10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent debut novel by a talented new author., October 31, 2009
This review is from: The Gladiator (The Roman Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical #44) (Mass Market Paperback)
Seventeen-year-old Pelonia is a young Christian woman living near Rome in 81 AD. She lived a comfortable life, sheltered from the dangers faced by Christians in Rome, until her greedy uncle had her father murdered and sold her into slavery. She is brought to Rome, where she is purchased by Caros, a former gladiator. Though still a young man, Caros has lived a difficult and violent life. After witnessing the horrific deaths of his family, he was sold into slavery at the age of fifteen and trained as a gladiator. Having won his freedom in the arena, he is now a lanista and runs a school where he trains gladiators.
When Caros sees Pelonia for sale, he is drawn to her beauty and innocence, decides she must be his, and purchases her to be a slave in his household. But he is unwilling to force her, and begins something like a courtship with her, determined to win her heart. Soon, he realizes she is the only person with whom he truly feels at peace. But although she is attracted to Caros, and realizes that she does truly love him, Pelonia fights her feelings, because he is not a believer in her faith, and she is determined to escape and find her surviving family so she can live as a free woman again.
The Gladiator is a wonderful story of faith and love set in Ancient Rome, a unique setting for a historical romance. Although a first time writer, author Carla Capshaw does a wonderful job of bringing the setting and characters to life, and I look forward to reading more from her. I highly recommend this book to readers who like inspirational romances or historical romances with unusual settings.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courage in Rome, November 7, 2009
This review is from: The Gladiator (The Roman Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical #44) (Mass Market Paperback)
I really loved this book. When I first heard about this story I wasn't sure this period would be one I enjoyed as much as others but I was so wrong. I really did enjoy this period and I have to say I found this book very thought provoking. Its set in the early Christian days in Rome when Christians are fed to the lions and worse. I hadn't really thought what that would be like but this book made me think about it. I am not sure I would have been as strong as the early day Christians knowing I could be fed to the lions or worse I would hope I would. It really made me appreciate the early Christians for there faith and stand. The story of Pelonia is very touching and her stand for Christ is very strong. Caros is a strong brooding hero who has been a slave and now has his freedom but still feels the stigma of it. Throw in a special cat (you have to read the story to find out about this animal) and you have a wonderful, strong and thought provoking book. Well done Carla on your first novel. I honestly can't wait for the sequel.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gladiator, November 2, 2009
This review is from: The Gladiator (The Roman Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical #44) (Mass Market Paperback)
Carla Capshaw has captured my heart with this story of inspiration and her way of showing how her characters overcome the hardships that they encounter in life. She has a wonderful way of drawing a reader into her story and captures your heart with her writing. I couldn't put the story down until I finished. Can see lots of readers enjoying this story set in the days of turmoil in Rome.
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