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A Time of Gladiators and Fate
(2026)(The first book in the Last Road to Rome series)
A novel by Susan Illene
For lovers of Spartacus, Xena, and Outlander, where a 21st-century woman inadvertently leaps through time to 1st-century Rome.
Grace King grew up on a farm in Kansas, so nothing prepares her for landing in the Roman Colosseum while it’s still intact. A heart-pounding chase in her rental car follows with spear-throwing legionnaires, armed gladiators, and a couple of wild animals. Chaos ensues, but she’s not exactly Fast and Furious material. Grace is eventually forced to surrender in a floral sundress meant for vacation, not blood sport.
The emperor offers her two choices: execution or gladiator school. While she isn’t afraid of hard work, the ludus where she’ll train with other men and women is brutal. Most doubt her right to be there, adding pressure to an already difficult situation. Every aspect of her new life, down to the clothes she wears and how she’s treated, is vastly different and horrifying.
Her fate will rest in the hands of two dangerous, conflicting men.
In the training arena, the first is a formidable lead instructor with icy good looks. He will push her body to its absolute limits and test her willpower to survive while trading heated banter with her. The second is a wealthy, enigmatic sponsor who shields her against Rome’s darkest exploits for a price, but his own time-travel secrets weave a dangerous web. The handsome man knows far more about how she ended up in ancient Rome than he’s willing to tell her.
A Time of Gladiators and Fate follows the gripping journey of a modern woman who must become a force that ancient Rome will fear and admire if she ever hopes to earn her freedom and find a way home.
Spice rating: 1.5-2
Note to readers: This is NOT a ‘why choose’ novel. It contains dark and gritty themes common to the time period, including elements of slavery and lack of bodily autonomy. Those sensitive to certain triggers should check content warnings on the author’s website before reading. They're also included at the beginning of the book.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Grace King grew up on a farm in Kansas, so nothing prepares her for landing in the Roman Colosseum while it’s still intact. A heart-pounding chase in her rental car follows with spear-throwing legionnaires, armed gladiators, and a couple of wild animals. Chaos ensues, but she’s not exactly Fast and Furious material. Grace is eventually forced to surrender in a floral sundress meant for vacation, not blood sport.
The emperor offers her two choices: execution or gladiator school. While she isn’t afraid of hard work, the ludus where she’ll train with other men and women is brutal. Most doubt her right to be there, adding pressure to an already difficult situation. Every aspect of her new life, down to the clothes she wears and how she’s treated, is vastly different and horrifying.
Her fate will rest in the hands of two dangerous, conflicting men.
In the training arena, the first is a formidable lead instructor with icy good looks. He will push her body to its absolute limits and test her willpower to survive while trading heated banter with her. The second is a wealthy, enigmatic sponsor who shields her against Rome’s darkest exploits for a price, but his own time-travel secrets weave a dangerous web. The handsome man knows far more about how she ended up in ancient Rome than he’s willing to tell her.
A Time of Gladiators and Fate follows the gripping journey of a modern woman who must become a force that ancient Rome will fear and admire if she ever hopes to earn her freedom and find a way home.
Spice rating: 1.5-2
Note to readers: This is NOT a ‘why choose’ novel. It contains dark and gritty themes common to the time period, including elements of slavery and lack of bodily autonomy. Those sensitive to certain triggers should check content warnings on the author’s website before reading. They're also included at the beginning of the book.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
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