Daughter of Egypt
Constance O'Banyon
Leisure, Jul 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843960068

In 44 BC at a Roman marketplace, Thalia tries to steal food, but is seen. She flees hiding behind a noble woman who says nothing to her pursuers. The wealthy Egyptian Lady Adhania takes the street urchin home with her to raise her as her daughter. Over time she forgot her beggar existence across the Mediterranean until in 36 BC a one-eyed man, who had stalked her years earlier in Rome, kidnaps her. Frightened, she becomes further shocked when warrior Count Ashtyn kidnaps her.

Thalia cannot fathom why the sudden interest in her. She soon learns the answer to her question when Ashtyn takes her to the island kingdom Bal Forea where she is Princess Thalia and soon to be Queen and Ashtyn her husband the king.

Almost a decade since the events of LORD OF THE NILE and SWORD OF ROME, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT is a terrific ancient historical romance that starts in Rome, moves to Egypt, and ends up on an island. Thalia is a brave person who learned to adapt to the situation as a beggar while the courageous Ashyny proves her equal willing to die to keep her safe. As with the previous two historical tales, this excellent entry that uses real persona like Antony and Cleopatra bring to life the Mediterranean in the first century BC.

Harriet Klausner