“Stephanie Dray’s Lily of the Nile is a spectacular blend of history and unforgettable fiction…Lily of the Nile is a fresh and vibrant story of family, loyalty, political games, and love. It’s exquisitely written and left me begging for more. The only letdown was that it had to end.” ~ San Francisco Book Review

Also, a review from Read My Mind. This is the first review that validates my presence on twitter.

“The reader spends most of the time feeling Selene’s displacement, and her struggle to maintain herself, in the midst of a culture that seemingly does not value anything she has been brought up to cherish.” ~AliseOnLife

And a review from the lovely Lynn Spencer from All About Romance:

“The author’s vision of a very faraway time and place kept me reading. Cleopatra Selene is an intelligent narrator and watching her grow up and reinvent herself following the death of her parents and her own captivity in Rome makes for compelling reading.” ~Lynn Spencer of All About Romance

I particularly enjoyed this review because I felt like this reviewer really shared my passions and understood exactly what I was trying to accomplish:

“A stunning novel that looks at how important Cleopatra Selene was to history, how her Ptolemaic heritage would eventually shape her future kingdom of Mauretania, and a look at how the Isaic faith was the forerunner of Christianity…the blending of Isaic magic and actual history give Lily of the Nile a flavor that’s all its own and allows it to stand out amongst the other countless historical novels in the aisles of Barnes and Noble.” ~Amanda Ferris, CamelClutchBlog

And last, but certainly not least, the short and sweet…

“LILY OF THE NILE is so vivid and lyrical I felt like I was standing beside Princess Cleopatra Selene throughout her inspirational journey. Stephanie Dray’s historical debut is meticulously researched and sets the bar for Cleopatra novels.” ~Julie from That’s Swell!

I couldn’t be more pleased about the resurgence of interest in Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Given that I’ve spent the past few years of my life working on a trilogy about Cleopatra’s daughter, I admit a ready bias in favor of Stacy Schiff’s new biography. However, I believe that this book would appeal even to those who don’t have an obsession with Egypt’s most famous monarch.

Schiff’s tone is easy and breezy–injecting humor and modern comparisons into this survey of the queen’s life. I appreciated the thoughtful analyses of the more hotly debated aspects of the queen’s life and Schiff very wisely refrains from taking a side. Instead, she explores each side of the argument, seldom throwing her weight behind anything that can’t be proved. (One exception to this is the manner of Cleopatra’s death. Though ancient evidence suggests otherwise, Schiff doesn’t believe Cleopatra died by serpenticide. However, she also cautions against the modern habit of insisting that Octavian must have killed his enemy. She suggests that, at most, Octavian my simply have decided to allow an already suicidal Cleopatra to finally have her way.)

In all, Cleopatra: A Life covers the subject in enough depth that one or two little tidbits were actually new to me, but she’s never bogged down in the history. Indeed, she skims over the surface of Cleopatra’s life like some a lotus on the Nile. If there’s any weakness to this excellent biography, it’s that. The narrative shies away from too much speculation about Cleopatra’s inner life. The author always remains quite detached, respectful to her subject, but remote.

Still, this is probably what a biographer must do. Those who are wishing for emotional investment should probably seek out historical fiction. Margaret George’s The Memoirs of Cleopatra embraces the same dedication to accuracy while also telling an emotionally compelling story.

“Stephanie Dray weaves a brilliantly crafted story. Rich is details, plot, and character…an amazing start of a brilliant trilogy. I simply cannot wait to read what comes next.” 5 crowns from Royal Reviews

“Nothing short of breathtaking…” Errant Dreams Reviews

“Augustus was brilliantly done by the author. His thoughts, motivations and life were so clear. I could see and understand his personality perfectly… I found myself so interested in what I did learn that I’m anxious to find many more books about this time period, culture and family. I have a couple books that I’ve put off reading that I’m anxious to read now, so this book has definitely inspired me. I am very excited for the next book, Song of the Nile! I give this one 5/5 moons.” Candace’s Book Blog

“This was the perfect blend of historical fiction and magic… I can guarantee if you love anything Egyptian like me you will love this new take on one of history’s most monumental Queens. Recommended highly for historical fiction lovers.” Historically Obsessed

“I loved this book!  I couldn’t put it down…using an analogy of fabric, fiction for me is generally a comfortable cotton weave, this book, Lily of the Nile is a strong and rich brocade. This book was dense, meaning rich with detail and story lines…I enjoyed every moment of reading this book and can’t wait for the next one in the trilogy!” Kelly’s Lucky You

“In this sparkling historical novel…the elegant use of language, fully realised characterisation, adept play of tension and conflict all combine in Lily of the Nile to create an exciting read.” Lily Azerad-Goldman, Bookpleasures.com

The first chapter of Lady MacBeth should humble any historical fiction writer. With prose so lyrical that you’ll want to re-read each sentence to enjoy its cadence and artistry, Susan Fraser King gives us a compelling introduction to a fascinating queen.

Lady MacBeth is a wonderful example of what historical fiction does best. It corrects the errors of Shakespearian tradition, creates a plausible narrative by filling in the gaps in the historical record, and teaches us something about a woman who left behind only fragmentary evidence of her intriguing life.

Lady MacBeth, also known as Queen Rue, has the blood of kings running through her veins, which make her an enticing prize for powerful men. When MacBeth makes her a widow and forces her to marry him, it saves her life, but Rue is the pawn of no man. She’s not easily won. She loves fiercely, she hates fiercely, and she holds her head high through her journey from hunted last survivor of her noble line, to Queen of the Scots.

This is a novel on an epic scale. With a touch of magic, Lady MacBeth follows the whole life of a compelling woman with a voice so distinctive that the Scottish accent jumps off the page. The book is also a mature and understated exploration of a marriage which is sometimes adulterous, often troubled, but filled with a deep and abiding respect.

I loved this book and it will stay with me for a very long time.

“With clear prose, careful research, vivid detail and a dash of magic, Stephanie Dray brings true life to one of Egypt’s most intriguing princesses.”

Susan Fraser King, bestselling and award winning author of Queen Hereafter and Lady MacBeth

“Graceful history infused with subtle magic and veiled ancient mysteries, at a time of immense flux and transition. Cleopatra Selene — regal, stoic, and indomitable daughter of the legendary pharaoh-queen Cleopatra–carries on the spirit of her mother, the goddess Isis, and the soul of Egypt itself into the lair of the conquering imperial enemy. Selene, whose skin speaks the words of queen and goddess in blood, channels the dynastic pride that is her birthright, and seals the fate of the Roman Empire.  Meticulously researched, thoroughly believable, this is a different kind of book, and a true achievement.”

Vera Nazarian, two-time Nebula Award nominated author of Lords of Rainbow and Mansfield Park and Mummies

“In this account of the fate of Cleopatra’s daughter in the household of Augustus Caesar, Dray reveals the same events we’ve seen in Rome and I,Claudius from a very different perspective, that of a teen-age girl. Cleopatra Selene has unusual gifts and problems, but her struggle to understand herself and her destiny is universal. The glimpses of the cult of Isis leave one wanting to know more, and the story keeps you turning the pages until the end.”

Diana Paxson, bestselling author and collaborator on the Mists of Avalon series

“Selene is the best kind of heroine. I loved reading about her journey from orphaned child to empowered young woman in Lily of the Nile. Stephanie Dray writes brilliant and compelling stories!”

Sabrina Darby, Author of the highly acclaimed On These Silken Sheets