A blog post from May 2013 introducing Katie Hamstead's first book in the Kiya trilogy. I was honored then and I am doubly honored today to help her celebrate the two year anniversary of that book and the completion of her Kiya trilogy.
by
Pharaoh Akhenaten reigned during the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. He is famous for being the "heretic King" because he abandoned the traditional religion for monotheism and worship of a minor god, the Aten. Akhenaten is the Pharaoh which Naomi/Kiya is forced to marry in Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh.
1. What do people notice first about you?
My appearance. My physical deformities are pronounced, and make people avert their eyes so they do not stare. I sense my wives' disgust with me, even if none of them say it.
2. What one physical attribute would you change?
My long fingers and toes.
3. What are you most afraid of?
Betrayal. As Pharaoh, every day I must keep vigilant for those who would have me dead. Even people closest to me could turn at any moment.
4. What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?
The most important thing in my life is my loyal wives and children. I love each of them, but the ones who give me their allegiance in return are my favorites. Loyalty is a rare commodity in a royal household.
5. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Where everyone is happy, and no one lives in fear. That is my vision, why I built my city, so all could start anew under the wise and gracious Aten.
6. What is your most treasured possession?
Nefertiti and our daughters, but Kiya is also rising in my graces as she holds a strong loyalty to me.
7. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Loyalty, charm, grace and fertility.
8. What do you most value in your friends?
Again I would say loyalty. I have very few friends as a Pharaoh. Most men wish to use me for my power,and give me their daughters for treaties and trade agreements. Finding loyalty among such circumstances is difficult, so when I find it, I hold it close to my heart.
9. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My health. Although I am Aten's offspring, my body is weak. I am terribly limited as a result, and sense that I will not live to old age.
* ********** *
Oh yes, Kiya. Make him love you, make him hold you in his highest regard....
Introducing - Katie Hamstead
Born and raised in Australia, Katie's early years of day dreaming in the "bush", and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.
After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dog.
She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing. She is currently at school studying English and Creative Writing.
Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports and be a good wife and mother. She now works as a Clerk with a lien company in Arizona to help support her family and her schooling. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.
* ********** *
Katie is celebrating the two year anniversary of Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh.
Katie completed the trilogy and wants to party all day APRIL 30TH with give-a-ways, discussions, and just plain fun on Facebook. Come on by and meet this talented author, you could win a book or two.
Here are Katie's books!
When
Naomi’s sisters are snatched up to be taken to be wives of the erratic Pharaoh,
Akhenaten, she knows they won’t survive the palace, so she offers herself in
their place. The fearsome Commander Horemheb sees her courage, and knows she is
exactly what he is looking for…
The Great Queen Nefertiti despises Naomi instantly, and strips her of her
Hebrew lineage, including her name, which is changed to Kiya. Kiya allies herself
with Horemheb, who pushes her to greatness and encourages her to make the
Pharaoh fall in love with her. When Akhenaten declares Kiya will be the mother
of his heir, Nefertiti, furious with jealousy, schemes to destroy Kiya.
Kiya must play the deadly game carefully. She is in a silent battle of wills,
and a struggle for who will one day inherit the crown. If she does bear an
heir, she knows she will need to fight to protect him, as well as herself, from
Nefertiti who is out for blood.
BUY HERE!
Nefertiti
has forced Naomi to flee Amarna with Malachi and the three children. But even
under the protection of Naomi’s family in Thebes, Nefertiti still hunts her and
Tut. Nefertiti sends assassins to kill them, and while Naomi fights to protect
the children, Malachi fights to keep her safe.
With three children in tow, one of which isn’t her own, she is labeled the
harlot outcast wife of the pharaoh and is shunned. She isn’t safe among her own
people, and flees from being stoned to death. Although her family protects her,
she must find a way to survive.
While Naomi struggles to keep herself and Tut alive, old adversaries return as
Smenkhkare takes advantage of Akhenaten’s ailing health. Naomi must rely on
Horemheb’s promise to protect Tut’s birthright, but her feelings for Malachi
could cause more problems with Horemheb than she expects.
BUY HERE!
Tut has grown into his position as Pharaoh, but he is a wild young
man. Naomi fears for him, not only because of his recklessness, but because he
has put his trust in Ay—the man determined to destroy Naomi—despite her and
Horemheb advising against it.
Meanwhile, death and slavery hang over Naomi and her family. With fear of the
booming Hebrew numbers causing talk of enslaving them, conscription is
reinstated and Naomi fears for the lives of her other children. Especially
since Ay's children are now adults, and just as dangerous as their father. They
threaten to take Itani, conspire against Tut, and push for power.
But Tut is in trouble. While Ay's daughter draws Horemheb's attention, and
Naomi deals with the struggles of her family, everyone's distraction could
spell death for the young Pharaoh.
BUY HERE!
Please stop by and congratulate Katie!
