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Threads of the Lost Myth
Guardian of the Red Desert
WWII espionage in the North African desert.
An unholy alliance between myth and war.
And an American army nurse whose only weapon is the mercy of chaos.
As empires clash across the desert, Allied nurse Virginia Lenarsic tends the wounded at an outpost where every sandstorm hides a secret. When a mysterious woman delivers Ginny the burned flight log of Captain Cliff Floyd—the pilot she loved and lost—she's drawn into a shadow war of spies, double agents, and gods that refuse to stay buried.
The deeper she reads, the more she sabotage at the airbase, coded messages, and omens in the blood-red dust that whisper of something ancient stirring beneath the dunes. A reckless pilot, a missing friend, and a serpent-ringed conspiracy blur the line between devotion and destruction. To survive, Ginny must learn when to fight, when to show mercy, and when to let chaos do its work.
From the smoke-tinged glamour of Casablanca to the mythic dread of Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Penner, Guardian of the Red Desert is a sweeping tale of espionage, forbidden love, and the gods of war who still walk the earth.
Grab a free copy of the novella with sign up at www.janyretromp.com
An unholy alliance between myth and war.
And an American army nurse whose only weapon is the mercy of chaos.
As empires clash across the desert, Allied nurse Virginia Lenarsic tends the wounded at an outpost where every sandstorm hides a secret. When a mysterious woman delivers Ginny the burned flight log of Captain Cliff Floyd—the pilot she loved and lost—she's drawn into a shadow war of spies, double agents, and gods that refuse to stay buried.
The deeper she reads, the more she sabotage at the airbase, coded messages, and omens in the blood-red dust that whisper of something ancient stirring beneath the dunes. A reckless pilot, a missing friend, and a serpent-ringed conspiracy blur the line between devotion and destruction. To survive, Ginny must learn when to fight, when to show mercy, and when to let chaos do its work.
From the smoke-tinged glamour of Casablanca to the mythic dread of Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Penner, Guardian of the Red Desert is a sweeping tale of espionage, forbidden love, and the gods of war who still walk the earth.
Grab a free copy of the novella with sign up at www.janyretromp.com
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2025
About the author
Janyre Tromp
22 books337 followersJanyre Tromp is a bestselling historical novelist who loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. Her books include: Burning the Raven Tree, The Scorpion Thief, Darkness Calls the Tiger, and Shadows in the Mind’s Eye.
She’s also a book editor, children’s book author, and lives in Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric dog. Hang out with her on social media or through her newsletter (sign up on her website www.JanyreTromp.com).
She’s also a book editor, children’s book author, and lives in Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric dog. Hang out with her on social media or through her newsletter (sign up on her website www.JanyreTromp.com).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 1, 2026
This definitely has my interest piqued for the two full-length novels to follow! Historical fiction with a twist!
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February 3, 2026An easy-to-read, fast-paced story with lots of twists and thrills. Loved it!
December 20, 2025
Super excited to finally get another book by Janyre Tromp!
You only have to mention Casablanca once to get my attention!
Great, almost-fantasy historical mystery set in Africa during WW2. An absolute tangle of Egyptian myths and Nazi spies with a thread of romance. Definitely piqued my interest in the rest of the series.
I do wish I had a better understanding of Egyptian mythology going into the story. I might have to read up before the novel comes out in April. Other than that, my only quibble is that it is in 3rd person present tense. (Ok, not quibble, I hate 3rd person present tense. My brain does not work that way.)
*insert dramatic sigh here*
But, she's a great author and the premise is intriguing, so I will put a brave foot forward, shove aside my preferences, and try not go cross-eyed when the next book comes out.
If you like Egyptian mythology and mysteries, this series will be one to add to your TBR pile!
You only have to mention Casablanca once to get my attention!
Great, almost-fantasy historical mystery set in Africa during WW2. An absolute tangle of Egyptian myths and Nazi spies with a thread of romance. Definitely piqued my interest in the rest of the series.
I do wish I had a better understanding of Egyptian mythology going into the story. I might have to read up before the novel comes out in April. Other than that, my only quibble is that it is in 3rd person present tense. (Ok, not quibble, I hate 3rd person present tense. My brain does not work that way.)
*insert dramatic sigh here*
But, she's a great author and the premise is intriguing, so I will put a brave foot forward, shove aside my preferences, and try not go cross-eyed when the next book comes out.
If you like Egyptian mythology and mysteries, this series will be one to add to your TBR pile!
December 22, 2025
This short story reminded me a little of The Mummy and Raiders of the Lost Ark as Tromp takes us into the Egyptian desert in WW2 1943. Ginny is a war nurse whose airforce partner, Cliff, has gone missing on a mission, feared dead!
Tromp cleverly weaves together the mystery of the bedouin, ancient Egyptian mythology and WW2 spies into a compelling story that keeps you guessing. Ginny and her nursing partner, Carlotta are drawn into the mystery as the former is desperate to discover the truth about Cliff.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Tromp cleverly weaves together the mystery of the bedouin, ancient Egyptian mythology and WW2 spies into a compelling story that keeps you guessing. Ginny and her nursing partner, Carlotta are drawn into the mystery as the former is desperate to discover the truth about Cliff.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
December 24, 2025
Enjoy WW2 stories, especially ones set outside of Europe. This one is set in Egypt. The mythology elements added an interesting twist on a straight war tale. This is a short book but a lot is packed into it with love, spies, planes, shadowy characters and the diary entries give you more depth about one of the characters.
January 22, 2026
Janyre Tromp’s Guardian of the Red Desert is a breathtakingly original and utterly immersive thriller that masterfully blends the gritty realism of WWII North Africa with the haunting, atmospheric power of ancient myth. This is not just a war story or a love story; it is a mesmerizing tale where the line between human conflict and divine intervention blurs in the blood-red sand, creating a reading experience worthy of comparisons to Casablanca and the mythic dread of Jaime Jo Wright.
The novel’s heroine, Allied nurse Virginia “Ginny” Lenarsic, is a triumph of characterization. Stationed at a remote outpost, her world of duty and grief is shattered by the arrival of a burned flight log belonging to her lost love, Captain Cliff Floyd. This single artifact catapults her from the role of healer into a deadly “shadow war of spies, double agents, and gods.” Tromp excels at portraying Ginny’s transformation, arming her not with a gun, but with “the mercy of chaos,” making her journey one of profound moral and emotional intelligence.
The setting is a character in itself. The desert is alive, hiding secrets in its storms and whispering omens in its dust. The plot is a meticulously woven tapestry of sabotage, coded messages, and a “serpent-ringed conspiracy” that feels both historically plausible and eerily supernatural. The tension is relentless, pulling the reader through the “smoke-tinged glamour” of Casablanca to the existential dread of the dunes.
Tromp’s prose is elegant, evocative, and perfectly paced. She balances high-stakes espionage with deep emotional currents and a touch of the mythic that feels organic, not grafted on. It’s a story about love, loyalty, and the impossible choices faced in a world where both men and gods play for keeps.
Guardian of the Red Desert is a standout novel that defies easy genre categorization. It is a sweeping, intelligent, and deeply satisfying read that will captivate fans of historical fiction, thrillers, and mythic fantasy alike. A stunning achievement from a gifted storyteller.
The novel’s heroine, Allied nurse Virginia “Ginny” Lenarsic, is a triumph of characterization. Stationed at a remote outpost, her world of duty and grief is shattered by the arrival of a burned flight log belonging to her lost love, Captain Cliff Floyd. This single artifact catapults her from the role of healer into a deadly “shadow war of spies, double agents, and gods.” Tromp excels at portraying Ginny’s transformation, arming her not with a gun, but with “the mercy of chaos,” making her journey one of profound moral and emotional intelligence.
The setting is a character in itself. The desert is alive, hiding secrets in its storms and whispering omens in its dust. The plot is a meticulously woven tapestry of sabotage, coded messages, and a “serpent-ringed conspiracy” that feels both historically plausible and eerily supernatural. The tension is relentless, pulling the reader through the “smoke-tinged glamour” of Casablanca to the existential dread of the dunes.
Tromp’s prose is elegant, evocative, and perfectly paced. She balances high-stakes espionage with deep emotional currents and a touch of the mythic that feels organic, not grafted on. It’s a story about love, loyalty, and the impossible choices faced in a world where both men and gods play for keeps.
Guardian of the Red Desert is a standout novel that defies easy genre categorization. It is a sweeping, intelligent, and deeply satisfying read that will captivate fans of historical fiction, thrillers, and mythic fantasy alike. A stunning achievement from a gifted storyteller.
June 1, 2026
Enjoyed this intro to the larger series, Threads of the Lost Myth. The mysticism, the mystery, the duality of some characters was very nicely done.
One thing I found particularly enjoyable was the hints and foreshadowing for the other books in the series. It whetted my appetite to keep reading and see how many connections I can make.
I received a free copy from the author; this is my honest review.
One thing I found particularly enjoyable was the hints and foreshadowing for the other books in the series. It whetted my appetite to keep reading and see how many connections I can make.
I received a free copy from the author; this is my honest review.
January 29, 2026
In Guardian of the Red Desert, Tromp combines myth and mystery with real events from WWII. I was completely captivated by this story and only put it down once while I ate lunch! If you're on the fence about reading a WWII book set in Egypt (I was! I've only read them set in Europe.), jump off of the fence and dive in! I can't wait to read more of the Threads of the Lost Myth series!
January 31, 2026
This was a great read. Set in WWII Egypt, it is a tale where myth and espionage meet. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance and intrigue should give this a go. Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this free novella. I enjoyed it and have given my honest review.
January 17, 2026
Mystery, intrigue, a touch of romance, and some Egyptian mythology tossed in. Historical novella with a fantasy thread, set in World War II Egypt. Good descriptions.
February 6, 2026
This was a fun little jaunt into a WWII era fantasy type world. I’m excited to move on to the full-length novels in the series!
February 6, 2026
A uniquely written novella in a fun setting! Lots of intrigue and angst. ;)
February 12, 2026
Loved the combination of history and myths and adventure!
April 23, 2026
I really enjoyed the writing style, as well as the connections made between history and fantasy. Clever and well-written. This read had me invested from the beginning!
January 2, 2026
Great first read of the year! I love the characters, especially Ginny and Cliff, and Carlotta!! And the setting and plot too!
May 9, 2026
The writing is wonderful but I must not be a fan of mythology.
Fans of mythology should really enjoy this story!
Fans of mythology should really enjoy this story!
July 23, 2026
A bit hard to follow with the history and mythology mixed together. I was not keen on the story 3rd person but present tense. Felt awkward, and drew me out of story instead of in.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews