Shadow of Colossus (Seven Wonders Series #1) [Paperback]

T. L. Higley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?

 

The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaeira, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.

 

Here is a powerful story showing how the love of God can transform even the most hardened person and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief.

Endorsements:

“T. L. Higley’s Shadow of Colossus is a fascinating glimpse into the rarely visited world of ancient Greece, a beautifully written tale of love and faith and adventure. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.”

—DeAnna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound

“T. L. Higley transported me so completely to Ancient Greece that when I was finished I felt as if I had to reorient myself to present time. An engrossing read, written with precision and style. I was sorry to see it end.”

—Carolyne Aarsen, author of All in One Place

“Shadow of Colossus is a beautifully told tale, richly detailed, and set beneath one of the great wonders of the world. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling in the ancient world, you’ll want to be there as a fallen woman rises and the great Colossus falls!”

—Ginger Garrett, author of In the Shadow of Lions

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

T.L. Higley holds a degree in English Literature and has written three previous novels and more than fifty drama productions for church ministry.  She is especially passionate about "breaking down emotional and philosophical barriers that people have put up between themselves and Christ." 

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Broadman & Holman Publishers (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080544730X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805447309
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

T.L. Higley travels the world, brings back adventure and writes fiction that transports readers to ancient times and places, No Passport Required.

Visit her website at TLHigley.com or meet up with her on Facebook at facebook.com/tlhigley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Heart of Stone, March 15, 2008

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow of Colossus (Seven Wonders Series #1) (Paperback)

Tessa of Delos is very much like the massive statue of Helios, located in the
port city of Rhodes, in ancient Greece. A structure whose feet she often rests
upon as she considers her plight in life. A hetaera (a kept woman), Tessa is
well-respected in the community, not only for her outstanding beauty, but for
her intelligence and astute political mind. Like the mighty colossus that stands
110 feet tall, Tessa and the structure have much in common, both are made of
stone and firmly anchored in their place.

Regardless of the respect Tessa receives, she is still enslaved to the whims of
her master, a fate that leaves her pondering the taking of her own life. She
would rather be free than continue to live her life as a possession for a man
she has nothing but disdain for.

When Glaucos, her wealthy benefactor is murdered by her own hands, Tessa is left
to consider the penalty of death she has reaped on her own head. Unwilling to
remain a slave she concocts a dangerous web of lies that will ultimately become
her undoing.

Helped in her quest to become free is a strong and handsome stranger, Nikos, who
mysteriously appears on the island and quickly becomes embroiled in her quest
for freedom. Through Nikos, Tessa must come to terms with the pain of her past,
gain his alliance, while simultaneously relegating him to the outer courts of
her heart, a heart so hardened as to be inpenetrable.

With a marvelous cast of interesting and intriguing characters T.L. Higley's
SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is a thrill-filled saga that will keep the reader's mind
abuzz with wonder at the masterful weaving of her intricate plots. Those with
acute sleuthing abilities will find themselves stumped time and time again as
they careen towards the climactic plot resolution. Although Historical Fiction,
SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is written with a modern day twist that doesn't bog the
reader down with irrelevant details, but takes them back in time and allows them
to view a world they may have never known. SHADOW OF COLOSSUS is skillfully
written, and masterfully executed.

Reviewed by Rosalind Stormer
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An adventure into Greece, November 27, 2008

By 

Margaret Chind "Creative Madness Mama - Quilt... (Atoka, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow of Colossus (Seven Wonders Series #1) (Paperback)

After reading this story, while reading a note provided after the story within the book I found that this really explained what I think as a whole about the tale.

"Weaving in and out of actual events, brushing lightly against the lives of characters from the pages of history, the Seven Wonders novels take us beyond man's ingenuity and hubris to explore the Supreme Creator's work in the ancient world beyond Israel. From the fall of the mighty Colossus of Rhodes to the destruction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one thing becomes clear: The power of redemption will never be silenced, and the One True God still desires to draw all men unto himself."

This novel might have taken place in 227 BC, but there is no doubt in my mind that it falls within a classification of Christian fiction. Through the characters hearts and mind, the "one true God" makes his love and redemption vision known.

The author has used a talent for story telling to educate and to fill the soul with a redemptive tale that is as classic as the story of the woman at the well or the good Samaritan. God loves you, and can use you, and desires you, no matter your past or situation.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Historical Drama, November 22, 2008

By 

Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shadow of Colossus (Seven Wonders Series #1) (Paperback)

From the beautiful cover to the last word of this poetic story, T.L. Higley takes the reader captive in her novel, "Shadow of Colossus." This excellent book is nearly impossible to put down. Some situations transcend time and space. Tessa's tragic tale of human bondage is told beautifully against the historical backdrop of ancient Greece around the time of the earthquake that destroyed the Colossus of Helios. Romance, intrigue, and suspense are woven together in this non-stop epic that will transport the reader straight to Rhodes. I hope there will be more books of this sort from this incredible author. I also appreciated the mini-lesson in ancient Greek at the beginning of the book.