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Mesopotamian Maiden is a fantastic book. Great job. 2008-06-04 00:15:06 Posted by Mary ()

Glorious Companion by Verna Hargrove Millennia ago, eighteen-year-old Kenana arrived in the Mesopotamian hamlet of Adah to wed the wealthy Prince Jubal. Accompanying here were two male slaves, Gaus and Bo. Both men, powerfully built and loyal, had afforded her protection and companionship during the long journey through the desert. The slaves would be presented to the prince as a wedding gift from her parents. The valley was as she remembered: unspoiled, serene and majestic. Prince Jubal's realm was strategically nestled within the high valley walls, providing both coolness from the oppressive year-round heat and fortification from invading enemies. The residence itself, a sprawling three-story stone compound, was fit for a prince. Or a princess, she thought. Princess Kenana. But the title gave her no pleasure. Instead, she felt sickened to her core, for Prince Jubal was an old and vile man. Kenana sighed, studied the beautiful canyon as her clomping donkey shook its mangy head in defense against the onslaught of insects. Gnarled cypresses, clumped in groves, pressed up along a narrow stream that flowed along the canyon floor. Hawks and eagles circled above, screeching plaintively. The air was dry, heavily fragranced with desert flowers. Kenana decided if she had to live anywhere in the world this would be it. Of course, she had hardly seen much of the world. She had always known that her mother was cruel enough to arrange this marriage, but it had truly been a surprise to discover that her father had been a willing participant, as well. Her father had insisted that marrying a prince was a blessing. Kenana did not see it that way. The prince was old enough to be her grandfather, and she had always been uneasy in his presence, even as a child, as the prince and her father were old friends. Now as she and the two slaves approached the heavily guarded estate, the evening sky was afire with the setting sun. Streaks of gold and crimson stretched as far as the eye could see. A high stone wall encircled the property, meant to keep invading armies at bay—and young brides at home. She shuddered involuntarily. Blocking their way was a spiked iron gate, with two guards standing to either side. Bo loudly announced the arrival of Kenana, the future bride of Prince Jubal, the future Princess of Adah. The guards, to their credit, simply nodded and bowed, their polished bronze helmets catching the last of the sun's rays. Kenana tilted her head in return, acknowledging them. That was fun, she thought, as she was led through the gates. They followed a cobblestone path into a wonderland of flowers and plants. Kenana always felt that Jubal's ornate gardens could have easily passed for the Garden of Eden. Kenana recognized roses, birds of paradise, daisies and azaleas, all manicured and trimmed to perfection. Bo and Gauss looked thunderstruck. Both were simple slaves, from the deserts outside of .Mesopotamia, and neither had seen beauty on such a magnificent scale. Even Mae, her long-time donkey and friend, paused to sniff at the heavily perfumed air. Suddenly, a shocking realization occurred to her: soon these gardens would be hers. There are, she thought, some perks to becoming a princess. The three travelers moved along a torch-lit path lined with a half dozen armed sentries. The warriors, most leaning on long spears, watched them casually, bowing when appropriate. She caught some casting admiring sidelong glances at her. She ignored them. Long ago, as a young girl visiting Prince Jubal with her father, she had learned to ignore the leering gazes of the lonely soldiers. Beyond the row of guards was the vegetable garden. Back home, this garden would have been large enough to feed her entire village. In the center of the garden was a massive oak tree and hanging from one of its monstrous limbs was a rope swing. And sitting on it, swaying gently, was a very handsome man with silver hair. His exquisite face glowed radiantly, almost supernaturally. Dark, brooding eyes regarded Kenana unblinkingly. Kenana shifted uncomfortably on the saddle blanket under the power of his gaze. Uncomfortable or not, she was electrified and fascinated by this man's rare beauty. There was also something oddly familiar about him. Frustratingly, she could not remember what. But it was a haunting memory that seemed to linger deep in her soul, as elusive as a sweet dream. Then his full lips broke into a smile and his teeth shone brightly. His eyes sparkled with a light not of this world. She returned the smile just as her donkey's front hooves stepped into a shallow hole disguised as a mud puddle. The front legs buckled and Kenana pitched forward. She screamed, trying to hold tight to the creature's neck, but she lost her grip and cart-wheeled to the hard-packed earth. She landed hard, skidding on her rear end. Gauss fought to regain control of the confused creature, as Bo easily lifted her back onto the saddle blanket. "Are you okay, madam?" "Yes, of course," she snapped hastily, swiping a long strand of golden hair from her eyes and looking immediately in the direction of the swing. The man was gone. The swing was empty. 2008-07-26 07:47:34 Posted by Nana ()

Great book! 2009-02-09 01:17:57 Posted by John ()

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