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Love in the Valley of the Kings
Intelligent and lovely Emma Hayward is the pride and joy of her father, renowned archaeologist Rupert Hayward. Having graduated from college, Emma is intent on following in her father’s footsteps to become an archaeologist in her own right. After extensive research from decades of digging in Egypt, Rupert believes there remains an undiscovered intact tomb in the Valley of the Kings. With financial backing secured, Rupert decides to bring his family to Egypt, and Emma is thrilled to begin excavation on her first official dig. When the Haywards arrive in Egypt, Emma is introduced to the newest member of the excavation team, exotic and handsome Winston Spencer. Half-Egyptian and half-British, Winston finds himself drawn to the blond beauty, even though she is engaged to another man. Working and living together day in and day out, the two archaeologists find themselves falling in love amid the endless sand and sultry heat of Luxor. But as the team closes in on the tomb of the famed King Nebnenbuta, someone among them wants nothing more than to destroy it all. Emma and Winston must stop a killer before he strikes again, and before they lose their one chance at happiness.
350 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2015
138 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Italia
22 books152 followersNicola spent her childhood in Los Angeles. She graduated from university with a degree in communications and held a variety of positions in journalism, education, government and non profit.
Nicola has traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and Central America.
She currently has twenty one novels available at Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.
https://linktr.ee/authornicolaitalia
Nicola has traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and Central America.
She currently has twenty one novels available at Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble.
https://linktr.ee/authornicolaitalia
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 29, 2017
I lost my review last night when GR said it was doing maintenance. Note to self: copy and paste!
Despite giving this a low rating, the author has some interesting ideas, and I would consider reading books of hers further down the line. Maybe. If the writing has improved and if the price is right.
I was drawn to this by the setting, primarily. It is 1922 on an Egyptian archaeological dig. The time is a little later than what I typically read, but I do think it is an interesting time period. I love archeological settings - in movies and in books. There were some interesting dynamics - Victorian versus modern thought, inter-racial pairings, strong family bonds, and a college-educated female archaeologist. So the ingredients were right for something delicious, but she forgot the key ingredient - telling us a story.
In the end, there were some crazy storylines, two-dimensional characters, and two MCs that are going at it like rabbits with no consideration to pregnancy. Given the ingredients, this could have been Devine, but it was a tall order. It would be difficult to bring all this together for a seasoned author, and this author felt very green in many ways. She relied too much on stereotypes and the descriptions felt Generic. Many of the plot twists felt implausible, especially dealing with the villain. Also, the twists were often telegraphed, rather than subtlety foreshadowed. All in all, it just wasn't a satisfying read, which is disappointing.
Despite giving this a low rating, the author has some interesting ideas, and I would consider reading books of hers further down the line. Maybe. If the writing has improved and if the price is right.
I was drawn to this by the setting, primarily. It is 1922 on an Egyptian archaeological dig. The time is a little later than what I typically read, but I do think it is an interesting time period. I love archeological settings - in movies and in books. There were some interesting dynamics - Victorian versus modern thought, inter-racial pairings, strong family bonds, and a college-educated female archaeologist. So the ingredients were right for something delicious, but she forgot the key ingredient - telling us a story.
In the end, there were some crazy storylines, two-dimensional characters, and two MCs that are going at it like rabbits with no consideration to pregnancy. Given the ingredients, this could have been Devine, but it was a tall order. It would be difficult to bring all this together for a seasoned author, and this author felt very green in many ways. She relied too much on stereotypes and the descriptions felt Generic. Many of the plot twists felt implausible, especially dealing with the villain. Also, the twists were often telegraphed, rather than subtlety foreshadowed. All in all, it just wasn't a satisfying read, which is disappointing.
August 30, 2017
First and Last book by this author
I skimmed the last 25%. By that time, I really didn't care what happened; but I hate to not finish a book.
All of the characters were inconsistent but one-dimensional caricatures.
There was no romance or build up to events. Just wham bam thank you ma'am with descriptive erotic scenes.
I never liked Winston. Charles was no better, just different. In the beginning, I liked Emma and thought her too good for either man, but I lost respect for her too.
I skimmed the last 25%. By that time, I really didn't care what happened; but I hate to not finish a book.
All of the characters were inconsistent but one-dimensional caricatures.
There was no romance or build up to events. Just wham bam thank you ma'am with descriptive erotic scenes.
I never liked Winston. Charles was no better, just different. In the beginning, I liked Emma and thought her too good for either man, but I lost respect for her too.
December 25, 2019
It is the 1920ties and a young female archaeologist accompanies her father on a dig in Egypt joined by the rest of her family and some friends and colleagues of her father. There she meets a fellow archaeologist who is half English half Egyptian. Happily in love she suddenly is in the middle of danger when one of their team is murdered and it seems she is also a target.
It is a nice read but I am sure a normal excavation would take a lot longer but who cares. This is just escapism reading.
For the people who cannot stand sex in novels you best keep your heartbeat evenly and skip this novel as the couple does a lot of coupling.
It is a nice read but I am sure a normal excavation would take a lot longer but who cares. This is just escapism reading.
For the people who cannot stand sex in novels you best keep your heartbeat evenly and skip this novel as the couple does a lot of coupling.
August 26, 2017
Plot good...contains explicit sex scenes
I liked the plot, enjoyed the historical information. Characters really didn't come to life for me..rather boring themselves. so nuclear in many spots, as the pronouns at times left me wondering to whom the author was referring. But the sex was just sickening. They were short scenes, fairly detailed, but the large number of them made up for the detail. Would you watch a XXX rated movie? Then you shouldn't read this book. Pornography, in any form, is wrong. Winston didn't even have many morals, having sex several times with Zalika before having it with Emma.
I liked the plot, enjoyed the historical information. Characters really didn't come to life for me..rather boring themselves. so nuclear in many spots, as the pronouns at times left me wondering to whom the author was referring. But the sex was just sickening. They were short scenes, fairly detailed, but the large number of them made up for the detail. Would you watch a XXX rated movie? Then you shouldn't read this book. Pornography, in any form, is wrong. Winston didn't even have many morals, having sex several times with Zalika before having it with Emma.
September 29, 2017
The Sex Scenes Diminish This Book
I am used to historical romances mixing sex with the story line, but it was a jarring combination n this book. The setting and history were given a lot of attention and provided a backdrop for a growing love between Emma and Winston . But the sex scenes were graphic, unappealing and unbelievable for the time period. Parents would not be so sanguine and Emma would have been more closely chaperoned. It is too bad when the readers reaction is yuck instead of wondering what will happen next. I won't be bothering with other books by this author.
I am used to historical romances mixing sex with the story line, but it was a jarring combination n this book. The setting and history were given a lot of attention and provided a backdrop for a growing love between Emma and Winston . But the sex scenes were graphic, unappealing and unbelievable for the time period. Parents would not be so sanguine and Emma would have been more closely chaperoned. It is too bad when the readers reaction is yuck instead of wondering what will happen next. I won't be bothering with other books by this author.
July 4, 2024
Jay813
Nicola Italia writes books strewn with romance and suspense. This one takes place in Egypt involving an excavation where the heroine is an archeologist. Her female heroines in all her books are intelligent , feisty and of course beautiful. As always there is erotica between the two main characters which having read her other books I sometimes think her novels could stand alone without it .
Nicola Italia writes books strewn with romance and suspense. This one takes place in Egypt involving an excavation where the heroine is an archeologist. Her female heroines in all her books are intelligent , feisty and of course beautiful. As always there is erotica between the two main characters which having read her other books I sometimes think her novels could stand alone without it .
September 3, 2017
Wonderful romantic mystery
I felt as if I was in Egypt with the characters, love in the moonlight, murder and betrayal by the tombs- a never ending roller coaster ride of murder,mayhem and stolen kisses!
I felt as if I was in Egypt with the characters, love in the moonlight, murder and betrayal by the tombs- a never ending roller coaster ride of murder,mayhem and stolen kisses!
February 5, 2018
love this book. the time period, the adventure and the romance. I like the characters of the heroine and the hero. Emma and Winston slowly come together as a couple it's really sweet. lookng for more romance like these.
April 5, 2020
Engaging
Interesting read, though I felt there was more early 21st century in the book than early 20th century. I realize the dig was not the main focus of the book, but more detail would have been enlightening.
Interesting read, though I felt there was more early 21st century in the book than early 20th century. I realize the dig was not the main focus of the book, but more detail would have been enlightening.
August 19, 2017
Interesting
Lots of mystery and cliffhangers. Not at all boring like so many archeology books. Glad I bought and read it
Lots of mystery and cliffhangers. Not at all boring like so many archeology books. Glad I bought and read it
August 24, 2017
Excellent
I loved this book. I don't usually go for this type of book but it was a quick read. It grabbed my interest right from the start.
I loved this book. I don't usually go for this type of book but it was a quick read. It grabbed my interest right from the start.
August 27, 2017
While the writing is decent, the story isn't compelling and it basically is about their lovemaking. I was bored. Didnt finish.
September 6, 2017
Love , mystery &murder
The author nailed this story with intriguing and suspense in a land of antiquate and a fast moving plots of love and murder.
The author nailed this story with intriguing and suspense in a land of antiquate and a fast moving plots of love and murder.
September 17, 2017
Very, very good story.
December 14, 2017
Good idea about the daughter of an Egyptologist who follows in footsteps.
However there was far too much gratuitous sex which wasn't needed and ruined. I ended up skimming much of it.
However there was far too much gratuitous sex which wasn't needed and ruined. I ended up skimming much of it.
May 3, 2018
Read or re-read Elizabeth Peters instead. Silly characters and not much real archeology. Couldn't hold a candle to even the least enjoyable Amelia Peabody book.
July 2, 2019
What a complete waste of time! Thank goodness for KU, I would have been livid if I had paid any money for this absolute silly a** book.
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December 23, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/23/2020)! 🎁
September 26, 2017
This is a wildly wonderful book that has it all. It's set in the exotic location of Egypt and the pyramids, back in the 20s I believe. Wonderful characters and an awesome story. There's murders and mystery, and a great whodunit.
August 31, 2016
A great read!
Once again, I'm amazed at the talented writing of this gifted author, Nicola Italia. This is, yet, another example of her exceptional skill and creativity.
Using The Valley of the Kings in Egypt as the setting for a historical romance novel makes it all the more interesting. The main characters, Emma and Winston, draw you into their attraction for one another in a subtle build up into a steamy romance! Wow! Love it!
The early 1920's, women's rights, Victorian values, interracial relationships and archeological digs are all molded and shaped into this wonderful and suspenseful story.
I would highly recommend this very attractive novel to fans of historical romance fiction! Love Italia!
Once again, I'm amazed at the talented writing of this gifted author, Nicola Italia. This is, yet, another example of her exceptional skill and creativity.
Using The Valley of the Kings in Egypt as the setting for a historical romance novel makes it all the more interesting. The main characters, Emma and Winston, draw you into their attraction for one another in a subtle build up into a steamy romance! Wow! Love it!
The early 1920's, women's rights, Victorian values, interracial relationships and archeological digs are all molded and shaped into this wonderful and suspenseful story.
I would highly recommend this very attractive novel to fans of historical romance fiction! Love Italia!
November 27, 2015
I love historicals!!! Especially in the sands of Egypt!!!! The suspense was great and the heat of the desert and the heat between Emma and the Hunky Winston Spencer (wouldn't mind exploring tombs with him) was great! Can't wait to read more crimInally Italia!!!! I've already checked books out from my kindle! Thanks for goodreads!!! Thanks to Nicola for the nice card included with my book!! A must read for all!!!!
June 15, 2017
Another captivating novel by Nicola Italia. After reading my first novel by her, The Boston Girl, I did not know if this one would be as good. It was amazing. I felt like I was on the archaeological dig in Egypt with Emma and gang. Now I desire to go to Egypt. Like The Boston Girl, it was historical, a romance, and mystery rolled into one fabulous novel. Can't wait to get my hands on another novel by Italia.
July 5, 2016
I really love the early period novels, and this one was one that satisfied as it was set in the 1920's.
The lead character is a very intelligent woman and highly educated. I really enjoyed reading about the varying relationships of the main character in the novel, especially with both of her parents but it really struck a chord with me the relationship with the character's mother.
This novel has it all, suspense, mystery, danger and of course love.
The lead character is a very intelligent woman and highly educated. I really enjoyed reading about the varying relationships of the main character in the novel, especially with both of her parents but it really struck a chord with me the relationship with the character's mother.
This novel has it all, suspense, mystery, danger and of course love.
April 27, 2018
Emma has always wanted to go to Egypt and be part of one of her father's digs. She's been around the team for as long as she can remember and finally gets her dream realized! Winston lives in the world where he's not accepted as neither a Britain nor an Egyptian. He too gets the chance of a lifetime with Emma's father's dig. I liked the premise of this book, but thought that Emma was a bit before her time as far as being pretty promiscuous with the parents she has. I was happy there was plenty of intrigue and danger to balance out the quick to act romance. Overall, I was left with a pretty good feeling about the book and characters.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews