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Affairs of the Arena #3
Desire of the Gladiator
She may be above his class, but she's not above wanting him.
Leda is better than the lowly place she finds herself in. Born a princess and now trapped as a slave serving gladiators, she fights every day just to keep her head above water. Her petitions for freedom and a return to her home country are tireless—but as a princess, she has to remain pure, and her body untainted, if she is to return at all
The last thing she should do is fall for a gladiator. But that’s exactly what happens when arena warrior Conall saves her life from a would-be assassin. Conall is wrong for Leda in every way. He’s wild. He’s reckless. He’s utterly beneath her station.
He’s also got a hard, ripped body forged by dozens of battles, a stare that makes her melt, and a love so fierce that it digs deep into the fibers of her soul. Their heat is undeniable, but Conall is dead-set on pursuing one too-dangerous fight after another. His passion will get him killed—but it’s also what draws Leda to him with her breaths hot and her undergarments totally soaked.
When they join together, they risk everything.
But if there’s one thing worth dying for, it’s the desire of a gladiator.
Leda is better than the lowly place she finds herself in. Born a princess and now trapped as a slave serving gladiators, she fights every day just to keep her head above water. Her petitions for freedom and a return to her home country are tireless—but as a princess, she has to remain pure, and her body untainted, if she is to return at all
The last thing she should do is fall for a gladiator. But that’s exactly what happens when arena warrior Conall saves her life from a would-be assassin. Conall is wrong for Leda in every way. He’s wild. He’s reckless. He’s utterly beneath her station.
He’s also got a hard, ripped body forged by dozens of battles, a stare that makes her melt, and a love so fierce that it digs deep into the fibers of her soul. Their heat is undeniable, but Conall is dead-set on pursuing one too-dangerous fight after another. His passion will get him killed—but it’s also what draws Leda to him with her breaths hot and her undergarments totally soaked.
When they join together, they risk everything.
But if there’s one thing worth dying for, it’s the desire of a gladiator.
- GenresHistorical Romance
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2015
6 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Pax
6 books164 followersI love to write stories featuring hot alpha badasses falling in love with strong, smart women in the midst of a ton of excitement, turmoil, and intrigue. Life is strange, beautiful, and wonderful, but sometimes it can be a little too boring. My stories spice the day up with enough heat to need a cold drink nearby as you read, and they always close with a HEA.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 22, 2019
GOOD FOR A QUICKIE WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS WHEN YOURE TOO BUSY TO INDULGE IN A LENGTHY NOVEL. IT GIVES THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PLEASURE BUT DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH OF IT.
HERO is short for a gladiator and I did cringed a little when it was mentioned he resembled a hairy beast who is actually shorter than the heroine. Yeah but I chose to ignore those cause he was quite sweet. He's also quite sensitive about his height and suffers a little of low self esteem. It is obvious he's crazy in love with the heroine but can't seem to make her love him.
HEROINE was a Princess who became a slave no thanks to her father and is desperate to save her brother and herself. Status is everything in their culture and it becomes a barrier when she finds herself attracted to our hero but doesn't want to act on it. She also has a target on her back due to politics and basically the whole story on her part is to return to her royal status .
OVERALL like I said it doesn't have much substance... just lots of passion and a few moments to last you through a busy week.
HERO is short for a gladiator and I did cringed a little when it was mentioned he resembled a hairy beast who is actually shorter than the heroine. Yeah but I chose to ignore those cause he was quite sweet. He's also quite sensitive about his height and suffers a little of low self esteem. It is obvious he's crazy in love with the heroine but can't seem to make her love him.
HEROINE was a Princess who became a slave no thanks to her father and is desperate to save her brother and herself. Status is everything in their culture and it becomes a barrier when she finds herself attracted to our hero but doesn't want to act on it. She also has a target on her back due to politics and basically the whole story on her part is to return to her royal status .
OVERALL like I said it doesn't have much substance... just lots of passion and a few moments to last you through a busy week.
October 27, 2015
If you love history and a lot of historical facts and story then this book would definitely suit your style.
I have read reviews where people complain about the inaccuracies of the historical information contained in period writing but personally, I could not care less. This one had a lot of Roman information and specifics. So if that is what floats your boat this one is well done. Obviously by my writing it is not my cup of tea (so you just can't please everyone.) I think the fact that the author loves history and romance comes across strongly in her writing and kudos to her for writing to her passion.
I really did like the hero. I LOVED the fact he was NOT your regular, alpha, perfect male!! That was really different and I thought he was well written.
I didn't really love Leda. Perhaps her princess- e- ness put me off her a bit. The whole class thing (which I get to a point) and then just overcoming that very instilled set of morals, seemed a little too easy all of a sudden.
I also didn't enjoy all the history or the fighting or the added persons (Tito and the other important person). It just didn't add to the overall story. I just wanted a good romance and it started off well but too much other information for me to really enjoy it. I found myself skipping a lot of pages just to get to the romance :) But that is just me.
I have read reviews where people complain about the inaccuracies of the historical information contained in period writing but personally, I could not care less. This one had a lot of Roman information and specifics. So if that is what floats your boat this one is well done. Obviously by my writing it is not my cup of tea (so you just can't please everyone.) I think the fact that the author loves history and romance comes across strongly in her writing and kudos to her for writing to her passion.
I really did like the hero. I LOVED the fact he was NOT your regular, alpha, perfect male!! That was really different and I thought he was well written.
I didn't really love Leda. Perhaps her princess- e- ness put me off her a bit. The whole class thing (which I get to a point) and then just overcoming that very instilled set of morals, seemed a little too easy all of a sudden.
I also didn't enjoy all the history or the fighting or the added persons (Tito and the other important person). It just didn't add to the overall story. I just wanted a good romance and it started off well but too much other information for me to really enjoy it. I found myself skipping a lot of pages just to get to the romance :) But that is just me.
February 24, 2023
Page turner
This was a beautiful story. I got the underlying message that God gives the riches of the wicked to the righteous. (Misquoted, I know). I'm not sure that was the intention, but that's how I heard it.
This was a beautiful story. I got the underlying message that God gives the riches of the wicked to the righteous. (Misquoted, I know). I'm not sure that was the intention, but that's how I heard it.
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February 16, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/16/2023)! 🎁
June 23, 2023
The good: Romance novel heroes are always tall so I was happy to see some love for a short king! The setting was great, as were the supporting characters. I liked that the H was of a lower social class than the h.
The bad: He has deep feelings for her after talking at her for months (at, not with, since she pretended she didn’t understand the language and never communicated back,) and that’s somehow supposed to feel genuine and meaningful? Likewise, once they start properly interacting, there's a lot of telling rather than showing - we’re told briefly how they talk about reading and knowledge and how he has a passion for it just like she does, but we don’t actually see it - so their love and connection doesn't feel earned.
The whole subplot with the assassin after the h doesn't make much sense, and feels rushed and underdeveloped particularly at the end.
A few other minor annoyances: We don't know anything about the H's background or life aside from that he's German. Also, some of the modern terms/slang words are jarring.
The bad: He has deep feelings for her after talking at her for months (at, not with, since she pretended she didn’t understand the language and never communicated back,) and that’s somehow supposed to feel genuine and meaningful? Likewise, once they start properly interacting, there's a lot of telling rather than showing - we’re told briefly how they talk about reading and knowledge and how he has a passion for it just like she does, but we don’t actually see it - so their love and connection doesn't feel earned.
The whole subplot with the assassin after the h doesn't make much sense, and feels rushed and underdeveloped particularly at the end.
A few other minor annoyances: We don't know anything about the H's background or life aside from that he's German. Also, some of the modern terms/slang words are jarring.
October 14, 2015
This story proves that size really doesn't matter. Conall may be small in stature, but he has the heart and drive of a giant. I absolutely loved his reckless way of living, his fearlessness and his willingness to try and defy the odds even with his life being on the line.
In the beginning, Leda kept her status of being a Princess from having any feelings for Conall. Once she saw him as an equal, the story really took off. It was refreshing reading about a man who had no problems with expressing his love and affection for the object of his desire. Before Leda, Conall had no desire to live. It was great seeing this proud man find something worth living and fighting for. Leda was outspoken and strong, everything that I look for in a heroine.
The author did a wonderful job detailing the hard life of a gladiator and their treatment as slaves. I am a sucker for a HEA. It was great for these two, who lived such hard and demeaning lives as slaves to finally have their dreams realized.
This was a perfect way to end the series and I look forward to reading more from this author.
In the beginning, Leda kept her status of being a Princess from having any feelings for Conall. Once she saw him as an equal, the story really took off. It was refreshing reading about a man who had no problems with expressing his love and affection for the object of his desire. Before Leda, Conall had no desire to live. It was great seeing this proud man find something worth living and fighting for. Leda was outspoken and strong, everything that I look for in a heroine.
The author did a wonderful job detailing the hard life of a gladiator and their treatment as slaves. I am a sucker for a HEA. It was great for these two, who lived such hard and demeaning lives as slaves to finally have their dreams realized.
This was a perfect way to end the series and I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 9, 2015
A trapped and stolen princess. Assassins or blood thirsty gladiators at every turn. What is a princess to do?
Leda is a princess kidnapped and now a slave under the house of V. She has a gift for languages and that is the only reason her master is keeping her in good shape. With her help, he wishes to undo things the previous master had done. Keeping to herself is hard. Especially when you have hardened bodied delicious looking men all around you, in shape and ready for a fight in the arena. Only one though catches her eye and he is the beasts of all beasts of men. In her opinion.
Condall is a gladiator but also a slave none the less. He plans to fight every game he can. No matter the cost. Whether he lives or dies in the sands of the arena. But that all changed when he sees a beautiful woman, escorted into the house of V.....
Leda is a princess kidnapped and now a slave under the house of V. She has a gift for languages and that is the only reason her master is keeping her in good shape. With her help, he wishes to undo things the previous master had done. Keeping to herself is hard. Especially when you have hardened bodied delicious looking men all around you, in shape and ready for a fight in the arena. Only one though catches her eye and he is the beasts of all beasts of men. In her opinion.
Condall is a gladiator but also a slave none the less. He plans to fight every game he can. No matter the cost. Whether he lives or dies in the sands of the arena. But that all changed when he sees a beautiful woman, escorted into the house of V.....
October 15, 2015
First I need to say these are the first books I've ever read by Lydia Pax and I hope to read more of her works. This has been a fantastic journey back into the time of gladiators. All three books are a testament to the dedication to her craft. Well written, colorful characters and storyline with amazing detail. Conall the Beast has grown into a man in this series he's compact hard as rock and handsome. He falls for the lovely slave Leda who was an Armenian princess that is being used for her skills in language. Can the two take the chance at love? This is filled with action, adversity,some mystery, love and Titans! I would highly recommend all the books in this series that all have there own HEA!!
I was gifted an ARC for an honest review!
I was gifted an ARC for an honest review!
October 25, 2015
A Good Book
Conall and Lida had a very romantic story. At first Lida, being a princess thought she was better than everyone. Conall helped her to change a d they realized they were in love. It was a good book.
Conall and Lida had a very romantic story. At first Lida, being a princess thought she was better than everyone. Conall helped her to change a d they realized they were in love. It was a good book.
December 7, 2015
Leda is an Armenian princess who is now a slave, because her family dishonored a Roman guest. Conall is a gladiator who falls in love with her. But because of Leda' s situation Leda tells herself that she can't fall in love with the Beast.
March 5, 2016
A wonderful ending to a great trilogy! Kept me turning pages--I felt immersed in the world of the gladiators!
Want to read
December 3, 2015I won this book from Goodreads First Reads. Review coming soon.
July 3, 2016
While not completely horrid, I remain not a fan of romance novels.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews