What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles #2
Secrets in the Sand
1335 B.C. Egypt is failing. Allies are leaving. War is inevitable.
The power struggle for the throne should have ended long ago, yet it rages onward, shrouded in conspiracy and murder. Pharaoh Akhenaten's plan to regain power from the priesthood of Amun is done, but his religious zeal has stripped the economy and the people’s morale.
Whisperings of rebellion fill the streets as enemies close in on Egypt’s borders, leaving Nefertiti to fend off political wolves as she attempts to stabilize the nation and keep her crown.
Secrets in the Sand is the second volume of Lauren Lee Merewether's debut series, The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles, a resurrection of an erased time following the five kings of Egypt who were lost to history for over three millennia. The story continues in book three: Scarab in the Storm.
The power struggle for the throne should have ended long ago, yet it rages onward, shrouded in conspiracy and murder. Pharaoh Akhenaten's plan to regain power from the priesthood of Amun is done, but his religious zeal has stripped the economy and the people’s morale.
Whisperings of rebellion fill the streets as enemies close in on Egypt’s borders, leaving Nefertiti to fend off political wolves as she attempts to stabilize the nation and keep her crown.
Secrets in the Sand is the second volume of Lauren Lee Merewether's debut series, The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles, a resurrection of an erased time following the five kings of Egypt who were lost to history for over three millennia. The story continues in book three: Scarab in the Storm.
- GenresHistorical FictionEgypt
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2019
366 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Lee Merewether
28 books129 followersLAUREN LEE MEREWETHER writes multi-genre romantic sagas inspired by ancient places, legends, and myths. She loves to delve into the shadows of the past, spinning slow-burn, closed door romantic narratives that merge the timeless passions of history with the mysteries of ancient mythologies. Her award-winning novels invite readers to explore the thrilling depths of legends, emotions, and humanity, spanning high-seas adventures to the splendors of ancient empires.
In her free time, Lauren loves to daydream about times long past while sipping green tea and watching the experts on Discovery unearth our ancestors' civilizations.
Go behind the scenes, say hello, and stay current with Lauren’s latest releases at www.LaurenLeeMerewether.com.
Follow and connect with Lauren on:
BookBub - bookbub.com/authors/lauren-lee-merewe...
Facebook - facebook.com/llmbooks
Instagram - instagram.com/llmbooks
Pinterest - pinterest.com/llmerewether/llm-books
Twitter - twitter.com/llmbooks
TikTok - tiktok.com/@llmbooks
Lemon8 - lemon8-app.com/@llmbooks
"Merewether’s up-close and empathetic narrative style is combined with the many sensations, family conflicts, and political struggles of an exciting plotline, making for an unstoppable read."
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
In her free time, Lauren loves to daydream about times long past while sipping green tea and watching the experts on Discovery unearth our ancestors' civilizations.
Go behind the scenes, say hello, and stay current with Lauren’s latest releases at www.LaurenLeeMerewether.com.
Follow and connect with Lauren on:
BookBub - bookbub.com/authors/lauren-lee-merewe...
Facebook - facebook.com/llmbooks
Instagram - instagram.com/llmbooks
Pinterest - pinterest.com/llmerewether/llm-books
Twitter - twitter.com/llmbooks
TikTok - tiktok.com/@llmbooks
Lemon8 - lemon8-app.com/@llmbooks
"Merewether’s up-close and empathetic narrative style is combined with the many sensations, family conflicts, and political struggles of an exciting plotline, making for an unstoppable read."
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 24, 2019
Secrets in the Sand (The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Book 2) is a marvelous historical fiction. Ms. Merewether is an adept storyteller. She brings to life the characters and location in an intriguing and entertaining way.
If you like historical fiction especially about Egypt, I recommend this book.
If you like historical fiction especially about Egypt, I recommend this book.
August 21, 2019
Secrets in the Sand is a thrilling installment of the story Mrs. Merewether is telling of the inner workings of the palace of Pharaoh Akhenaten and those who follow him-no spoilers here though. Told at first through the eyes of Nefertiti, this story placed me as a fly in the wall of court intrigue. Each of the characters is so carefully drawn and fleshed out that it seems as if this must have been exactly what happened. :D The author has obviously studied the history of this period thoroughly and has made some very logical assumptions to weave a story of the “Lost Pharaohs” that is convincing. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment of the series!
August 25, 2019
This is another captivating volume in a riveting historical fiction series written by a very talented author. The book continues the story of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti begun in the first book of the series. It is a rich and detailed account of life in ancient Egypt, with its political intrigues and social complexities. The author did an amazing job bringing the time period to life and constructing a story based on the few known facts about the era. The historical notes at the end of the novel were especially helpful for understanding the depth of research behind this story. The author is clearly passionate about her subject. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well written historical fiction!
September 29, 2019
Salvation in the Sun set the bar high, but this sequel did not disappoint me. Very well-researched, excellently written and highly readable, I enjoyed it from the beginning. These books may be styled as novels, but they provide a fascinating take on a world many of us know little about. It’s an eerie, surreal feeling, knowing that these people existed a long, long time ago and had lives and loves and feelings and fears, just like us. The author captures it all beautifully, and I find I learn while I’m reading, which gives the experience additional depth.
October 2, 2019
Love and Heartaches
This is a good book.I enjoyed reading it.It was very educational of the ancestors Egyptian culture. Some of the actions of the characters blowed my mind.If you want to read a good love story with a lot of twist and turns.This is the book.I cant wait until the next book comes out.
This is a good book.I enjoyed reading it.It was very educational of the ancestors Egyptian culture. Some of the actions of the characters blowed my mind.If you want to read a good love story with a lot of twist and turns.This is the book.I cant wait until the next book comes out.
May 7, 2020
This series!
You did it again!!! I love this series. I am definitely going to order the paperbacks of it that is how good it is. I am excited to read the prequel to get know Pasha’s story a little more. I live your imagination on what you think happened. I love that Nefertiti found love despite costing her life and her first born son to have to pass away as well. I can’t wait to read the last book on the series.
You did it again!!! I love this series. I am definitely going to order the paperbacks of it that is how good it is. I am excited to read the prequel to get know Pasha’s story a little more. I live your imagination on what you think happened. I love that Nefertiti found love despite costing her life and her first born son to have to pass away as well. I can’t wait to read the last book on the series.
July 4, 2020
I admit I've never been much of a history buff. But perhaps I just didn't have the right teachers? Wow! Ms. Merewether did her research!! Ancient Egypt and Nefertiti came to life for me--and I learned so much. Not only was this read a great history lesson but a very well-written and entertaining one at that. And I really liked the chapter titles too, a nice touch, and helped this "non-history fan" navigate through a part of ancient history I knew nothing about. As did the "A look into the past" section at the end--much appreciated and helpful. I better go back and read the first book now!
February 2, 2020
A must read!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books of this series, I can't wait to read the next 2!! Ms. Merewether is an amazing historical novel writer. I felt I was in Egypt while
reading. I know she tried to write as closed to the real history as she could. Please support her. Blessings to you all!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books of this series, I can't wait to read the next 2!! Ms. Merewether is an amazing historical novel writer. I felt I was in Egypt while
reading. I know she tried to write as closed to the real history as she could. Please support her. Blessings to you all!
October 26, 2019
This book is awesome! The author places you in the setting as if you are with the characters and experience life as it was then. She definitely used adjectives to their greatest meaning. I love reading her books and I love Egyptian history. Also, you can pick up a lot of information while reading this. I
recommend this book highly!
recommend this book highly!
August 28, 2019
Magical
I've always been a huge fan of Egyptian historical fiction. I didn't think I would fall in love with the genre again. Putting the glossary at the beginning of the book is a brilliant and helpful move for a book that's rich with historical and cultural facts. "Secrets in the Sand" is truly magical.
I've always been a huge fan of Egyptian historical fiction. I didn't think I would fall in love with the genre again. Putting the glossary at the beginning of the book is a brilliant and helpful move for a book that's rich with historical and cultural facts. "Secrets in the Sand" is truly magical.
August 25, 2019
Lauren Lee Merewether provides an exciting continuation of The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles in her second book in the series. Again, the reader is captivated by an intriguing tale of ancient Egypt that is hard to put down. Eagerly awaiting her next book!
January 15, 2020
Wow
I must say this book had me all in my emotions. Such a sad story but I couldn't put it down. I loved every bit of it
I must say this book had me all in my emotions. Such a sad story but I couldn't put it down. I loved every bit of it
May 4, 2023
Lauren Lee Merewether’s first historical fiction, Blood of Toma,was nominated for a Montaigne Medal. She was also a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in Historical Fiction and a Readers’ Favorite Award in Young Adult-Thriller.
Though Secrets In The Sand is the second book in The Lost Pharaoh ChroniclesSeries it is a stand-alone book. It includes a Glossary, a section devoted to Concepts/Items, Gods, Places, and People. A Prologue serves as an introduction to the novel.
When the heir apparent, Thutmose, dies unexpectedly his brother Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten succeeds his father, Amenhotep III, to the throne. Expected to marry Thutmose, Nefertiti then marries his brother. She gives birth to six girls, King Tut having a different mother.
Pharaoh Akhenaten abolished Egypt’s polytheistic religious structure and made it illegal to worship the old gods; the Pharaoh created his own monotheistic religion centered on one god, the Aten (or Aton), the sun disk. He moved the capital. The end of royal people’s names changed to reflect obedience to the Aten. Example: Queen Nefertiti became Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti. Upheaval flourished as the Egyptian priests and the populace revolted against this change.
One of the most controversial, if not the most controversial, period in Egyptian history is retold by this masterful author. Ms. Merewether’s in-depth research and ability to weave a convincing yarn gives us a glimpse into the life and times of those of whom she writes.
History of this period is vague due to a detail spoken of in both Book 1 and 2 called erasure. For centuries we had no knowledge of these individuals. Their temples were destroyed, their faces blurted out. They were effectively removed from memory – until the 19thand 20thcentury. And, even now, archaeologists, Egyptologists, geneticists, etc. continue to search for pieces to the puzzle.
Due to erasure and limited records there was plenty of opportunity for the author to use her skill in creating characters and situations that could have taken place. The real life individuals are expounded upon. The situations she puts them in are events that, given the historical data we currently have at hand, are a distinct possibility. The presumed inner workings and complexities of the royal house, its laws, its intrigue, its unexpected deaths, are all investigated.
One of the things I love about this writer is the copious notes she provides. It is apparent the amount of time and research that she puts into her pieces and how passionate she is about her work.
Most people are familiar with King Tut’s golden funerary mask. From this depiction we all are left to believe that the child Pharaoh was good looking and healthy, not so. This book and current research reveals that Queen Nerfititi “… observed the boy’s sickly appearance: his club foot, his exaggerated overbite, his somewhat bent spine, his pale skin; this cherished boy, who’d had to walk with a cane, and whom her husband hadn’t even named as his successor, despite thinking it was worth betraying their bed to produce a son.”
If King Tut or this controversial period of ancient history is of interest to you you may want to pick up this book. I do not think you will be disappointed.
I highly recommended this.
Susan Piazza, a Navy veteran, is an author, columnist, and blogger.
Though Secrets In The Sand is the second book in The Lost Pharaoh ChroniclesSeries it is a stand-alone book. It includes a Glossary, a section devoted to Concepts/Items, Gods, Places, and People. A Prologue serves as an introduction to the novel.
When the heir apparent, Thutmose, dies unexpectedly his brother Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten succeeds his father, Amenhotep III, to the throne. Expected to marry Thutmose, Nefertiti then marries his brother. She gives birth to six girls, King Tut having a different mother.
Pharaoh Akhenaten abolished Egypt’s polytheistic religious structure and made it illegal to worship the old gods; the Pharaoh created his own monotheistic religion centered on one god, the Aten (or Aton), the sun disk. He moved the capital. The end of royal people’s names changed to reflect obedience to the Aten. Example: Queen Nefertiti became Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti. Upheaval flourished as the Egyptian priests and the populace revolted against this change.
One of the most controversial, if not the most controversial, period in Egyptian history is retold by this masterful author. Ms. Merewether’s in-depth research and ability to weave a convincing yarn gives us a glimpse into the life and times of those of whom she writes.
History of this period is vague due to a detail spoken of in both Book 1 and 2 called erasure. For centuries we had no knowledge of these individuals. Their temples were destroyed, their faces blurted out. They were effectively removed from memory – until the 19thand 20thcentury. And, even now, archaeologists, Egyptologists, geneticists, etc. continue to search for pieces to the puzzle.
Due to erasure and limited records there was plenty of opportunity for the author to use her skill in creating characters and situations that could have taken place. The real life individuals are expounded upon. The situations she puts them in are events that, given the historical data we currently have at hand, are a distinct possibility. The presumed inner workings and complexities of the royal house, its laws, its intrigue, its unexpected deaths, are all investigated.
One of the things I love about this writer is the copious notes she provides. It is apparent the amount of time and research that she puts into her pieces and how passionate she is about her work.
Most people are familiar with King Tut’s golden funerary mask. From this depiction we all are left to believe that the child Pharaoh was good looking and healthy, not so. This book and current research reveals that Queen Nerfititi “… observed the boy’s sickly appearance: his club foot, his exaggerated overbite, his somewhat bent spine, his pale skin; this cherished boy, who’d had to walk with a cane, and whom her husband hadn’t even named as his successor, despite thinking it was worth betraying their bed to produce a son.”
If King Tut or this controversial period of ancient history is of interest to you you may want to pick up this book. I do not think you will be disappointed.
I highly recommended this.
Susan Piazza, a Navy veteran, is an author, columnist, and blogger.
March 6, 2021
Secrets in the Sand - Akhenaten becomes fully mad and beautiful Nefertiti becomes more powerful and the actual ruler.
This is the second book of four book in “The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles” series authored by Lauren Lee Merewether. In this series she talks about a period in New Kingdom of Pharaonic Egypt where Dynasty 18 rulers Amenhotep-III, Akhenaten, Smenkhare, Nefertiti, Tutankhamen, Ay, Horemheb ruled the unified Egypt. This is somewhere about BC 1390 – 1295. Once Horemheb became Pharaoh he decided to erase from Egyptian history the records of Akhenaten to Aye, so a lot of details were lost from the temple engravings and statues except the magnificent discovery of Tutankhamen’s untouched tomb by Haward Carter in 1922.
A lot of people have written about this period with fictionized stories about conspiracies behind death of boy king Tutankhamun and the related people and passing of throne to non-blood people like Aye and Horemheb, Lauren is one among them.
The second book is a continuation of the conspiracy of Pawah and his wife Bektaten against Aten-ism and Akhenaten/Nefertiti clan. Nefertiti is forced to poison Akhenaten as Egypt falls by the misrule of Akhenaten and people led by Pawah rebels.
This is the second book of four book in “The Lost Pharaoh Chronicles” series authored by Lauren Lee Merewether. In this series she talks about a period in New Kingdom of Pharaonic Egypt where Dynasty 18 rulers Amenhotep-III, Akhenaten, Smenkhare, Nefertiti, Tutankhamen, Ay, Horemheb ruled the unified Egypt. This is somewhere about BC 1390 – 1295. Once Horemheb became Pharaoh he decided to erase from Egyptian history the records of Akhenaten to Aye, so a lot of details were lost from the temple engravings and statues except the magnificent discovery of Tutankhamen’s untouched tomb by Haward Carter in 1922.
A lot of people have written about this period with fictionized stories about conspiracies behind death of boy king Tutankhamun and the related people and passing of throne to non-blood people like Aye and Horemheb, Lauren is one among them.
The second book is a continuation of the conspiracy of Pawah and his wife Bektaten against Aten-ism and Akhenaten/Nefertiti clan. Nefertiti is forced to poison Akhenaten as Egypt falls by the misrule of Akhenaten and people led by Pawah rebels.
April 8, 2025
I really enjoy reading about Egyptian stories, fiction or non-fiction. This book is the second in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles series.
In 1335 B.C. Egypt is failing. Allies are leaving. War is inevitable.
Pharaoh Akhenaten’s plan to regain power from the priesthood of Amun is done. But his religious zeal has stripped the economy and the people’s morale. The power struggle for the throne should have ended long ago, yet it rages onward, shrouded in conspiracy and murder.
Whispers of rebellion fill the streets as enemies close in on Egypt’s borders, leaving Nefertiti to fend off political wolves as she attempts to stabilize the nation and keep her crown.
Follow along in this story and you won’t be disappointed with the turmoil during these possible events of scheming, murder, death and secrets of the Pharaoh’s.
In 1335 B.C. Egypt is failing. Allies are leaving. War is inevitable.
Pharaoh Akhenaten’s plan to regain power from the priesthood of Amun is done. But his religious zeal has stripped the economy and the people’s morale. The power struggle for the throne should have ended long ago, yet it rages onward, shrouded in conspiracy and murder.
Whispers of rebellion fill the streets as enemies close in on Egypt’s borders, leaving Nefertiti to fend off political wolves as she attempts to stabilize the nation and keep her crown.
Follow along in this story and you won’t be disappointed with the turmoil during these possible events of scheming, murder, death and secrets of the Pharaoh’s.
June 2, 2021
This book hold a special place in my heart because I absolutely love Egypt in every way shape and form and finding this series was a dream come true for me, even though this series follows the line of Akenaten and the Pharoh's that came after I know the sadness and hardship that came for each Pharaoh, that being said we never know what happens to the queen's of Egypt and this book series gives you those what ifs that I have been enjoying and don't plan to stop reading them anytime soon.
May 22, 2021
Fascinating
An interesting read about a little-known period of Egypt’s history. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it and the series.
An interesting read about a little-known period of Egypt’s history. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it and the series.
October 1, 2022
A well presented look at what the reign of Nefertiti might have been like - and all the squabbling and soap opera worthy drama sounded highly likely - times change, people don't!
October 28, 2024
Will He or Will He Not
And the saga continues. The twists and turns keep you flipping to the next page. You think you know what is coming next, and then SURPRISE!
And the saga continues. The twists and turns keep you flipping to the next page. You think you know what is coming next, and then SURPRISE!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews