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Light in the Empire #3
The Legacy
When Rome has taken everything, what’s left for a man to give?
Betrayed by a ruthless son who’ll do anything for power and wealth, Publius Drusus faces death with an unanswered prayer―that his treasured daughter, Claudia, and honorable son, Titus, will someday share his faith. But who will lead them to the truth once he’s gone?
Claudia’s oldest brother Lucius arranged their father’s execution to inherit everything, and now he’s forcing her to marry a cruel Roman power broker. If only she could get to Titus―a thousand miles away in Thracia. Then the man who secretly told her father about Jesus arranges for his son Philip to sneak her out of Rome and take her to the brother she can trust.
A childhood accident scarred Philip’s face. A woman’s rejection scarred his heart. Claudia’s gratitude grows into love, but what can Philip do when the first woman who returns his love hates the God he loves even more?
Titus and Claudia hunger for revenge on their brother and the Christians they blame for their father’s deadly conversion. When Titus buys Miriam, a secret Christian, to serve his sister, he starts them all down a path of conflicting loyalties and dangerous decisions. His father’s final letter commands the forgiveness Titus refuses to give. What will it take to free him from the hatred poisoning his own heart?
The Legacy is the third volume in the Light in the Empire series, which follows the interconnected lives of the members of three Roman families during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. The eight novels of the series will take you around the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, and Judaea and, of course, to Rome itself.
Betrayed by a ruthless son who’ll do anything for power and wealth, Publius Drusus faces death with an unanswered prayer―that his treasured daughter, Claudia, and honorable son, Titus, will someday share his faith. But who will lead them to the truth once he’s gone?
Claudia’s oldest brother Lucius arranged their father’s execution to inherit everything, and now he’s forcing her to marry a cruel Roman power broker. If only she could get to Titus―a thousand miles away in Thracia. Then the man who secretly told her father about Jesus arranges for his son Philip to sneak her out of Rome and take her to the brother she can trust.
A childhood accident scarred Philip’s face. A woman’s rejection scarred his heart. Claudia’s gratitude grows into love, but what can Philip do when the first woman who returns his love hates the God he loves even more?
Titus and Claudia hunger for revenge on their brother and the Christians they blame for their father’s deadly conversion. When Titus buys Miriam, a secret Christian, to serve his sister, he starts them all down a path of conflicting loyalties and dangerous decisions. His father’s final letter commands the forgiveness Titus refuses to give. What will it take to free him from the hatred poisoning his own heart?
The Legacy is the third volume in the Light in the Empire series, which follows the interconnected lives of the members of three Roman families during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. The eight novels of the series will take you around the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, and Judaea and, of course, to Rome itself.
- GenresBiblical Fiction
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
About the author
Carol Ashby
15 books145 followersCarol Ashby has been a professional writer for most of her life, but her articles and books were about lasers and compound semiconductors (the electronics that make cell phones, laser pointers, and LED displays work). She still writes about light, but her Light in the Empire series tells stories of difficult friendships and life-changing decisions in dangerous times, where forgiveness and love open hearts to discover their own faith in Christ. Her fascination with the Roman Empire was born during her first middle-school Latin class. A research career in New Mexico inspires her to get every historical detail right so she can spin stories that make her readers feel like they’re living under the Caesars themselves.
Set during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian, her Light in the Empire series will take you around the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, Africa, and Judaea and, of course, to Rome itself.
Each novel can be read stand-alone, but they do sometimes share characters or locations. To see how all the stories are related, visit https://carolashby.com/novel-relation....
Read her articles about many facets of Roman history at "Life in the Roman Empire: Historical Fact and Fiction" (carolashby.com) or join her at her blog, "The Beauty of Truth," at carol-ashby.com.
Set during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian, her Light in the Empire series will take you around the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, Africa, and Judaea and, of course, to Rome itself.
Each novel can be read stand-alone, but they do sometimes share characters or locations. To see how all the stories are related, visit https://carolashby.com/novel-relation....
Read her articles about many facets of Roman history at "Life in the Roman Empire: Historical Fact and Fiction" (carolashby.com) or join her at her blog, "The Beauty of Truth," at carol-ashby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 29, 2017
Powerful!
Carol Ashby writes with power and meaning! Her characters wrap their way into your hearts long after the story ends!
Claudia has many struggles to overcome! Meeting Philip, isn't something she normally would do. In the end, she finds the greatest of all.
This story is twisted with several aspects of God's goodness and grace. You'll also find other characters not so...well you'll see!!
This is one story you'll want to add to your library! In fact, I hope your reading the entire series! I'm looking forward to the next book!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Carol Ashby writes with power and meaning! Her characters wrap their way into your hearts long after the story ends!
Claudia has many struggles to overcome! Meeting Philip, isn't something she normally would do. In the end, she finds the greatest of all.
This story is twisted with several aspects of God's goodness and grace. You'll also find other characters not so...well you'll see!!
This is one story you'll want to add to your library! In fact, I hope your reading the entire series! I'm looking forward to the next book!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
June 5, 2020
I recently discovered this author and binge-read several of her books in a single week. They were so good I decided that I needed to own all her books in hardcover. The Legacy was the first I bought in hardcover, and even though I knew I would love it, I was amazed by how much I loved it!! It kept me up reading way past when I should have been sleeping, and when I finally decided I absolutely had to put it down and get some sleep, the author threw in a plot twist and I had to keep reading! Once I finished, I immediately recommended the book to several of my friends and loaned the book to one of them – It’s that good!
So what makes it so good? The characters. I want to meet them – especially Miriam! And the setting. I love historical fiction set in ancient times, but I rarely find it, unless it’s a story based on a Bible story. This one is set in the Roman empire (not just Rome!) about 80 years (if I’m remembering right) after Christ’s resurrection. And I learned so much about history! The author did an amazing job of researching life in the Roman empire and wove many interesting elements of it into her story. Who knew Roman laws were so crazy? And that the punishment for patricide was so specific? I didn’t! And the story was so compelling! Like I said, I couldn’t put it down! I was also very impressed with the way the gospel is so clearly, solidly presented in this story, and yet I don’t think there was even a hint of “preachiness.” Often in books when there is a page or two of spiritual lessons or Bible verses, I find myself skimming through it rather than reading carefully (that sounds horrible to say!), but not with this book! I read every word.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a really good story! Just be ready to lose quite a bit of sleep. 😉
So what makes it so good? The characters. I want to meet them – especially Miriam! And the setting. I love historical fiction set in ancient times, but I rarely find it, unless it’s a story based on a Bible story. This one is set in the Roman empire (not just Rome!) about 80 years (if I’m remembering right) after Christ’s resurrection. And I learned so much about history! The author did an amazing job of researching life in the Roman empire and wove many interesting elements of it into her story. Who knew Roman laws were so crazy? And that the punishment for patricide was so specific? I didn’t! And the story was so compelling! Like I said, I couldn’t put it down! I was also very impressed with the way the gospel is so clearly, solidly presented in this story, and yet I don’t think there was even a hint of “preachiness.” Often in books when there is a page or two of spiritual lessons or Bible verses, I find myself skimming through it rather than reading carefully (that sounds horrible to say!), but not with this book! I read every word.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a really good story! Just be ready to lose quite a bit of sleep. 😉
January 7, 2018
4.5 stars
I am really enjoying this series. This is my favorite book in the series. I am an avid reader of christian fiction, but do not read many books that take place in this setting of the early Christians. With much soul-searching, I believe it is because I am left wondering if I would be strong enough to sacrifice my life for my faith.
As always, Carol Ashby's skill as a researcher is present in this story of sacrificial love. The story begins with the execution of Publius, the much loved father of Claudia and Titus. The betrayal of her older brother sends Claudia on a journey as she flees for her life. Her journey takes her far from Rome to Thracia, where her brother Titus is serving the Roman empire. Will she and her brother be able to set aside their hatred and desire for revenge to recognize the full value of their father's legacy?
Carol Ashby provides the reader with several characters to love. Those we might consider secondary characters, become necessary to the plot, having this reader fully invested in their story as well. Philip, a Greek merchant, is entrusted with getting Claudia to Titus. Can Philip hide his faith from this woman who has such hatred for the Christians she holds responsible for her father's death? This becomes more difficult as their unlikely friendship deepens. My favorite character is Miriam, a Jewish slave, who serves Titus and Claudia. It is through Miriam's acts of sacrificial love that they are able to see the true value of their father's legacy.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am really enjoying this series. This is my favorite book in the series. I am an avid reader of christian fiction, but do not read many books that take place in this setting of the early Christians. With much soul-searching, I believe it is because I am left wondering if I would be strong enough to sacrifice my life for my faith.
As always, Carol Ashby's skill as a researcher is present in this story of sacrificial love. The story begins with the execution of Publius, the much loved father of Claudia and Titus. The betrayal of her older brother sends Claudia on a journey as she flees for her life. Her journey takes her far from Rome to Thracia, where her brother Titus is serving the Roman empire. Will she and her brother be able to set aside their hatred and desire for revenge to recognize the full value of their father's legacy?
Carol Ashby provides the reader with several characters to love. Those we might consider secondary characters, become necessary to the plot, having this reader fully invested in their story as well. Philip, a Greek merchant, is entrusted with getting Claudia to Titus. Can Philip hide his faith from this woman who has such hatred for the Christians she holds responsible for her father's death? This becomes more difficult as their unlikely friendship deepens. My favorite character is Miriam, a Jewish slave, who serves Titus and Claudia. It is through Miriam's acts of sacrificial love that they are able to see the true value of their father's legacy.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 28, 2021
I read Carol's book Forgiven and thought a book couldn't get any better but it did, The Legacy is just an amazing book which you will not be able to put down. It is full of excitement intrigue and Carols love for the Lord shines through in this amazing book. There is never a dull moment, never a time when you think you can put down the book it just keeps you wanting to keep on reading. My husband bought it too and he absolutely loved it so men, it is a book for you as well. I am going to read every book in the Light in the Empire series, buy it, promise you won't regret it.
February 19, 2024
Muy bueno, lo recomiendo, sí te gusta el imperio romano, aquí vas a encontrar una buena trama y aventuras que te harán transportar al imperio romano en el 114 d.C.
Espero lo traduzcan pronto.
Aunque es una serie de libros los puedes leer como un libro solitario y quedar satisfecho. Me hubiese gustado leer The Legacy antes que el primer título Forgiven. Definitivamente leeré más libros por esta autora 😉
Eres fans de la marca del león por Francine Rivers?, entonces no puedes dejar de leer los libros de Carol Ashby!.
Espero lo traduzcan pronto.
Aunque es una serie de libros los puedes leer como un libro solitario y quedar satisfecho. Me hubiese gustado leer The Legacy antes que el primer título Forgiven. Definitivamente leeré más libros por esta autora 😉
Eres fans de la marca del león por Francine Rivers?, entonces no puedes dejar de leer los libros de Carol Ashby!.
April 26, 2020
I could feel the pain in this story's characters, a disfigured man and woman facing loss and grief. I thought it was incredibly well done and will enjoy more from this author. It would also be a good series to read in the studies of Roman times.
January 30, 2022
Carol Ashby brings to life the cost of following Christ within the ancient Roman Empire. This is a gripping story of faith, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Followers of Jesus boldly proclaim their faith within the backdrop of lions, gladiators, and the Arena.
March 23, 2018
👍
Great read
Hard to put down
Recommend to anyone who enjoys
a story about loving God and others
Can't wait for the next one
Great read
Hard to put down
Recommend to anyone who enjoys
a story about loving God and others
Can't wait for the next one
October 4, 2021
Great
I really liked this book ,its like two stories in one. My favorite in the series. This one made me laugh and cry.
I really liked this book ,its like two stories in one. My favorite in the series. This one made me laugh and cry.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews