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| BUY on AMAZON https://mybook.to/StoriesOfExile (e-book) US paperback link: https://tinyurl.com/yp8q5ylb |
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| graphic by Marian L Thorpe |
HISTORICAL STORIES
of
EXILE
A collection of short stories by thirteen (non-superstitious)
award-winning authors
in order of appearance
Annie Whitehead, J.G. Harlond, Helen Hollick, Anna Belfrage, Elizabeth Chadwick, Loretta Livingstone, Elizabeth St.John, Alison Morton, Charlene Newcomb,
Marian L Thorpe, Amy Maroney, Cathie Dunn, Cryssa Bazos
with an introduction by Deborah Swift
Exile: thirteen authors (they are not superstitious!) have written exclusive short stories on the theme of exile. Some are based on true history, others are speculative fiction. All mine the depths of human emotions – fear, hope, love, and the fortitude to survive.
With an introduction by multi-award-winning author Deborah Swift, enjoy these tales of exile across the ages. Some are hopeful, some sad, some romantic, some tragic, but all explore the indomitable spirit of resolute, unforgettable characters.
TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
MY SISTER
by Alison Morton
A group of Roman families is preparing to go into voluntary exile and found a new colony in the mountains of Noricum. But how can Marcellus Varus broach this to the most awkward sister in all Rome?
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| read a snippet: |
ROME, SUMMER AD 395
“Have the maniae entered your mind and destroyed it?”
My sister, pale skin flushed and eyes blazing, was a change from her usual whingeing persona. She shook her head so fiercely that several strands of her curly hair became unpinned.
“No, Flavola, and if the mad spirits had entered my head, it would make no difference. We’re going and that’s it.”
“You can go on your own then, Marcellus.”
“Fair enough.”
She stuck her chin out in the way a recalcitrant mule did...
read the full story in HISTORICAL STORIES of EXILE
You can read more about some of the characters in this story in Alison Morton’s Roma Nova first Foundation story https://books2read.com/JULIAPRIMA which will be followed in early 2024 by a sequel Exsilium when we will meet Marcellus Varus and Flavola again.
ABOUT ALISON MORTON
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her ten-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. Several of her novels have hit #1 in Amazon US, UK, Canada and Australia. The latest, Julia Prima, plunges us back to AD 370 when the founders of Roma Nova met.
She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
Alison now lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit. Oh, and she’s writing the next Roma Nova story.
Julia Prima “This is a stunning historical novel set in the 4th century. Morton’s descriptions of the countryside on Julia’s journey are magnificent, and you feel as if you are traveling along with her.” Historical Novel Society (Editors’ Choice)
Website: https://www.alison-morton.com/
Buy Alison’s books on Amazon:
(Also available from other online stores or order from any bookshop.)
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| https://books2read.com/JULIAPRIMA |
"You should have trusted me. You should have given me a choice."
AD 370, Roman frontier province of Noricum. Staying faithful to the Roman gods in a Christian empire can be lethal. Half-divorced Julia Bacausa is condemned to an emotional desert and a forced marriage, Lucius Apulius barely clings onto his posting in a military backwater. Strongly drawn to each other, they are soon separated, but Julia is determined not to lose the only man she will love.
Neither wholly married nor wholly divorced, Julia is trapped in the power struggle between the Christian church and her pagan ruler father.
Tribune Lucius Apulius’s life is blighted by his determination not to convert to Christianity even to save his cherished career. Stripped of his command in Britannia, he’s demoted to the backwater of Noricum – and encounters Julia.
Unwittingly, he takes her for a whore. When confronted by who she is, he is overcome with remorse and fear. Despite this disaster, Julia and Lucius are drawn to one another by an irresistible attraction.
But their intensifying bond is broken when Lucius is banished to Rome. Distraught, Julia gambles everything to join him. But a vengeful presence from the past overshadows her perilous journey. Following her heart’s desire brings danger she could never have envisaged…
Set in the dying Roman Empire, JULIA PRIMA is the first part of the foundation story of Roma Nova and prequel to the award-winning Roma Nova alternate history thriller series.
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| BUY on AMAZON https://mybook.to/StoriesOfExile (e-book) US paperback link: https://tinyurl.com/yp8q5ylb |
all graphics unless stated
Dearest Alison, you know I am a major Roma Nova fan, and I just LOVE that you are now reaching back to tell us just how this little country came to be. I see this story as a teaser - cannot wait for the next full-size story!
ReplyDeleteHa! EXSILIUM is in its first editing pass at present, but I hope to see it on pre-order by the end of the month. Sorry to make you wait...
DeleteThank you for featuring me today, Helen. Marcellus and Flavola's relationship was fun to write! He features very much in the sequel to JULIA PRIMA, EXSILIUM, out in January. I hope readers enjoy this short taste in my story in our collection.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story, Alison and such an intriguing premise...
ReplyDeleteI love the way certain people (I'm trying not to give anything away) are underestimated in your story. And it's fun to go this far back in time.
ReplyDelete