Book excerpt: Mysterious Kemet - Book I is a collection of mysteries anchored in different periods of ancient Egyptian history. Tempered in the fire of passion, greed, revenge, and ambition, this collection offers the following five stories. A Prayer to OsirisIntef wishes to be Pharaoh, and he would be, if it weren't for his niece Neferu and nephew Mentuhotep. The only way he can win this game of political senet is by winning Neferu's heart and marrying her. But before he can accomplish any of it, Osiris must answer his prayers. What he doesn't expect is that Osiris might give him exactly what he asks for. Imhotep's Secret DrawerDisturbed by the inexplicable disappearance of someone he secretly loves, Imhotep, the architect and builder of the Step Pyramid, opens the hidden compartment in his work desk and finds something shocking. Left with a gruesome memento, Imhotep must learn a terrible truth about the woman he desires and accept the consequences. The Pharaoh's EarSunamun, a junior sculptor in Thutmose's workshop, is enamored by the beauty of Queen Nefertiti. When he stumbles upon a secret rendezvous between Thutmose and a mystery woman, he is pulled into witnessing and assisting the power struggle following the death of Akhenaten, which eventually leads him to discover two truths that he must never tell. The Savior of EdfuWhen his lost love beckons, Ankhtifi, the nomarch of Nekhen sees an opportunity in Edfu, which neglected by its nomarch Khuy, has fallen into poverty and anarchy. An elaborate plan, carefully woven into the carnal adventures of Khuy and his mad brother, is executed with finesse. The plan begets its goal and Edfu is saved, but Edfu's gain turns out to be Ankhtifi's loss. The Keeper of SecretsAnen, an artist who works at the building site of Djeser Djeseru is the favorite pupil of Senenmut, the Master builder. He is also the secret lover of Senenmut's mistress. As he toils over the relief of the Punt expedition and prepares himself for the visit of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, a mysterious man turns his life upside down.