Top Ten Thinking Thursdays

Thinking Thursday has been dedicated to sharing scenes from Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, the first book in the series. I try to share scenes where Zenobia learns a valuable lesson and hopefully we can take away something important from that lesson. We also learn about important historical events and sites. I believe we all can learn from her experience to better our lives.

Here is my top ten of what I’ve learned from Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, Thinking Thursdays:

1. a girl could be just as valuable as a boy and a woman just as valiant and skilled as a man.

2. you may be good at something but you can always challenging yourself and improve.

3.  Until you are ready for the truth you will not find it.

4. Zenobia and Bethany exemplify the human and animal relationship that can be achieved.

5. Of the original Seven Wonders, only one- The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the ancient wonders – remains relatively intact

6. The lighthouse Pharos was the only ancient wonder that had a practical use, serving as a beacon for ships in the dangerous waters off the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, now called El Iskandarîya.

7. Ancient Alexandria became and for a long while remained an intellectual capital of the world.

8. Zenobia claimed to be a descendant of Cleopatra and even though it couldn’t be proven it might have been used as a great tool to rally her troops in calling Egypt her ancestral home.

9.Archery has been around for a long time, for war and survival

10. Justice has a cost

We look forward to sharing many more Thinking Thursdays with you in 2013!

Please share with us anything you’ve learned from reading our Thinking Thursdays or what you’ve learned from knowing more about Zenobia.

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment”
― Oprah Winfrey

Tuesday Teaser - Zenobia reads from the parables of Jesus.

Here at Geode Press we focus on publishing historical novels that inspire others. We hope these Tuesday Teasers have encouraged you to learn more about Zenobia; A great warrior queen who challenged Rome.  We believe there is a lot we can learn from her pursuit for truth and justice. During Zenobia’s informative years, a spiritual quest about the teachings and stories of a man named Jesus spread through-out the land. Zenobia was always interested in justice and wanted to know how The Gods felt about justice. People claimed that Jesus was doing God’s work and that intrigued Zenobia to learn more. Here is a scene from chapter 15 in Zenobia – Challenging a Legend:

Zelina and Zenobia had gone to the library to read Jesus’ parables, and several of their classmates were there for the same purpose.  They formed a group around a table and opened the book, The Good News according to Luke. Horus showed them the spot where the librarian had suggested they start reading, and they crowded around to see together. Zelina was content to listen.

    Horus began to read, “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’

    “He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’

    “So he answered and said, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.”’

    “And he said to him, ‘You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.’”

     “So where is the good Samaritan,” Filemon asked, interrupting the reading.

    “I think it comes next,” answered Remus. “Keep reading, Horus.”

    Horus did so. “But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’

    “Then Jesus answered and said, ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now, by chance, a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

    “‘But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.”

    “‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’”

    “Wow, that’s a really tough question,” interjected Zephon. “Let’s see, could it be …”

    Horus, irritated, waved him to be silent while he finished the account. “And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Go and do likewise.’”

    The students remained silent for a minute, digesting the parable. Finally, Theophus spoke, “Well, I’m impressed! For sure, this guy knew how to teach.”

    “Yeah,” agreed Remus, “you’ll never hear something like that in a Roman temple.”

    Zenobia listened while she reread the account, which was in Greek. She checked that her mother had grasped it all, and she had to translate a couple of phrases for her.    

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” ― Oprah Winfrey

Thinking Thursday - My favorite scenes from Zenobia - Birth of a Legend

As the end of the year is quickly upon us, (and as some think the end of the world)  I think back to all the things I've learned from doing Thinking Thursdays and what Zenobia has taught me.

I have many favorites parts in Zenobia – Birth of a Legend. If I had to narrow it down I’d say the end of the book with the horse race is by far the most exciting part. (The lion attack scene is pretty intense.  If you haven’t watched our book trailer of that scene, please check it out 

http://geodepress.com/tuesday-teaser-zenobia-trailer-watch-it-now/.)

I can’t really share to much of the horse race because of spoilers, so I’ll share my next favorite scene where Zenobia visits the Pyramids.

I myself haven’t been to the Pyramids, but Russ Wallace visited them when researching his book. When Zenobia is in the Pyramids, I imagine Russ took a lot of his own personal experience of being there and put it into the scene. I hope someday to visit them myself but for now I’ll just reread Zenobia’s account and feel like I’m there.

Here is a scene in Chapter 30:

     The room in the pyramid were as Cam stated, empty and not especially impressive. However, Zenobia was amazed at how confined she felt inside, almost as if the walls were pressing in on her. It was not only that the tunnels were so tight, but also that the massive stones were unyielding. The torches that they had bought outside from a vendor did not do a very good job of dispelling the pervasive darkness. “It feels like a tomb in here,” she had remarked. It was an uncomfortable feeling different from any she had ever had, and she was glad to leave the structure and return to open air. 

     The tour of the complex was more extensive than the night before, but some of the mystery was missing. Nevertheless, the massiveness of the pyramids was even plainer to see, and the vista confirmed that she would carry the awesome feeling with her for the rest of her life….

     

Zenobia Trailer is now available!

 Check out our new book trailer and watch an exciting scene from Zenobia - Birth of a Legend. Tell us what you think. The trailer will be playing tomorrow night during the Les Miserables prescreening. Can't Wait!!!

Thinking Thursday - Zenobia is attacked by bandits

Today is finally here, we will be seeing our ad on the big screen at the prescreening of The Hobbit. Other excited news in Zenobialand; you'll have an opportunity to meet author Russ Wallace at the Arizona Renaissance Festival on Presidents day, Monday Feb 18th 2013. Russ Wallace will be available through-out the day at Ann Chamberlin Books.  You can purchase a copy of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend at the bookstore and have Russ Wallace sign it.

It's a great time to come out to the festival because on Presidents day you can BUY 1 GET 1 FREE offer of an adult ticket when you bring in a BIRTHDAY CARD for King William! We look forward to seeing you there!  For tickets and information about this fun filled event visit: http://www.royalfaires.com/arizona/

Our Thinking Thursday can be found in book one, chapter 28, Syrian & Palestine en route to Egypt, 254 CE. Zenobia has been trained as a warrior but her skills are finally put to the test and she fails miserably. When their caravan is attacked by bandits in the Syrian Desert on the way to Egypt she learns that no matter how skilled you are, others are better. In times like these you need to be more than a warrior but a great negotiator.  Read this exciting scene as Zenobia fights for her life. 

     As they engaged, the bandit chieftain bore in on Zenobia, his spear poised to launch. The spearman whose camel had fallen sprang in front of her, sword drawn. The attacker changed his target and hurled his spear. She heard a clang as her defender went down. In a mental flash, she hoped his armor had saved him. She shot, but the bandit leader had anticipated her release and dodged suddenly. She reached for an arrow, but her second quiver was empty. “Scorpions!” she spit out…

     The bandit was an excellent horseman and charged her with his sword drawn. As she twirled to avoid the anticipated slash and drew her own sword, he knocked her over with his horse, dazing her. A second later, he was off his mount and she tensed in his powerful grasp. His knife was at her throat. Dung heaps! She thought, as her life flash before her. She knew she was dead...    

  

     The bandit saw the fury in her eyes at being captured, but she seemed to accept her imminent death with dignity. She did not struggle.

     Her fellow warriors stood immobile. The knife blade could turn her bronzed neck scarlet in a split second. Her capture had happened too fast for them to protect her. Now any hostile movement could provoke her death. The bandits had been routed. Nearly half were dead or wounded, and those that could retreat had. No one spoke or moved for a minute. It seemed like eternity.

     Finally, her captor spoke. “Will you bargain, Princess?”

     She was stunned into silence. She had fully expected to be killed and had steeled herself for it. He was offering her hope of survival. And somewhere, on a lower mental level, she realized it was the first time she had been called a princess.

     He spoke again. “I grow impatient, Princess. I have men who are bleeding, and the sun it hot!” His words carried a bite.

     “Then you should have stayed in your tents this morning, Prince!” she replied sarcastically. The anger in her voice was clear. And as he suspected, her quivering in his grasp was from rage rather than fear.

     “You are angry with me princess?” he asked in a deadly calm voice. She thought she detected a hint of mocker in his question…    

Zenobia asked, “What is your bargain, Prince?”

     “A truce. Your life is spared. As are our lives. You will have safe passage through our territory in the future. You will help my wounded. And you will ‘donate’ 1000 Persian gold darics for my comrades.”

      She makes the deal with the bandit and he spares her life. Saladir was impressed with the young girl’s talent and so he allowed her to live. This is the beginning of a mutual respect and in the future Saladir proves to be a great ally. 

Tuesday Teaser - Zenobia special announcement on book two

Fans are asking when the release of book two will be. Here's one fans comment Russ received:

I desperately need book 2! You have done an amazing job Russ; I was completely captivated and consumed the entire thing in one day! When does book 2 hit the shelves? 

Here is his answer: Thanks for your support. Book two is completed but I have some additions and the book cover design is being perfected. Instead of being released at the end of 2012 we are looking to an early spring release in 2013. You only have to wait a little longer and then you'll have the book in hand. You'll be grateful for the additions and maybe someday you'll see a spin off story of another character you'll fall in love with like you have Zenobia. To keep you satisfied check back every Tuesday for your teaser sentence from book two.

This Tuesday Teaser scene is Professor Longinus scolding Zenobia for voicing her distaste with Rome in front of her classmates in her critical thinking class. 

Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Chapter 14

“The ruthlessness of Rome has made her many enemies, everywhere. She knows this, so she has spies all over, ever alert to those who could pose a potential danger. Often these are eliminated before they have an opportunity to do damage. Your comments may well be brought to the attention of certain powerful officials, and this will invite unwelcome scrutiny, putting you in danger.”

Bonus: here is a description of book two, hope it will satisfy you until you can read the entire book. 

Zenobia – Challenging a Legend

The continued saga of Zenobia, a 3^rd century Syrian girl trained as both a warrior and a scholar. Torn between the two paths, when an enemy plots to kidnap her into his sex-slave trade, he forces her choice. Unknowingly, he triggers her latent abilities that will turn her into the deadliest woman on earth.

Driven by a burning sense of justice, she turns her warrior skills first into piracy, then to seduction.

Journey with Zenobia as she experiences her first love; Witness her early transformation into the military and political genius who will one day challenge Rome for the supremacy of their world.

Thinking Thursday - Zenobia learns the challenges of being a leader

In Zenobia - Birth of a Legend chapter 24, we share a scene with Zenobia and Cam her mentor who's training her as a warrior. They discuss the heartbreaks that can come from being a leader. Cam explained to her that justice has many enemies and rulers have shorter more turbulent lives. Cam states, "Justice has a cost". Read below as Zenobia questions why Cam would allow her to follow a path that could lead to so much unhappiness.

     She decided to ask the obvious question. "Then why are you training me as a warrior?"

     "Because I agreed to. I was caught off guard that night when we made the bet about the melon. Of course, I had watched you at a few contests, and I figured you would win our wager, but I couldn't let the others know that. I was just happy that you and your mother were going to live. I didn't consider all the ramifications until later. Then I felt I couldn't go back on our bet. Honestly, you are a strong warrior already, and you will be a great one. 

     "I am also training you because of what you had to endure for the first nine years of your life. I felt you deserved to get what you wanted, and that was what you wanted. Had you wavered in that, I would have been glad, but, of course, that has not happened. Still, if I could grant you a peaceful, protected life in a paradise somewhere, and if I knew you could be content there, I would do it in a heartbeat."

     She looked at her mentor wistfully. "We both know that is not to be," she said. "The desert goddess proclaimed it otherwise. Cam, are you dodging my question about the father of Odenathus?"

     He paused in thought. He had needed to say what he did, fruitless though it had been, but her question remained. "As to the father of Odenathus, there are conflicting accounts, as is often the case. However, the most plausible seems to be that a high Roman official feared that the Senator of Tadmor was becoming too powerful and therefore, with the approval of Rome, had him assassinated. Which substantiates the point I was making earlier." 

     "But Tadmor was a colony and an ally of Rome," she objected, "and its citizens were also Roman citizens. That would have been a treacherous betrayal!" It was redundantly emphatic, but Cam Thought it certainly made the point. 

     "When powerful allies gain sufficient strength, they frequently strike out on their own and turn on their former allies. The Roman governor evidently feared this, especially since Tadmor was so far from Rome on the eastern frontier of the empire."

     "But, clearly," Cam concluded, "it was a betrayal of the worst kind, so I agree with you."

     "Have they no honor!" Zenobia exclaimed angrily. 

     "Some have a lot, some have only a little, and some have none. Remember, Zenobia, the most dangerous enemy is the one whom you believe to be your friend. They can hurt you like no one else. They can come from allies, from your own tribe, from your close friends, or even from your own family. They take advantage of your trust and strike where and when you least expect it. You are never completely safe from them. 

     This was sobering information. "So," she asked at length, "what does one do?"

     "Sometimes people unconsciously reveal their true motives, but we can talk about that another time. For now, we should get back to camp."

     Zenobia had one more question for Cam, but she was afraid to ask it. She did not know if she ever would. The question was, Would you have let my father and the tribal leaders kill me?

     Instead she said, “I wish I could get the education I need in Tadmor, but Odenathus says I will have to go to Alexandria for that, and I agree. It seems that you and Mother do also. I am glad up are considering it."

Tuesday Teaser - Zenobia a Syrian girl challenges Rome

Before I share the Tuesday Teaser from book two Zenobia - Challenging a Legend I want to show you one of the advertisement that will be shown at Harkins Theater in Gilbert, AZ for the prescreening of The Hobbit on Dec 13th and Les Miserables on Dec 19th. Thank you Tabitha and Cadi.

(By the way tickets are still available for both movies. Pick them up in San Tan Valley on Tuesday, Dec. 4th at Burger King on Ironwood & Combs 7-8pm
Les Miserables - $16 Uppers, $5-$12 Lowers. The Hobbit- Lowers: $2 Row 1,$3 Row 2, $5 Rows 3 & 4. They still have a few left on Row 5 for $5 also! Or email them at prescreensby2huns@yahoo.com.)

What do you think of the ad? Would it motivate you to want to learn more and read the book about a Syrian girl who becomes a threat to Rome?

Now onto the Tuesday Teaser from Chapter 14 in book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend: 

"As you observed, I got the information I wanted. I considered the risk minimal because I also know that Rome considers women inferior and unfit to rule. Therefore a desert girl from the Syrian wild could not possibly pose a threat to a mighty empire, and thus it would be beneath the dignity of any Roman official to give her the slightest thought."

Thank you for stopping by to read our Tuesday Teaser. We'd love to hear from you, don't be shy to leave us a comment.