's just when I noticed it:




It's truly an honor to see these great results! Happy reading always, my friends!


Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
www.secretofthesands.com

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson


Secret of the Sands trade paperback on Amazon.com

Secret of the Sands kindle edition


"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

Hello fellow readers!

I just wanted to share our good news with you - this past week, Secret of the Sands appeared on the Amazon Kindle Bestseller list for Historical Fiction. Thank-you to all of you wonderful readers out there who are giving our mystery tale about ancient Egypt a try...

Here's a screen shot, we might have been higher than #89, but that's just when I noticed it:




It's truly an honor to see these great results! Happy reading always, my friends!


Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
www.secretofthesands.com

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson


Secret of the Sands trade paperback on Amazon.com

Secret of the Sands kindle edition


"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

Hi fellow readers & authors,

I wanted to pass the word along about a great initiative – Operation eBook Drop. It provides donated eBooks to soldiers serving overseas. I am always inspired to hear about how books can help bring some light into someone’s life. I signed up to donate copies of Secret of the Sands – our title, published by Bristlecone Pine Press, was recently listed in the OmniLit catalogue, which made this possible. Here’s the link to our book there:

http://www.omnilit.com/product-secretofthesands-82018-240.html









Here is an article about it by Holly Christine in the Pittsburgh Book Examiner. You can find Holly on Twitter: http://twitter.com/hollyrambles and here is the link to the article, which I have copied in below:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-15202-Pittsburgh-Books-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Introducing-Operation-eBook-Drop

"Operation eBook Drop is the recent development of Edward C. Patterson, author of eight novels (The Jade Owl, most recently). In the Kindle forums, Patterson came across a US soldier stationed in Iraq. The soldier expressed an interest in downloading Patterson’s work, but couldn’t because Amazon’s Whispernet (the service Amazon uses to send eBook purchases to it’s Kindle counterpart) does not function in Iraq.
The issue sparked an idea in Patterson, a frequent poster and respected member of the Kindle forums. After discovering that Kindle authors expressed an interest in making their work available for free to overseas soldiers, he concocted a plan to use Smashwords, utilizing the site’s coupon feature for free eBooks to soldiers.

Since the conception of Operation eBook Drop only a few days ago, over thirty-five independent authors have offered their work(s) for free to overseas U.S. soldiers. Smashwords quickly responded with Patterson in further developing the project, notifying nearly 1300 authors.

For now, authors interested in participating in the program are encouraged to email Patterson. Works must available through Smashwords with a 100% off coupon code. Soldiers interested in particular works will express their interest through Patterson. Patterson then notifies the author, who will then email the soldier links and coupon codes. Smashwords is currently working on an automated system to further the project development.

For more information or to get involved with the program, visit Smashwords for complete program details.”

*******

If you are an author, I hope you will join us in this very worthy effort!

Happy reading, always, wherever you may be…

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands










For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx of Giza. In present day Egypt, a frightening, yet awe-inspiring story unravels as archaeologists race against time to decipher an ancient truth...

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

I am so honored to see that Secret of the Sands, a mystery novel, is once again an Amazon.com kindle BESTSELLER in the category of Historical Fiction. Currently, we are at #92 on this fabulous list. I included a screenshot below :)

Here is the link to the kindle edition of Secret of the Sands:

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-of-the-Sands/dp/B001ESMPTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1225087001&sr=1-1

And here is the link to our trade paperback version:

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sands-Rai-Aren-Tavius/dp/1419675524/ref=sr_11_1/103-7609026-1067836?ie=UTF8&qid=1189435997&sr=11-1





Thank-you to all of our readers, we greatly value you!!

Happy reading always!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx of Giza. In present day Egypt, a frightening, yet awe-inspiring story unravels as archaeologists race against time to decipher an ancient truth...


"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

Hi friends,

I was absolutely delighted to come across another 5-star review of our adventure novel, Secret of the Sands. I thought I would share it with you:

reposted from Amazon:

"Can't wait for the Movie!", October 27, 2009

"Secret of the Sands is a very entertaining and exciting tale of ancient Egypt and modern archeology. The authors succeed in painting the ancient world and its characters in realistic and memorable fashion. Secret of the Sands is a story of adventure, wonder, betrayal, forgiveness, suspense, and action - all the elements that so often can be weaved together into a blockbuster movie. A hope this tale gets the opportunity to reach the big screen - i'll be amongst the first in line to see it! Fans of adventure tales like Indiana Jones will love this book." --P. Martucci

*******

If you are interested in buying our mystery novel, here is the link to the trade paperback version:

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sands-Ra...

and here is the link to our Amazon kindle version:

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-of-the-S...











Happy reading always, my friends!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
www.secretofthesands.com

For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx of Giza. In present day Egypt, a frightening, yet awe-inspiring story unravels as archaeologists race against time to decipher an ancient truth...

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -- Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy