Angela A. (kidibelle) reviewed The Protector (Love Inspired Historical, No 60) on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I genuinely like this story. I first read The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw which initially introduced the main characters and then I read this novella. This one is better than the first.
Set in 81 AD in Rome, Quintus Ambustus is a former merchant who was turned over to the authorites for converting to Christianity. Sold into slavery, he was purchased by Caros, a retired undefeated Gladiator, and trained to fight in the arena. Under Caros' tutelage, he becomes a champion and is introduced to Adonia Leonia, the stunning, wealthy widow also known as the Lioness of Rome. Believing Adonia to be nothing more than a vain and spoiled female, Quintus can't explain his heart's reaction to the alluring beauty, but when circumstances give him the opportunity to serve as her bodyguard, he accepts, fearing more for his heart than her safety!
Adonia has a reputation for putting even the most powerful politicians and nobles in their place with a few well aimed words. Her reputation as a successful and independent young woman allows her to display her hatred for all things male with open and honest contempt, so it comes as quite a surprise to her when her own heart betrays her for a "Christian Slave", two things she beleived to be very far beneath her!
A murder attempt on her own life and the death of a loved one, force Adonia to put her trust in the one man who has more power over her than she ever vowed to allow any man to have, the Christian slave, Quintus Ambustus.
As the lives of these two intertwine, each is forced to come to terms with the dark secrets of their pasts, and to determine for themselves, are they going to continue living the lies they've believed for so long or are they going to give everything to the one true God and let His will be done?!
Set in 81 AD in Rome, Quintus Ambustus is a former merchant who was turned over to the authorites for converting to Christianity. Sold into slavery, he was purchased by Caros, a retired undefeated Gladiator, and trained to fight in the arena. Under Caros' tutelage, he becomes a champion and is introduced to Adonia Leonia, the stunning, wealthy widow also known as the Lioness of Rome. Believing Adonia to be nothing more than a vain and spoiled female, Quintus can't explain his heart's reaction to the alluring beauty, but when circumstances give him the opportunity to serve as her bodyguard, he accepts, fearing more for his heart than her safety!
Adonia has a reputation for putting even the most powerful politicians and nobles in their place with a few well aimed words. Her reputation as a successful and independent young woman allows her to display her hatred for all things male with open and honest contempt, so it comes as quite a surprise to her when her own heart betrays her for a "Christian Slave", two things she beleived to be very far beneath her!
A murder attempt on her own life and the death of a loved one, force Adonia to put her trust in the one man who has more power over her than she ever vowed to allow any man to have, the Christian slave, Quintus Ambustus.
As the lives of these two intertwine, each is forced to come to terms with the dark secrets of their pasts, and to determine for themselves, are they going to continue living the lies they've believed for so long or are they going to give everything to the one true God and let His will be done?!
Helpful Score: 1
A great, suspenseful read!
