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Her Roman Protector
A Mother's Mission
When her baby is stolen out of her arms, noblewoman Annia will do anything to find her--even brave the treacherous back alleys of Rome to search for her. Desperate to be reunited with her daughter, Annia finds herself up against a fierce Roman soldier who insists her baby is safe. Dare she trust him?
Rugged war hero Marcus Sergius rescues abandoned babies for his mother's villa orphanage. When he witnesses Annia's courageous fight for her child, he remembers that some things are worth fighting for. Helping Annia means giving up his future...unless love is truly possible for a battle-hardened Roman legionary.
When her baby is stolen out of her arms, noblewoman Annia will do anything to find her--even brave the treacherous back alleys of Rome to search for her. Desperate to be reunited with her daughter, Annia finds herself up against a fierce Roman soldier who insists her baby is safe. Dare she trust him?
Rugged war hero Marcus Sergius rescues abandoned babies for his mother's villa orphanage. When he witnesses Annia's courageous fight for her child, he remembers that some things are worth fighting for. Helping Annia means giving up his future...unless love is truly possible for a battle-hardened Roman legionary.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2013
8 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Milinda Jay
6 books7 followersMilinda spent her childhood trying to hide from her siblings so that she could read in peace. The only person who understood her obsession with the printed word was her aunt, a librarian, who mailed Milinda the books she couldn't find in her home town. In this way, Milinda read all the biographies ever written for children, all of Beverly Cleary, and her favorite, The Happy Hollisters.
Milinda went on to major in English so that she had to read books.
When the youngest of her five children was in elementary school, Milinda's obsession with reading turned into an obsession with writing. She still loves reading, but now Milinda writes books about characters she loves, and places only time travel could take her to see.
Milinda went on to major in English so that she had to read books.
When the youngest of her five children was in elementary school, Milinda's obsession with reading turned into an obsession with writing. She still loves reading, but now Milinda writes books about characters she loves, and places only time travel could take her to see.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 5, 2016
Setting: Ancient Rome
3 1/2 Stars
The story opens with a young woman named Annia, who has just given birth to a baby girl alone except for the midwife and her slave Virginia. Divorced by her husband Galerius Janius on false charges of adultery, he has also taken away her two small sons and exiled her to a small villa at the outermost edge of Rome. Annia is shocked to learn that her baby girl is to be taken away, perhaps to die.
Marcus Peregrinus, a commander of the "Vigiles" has been ordered by the Emperor Claudius to take her baby as she is declared stolen property of Galerius Janius. Marcus has hopes of becoming a "prefect" with the help of Annia's ex-husband, and taking the baby is a way to get it. But he has no plans to let the baby die as he discovers how evil his new benefactor really is. Soon Marcus finds himself very involved in Annia's life to the point that it may endanger him and his family and the charitable work they do rescuing abandoned babies for his mother's villa orphanage. When he witnesses Annia's courageous fight for her child, he realises that some things are worth fighting for and by helping Annia it means giving up his future plans... but is love possible for a battle hardened Roman Legionary?
I didn't notice this was a "love inspired" Harlequin romance when I picked it up, as it was the story/plot in Rome that caught my attention for a different setting in a romance. I do have one quibble that brought it down a half star for me. It could have just been me, but I felt the characters were a little too modern as well as some of their actions for the time period. That aside the author did a great job with the historical detail of that time in Rome, when it was the father who decided whether the infant lived or died. After a baby was born, the midwife would lay the child before the father and if he picked the baby up the child was considered a part of the family..if not the baby was "exposed." So it could be saved and raised as a slave or foster child, but if no one picked it up it would die. Hence this is where Marcus and his mother have built the orphanage for abandoned babies. As for the "inspired" part, I was excepting it to have a more Christian "passage" throughout, which it did but was very light and the story/plot and characters were certainly inspiring in itself.
3 1/2 Stars
The story opens with a young woman named Annia, who has just given birth to a baby girl alone except for the midwife and her slave Virginia. Divorced by her husband Galerius Janius on false charges of adultery, he has also taken away her two small sons and exiled her to a small villa at the outermost edge of Rome. Annia is shocked to learn that her baby girl is to be taken away, perhaps to die.
Marcus Peregrinus, a commander of the "Vigiles" has been ordered by the Emperor Claudius to take her baby as she is declared stolen property of Galerius Janius. Marcus has hopes of becoming a "prefect" with the help of Annia's ex-husband, and taking the baby is a way to get it. But he has no plans to let the baby die as he discovers how evil his new benefactor really is. Soon Marcus finds himself very involved in Annia's life to the point that it may endanger him and his family and the charitable work they do rescuing abandoned babies for his mother's villa orphanage. When he witnesses Annia's courageous fight for her child, he realises that some things are worth fighting for and by helping Annia it means giving up his future plans... but is love possible for a battle hardened Roman Legionary?
I didn't notice this was a "love inspired" Harlequin romance when I picked it up, as it was the story/plot in Rome that caught my attention for a different setting in a romance. I do have one quibble that brought it down a half star for me. It could have just been me, but I felt the characters were a little too modern as well as some of their actions for the time period. That aside the author did a great job with the historical detail of that time in Rome, when it was the father who decided whether the infant lived or died. After a baby was born, the midwife would lay the child before the father and if he picked the baby up the child was considered a part of the family..if not the baby was "exposed." So it could be saved and raised as a slave or foster child, but if no one picked it up it would die. Hence this is where Marcus and his mother have built the orphanage for abandoned babies. As for the "inspired" part, I was excepting it to have a more Christian "passage" throughout, which it did but was very light and the story/plot and characters were certainly inspiring in itself.
March 29, 2014
This book, set in ancient Rome, and later in Britain during the same time period, certainly kept my attention. The setting was enjoyable, and the research done by the author enabled her to include some fairly unique elements. The plot includes everything from the horrors of infant exposure and slavery and placing money and power above everything else to the sweetness of romance, courage and heroism, fear of possible religious persecution, and societal and gender roles and expectations. The author very successfully gives the reader a feel for life in those times, and at each level of society. There was one place in the story that bothered me a little bit. Lucia mentions seeing an entire group of people in a boat, but unless I am mistaken one of those referred to never actually got into the boat. That may seem like a small thing, and it is, but as a reader it jumped out at me, confused me, and made me look back to see if I read incorrectly. Annia and Marcus both grow as people during the course of the story, and I enjoyed seeing that happen. The children in the story were delightful additions. I do recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction, and I hope to read other books by this author in the future.
March 29, 2014
I always love to see a Romance set in ancient Rome. Milinda Jay uses this exciting, and often, cruel time period to full effect in Her Roman Protector. Readers will be rooting for Annia and Marcus to get their happy ending and fully satisfied when they do.
February 16, 2016
Nice story, centered around the idea of the Roman paterfamilias, the idea that the father of a family owned its members. Apparently it was fairly common for the father to deny a newborn infant and order it exposed-- left out with the garbage to die or be picked up by slave traders and raised to a useful age. The hero works with his mother to rescue these babies and the mothers, if they need it. The heroine was falsely accused of adultery and divorced by her husband before her daughter was born. He ordered the baby exposed, but the midwife/ baby rescuer took her back to her mother. The hero is later hired by the bad guy father to go get the baby and expose her, and agrees, knowing he will take her to his mom. The bad guy has a new wife, cousin of the emperor Claudius, and she wants all the heroine's children dead, including the two boys the dad took when he divorced the heroine, in favor of her own baby. And that's basically the plot.
I did find it strange that the half-British heroine was described as small and darker than the Romans. Celts tend to be quite fair-skinned, no matter how dark their hair... The conflict that separates the hero and heroine later in the story seemed a bit contrived and stretched out to me, and the "inspirational" elements were pretty weak. Christianity was very new. Paul was apparently living and preaching in Corinth at the time, yet these brand new believers didn't really seem to struggle with their faith. They seemed to have grown up in it, in fact, which seems really strange since they grew up in Britain. Nonetheless, it was a good story and I enjoyed it. Good read.
I did find it strange that the half-British heroine was described as small and darker than the Romans. Celts tend to be quite fair-skinned, no matter how dark their hair... The conflict that separates the hero and heroine later in the story seemed a bit contrived and stretched out to me, and the "inspirational" elements were pretty weak. Christianity was very new. Paul was apparently living and preaching in Corinth at the time, yet these brand new believers didn't really seem to struggle with their faith. They seemed to have grown up in it, in fact, which seems really strange since they grew up in Britain. Nonetheless, it was a good story and I enjoyed it. Good read.
October 26, 2014
Sometimes it's hard to read about things that happened in history. My children have loved learning about Rome in school the last couple of years, so I've been learning interesting stuff with them which made reading this book even more fun.
Marcus had dreams from the time he was a child of protecting important people. He thought the emperor was the most important person until he met Annia and her children. Even then, at first he believed the lies he was told about them. But when he saw how hard Annia fought for her baby daughter, his eyes were suddenly opened to a reality he hadn't seen before.
I thought the story was well written. I enjoyed the characters and the experiences that they went through. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Marcus had dreams from the time he was a child of protecting important people. He thought the emperor was the most important person until he met Annia and her children. Even then, at first he believed the lies he was told about them. But when he saw how hard Annia fought for her baby daughter, his eyes were suddenly opened to a reality he hadn't seen before.
I thought the story was well written. I enjoyed the characters and the experiences that they went through. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 7, 2014
Thank you Jay Milinda for a beautifully written historical fiction novel. At last an author who can write a heartfelt love story without profanity, sexually explicit love scenes and capture true love between a man and a woman.
The Roman practice of exposing infants was unknown to me. Again, this sensitive author has given voice to the mothers of ancient times who suffered this great loss.
Annia and Marcus are both heroes--one as a mother of an exposed child and Marcus as their protectors.
The Roman practice of exposing infants was unknown to me. Again, this sensitive author has given voice to the mothers of ancient times who suffered this great loss.
Annia and Marcus are both heroes--one as a mother of an exposed child and Marcus as their protectors.
February 8, 2014
I will admit that am normally a fan of paranormal romance. I thought this book would be a nice change because I like the time period in which it is based. I was thrilled that it was both historically accurate and adventurous. Ms. Jay breathed life onto the page so that the characters and the Villa became something I could see, feel, taste, smell and touch!
April 8, 2025
First of all, I want to thank the author for this book. Because FINALLY I've found a romance book, a Harlequin at that too, that takes place in Ancient Rome and does NOT have gladiators in it. Like hell yeah!!!
And to top it all, the male lead is a soldier -- just what I wished for. So thank you author!! <3
Moving onto what my thoughts are on this.
The plot is not super good. And the writing, I found a bit choppy at the start, but you get used to it and it does get a better later on. We would read about what the characters think first, and then we read them say it out loud. There were too much repeating of that. Point-of-view changes showing us different sides BUT CONSEQUENTLY is not something I enjoy, and I think it blocks any kind of mystery and anticipation that could have been built otherwise.
I also didn't like the latter half mostly because I thought the "conflict" was already resolved RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING idk? And it didn't make sense to me as to why she was so angry suddenly? But anyway.
The pay-off was also RIIIGHTTT at the very end and we couldn't see a lot of their happy, romantic moments unfortunately. I think the author should have given us some more time instead of ending the story right when he finally confessed his love LIKE?!?! OK.
Besides that, to talk about history. Now, I'm not a person who's so adamant about historical accuracy however, this story apparently takes time during the rule of Claudius, probably 10 years or something after Jesus was killed... and somehow every good guy we meet is Christian...? I thought it took like 80-90 years until it was even recognized as a separate religion like okay. I thought it would have been even better if the lead was a pagan but still fell in love with the Christian girl idk it could have created a different stake as well. I think it just makes the storyline dull with how nearly everyone "on our side" is a Christian -- tbf, one was a Jew lmao.
And to top it all, the male lead is a soldier -- just what I wished for. So thank you author!! <3
Moving onto what my thoughts are on this.
The plot is not super good. And the writing, I found a bit choppy at the start, but you get used to it and it does get a better later on. We would read about what the characters think first, and then we read them say it out loud. There were too much repeating of that. Point-of-view changes showing us different sides BUT CONSEQUENTLY is not something I enjoy, and I think it blocks any kind of mystery and anticipation that could have been built otherwise.
I also didn't like the latter half mostly because I thought the "conflict" was already resolved RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING idk? And it didn't make sense to me as to why she was so angry suddenly? But anyway.
The pay-off was also RIIIGHTTT at the very end and we couldn't see a lot of their happy, romantic moments unfortunately. I think the author should have given us some more time instead of ending the story right when he finally confessed his love LIKE?!?! OK.
Besides that, to talk about history. Now, I'm not a person who's so adamant about historical accuracy however, this story apparently takes time during the rule of Claudius, probably 10 years or something after Jesus was killed... and somehow every good guy we meet is Christian...? I thought it took like 80-90 years until it was even recognized as a separate religion like okay. I thought it would have been even better if the lead was a pagan but still fell in love with the Christian girl idk it could have created a different stake as well. I think it just makes the storyline dull with how nearly everyone "on our side" is a Christian -- tbf, one was a Jew lmao.
April 18, 2018
Great Book!
March 3, 2016
Surprisingly this story is a nice blend of tension and romance with good pacing and wholly likable characters. One cannot help but feel pity for Annia when you first meet her as the divorced mother of three young children. The fact that her newborn daughter is snatched away from her just tears at your heartstrings. Rather than give up, Annia digs in to overcome her hardships and through a somewhat interesting twist of fate, she is reunited with all her children thanks to her unlikely savior--Marcus, the soldier who was originally sent by her ex-husband to take her daughter away.
What I liked most about the story was the way the author paints Annia's and Marcus' relationship as one built on gradual trust and mutual respect, as opposed to just physical lust. This story is not about two young lovers but rather, a mature love story where the couple actually talk to one another as adults. After some initial hesitation, Annia does not shy away from confronting Marcus about their future together, which inevitably leads to a happy and satisfactory ending.
What I liked most about the story was the way the author paints Annia's and Marcus' relationship as one built on gradual trust and mutual respect, as opposed to just physical lust. This story is not about two young lovers but rather, a mature love story where the couple actually talk to one another as adults. After some initial hesitation, Annia does not shy away from confronting Marcus about their future together, which inevitably leads to a happy and satisfactory ending.
July 29, 2016
When I got this in the mail with my shipment, I thought: hmmmm, interesting. Let's read it and find out if it's any good.
Well, it's pretty good. I was very pleasantly surprised at the plot and story line. Why? Cuz I'm more of a western/war/regency person, but whatever. This was a nice diversion from my 'usual' lol. Very nice job and I await to see what's next from this author:)
Well, it's pretty good. I was very pleasantly surprised at the plot and story line. Why? Cuz I'm more of a western/war/regency person, but whatever. This was a nice diversion from my 'usual' lol. Very nice job and I await to see what's next from this author:)
November 26, 2016
I really was surprised by how much I liked this. It was creative, moving, and packed with action. Set in Rome as well, one of my favorite historical periods.
While normally I would have dismissed Love Inspirational novels, this book was relatively tame in that regard.
I am definitely going to read more by this author.
Four stars!
While normally I would have dismissed Love Inspirational novels, this book was relatively tame in that regard.
I am definitely going to read more by this author.
Four stars!
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January 12, 2016"An interesting look at Roman life in the early days of Christianity. The hero's struggle to do what is right and still pursue the future he believes he wants is well represented." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
April 5, 2014
Only give it two stars for the concept. The writing was terrible and there wasn't effective pacing of the novel or engagement of the reader.
May 5, 2014
I liked the story but the way it was written was a little confusing.
August 18, 2014
it was pretty good, it kinda drug out for a little while, and I don't see what the big deal was on his past, she shouldn't have made such a big deal about it. the ending was pretty good. :)
July 21, 2018
... it was ok, but seriously nothing special.. I had some troubles believing what was happening. No clue it was just not my kind of story
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews