INSIDE THE MIND OF A WRITER

“Emshi!” the man ordered. “Get out! Go!”

He pointed to a large palm surrounded by scrub bushes and ordered them not to move from that spot. But for how long? They scrambled out of the car and without a word, huddled like a covey of quail, against a nearby palm tree. The shrouded figure stayed fixed in the back seat without looking their way, as though it were made of stone. The doors slammed shut moments before the driver of the car sped off up the dirt road until it could no longer be seen from where the boys stood. All three boys were still, until the oldest stepped out cautiously to the edge of the road just in time to see the rear tail lights of the car become dots in the darkening landscape. As he watched the dots disappear, he thought that the area seemed somewhat familiar.

The older boy had been to a farm once before that looked a lot like this. It was a remote part of the delta region along the Nile where there was not much else but farming.  And crocodiles. There were many abandoned limestone hovels where farming families had once lived before the government nationalized the country and took most of their property.

The boy snapped back from his thoughts just in time to see the car’s headlights moving back toward him. He dashed back to the palm tree and sat down next to his brothers, expecting that the driver returned to pick them up. Instead of stopping, the small black Mercedes, empty except for the driver, sped past them. A thick cloud of dust filled the air and small rocks went flying as it turned off the dirt road and back on to the pavement. Then suddenly, the car was gone, disappearing as fast as it had reappeared.

The youngest child started to sob. He was hungry and afraid. They’d all heard stories about crocodiles who still patrolled some banks along the Nile. The large beasts had never been captured or slain since the Aswan Dam had been built and so, they were left to breed and roam the areas along the vast river. They had to eat, too. There were tales that farm animals and even some farmers and their children who disappeared became their meals. The youngest child whined, lamenting that maybe their father left them there to be eaten by crocodiles. The two older boys tried to ignore him until his crying became unbearable. When one of the older boys threatened to throw him into the Nile, he quieted down.

The Nile wasn’t a quiet place at night. The squawking egrets and herons that intermittently interrupted an eerie concert of frogs made for an uneasiness that crept up their spines. There was another sound that faintly reached their ears. It was different than the others. Something about it sounded almost human. Like a woman. The shrill warning sounds of the mongoose could almost sound that way.

The eldest of the boys whispered, “Did you hear that?” No one answered. The younger two sat with their eyes wide.

The sound seemed to have come from far away but it was difficult to tell. The foliage and crops in the area created somewhat of a barrier – an effective means of blocking or distorting sound. Then, of course, there was the orchestra of birds and frogs adding to it. Their imaginations kept them rooted to their spot for a while. They craned their ears to listen for more, exchanging only looks with one another. At least two of the three boys thought that maybe the crocodile had taken a woman living along the river who might have been washing her clothes or bathing there.

The oldest boy didn’t believe in such tales. His intrigue about their circumstances over-rode his fear. He refused to believe that they had been abandoned or left there to die. He just didn’t want to share those thoughts with the other two. The driver of the car was alone when it left, which meant that he must have dropped his father and the mysterious passenger off somewhere not too far away. The driver would come back for his father, no matter what. He settled on the fact that the driver would be sure to come back to pick them up too, so he had little time to waste. 

I have a sequel to Sarai, titled Sarah. It's in the loop for editing, so stay tuned for announcements in the near future.  Sarah was shelved temproraily while I was sick and recovering. I know so many of you contacted me in anxious anticipation of its release and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your loyalty and patience.

In addition to my second book in the Sarah Somers Series, I have two other thrillers in the pipeline. 

I'm currently working on a couple of other novels. Justice from the Bench, is a novel that will rentlessly pursue the goal of providing my readers the thrills they "die" for and the edgy plot that grabs them by the seat of their pants as the story builds towards a climax. 

Another thriller I'm working on, Prey and Predator, was conceived from some real facts of an unsolved true story. I was made privy to some details by an individual who had access to and gained intimate, first-hand knowledge of someone who left behind what would be classified as very deviant possessions. The suspicious evidence was turned over to police, although there was no corroborating clues to suggest that any crimes had been committed. As a novelist with a vivid and dynamic imagination, it didn't take but an instant to begin developing those few bizarre details into the fictional background needed to begin creating this chilling novel. Names, places, and any other facts that might resemble or associate this story with real people have been changed out of respect for any privacy concerns. The story takes place in a city who has built a reputation as the most tolerant, alternate life-style-friendly mecca on the planet. But the mask it wears is dropped when it's discovered that one of their own is a torturous and brutal serial killer.

There's only one way to find out for yourself...order Sarai  today! On Kindle, Nook, iBooks, and more!

Donna   5.0 out of 5 stars

Can't wait for "Sarah"

Format: Kindle Edition Verified 

Just finished reading "Sarai" by first time author, Lilya Myers, and it was awesome!!
From the very first page, it drew me in and I did not want to put it down!! Each chapter flowed so easily into the next and I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I loved the characters (or hated some) and for me, that's what makes me looking forward to "Sarah Somers" and her next adventure!!

SStringer  5.0 out of 5 stars

Fantastic read!

Format: Kindle Edition Verified 

Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged in the plot. I found myself guessing and reevaluating who the villain would turn out to be in the end! I'm ready for book #2!!!

Bycbon   5.0 out of 5 stars    

Great story telling throughout the book

Format: Kindle EditionVerified 

I was caught off guard with the violence in the first chapter... but read on. Great story telling throughout the book. I am so glad I kept reading and can't wait until the next book in the series is available.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bychrisson 

A real page turner!

Format: Kindle EditionVerified 

I couldn't put it down. The author's writing style, her ability to set the visual stage, develop characters and weave an intriguing plot come together for an outstanding read!

4.0 out of 5 stars BySharon S Broadduson 

Great international suspense story

Format: PaperbackVerified

The multiple settings and story lines are well described and developed to the point I could imagine being in the locations and knowing the characters. While the main story line is regarding a serial killer, the story is not unnecessarily dark and the descriptions of the criminal (and perverse) acts are not graphic to the level of being repulsive. The author was true to the time setting for what forensic tools were available to law enforcement, which keeps the reader nervous and wondering if they would ever catch a break. The development of the characters and their interactions in this book left me looking forward to how those will continue in the next edition. The author eluded to many things that I expect will be more fully developed in the next book, making way for another great story line.