New! Second Edition ONLY $2.99 on kindle!

Visit our homepage: www.secretofthesands.com

2009 ReadersFavorite.com "Fiction-Mystery" Silver Medalist
SECRET OF THE SANDS combines alternate historical fiction & speculative sci-fi to explore ancient Egypt and the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza

- written by Rai Aren & Tavius E.

Here's the link to buy the first edition trade paperback: ON SALE NOW! Secret of the Sands mystery novel on Amazon.com

And ON SALE NOW at Barnes & Noble:
Purchase Secret of the Sands adventure novel also ON SALE NOW at Barnes & Noble!

Our first edition (original) cover:

SECRET OF THE SANDS is an Indiana Jones type of adventure novel where the reader is treated to two adventures-in-one as it weaves back and forth between a royal family with a potentially deadly secret in ancient Egypt and the adventures of a couple of modern-day archaeologists on a mission to uncover an amazing artifact that could change the world!

SECRET OF THE SANDS is a little bit like mixing INDIANA JONES + THE MUMMY + NATIONAL TREASURE, and it even has shades of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Golden Compass in it.




SECRET OF THE SANDS would make an INCREDIBLE summer BLOCKBUSTER on the big screen - it has adventure, action, humor, romance, ancient mysteries, deadly battles, and SPECTACULAR special effects possibilities!!! IMAX 3D!!

AND - it's suitable for ages 12 to 112!! :)

Secret of the Sands ancient Egypt book has made numerous appearances as an Amazon.com BESTSELLER in multiple categories, including "Fantasy-Historical", "Suspense", "Books, Religion & Spirituality, Fiction", "Ancient Civilizations", "Action & Adventure" and "Historical Fiction"!! As debut novelists, we are thrilled about these accomplishments! Our readers mean the world to us!!

“This is my kind of book. Please, please make a continuing series and a movie! The authors are extremely talented. I cannot praise this book enough. Fast paced, page turner, character development, fascinating plot…what more could I ask for.”

“Their detailed storytelling paints a picture of ancient Egypt in all its glory. The reader feels they are a part of the book, living amongst the Kierani people. The end of the novel leaves the reader curious and wanting more. This reader can hardly wait for the sequel, Destiny of the Sands.”

“This is a WOW of a book!!...For those of us who are lovers of the ancient worlds, Egypt, present and past, archaeology, the metaphysical, and mystical happenings, this is a great choice for you.”

“This is a beautifully written book and I enjoyed reading it very much, and I would readily recommend it to anyone looking for a good story to read.”

"This novel is innovative, concise and enthralling. Fluctuating between present day and ancient Egypt, the pace never decelerates. The reader is treated to plausible theories regarding many riddles of this mysterious civilization. This time-honored culture is so clearly portrayed with characters which are so skillfully brought to life that one can easily imagine they are actually present as events are unfolding. The story comes to a clear conclusion yet leaves the reader desperately hoping there will be a sequel…. or a trilogy…. or even better yet, a whole series of these phenomenal books!”

“The authors have successfully woven a story based on archeological events mixed with their own ideas of what happened to the Sphinx and the mysteries surrounding it.”

“Rai Aren & Tavius E. write a spellbinding mix of mystery, history, fantasy, and adventure in this tale of two histories - one told in the present, the other told from the past - telling a story of misused power, learning how to trust, and the fate of civilization.”

"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion."

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction."

“Secret of the Sands has BLOCKBUSTER written all over it! …Fans of what might be called the "Indiana Jones" genre of fiction will be thrilled with Secret of the Sands. Like a race horse on steroids it blasts out of the gate in the opening prologue and doesn't stop running until it reaches the finish line. This remarkably well conceived and well executed first-time novel by Rai Aren and her co-author, Tavius E. is loaded with adventure, prophecy, mystery, secrets, deception, epic-scale battles, romance, good guys, bad guys, liars, cheaters, scoundrels, and, of course, heroes…Secret of the Sands is a thrill-ride…”

“The description that initially comes to mind is Indiana Jones, with a bit of Stargate, Mummy, and 5th Element, yet remaining completely unique. Secret of the Sands is an excitingly vivid, page-turning adventure infused with history, humor, and excitement. Rai Aren and Tavius E. have created a spectacular story with characters that I just love or simply love to hate. Like National Treasure, there is just enough historical and scientific fact mixed in to make the fictional story plausible and fun. And what a wonderful way to spotlight archaeological theories that have lost the public eye. I kept wanting to read and, by half-way through, I didn't want to put it down. Secret of the Sands was a thrill ride until the very end and I loved every minute of it!”

“Secrets, deceit and lies can make almost any novel exciting. But, add to that, two stories simultaneously told then throw in some romance, science fiction and a power struggle and what do you get? A true page turner that takes you on one heck of a journey.”

“The pacing is flawless, the characters well-defined, the history thoroughly researched. The authors have done their homework, and I can't wait for the sequel. I would enthusiastically recommend this novel to anyone who wants a real page-turner!”

“This book bounces back and forth in a fascinating balance between modern day archeologists and a theoretical civilization from 12,000 years ago…The story is told in a deft, yet casual style that makes it accessible and fun for any reader.”

“The authors take us on a wild rollercoaster ride full of secrets, romance, lust, seduction, loyalty, royalty and deception that takes place 12,000 years ago where all is not as it seems. Two modern day Indiana Jones type archaeologists discover the secret of the sands and unravel the mysteries and dangers the secret holds.”

“I'd recommend this to anyone who is enchanted by ancient civilizations and the mysteries of how things might have come to be, such as why and how the Sphinx was constructed.”

“Secret of the Sands is far from your typical archaeologist-finally-finds-ancient-archeotype scenario. It is much, much more. Definitely a book that one can say ‘satisfies your thirst, yet leaves you quenching for more...’"

“While I've certainly enjoyed my share of novels, few of them have left me wanting to rush out and by the sequel as much as this one does.”

“Have you ever wondered how old the Sphinx really is? Have you been intrigued by the mysteries swirling like the desert sands around this awesome ancient monument? Rai Aren and Tavius E. have written a mesmerizing story in which two young archaeologists discover an artifact that could provide all of the answers. But they are not the only ones who are interested in this relic, for it holds a power unlike anything seen on Earth before... This novel is packed with adventure and suspense, and the style is fast-paced and filled with vivid description.”

“It is my belief that Rai Aren & Tavius E. fit as Master Storytellers and Great Authors.”

“A wonderful, exciting story!”

“The mark of a truly good story is one that transcends the ages. Although the writers may base some of their novel in the past, a good yarn echoes into the present and future, as well. Secret of the Sands cherishes love, family and honor, condemns evil and treachery and presents us with a tantalizing theory of what lies beneath the great sphinx.”

“Secret of the Sands is a very entertaining and exciting tale of ancient Egypt and modern archeology. The authors succeed in painting the ancient world and its characters in realistic and memorable fashion. Secret of the Sands is a story of adventure, wonder, betrayal, forgiveness, suspense, and action - all the elements that so often can be weaved together into a blockbuster movie. I hope this tale gets the opportunity to reach the big screen - I’ll be amongst the first in line to see it! Fans of adventure tales like Indiana Jones will love this book.”

“Because I love books about Egypt, I saw a link and purchased this book on a whim. Boy, was I surprised! Secret of the Sands is well written with some nice historical references and abviously, a lot of planning and research. It's not often that you find new authors that make you want to find their next work, but this one did. The story is fast paced with nice links to past events in a format moving from past to future very seamlessly. I'mlooking forward to the next in the series and would encourage you to pick this book up. It's an enjoyable read that leaves you wanting more.”

“I recently finished this book, which I literally devoured,and was never so sorry to be finished with anything in a very long time. In all honesty, I'm not easily pleased when it comes to my favorite subject, ancient Egypt, and it takes a lot to grab and hold my attention. This book most assuredly did just that. The authors were able to seemlessly transition between ancient times and present day, never losing the momentum of the story. I particularly enjoyed the way they incorporated the possible premise that the Sphinx, not to mention the Egyptian civilization, is older than is commonly believed by the present day archeological community. I share that belief actually. I recommend this book strongly to anyone looking for a great read and I simply can't wait for the next installment. The day it's released will be the day I have it in my possession.”

“This book is hard to put down. It's a fun adventure, rich with historical detail and vivid imagery. The characters and events are very realistic. The story blends past and present Egypt so well that the transitions are seamless to the reader. Theories posed on ancient Egyptian mysteries are very plausible - this book is as good a read as The Da Vinci Code. I can't wait for the sequel and hope there will, one day, be a movie!”

"I love this book! Secret of the Sands starts with a bang and hits the ground running. Very Indiana Jones. I'm an avid Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Mystery reader and I've read many books with dual authors. Although most are good, it's usually apparent that sections were split up and who wrote which part. It's rare to find authors that work so well together they seem like a single voice. That is this book. Secret of the Sands is very well-written and seems as if it was penned by a single author. Everything flows together well and I couldn't tell who wrote which part. If I had not know there were two authors I wouldn't have known from reading. The story was exciting and held interest throughout the entire book. The characters were fun and entertaining. I love Jack and Bob! They were my favorites. This book is dangerous - I stayed up until 2am to finish it! And now I want to know when the next one will come out. I can't wait!"

“Secret of the Sands mixes mystery, ancient Egypt, romance, and as well as paranormal elements to make a fascinating novel.”

Our super-awesome Harry Potter friends, the Official Potterholics Annonymous, gave Secret of the Sands top honors of "Outstanding" in their "Books are Magykal" Book Club!! This is high praise coming from die hard fans of the wonderfully magical Harry Potter series, a series that we couldn't imagine living without (if anyone finds a portkey to Hogwarts, please let Rai know!). Thank-you so very much, we are greatly honored! Check out their page:

The sequel, Destiny of the Sands, is also an AWARD-WINNING mystery novel slated to be released in 2011. It's a dark, fast-paced thriller that will have you turning pages so fast they may catch on fire!

Destiny of the Sands is a story of pain, redemption, and the rocky, twisting, and sometimes treacherous path that life can lead us down, where finding our way back to the light is by no means certain...

Some secrets cannot remain hidden, and some cannot be forgiven…

A JOURNEY BEGUN...

Must now be completed. A reckoning is upon those whose fates are inextricably linked to the mysterious sands of Ancient Egypt.

THE SECRET ONCE BURIED...

Is now hunted by those powerful and corruptible enough to chart a new, terrifying, and ultimately deadly course in human history…

SORROW AND FEAR...

Cannot stand in the way of those who will defend the ways of peace and defy those who are determined to take everything from them…

AN ANCIENT PROPHECY...

Will finally reveal itself, and the startling truths which it holds. The guardians must now trust in those who by destiny were chosen to tell the sacred truth…or destroy all traces of it forever…

Rai's Misc. Fun, Cool, Meaningful Stuff! :)

Like any good Egyptian (in heart, spirit and/or past-life) I had to include this little piece of wisdom... ;)

P.S. my four kitties can pretty much attest that they are treated as such, in the manner their species has become accustomed, lol!

Love everything Sci-Fi? Me too!! Check out my super-cool friends at Aliens Unknown to get your sci-fi fix:

..Aliens Unknown on MySpace..

They are out of this world!




Here's my very own AWESOME sci-fi banner, filled with a bunch of my ABSOLUTE fave sci-fi shows & movies, courtesy of my BFFs Aliens Unknown!

A funny toon on behalf of our animal friends :)

Rockstar (& fellow Canadian) + compassionate, kind human being = HUGE admiration from Rai!!! JD Fortune - you ROCK!! ...in more ways than one... ;) Being kind is mega-cool!!!

"Know that the same spark of life that is within you, is within all of our animal friends, the desire to live is the same within all of us..."

-Rai Aren

To all you heroes out there, in uniform and not, who help those in need, whoever they may be, wherever they may be, Rai salutes you!!

We hope to meet other writers & readers, library & bookstore peeps, publishers & agents who can help us expand our reach in the book world, and movie peeps who want to work with us to bring the AWARD-WINNING mystery novel Secret of the Sands to the big screen (just imagine the Great Sphinx coming to life in IMAX 3D!!), as well as creative folks of various & assorted kinds, kind people, cool people, people whose energies are vibrating on a higher frequency...you'll know who you are! ;)

Who Rai would like to meet:



Anyone who falls into this category:



...YOU!!

And finally... the future director, cast & crew of the future MOVIE VERSION of the AWARD-WINNING mystery novel SECRET OF THE SANDS!!!!! :)