Little is known about sub-Saharan West African culture prior to the Common Era, since these people left no written records. Archaeologists have discovered terra cotta sculptures in the area of the Niger and Benue Rivers, works dating from as long ago as 500 B.C.E. They have named the originators of these sculptures the Nok culture. The daily life of the Nok people is a matter for speculation, but I have based the Ará Odò very loosely on the people of Nigeria, specifically the Yoruba, whose language I have borrowed.
The kingdom of Kush was very real and not only traded extensively with Egypt and other contemporary cultures but also provided some of Egypt’s pharohs. The first Kushite capital city was Kerma, built on the floodplain around the Nile’s third cataract. Following periods of independence and domination by Egypt, the Kushites moved their capital to Napata. During this period their culture shared many common elements with Egypt’s, the Napatan kings formed the twenty-fifth pharaonic dynasty in the eighth century B.C.E. Around 600 B.C.E., the Kushites moved farther south and established the new capital of Meroe. Meroitic culture developed its own unique arts and traditions, electing their kings (and sometimes queens) from among members of the royal family, though they continued to worship Egyptian gods and erect variations of Egyptian-style tombs.
Hammer Glossary
Characters:
Abeni: a girl of the Ará Odò
Abidemi: a hunter of the Ará Odò
Adisa: head of Clan Amòtékùn
Aetes: a Tiberian slave
Ag: ancient god of Fire, one of the Exalted
Akinidad: former king of New Meroe, grandfather of Nyx
Alexandros the Mad: conqueror of the lands surrounding Ta Thalassa; uncle of Nikodemos and Quintus
Amanibakhi: a king of Meroe
Amun: Egyptian King of the Gods
Annis: kitchen slave in the Palace at Karchedon
Apep: also known as Apophis, Egyptian god of evil and darkness
Apollon: also known as Apollo, Greek god of light, music and the arts
Arion: a courtier of Karchedon
Arrhidaeos: brother to Alexandros the Mad, founder of the Arrhidaean Empire
Arshan: a follower of Farkas the simulacrum
Artemis: Greek goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals
Aryesbokhe: king of New Meroe
Asar: see Osiris
Aset: see Isis
Ashtaph: a servant of Hylas
Asteria: legendary founder and Mother of the Free People
Baalshillek: High Priest of the Stone God
Berkan: an Amazi warrior
Bolanle: sister of Adisa, a Mother of the Ará Odò
Briga: a kitchen slave in the Palace of Karchedon
Buteo: Tiberian rebel leader
Cabh’a: an Amazi warrior
Chares: a courtier of Karchedon
Cian: a shapeshifter of the Ailuri
Dakka: a priest of New Meroe
Danae: mistress of Nikodemos
Danel: former lover of Hylas
Dayo: sister of Adisa, a Mother of the Ará Odò
Derinoe: a young warrior of the Free People
Dionysos: Greek god of wine and madness
Doris: a courtier of Karchedon
Enitan: a hunter of the Ará Odò
Eshu: trickster god of the Ará Odò; messenger to Olorun
Farkas: Skudat chief’s son; also his simulacrum, created to serve Baalshillek and thwart Rhenna
Galatea: a courtier of Karchedon
Ge: ancient goddess of the earth; formerly one of the Exalted
Geb: Egyptian god of the earth
Geleon: rebel leader in Karchedon
Gulbanu: princess of Persis
Hat-T-Her: a goddess of the Imaziren; see Hathor
Hathor: Egyptian goddess of the sky, music, dance, love and fertility
Heru-sa-Aset: Heru, son of Aset and Asar, enemy of Sutekh; also known as Horus
Het-Hert: see Hathor
Hylas: a courtier of Karchedon
Immeghar: an Amazi warrior
Inpu: also known as Anubis; Egyptian god of mummification and guide of the dead
Iphikles: an adviser of Nikodemos
Irike: prince of New Meroe and father of Nyx
Isis: Egyptian Queen of the Gods, patron of women, mothers, children and magic
Kaj: a soldier of the Palace Guard in Karchedon
Kallimachos: father of Danae
Kanmi: a servant of Hylas
Keela: leader of the Alu
Khaleme: a warrior of New Meroe
Kleobis: majordomo of Nikodemos
Leuke: a servant of Danae
Madele: an Amazi warrior
Melissa: former wife of Philokrates/Talos
Mezwar: an Amazi warrior
Mnestros: a courtier of Karchedon
Monifa: a girl of the Ará Odò
Neitiqert: Meroite name for Nyx
Nikodemos: emperor of the Arrhidaen Empire
Nut: Egyptian goddess of the sky
Nyx: a rebel of Karchedon; member of the Ará Odò tribe
Olayinka: mother of Nyx
Olorun: sky god of the Ará Odò; creator of the world
Orkos: commander of the Temple Guard in Karchedon
Osiris: Egyptian Lord of the Dead, the underworld and fertility
Philemon: a soldier of the Palace Guard in Karchedon
Philokrates: a philosopher of Hellas; also known as Talos
Poseidon: Greek god of the sea
Quintus Horatius Corvinus: a Tiberian rebel, also known as Alexandros, son of Arrhidaeos
Re: Egyptian god of the sun
Rhenna: a warrior of the Free People
Shorkaror: a warrior of New Meroe
Slahtti: a Northern spirit-beast, friend of Tahvo
Sutekh: also known as Set or Seth; Egyptian god of chaos, war and conflict
Tabiti: Skudat goddess of the hearth, animals and fire
Tahvo: a shaman of the Samah
Talakhamani: priest and prophet of the People of the Scrolls
Talos: see Philokrates
Tamallat: an Amazi warrior
Tefnut: Egyptian goddess of moisture, water and the moon
Thais: a kitchen slave in the Palace of Karchedon
Urho: simulacrum; shaped to serve Baalshillek and match Tahvo’s powers
Vanko: commander of Nikodemos’s Persian mercenaries
Yseul: simulacrum; a female Ailu created to serve Baalshillek
Zamra: mother of Madele
Zeus: Greek King of the Gods
General Glossary:
Aequi: a tribal people of Italia, former enemies of Tiberia
Aternus: river in Italia
àgùnfón: “giraffe” in the Ará Odò language
Aigyptos: Egypt
Ailuri: race of male panther shapeshifters
àjànànkú: “elephant” in the Ará Odò language
akáko: “hippopotamus” in the Ará Odò language
Alu: race of female panther shapeshifters
Amazi: singular of Imaziren
amda: oasis
Amòtékùn: clan of the Ará Odò; “panther”
Anio: river in Tiberia
Apenninus Mountains: the Apennines
Ará Odò: a tribe of the region now known as West Africa
Arrows of the Wind: one of the legendary four Weapons of prophecy
augur: Tiberian soothsayer
auspicia: prophetic signs, usually favorable
ba: aspect of the soul; personality
biremis: bireme; a galley equipped with two tiers of oars on either side
Black Land: Egypt
Children of the Stone: warriors magically created to serve the Stone God
chora: countryside
Chosen: women of the Free People selected to mate with the Ailuri
Companions: favored members of Nikodemos’s court
Corvinium: Tiberian mountain town founded by Quintus’s adoptive father
deva: a god
Divine Cow: honorary title for Hathor
Earthspeaker: a woman of the Free People chosen to speak to and for the devas
emu òpe: palm wine
enaree: a Skudat shaman; a male who dresses in female attire
Exalted: the twelve ancient gods who sought to rule the Earth and provoked the Godwars
fibula: brooch
Free People: a race of Amazons who live on the steppes north of the Black Sea
Godwars: the great conflicts between the gods, and between gods and men, that resulted in the fall of the City of the Exalted
Great Desert: the Sahara
Guardians: prophetic name for ancestral Ailuri who imprisoned the Exalted in the Stone
Hammer of the Earth: one of the legendary four Weapons of prophecy
Hellas: Greece
Hellene: Greek
hetaira: a high-class courtesan
Hetairoi: Companions; see Companion
Hyperborea: legendary, magical land of the far North
Imaziren: tribes of the Great Desert
iràkikò: “hyena” in the Ará Odò language
ishu: “yam” in the Ará Odò language
Karchedon: capital of the Arrhidaean Empire; also known as Carthage
Keltoi: Celts
Khemet: Egypt
Kush: African kingdom located to the south of Egypt
Ma’at: truth, order and law; the “right”
Marsi: a tribal people of Italia; former enemies of Tiberia
Meroe: capital city of Kush
milliarius (pl. milliaria): Tiberian measurement, approximately one mile
Mother of Earth: honorary title for Ge
New Meroe: city founded by the People of the Scroll in the region now known as Ethiopia
noaiddit: Samah shaman
oho: “no” in the Amazi language
ònì: “crocodile” in the Ará Odò language
Oracle of Amun: temple of Amun at the Oasis of Siwa, known for its prophetic edicts
òrìshà: “god” or “gods” in the Ará Odò language
Ostia: port city of Tiberia
papyri: plural of papyrus
papyrus: ancient writing material; a reed-like plant used to make a flexible writing surface
People of the Scrolls: guardians of the prophecies and settlers of New Meroe
Persis: Persia
pneuma (pl. pneumata): “bones of the gods,” the scattered fragments of dead beings that contain magical properties
psyche: soul or life essence
Queen of the West: honorary title for Hathor
Samah: a people of the Northern forests
Seeker: a woman chosen as a seeker of recruits for the Free People
Serpent of Darkness: title for Apep
Shield of the Sky: a mountain range in the territory of the Free People
Shield’s Shadow: the hills and steppes south of the Shield of the Sky
simulacrum (pl. simulacra): a duplicate or counterpart
Siwa: an Egyptian oasis
Skudat: a tribe of herders and warriors living on the steppes north of the Black Sea
stadion (pl. stadia): Greek measurement, approximately 600 feet
Stone God: singular name for the Exalted confined within the Stone
Sun’s Rest: a village of the Free People
Sword of the Ice: one of the legendary four Weapons of prophecy
Ta Thalassa: the Mediterranean
temenos: temple compound
Tiber: a river in Italia
Tiberia: the principal city in Italia, center of the Tiberian sphere of influence
Two Lands: Egypt
Umbria: mountainous region in central Italia
Via Tiburtina: principal road in Italia
Via Valeria: principal road in Italia, the continuation northeastward of Via Tiburtina
wajá: “yes” in the Amazi language
Watcher: prophetic name for ancestral Ailuri who imprisoned the Exalted in the Stone
Coming Next Month
Be enthralled, moved, thrilled and delighted by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.
Come back every month for newly released selections in a variety of categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.
Have a great time!
ON SALE IN MARCH 2006
Look for new titles in the following categories
Bestsellers
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
KILLING KELLY by Heather Graham (romantic suspense)
Passionate Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
CAUGHT by Kristin Hardy
THE GREEK’S CHOSEN WIFE by Lynne Graham
TOTALLY TEXAN by Mary Lynn Baxter
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
A HUSBAND’S WATCH by Karen Templeton
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café
FRONT PORCH PRINCESS by Kathryn Springer
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
MY PERFECTLY IMPERFECT LIFE by Jennifer Archer
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
SOMETHING WICKED by Evelyn Vaughn
Chick Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
ONE GOOD KNIGHT by Mercedes Lackey
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER by Mercedes Lackey
AVAILABLE NOW
Bestsellers
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)
BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)
DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)
50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)
GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)
MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)
CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)
NIGHT FEVER by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)
ANYONE BUT YOU by Jennifer Crusie, HQN (contemporary romance)
A PERFECT EVIL by Alex Kava, MIRA (psychological thriller)
DEADLY KISSES by Brenda Joyce, MIRA (romantic suspense)
IN THE GROOVE by Pamela Britton (contemporary romance)
Passionate Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents
UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze
WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire
SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze
HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire
TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze
THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miran
da Lee, Harlequin Presents
BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire
DON’T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly, Harlequin Blaze
ANGELS AND OUTLAWS by Barbara Dunlop, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries
AT THE PLAYBOY’S PLEASURE by Kim Lawrence, Harlequin Special Releases
THE MAN MEANS BUSINESS by Annette Broadrick, Silhouette Desire
HIDDEN GEMS by Carrie Alexander, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries
FOREVER MINE, VALENTINE by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Special Release
SKIN DEEP by Tori Carrington, Harlequin Special Release
SEDUCING SULLIVAN by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Harlequin Special Release
A COWBOY & A GENTLEMAN by Ann Major, Harlequin Special Release
STONE COLD SURRENDER by Brenda Jackson, Kimani Press
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments
GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue
SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments
RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments
SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue
EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
FEELS LIKE HOME by Maggie Shayne, Silhouette Intimate Moments
RICOCHET by Jessica Andersen, Harlequin Intrigue
HIGH-STAKES BRIDE by Fiona Brand, Silhouette Intimate Moments
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café
LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
BLESSED BOUQUETS by Lyn Cote, Lenora Worth and Penny Richards, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Hammer of the Earth Page 44
