The Final Crossing:
A Tale of Self-Discovery and Adventure
by Vince Santoro
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GENRE: Historical Fiction
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BLURB:
In this tale of self-discovery and adventure, we are connected
with a history we've come to know as the cradle of civilization.
Nenshi,
an Egyptian house servant, raised in nobility, is well-schooled, a master
huntsman and hungers to be free. His master agrees to grant his freedom but
while the petition is set to be heard, Nenshi's indiscretion gets in the way.
He is caught in a secret love affair with a woman above his social status.
As
punishment, he is exiled to labour in the Nubian gold mines. His life turns
upside down as he is thrust into a world for which he had been ill prepared. He
escapes from the mines and vows to return to Thebes, but his attempts push him
farther and farther away on a journey that redefines him – a journey mired with
cruelty, bloodshed, and the discovery of a new deity.
In the end Nenshi learns his freedom has been granted and must
decide whether to return to his homeland or start a new life.
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READER REVIEWS:
Check out what readers are saying about Vince’s new book, “The
Final Crossing,” below:
"I greatly enjoyed this well written story by Vince
Santoro. He takes us across the Ancient World through the protagonist, Nenshi,
an exiled Egyptian servant who struggles with class structure, both around and
within himself. Santoro weaves a story of ideas – a sense of belonging,
monotheism, and the human soul - told through Nenshi's rite of passage through
to his final crossing. The setting is visually evocative of "spirit of
place" as the novelist and travel writer Lawrence Durrell called it. It's
a story worth reading."
~
Terry Stanfill
Award winning historical fiction author of The Gift from
Fortuny, Realms of Gold, The Blood Remembers and other works.
"Vince Santoro is a gifted storyteller. I found The Final
Crossing difficult to put down because it is well written. As an historian and
author of non-fiction books, I am impressed with the amount of research that
Santoro has done to prepare this story of adventure and romance set in the
ancient Middle East. The customs, the beliefs and even the character names are
all authentic to that region and era. With so many plot twists and turns,
Santoro will keep you guessing about what might happen next to the protagonist until
the very end!"
~
John Charles Corrigan
Author of The Red Night and "Love Always"
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EXCERPT ONE:
The
sound of dragging footsteps along the pebbled path grew louder. The morning
heat would soon turn into an inferno and drain any enthusiasm from the simplest
of pleasures. But it was not enough to hamper a hunting expedition.
“Finally,”
Nenshi said as he bent down to grab his bow and arrows nestled between his
feet. “Must you always be late?” He looked up to the sky and squinted to get a
reading of the sun’s position. “I don’t have all day. Unlike you.”
“Don’t
scold me like a child. I keep forgetting,” Hordekef replied and wiped his
clammy hands on his shirt.
Nenshi
shook his head. “You keep forgetting you’re a free man and I am not?”
Hordekef
shrugged his shoulders and turned to look down at his hunting dog. “Precisely,”
he replied as he tugged at the leash to nudge the dog to come closer. It
refused. “I have known you as a nobleman’s son, not a servant.”
Nenshi
frowned, hated to be reminded of his status. Unlike most servants, even raised
in nobility had its burdens. Hordekef gave the leash another tug. The dog still
refused to budge. “Perhaps one day you will call me to celebrate your freedom
rather than go hunting.”
There
was silence, save for the sound of the dog’s pant.
The
yearning for freedom had grown over time but the longing was not enough to set
Nenshi free. Even though it was uncommon for servants to ask for their freedom,
if warranted, in time, it would be granted. But Nenshi could not wait to be
accorded such benevolence.
“Well
… when will you ask your master to grant you your independence?” Hordekef
asked. “You have told me, repeatedly, you would.”
Nenshi
was reluctant to answer but felt the obligation to provide his friend with an
explanation. “I have tried, several times. Something always gets in the way,
his work, visits from old friends. I don’t know what else to do. He has been
good to me. You know that. I don’t want to disrespect him.”
“Tehuti
is aging. After he enters the underworld, you will still respect him.
Unfortunately, your status will not have changed.”
Nenshi
remained silent. The dead air surrounding him fell on his shoulders and caused
him to be still, immobile. The heaviness could only be shaken with distraction.
“Let’s go, we’re wasting time,” he said, tipping his head sideways in the
direction of the wasteland.
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GUEST POST:
My Favorite Scene in This Book…
Trying
to come up with my favourite scene in my book is not easy. There are so many to
consider. But if I had to choose one, it would be this. But first here’s a
little background for context.
The
protagonist, Nenshi, and his best friend Hordekef had gone to see a
fortuneteller to help Nenshi understand a disturbing dream he had earlier. We
also know from previous chapters that Hordekef has always been envious of
Nenshi and his prowess as a huntsman. Nonetheless, their lifelong friendship is
strong. And we also know that Nenshi is a servant, raised by a nobleman and
hence afforded some privileges including private tutors and how to use a bow
and arrow.
Also,
prior to the visit to the fortuneteller, the petition to set Nenshi free had
been completed and ready to be submitted. Hordekef had volunteered to deliver
it himself to the court’s scribes. But instead, he decided to hold on to the
petition for a little while and didn’t tell Nenshi.
On
their way home from the fortuneteller, while workers were raising blocks during
the construction of a house, ropes snapped and caused the rock to plummet to
the ground. A broken piece struck Hordekef.
So now here comes my favourite scene. Nenshi visits Hordekef
where he’s recovering from the injury.
I
focus on the emotions but not from what is said. In fact, nothing is said
between Nenshi and Hordekef. Nenshi’s thoughts project his emotions. He feels
guilty for agreeing to have his dream interpreted. If he had not gone, Hordekef
would not be fighting for his life. Hordekef, heavily sedated, is hardly aware
his friend is in the room.
I
like this scene because it highlights the deep friendship between the
characters. Emotions are expressed without words. It begs the question, will
Hordekef survive to deliver the petition, or will he die and keep Nenshi
enslaved forever?
Here is the scene. I’d love to hear your take on it.
Outside
Hordekef's room Nenshi sat distraught. With his hands cupped to his chin, his
elbows rested on his knees, he reflected and blamed himself for having told
Hordekef about his dream. And he should have refused to seek the interpretation
of a witch. The remorse strangled every thought, every breath.
The
physician walked out from the room accompanied by Hordekef's parents. A look at
their faces, their eyes, revealed their pain from the deepest recesses of their
hearts. They gave no sign that the worst had passed. It was left to the
physician to opine.
"His
injuries are serious," he said, in typical physician's fashion. "His
leg is broken. Internally, he is bleeding. He's in significant discomfort. I
have given him a sedative and a potion to help stop the haemorrhaging. The
hours ahead are crucial. I will remain and keep watch."
Hordekef's
mother wept, stricken by the accident. His father questioned Nenshi. "Why
would you go to that part of the city? Didn't you know it's not a place for our
kind, nor yours?"
The
accusation cut deep. "Forgive me," Nenshi said. "We should not
have gone there."
Hordekef's
father shook his head and walked away. Nenshi turned to Hordekef's mother.
"I must see him?" His eyes begged for the visit. She understood the
friendship and nodded.
The
physician put out his hand. "Be aware that he is under heavy sedation. He
may not recognize you or even acknowledge your presence. Please be brief."
Nenshi
sat by the bed and stared at his friend, immobile and peaceful; a sign the
sedative took control. Hordekef’s leg and lower abdomen were wrapped to prevent
movement. His sallow face invited death and his breathing became slow and
rhythmic. Nenshi wiped the tears from his cheek fearing Hordekef would open his
eyes to see his friend, broken.
He
held Hordekef's hand. The touch, warm and comforting, caused it to twitch.
Hordekef's eyes opened, as slow as the morning sun peered from the horizon. His
pupils were dilated, his senses fogged. A short smile acknowledged Nenshi's
presence. Hordekef's lips quivered, wanting to speak, wanting to tell his
friend not to worry. They exchanged a glance. For that moment the sedative had
paused from its purpose, long enough, to allow friends to greet each other.
Then Hordekef closed his eyes. Serenity accompanied his long and deep breaths.
Nenshi
took a damp cloth and dabbed the perspiration from Hordekef’s forehead. A tear
fell and landed on Hordekef's hand. Nenshi gently wiped it with his finger,
then rose and left the room.
If
only Nenshi had turned around just before he exited, he would have seen
Hordekef open his eyes again. He would have noticed his friend struggle to
speak and raise his hand. He would have noticed Hordekef point to the corner of
the room, to a wooden chest that rested on a small folding stool. In it were
the documents, the petition intended to set Nenshi free.
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AUTHOR BIO:
Vince is an Italian-born Canadian who grew up
in Toronto, Canada, and now lives in Pickering, a suburb of Toronto.
In
his youth, education and sports became a priority. A private boys' school, St.
Michael's College in Toronto, provided the opportunity for both. He graduated
from York University, Toronto, with a degree in history and a minor in
behavioural science.
Vince
was always up for new challenges. After completing his studies, he set his eyes
on Europe and played professional basketball in Italy. When he returned home,
he shifted gears and worked in the aerospace industry in several capacities.
The most rewarding was managing internal communications for a large aircraft
manufacturer. It was during this time he decided to hone his writing skills by
studying journalism at Ryerson University, Toronto, and he had several articles
published.
His
career in communications along with studies in history and journalism prepared
him to take on his next challenge: to write a book. His debut novel, The Final
Crossing, has been a labour of love, one he worked on for many years. It
reflects life experiences, woven into a story that inspires and entertains, and
perhaps even show the world in a different way.
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CONNECT WITH VINCE:
Website:
https://vsantoro.ca
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/VSantoro14
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/vsantoro14
Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/vsantoro14
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22350667.Vince_Santoro
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60792958-the-final-crossing
Amazon Author Page:
https://amzn.to/3OB2XDC
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
https://amzn.to/3PBWsBR
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https://amzn.to/3PDLAmS
Amazon US Hardcover:
https://amzn.to/3S1N9MV
Amazon CA Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.ca/Final-Crossing-Tale-Self-Discovery-Adventure-ebook/dp/B09WJKB96S
Amazon CA Paperback:
https://www.amazon.ca/Final-Crossing-Tale-Self-Discovery-Adventure/dp/0228871840
Amazon CA Hardcover:
https://www.amazon.ca/Final-Crossing-Tale-Self-Discovery-Adventure/dp/0228871859
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-final-crossing-vince-santoro/1141328310?ean=2940165831348
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
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Indigo Chapters CA eBook:
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Indigo Chapters CA Paperback:
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Kobo US eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-final-crossing-3
Kobo CA eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-final-crossing-3
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Vince will be awarding
a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly
drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour..gif)
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