Woman of Stone [Paperback]

Debra Tash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2004

Quintus Caecilius Metellus, comes to Delphi to seek a blessing from Apollo for his conquest of Greece. Instead Metellus finds a greater prize, the love of a young priestess.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ms. Tash has had her work published in E-Street Magazine, Mature Living, The Los Angeles Times, The Ventura County Star Newspaper, The Christian Ranchman, Affaire de Coeur, Of Ages Past, The Copperfield Review, Good News, Now What? The Chrysalis Reader, The Gem, Legions of Light and she is a regular contributor/reporter for the Archaeological Institute of America Newsletter. Her historical novel set in the time of the Roman conquest of Greece is available from The Fiction Works - WOMAN OF STONE. She is vice president of a small manufacturing firm and a member of the Archaeological Institute of America, University of California, Santa Barbara Chapter. In addition, she arranges and leads field trips for local home school groups to instill in them a love of history and also volunteered at the J. Paul Getty Center as a storyteller as well as currently conducting school tours at the Ventura County Maritime Museum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Zumaya Publications (August 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894942043
• ISBN-13: 978-1894942041
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,751,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Rome conquers Greece, while a Greecian conquers a Roman, July 11, 2006

By 

Tom Baldwin "Novels_Unlimited" (Cedar City, Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woman of Stone (Paperback)

Before reading this book, when I thought of Delphi and its Oracles I thought of Zeus, and thunder bolts. Yet in reality, it all must have had a human side too. That is just what Ms Tash has given this period of history. She brings it to life. Her careful reseach sets the stage, putting her characters in just the sort of situation they might in reality have found themselves in, and then keen writing ability puts that spark of life in them that so many authors fail to provide. The hard Roman general, despite his bluff and bluster, turns out to have the same need for love and companionship that his legionares have. The oracle herself may serve the god, but she is also a woman ready to give her heart and herself to the right man.

It is not that simple, however, for there are those who do not want the two of them together. Jealousy, politics, war, and just plain meaness conspire to keep the two apart. You will wonder right up the end if they will be able to overcome the hurdles set in the path of their love.

Tash writes some of the best historical romance out there. Her novels are always well researched, full of action, and believeable characters that the reader soon comes to identify with. A good read. I reccomend it.

Tom Baldwin
Author of Firestorms

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing, fast-paced, authentic, search for love and faith, July 26, 2006

By 

Maeve of Tara "Avid Reader" (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woman of Stone (Paperback)

Woman of Stone is a compact novel, but reads like an epic. The era is the rising tide of Roman supremacy in Greece, with the Greek rulers plotting against it. Roman general Quintus Cecelius Metellus, also governor of Macedonia, arrives at Delphi, at the time the center of creation, to seek a blessing from Apollo for his planned conquest of this ancient land. But Fates have decided that it's time he bows to the deeply ingrained values in his heart, and Timarete, priestess/visionary, is the catalyst. The story of their love and the obstacles they have to surmount, including the Greek rebellion against the Romans, and deadly intrigues by the High Priest of Apollo and High Priestess of Aphrodite, are richly told. As mentioned by the previous reviewer, the secondary characters in this novel are as compelling as the two protagonists, and the historical/geographical/social backgrounds are well researched. Indeed this is an absorbing novel by a powerful, knowledgeable writer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific! Good background, excellent characterizations, July 26, 2006

By 

Dolce Diva (Daytona Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woman of Stone (Paperback)

I liked Woman of Stone a great deal, Debra Tash knows her era, and has a fluent style which at the appropriate sections, can be quite insightful, even poetic. Naturally I liked the protagonists, Metellus, the crusty Roman general with a compassionate heart he has to keep under wraps due to the position he holds, as well as Timarete, the seer/priestess who falls in love with Metellus, an enemy of her people.
The conflict separating them -- the New Order, so to speak -- is very well drawn and kept me reading. However, her secondary characters, Marcus, the Decurion and Itame, the young Greek woman of great honor and courage, as well as young Thallos, son of Diaeus of Corinth who leads the Greek insurgents against Rome, are exceptionally well drawn.
Recommended reading!