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Watchmen of Rome is now available on audiobook. Check it out on Audible:  http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Watchmen-of-Rome-Audiobook/B01928PR08/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1450034467&sr=1-1

Bandits of Rome only 99p – Kindle Countdown Deal

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Bandits of Rome is 99p or 99c for a limited time on a Kindle Countdown Deals. 5* rated historical fiction thriller.

Praetorian: The Great Game by SJA Turney

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SJA Turney, writer of the well-loved and extensive Marius’ Mules series, has brought us the first in a new series, with a brand new hero and a new time period. Turney tells us in his author notes that he wanted to write a re-appraisal of an emperor that history has treated unkindly, and he settled on  Commodus, the nemesis of Russell Crowe’s Gladiator. In Turney’s hands, Commodus is a much more sympathetic character, trying hard to follow the class act that was his father, Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome’s greatest ever emperors.

The hero of the tale however is Rufinus, a tough, brave and most importantly loyal young legionary who is promoted to the Praetorian Guard as a reward for an act of bravery. He is quickly earmarked for more clandestine work than simply being the Emperor’s bodyguard, and has to infiltrate a plot against the unsuspecting Commodus. Various dangerous encounters complicate his task, and soon he is in a race against time to save the Emperor’s life.

Praetorian has all the hallmarks of a great Simon Turney novel, excellent research, great story-telling bringing the period to life, a fast pace and an interesting new hero to root for. Great read.

Bandits of Rome

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Bandits of Rome, sequel to the Amazon number 1 bestselling Watchmen of Rome, is out today on Amazon. Two five star reviews already!  Download for only £1.99 UK here or $3.10 here

Blood Crows by Simon Scarrow

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Blood Crows by Simon Scarrow This latest outing for Macro and Cato sees our two heroes return to Britannia. Hoping for honest soldiering, away from the skullduggery and politics or Rome, the veteran soldiers are sent to a unit in the territory of the Silures in Wales, where Caratacus still holds out against the invading Roman army. Here they face enemies from without and within, as Cato has to wrest command from the twisted Quertus while facing down Caratacus’ army. Fans of Scarrow will love this latest outing, but the subject matter is grim, and the tone feels darker than previous books. The historical note makes interesting comparisons between Claudius’ invasion of Britain and his rapid declaration of victory, and the Bush-Blair invasion of Iraq and the rather premature “mission accomplished” announcement. Although reaching a satisfying conclusion, the book feels like the first part of a series, with at least a sequel being necessary to tie up the loose ends. For us Scarrow fans, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.

I, Claudia by Marilyn Todd

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I, Claudia By Marilyn Todd I came across this series after joining the Roman history reading group on Facebook (well worth joining if you are interested in Roman fiction, as I presume you are if you are on this site!). Marilyn Todd wrote this series back in the mid 90s, but the rise of the Kindle and e-book has given the series a new lease of life, and is now available on Amazon to download. I, Claudia is the first of a series following the eponymous heroine, Claudia Seferius through her adventures in Augustine Rome. Claudia is a fake, a liar, a swindler and a hopeless gambler, as well as intelligent, streetwise and sexy as hell. In this first book, Claudia, married to the wealthy Gaius, has to disguise from her husband the extent of her gambling debts, and her ruse to repay them by offering services as a dominatrix to the great and good of Roman society. When her clients start to die one by one, she attracts the attention of the authorities, and in particular Orbilius the investigator. Orbilius wants to solve the crime, which he knows Claudia is implicated in, but he can’t help falling for her too. I, Claudia is a funny, sizzling hot mystery, and Claudia is a great character. There is something of the Lindsay Davies/Falco about the book, with a similar setting, idea and sense of humour, but I, Claudia is dirtier and darker. I would recommend, and will be reading more.