On May 7, 1999, my world shifted.

I took the night off of work to see the movie that would change the trajectory of my life and ultimately affect my writing career. I had always been drawn to action-adventure movies with romantic subplots, and I thought this one would be no different. Only it was. It imprinted on me and has become one of my all-time favorite films. But how did it inspire Death and Desire?

It should come as no surprise to anyone then that I would write a story of my own influenced by the masterpiece that is The Mummy (1999). My fascination with Egyptian mythology only grew after I saw this film. There have been other films and shows. The sequels to The Mummy, Gods of Egypt, and Moon Knight. But none have ever come as close to capturing my imagination as this masterpiece with Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser.

There was never any question in my mind. I WANTED to write a love story like this. The problem was…I didn’t want it to feel like a cheap imitation or a cookie-cutter copy. Their spark of chemistry and banter is top-notch. I wanted the same vibes but in a different context.

Then this cover crossed my feed, and I knew beyond a doubt that I was meant to write this book. I contacted the artist immediately and snatched it up, knowing it would be a challenge both to write and market this story. But if the cover enraptured me, then it would do so for others. I took a breath and dove in headfirst.

Now, most of you know I don’t write paranormal or monster romance. But this book has elements of both tied into the genre I’m extremely comfortable with…historical romance. So, I made it work to my advantage, leaning heavily on the historical aspects and tying in the mythology that captured my interest when I first watched The Mummy.

Creating a heroine like Evelyn seemed the natural course of action, but Violet took on a life of her own. So I ran with it. Her brother and his best friend fit into the story with ease, creating a witty camaraderie with enough undercurrent for further stories should I choose to pursue them.

When I began writing the story, Isaac came off a lot like Jonathan and David sounded more like Rick than I anticipated. But to my eternal surprise, the more I wrote…the more Khalid took on the form of Ardeth Bay in my mind.

I know what you’re saying. The cover art shows Anubis as the hero of this story. So who is Khalid in Death and Desire? Khalid is Anubis’s human identity. Considering the size and…well, shape of Anubis, he would draw too much attention on the streets of Cairo in the 1930s. So, Khalid became his human form. Excellent choice, Anubis.

Aside from the amazing cover art that sparked the idea for Death and Desire, why would I choose Anubis, of all the Egyptian deities, to use as the hero in my story?

Well, I’ve always been drawn to his strong, silent figure. Much of his place and purpose in ancient Egyptian history and mythos has been altered and shifted over time, but the one constant has always been his care for the dead. This dedication to his purpose is admirable. An imposing figure who takes his job quite seriously. His loyalty is unquestioned. This makes him the perfect candidate for a romance hero.

All he needed was an opportunity to shine and a woman worth losing his heart to. Literally.

Now, if you’re disappointed there isn’t more of a Rick-inspired hero in this story, don’t be. David will get his moment to shine…at some point. But until then, there’s plenty of chemistry and banter to keep your appetite sated in Death and Desire.

Remember…Death and Desire releases on October 29th, 2024. PreOrders are live for both eBook and Paperback. The Special Edition Hardcover is COMING SOON. Fill out the form through the link below if you’re interested in reserving a copy. Don’t forget to spread the word! Thank you all for your support and love.