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The Wishing Cup
Orphaned as a boy and brought up by the crusty, disapproving Edward Collins, Dr. David Jameson may not know much about love, but he makes up for it with an encyclopedic knowledge of Egyptian history and language. Too bad his job as linguist for a team excavating in the Valley of the Kings puts him right under Edward's nose. When the discovery of a rare artifact leads to a disagreement between guardian and ward, Jeremiah McKee, the team's American benefactor, sends no-nonsense Jake Tanner to protect his investment.
David's disappointment at not meeting McKee fades quickly in the heat of his intense desire for Tanner, who seems to be the only member of the team to give credence to his ideas. Push comes to shove when Edward discovers the burgeoning romance between David and Jake, but not everything is as it seems. Will David and Jake find more in Egypt than sand and strife? Something that, like the pyramids at Giza, will stand the test of time?
David's disappointment at not meeting McKee fades quickly in the heat of his intense desire for Tanner, who seems to be the only member of the team to give credence to his ideas. Push comes to shove when Edward discovers the burgeoning romance between David and Jake, but not everything is as it seems. Will David and Jake find more in Egypt than sand and strife? Something that, like the pyramids at Giza, will stand the test of time?
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2011
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 13, 2012
Reviewed By BlackTulip for Booked Up
As long as I can remember, the early 1900s' combined with Egyptian archaeology have always fascinated me.
This novella is a romantic and passionate love story. It was very entertaining to read but it could have been better if it were a little bit longer.
The plot is rather simple but not uninteresting and I found the writing style quite satisfying. On the other hand I would have liked more descriptions about the site itself, a bit more history too; it would had given this book more substance.
The two main characters David and Jack are both very appealing. David is a brilliant young Egyptologist but rather under-appreciated, in particular by his guardian, a stiff and cold bully of a man who is in charge of the dig. Jake Tanner is overseeing it on the behalf of American philanthropist McKee who's funding it. Very quickly Jake develops protective feelings for David. Their interaction is convincing enough but again it lacks depth.
At one point Jake has to leave but there is a surprising little twist when he comes back.
Overall The Wishing Cup was an interesting read that was able to give a good idea of what it must have been like...
I give it a 3.5/5.
As long as I can remember, the early 1900s' combined with Egyptian archaeology have always fascinated me.
This novella is a romantic and passionate love story. It was very entertaining to read but it could have been better if it were a little bit longer.
The plot is rather simple but not uninteresting and I found the writing style quite satisfying. On the other hand I would have liked more descriptions about the site itself, a bit more history too; it would had given this book more substance.
The two main characters David and Jack are both very appealing. David is a brilliant young Egyptologist but rather under-appreciated, in particular by his guardian, a stiff and cold bully of a man who is in charge of the dig. Jake Tanner is overseeing it on the behalf of American philanthropist McKee who's funding it. Very quickly Jake develops protective feelings for David. Their interaction is convincing enough but again it lacks depth.
At one point Jake has to leave but there is a surprising little twist when he comes back.
Overall The Wishing Cup was an interesting read that was able to give a good idea of what it must have been like...
I give it a 3.5/5.
July 7, 2011
LOL, this was soooo fun to write!
November 5, 2011
3,5 stars
A sweet,romantic and well written story in a historical setting.
A sweet,romantic and well written story in a historical setting.
October 15, 2016
2.5 stars
December 12, 2018
This was an awesome book, very well-written and beautiful love story. Really loved it. The connection between those two was so pure so real. and the historical and archaeological aspect was a plus too.
Wish she writes more books.
Wish she writes more books.
October 14, 2012
I enjoyed this historical novella set in the 1920s.
Obviously it's heavily based on the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, but enjoyable nevertheless. The author does state this in the preface, so it's not as if she's being sneaky about it.
I did find it odd (and a bit uncomfortable) that J.M. Gryffyn paraphrased Carnarvon's words on peeking through into Tutankhamun's tomb for the first time: "I see wonderful things" was changed to "I see the most remarkable things". This rather uncomfortable feeling made me dock a star; it was just a trifle too scissors-and-paste at times. Whilst anything written about Ancient Egypt and the Western obsession with it must be derivative in light of the relatively small amount of remaining evidence, I do feel it stayed rather too close to the original writings when using such close paraphrasing.
The writing was decent throughout. The more books I read where this isn't the case, the more I'm glad when it is. I was a trifle relieved to find David 'manned up' a bit with time, though I could understand why he was a rather wimpy young man at first due to his downtrodden upbringing by his godfather, I do not like whiny, crying males as they feel like chicks with dicks. Jake, however, was just yummy throughout. :)
I would definitely buy this author's future work, as this is a very solid first attempt. I think she should have the confidence to write without a template next time, because she obviously has the skills to improve. Like anything we try, it's always better the second time around.
There's a really nice cover on this one (5 stars for that), with appropriate costumes and models. It's Anne Cain, so no surprise there.
Obviously it's heavily based on the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, but enjoyable nevertheless. The author does state this in the preface, so it's not as if she's being sneaky about it.
I did find it odd (and a bit uncomfortable) that J.M. Gryffyn paraphrased Carnarvon's words on peeking through into Tutankhamun's tomb for the first time: "I see wonderful things" was changed to "I see the most remarkable things". This rather uncomfortable feeling made me dock a star; it was just a trifle too scissors-and-paste at times. Whilst anything written about Ancient Egypt and the Western obsession with it must be derivative in light of the relatively small amount of remaining evidence, I do feel it stayed rather too close to the original writings when using such close paraphrasing.
The writing was decent throughout. The more books I read where this isn't the case, the more I'm glad when it is. I was a trifle relieved to find David 'manned up' a bit with time, though I could understand why he was a rather wimpy young man at first due to his downtrodden upbringing by his godfather, I do not like whiny, crying males as they feel like chicks with dicks. Jake, however, was just yummy throughout. :)
I would definitely buy this author's future work, as this is a very solid first attempt. I think she should have the confidence to write without a template next time, because she obviously has the skills to improve. Like anything we try, it's always better the second time around.
There's a really nice cover on this one (5 stars for that), with appropriate costumes and models. It's Anne Cain, so no surprise there.
May 18, 2011
3.5 stars
What excites me the most about this novella is the whole archeological digging expedition. I enjoy reading Agatha Christie's novels with that kind of setting (but of course, usually there will be murder happening :p).
I think young David is wonderful. He is a smart cookie, but being deprived of love of parents in the age of eight and then whisked away to boarding school might not do well for his self-confidence. I just want to hug him most times. Jake Tanner, on the other hand, is more seasoned -- being almost twenty years older. I'm not such a huge fan of May/December type of story, but Jake doesn't feel that old, and I like that he ease David out of his shyness and simply protects the young man.
The sex is soft, the kisses sweet ... might not be a strong romance due to the setting (since it is more about the expedition) but I enjoy it nevertheless. As a debut story, I like it.
What excites me the most about this novella is the whole archeological digging expedition. I enjoy reading Agatha Christie's novels with that kind of setting (but of course, usually there will be murder happening :p).
I think young David is wonderful. He is a smart cookie, but being deprived of love of parents in the age of eight and then whisked away to boarding school might not do well for his self-confidence. I just want to hug him most times. Jake Tanner, on the other hand, is more seasoned -- being almost twenty years older. I'm not such a huge fan of May/December type of story, but Jake doesn't feel that old, and I like that he ease David out of his shyness and simply protects the young man.
The sex is soft, the kisses sweet ... might not be a strong romance due to the setting (since it is more about the expedition) but I enjoy it nevertheless. As a debut story, I like it.
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June 11, 2012Find more reviews like this at Our Story: GLBTQ Historical Fiction at GLBT Bookshelf www.glbtbookshelf.com .
David is a gifted linguist with particular expertise in the language of Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately his translations at a tomb contradict his dictatorial guardian's conclusions about the archaeological dig they are on. Fortunately the representative of the vastly wealthy man who is bankrolling the dig shows up to observe. Jake Tanner is very interested in David's conclusions.. and also David. This story with an unexpected twist is light and satisfying,.
David is a gifted linguist with particular expertise in the language of Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately his translations at a tomb contradict his dictatorial guardian's conclusions about the archaeological dig they are on. Fortunately the representative of the vastly wealthy man who is bankrolling the dig shows up to observe. Jake Tanner is very interested in David's conclusions.. and also David. This story with an unexpected twist is light and satisfying,.
October 29, 2013
I loved the whole idea of an unknown benefactor and the story behind the Wishing Cup. The whole story is very well written and all the mysteries are solved in the exact right time. Absolutely recommendable!
June 7, 2016
I liked the Egyptology and the discussions of such. I learned a little bit! I liked Jake and Daniel and thought they fit well together. The story overall was good, but a little predictable. I nice little story.
May 18, 2011
This was 2 - 3 stars for me, but I have a thing for Egyptology and archaeology so...
July 2, 2012
Очень миленько. Я так понимаю, автор еще только начинает писать, но задатки хороши.
February 21, 2016
Interesting setting. Egypt at an archaeology site in the 20s.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews