SandShadow and a Little History

Pyramid of Djoser 
Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imhotep

The leaves are beginning to change and the mountainsides look as though they're slowly being painted by an amazing watercolor brush brimming with brilliant fall colors. This is the time of year when SandShadow begins to unfold. SandsShadow is a supernatural suspense/paranormal romance story that was first released in 1998 as a PDF. In 2014 I released the novel as an eBook to Kindle and Nook.

I wrote SandShadow when I thought I was going to be a horror writer, but as you can see from my drawings posted here, writing horror is not my thing. This book is a kinder-gentler scary story that I wrote in the mid-90's. I learned a lot from studying the history and mythology of Egypt and Imhotep. Outside of books and the usual TV specials on Egypt I dug into further research at the University of Utah Marriott library and met with a women's group from the Islamic faith to gain a better understanding of the religion. I met with people from the deaf center, joined a local writers group, rewrote, edited, and decided the story had wound it's way to completion.

One of the main characters deserves an introduction: Imhotep. His name means "He who comes in peace." I was introduced to him (or reminded of him from past specials I'd seen on Egypt) when I found him listed in The Macmillan Illustrated Encycolpedia of Myths & Legends I was inspired by his stories to think of a "what would have happened if..." scenario.

When you hear about brilliant people in history Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo Da Vinci may come to mind. I think Imhotep deserves a spot among them. He was a trail blazer during the Egyptian 3rd Dynasty and he worked for the pharaoh Djoser. His many jobs included architect, engineer, carpenter, doctor, high priest of Ra and it sounds like he was a master artist. Besides being a very busy guy as vizier and his other achievements, he was deified posthumously. Not sure if you've heard of him or seen his work? Have you seen the step pyramid? (See the Pyramid of Djoser shown above?) Imhotep designed that pyramid.

SandShadow $2.99 

by Suzanne Nikolaisen
Available on Kindle and Nook 
Michael lives alone in a crowded city where he is haunted by an extraordinary nightmare. He’s made some bad decisions and the woman he loves is halfway across the world. Time is running out to find what’s behind the paralyzing dreams and the presence that comes with them.

Drawn into an ancient society of watchers who say they know what’s hunting him, he begins to wonder if zombies are real. The answer is coming for him from the desert sands where it has never rested in peace.

"This was a good solid thrill."

- Steven, Amazon Reviewer

As autumn arrives I hope you have fun finding your favorite pumpkin shake and that you can carve out a minute, be it on your lunch break or curled up late at night, for a spooky read!

Suzanne

Sources Cited:
- Cotterell, Arthur. Macmillan Illustrated Encyclopedia of Myths and Legends. NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Company (1989): 105. Print.
- "Imhotep."  Wikipedia Web. 8 Oct. 2014
- Photograph "Pyramid of Djoser." Wikipedia Web. 8 Oct. 2014

SandShadow was written by Suzanne Nikolaisen. All rights reserved. Copyright 1998-2014.