A Cover Reveal! And Other Sublime, Mood-Setting Story Candy.

Of Sand and Bone by Victoria Dougherty

Of Sand and Bone, BIG book 2 of the BREATH series, is launching this September! It’s got war, ancient cultures, enchanted archaeological digs, and a smart, captivating pair of eternal lovers who even my uber-macho “I’m here for the thrillers” readers have embraced. To quote my husband, “Somehow you manage to keep the man in the romantic elements of your stories.”

No shortage of warriors in this epic

Of Sand and Bone, which certainly has a lush, ethereal element, also has a helluva lot of real history and serious atmospherics for those of you who are into an immersive story experience that goes well beyond reading the map of a clever plot.

I’m hoping to share some of that with you here today.

Probably my favorite part of the pre-launch of any new novel is when I get the finished cover in my inbox. I shared some of the artwork with you last time – as you know, I’m having the whole BREATH series redesigned – and today I want to show you a finished product.

For me, a book cover is a work of art, and its composition must reflect the heart of every story. But the cover must also communicate quality, years of passionate story writing, plus the world-building and fine-tuning that’s built into every novel, series, or epic. I’m a slow-lit girl who takes her time and wants to bring her absolute best to the table. That’s why I stalk not just great, but the perfect book cover designers and illustrators for my genre. People who I believe “get” my work, have an affinity for the cultures I’m bringing to life for readers.

Because I believe we must fall into stories the way we fall into our dreams. They have to feel real and beautiful, take you to places you never want to leave, introduce you to characters who you wish you could pull from the page and bring into your life as friends or lovers.

That first step into a story needs to cast a spell, giving a sublime taste of what awaits. The burn of the hot sun and the sand beneath your feet, the comingled aromas of flowers, spices and sweat, the glimpses of memories and histories, blood, magic and horror and love.

Without further ado, I give you Of Sand and Bone!

Voila!

A young woman, her lover, and a killer’s quest through time.

Cairo, 1902. The Golden Age of Archaeology is in full swing. Leila Saber Wellington and her father, Lord Wellington, are back in Egypt after several years in London.

On the night of her arrival, she encounters Ripley Davies, the charismatic son of a prominent British archaeologist working at the Museum of Antiquities. Leila at first tries to resist her attraction to Ripley, but the two grow closer as they become embroiled in a series of mysteries that turn stranger and more dangerous by the day. Ones of baffling disappearances, an ancient, arcane statue, and a succession of viscous and ritualistic murders.

But as Leila and Ripley resolve to track the killer in their midst, they also begin to uncover the astonishing truth of their own destiny. They are a pair of lovers called Nin’ti, who are trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth and must endeavor to save humanity from the same fate that befell their ancient civilization. Only in this life, they are being hunted by an enemy from their very first life together: a broken man and fallen warrior who has stalked them through time and is intent on having Leila for himself, even if it means destroying all of civilization…again.

And here is some more visual candy for Of Sand and Bone , and the BREATH series.

The interior of Leila’s family home in Cairo, Egypt

I wanted to keep it authentic, but comfortable, reflecting Leila’s rich family heritage more than her wealth.

Mmmm

The Shepheard Hotel in Cairo was during its heyday at the turn of the 20th century, a place of international intrigue, where history was often decided over a drink and a handshake. Leila and Ripley frequent the hotel, making their own histories. In fact, they enjoy this very meal there.

Nearly as old as death itself

The City of the Dead in Cairo. A necropolis filled with tombs that house poets, priests and kings as well as the most common of commoners. It’s where the living was only starting to encroach upon the dead as the Gold Age of Archaeology thrust Egypt onto the world stage again. Families moved into the actual tombs; markets sprang up. Today, the City of the Dead is a bustling part of Cairo, but in 1902, its transformation was just beginning. It was still a quiet place of mystery then.

Spooky, isn’t it?

The Tibesti Mountains in the central Sahara. Black, craggy, volcanic…often called the most remote and least explored mountain range in the world. Nif and Sherin visited these mountains in their first life together thousands of years ago, as chronicled in Breath, and Leila and Ripley are drawn to them in Of Sand and Bone.

Leila and Ripley as Nif and Sherin

Stay tuned, watch your inbox. There will be so much more to come in these next few weeks. Excerpts, more covers, more artwork, photographs, gifts, contests, and finally…Of Sand and Bone.

In the spirit of mood magic, I’m also offering Cold readers a chance to become listeners and get a FREE promo code on Audible for Savage Island, the teaser novel to my BREATH series. If you want a free Audible promo code for Savage Island, I only ask you do two simple things. First, give me a follow on this blog (if you’re not a follower already). Next, email me at victoria@victoriadoughertybooks.com and write “I want to listen to Savage Island!” in the subject line.

*As a bonus – below is an extra cover reveal for the new cover of Savage Island. It’s just sublime, isn’t it?

Be a savage!