Hope's Reward

Light in the Empire #9

by Carol Ashby

Must the secrets we hide destroy our hope for a future?

For a gladiator slave, each time you step on the sand, it’s kill or die. When Ursus decides to follow Jesus, he must choose to die the next time he’s ordered to fight…or run away. He runs, taking again his childhood name, Matti. But he isn’t just trying to escape. He’s running to Thessalonica, where he hopes to find other Christians like the woman who led him to faith.

When Felicia’s new husband, Falco, almost kills her in a fit of rage, her uncle won’t help her end the marriage with his business partner. He will send her to her sister in Thessalonica, but only if she tells no one she plans to divorce Falco and demand her dowry back before she gets there. When Matti interrupts a robbery too late to save Felicia’s money for traveling by sea, he offers to bodyguard and escort her overland to their mutual destination.

After Matti risks everything to save her from Falco’s assassins, Felicia fears taking the danger to her sister’s family. When his Christian friends take them in, she discovers the deepest desires of her heart. But will the secrets of Matti’s past make a future together impossible?

Dangerous times, difficult friendships, lives transformed by forgiveness and love

The Light in the Empire series follows the interconnected lives of five Roman families during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. Each can be read stand-alone. The eleven 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.

327 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

Carol 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.

Reviews

[Erin Laramore]

This was a wonderful novel taking place during the time of the early church in Rome. While this is the 9th book in this series, this is the first I've read and the story stood alone. There were times when I felt like I should know more about some characters who were referenced (and I would if I'd read prior books), but enough history was given in this book that I did not feel lost at all. I will, however, go back and read the prior books now! This book follows Matti, a recently converted Christian and prior gladiator, who is making his way to Thessalonica where he can find the church of Aristarchus and learn more about Jesus. Along the way, he rescues a Roman woman named Felicia from the hand of robbers and helps her seek safe passage as well. The first half of the book chronicles their journey to Thessalonica and is very character driven. It was beautiful to see how Matti showed a young slave boy with a club foot that he had value in the eyes of God. Once they reach Thessalonica, the danger to Felicia is not yet passed and their motley crew must rely on the hospitality of the Christians there.

This book was a great introduction to the early church - house churches, and how they practiced love and hospitality. I enjoyed the way that Matti spoke about Jesus and what it meant to follow Him. This book had a very strong faith thread. The characters in this book were all likable (other than maybe Falco), and I enjoyed seeing their growth as the story went on. Because Felicia's life was in danger, there was an element of suspense to the novel as well, and some mystery as they fleshed out what happened in their pasts. There was also a bit of a romance as well, and while I felt that moved a BIT fast, I understood it for the sake of the story. My only complaints in this one was when one's full Roman name was listed as their names were long and confusing - but that is not the fault of the author! I also found the church service that Matti first attended in Thessalonica to have a more "modern" feel to it, and that drew me out of the story just a little bit, but overall, this was an excellent novel and one I'd highly recommend to fans of Christian historical fiction.

I also enjoyed the historical notes at the end that spoke to the Roman culture and the research done by the author, and how those pieces wove into the story. I would recommend reading those at the end as well!

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Hy Tran]

This is a copy of the review I posted on amazon.com:

I've decided that what Carol Ashby is writing about, is a mosaic of the early (roughly 1st century CE) Christian era in the Roman Empire. This portion of the mosaic is mainly in the Balkan peninsula.

Although some of the characters are repeats, you don't need to have read the other novels. I really like that this is a solid standalone. The novel explores a lesser known (to me, anyway) part of the Roman Empire: Where Rome had conquered Greece. If you've read (and enjoyed) Carol's other novels, you don't need to continue reading my review. Just buy the book.

For those of you who are new to Carol's novel, let me recommend this one (or, actually, any of the others). The historical details are very well done; the map, so you can trace the journey, is a nice bonus. The characters are well-drawn, and grow during the story. There are elements that satisfy those who crave an action and adventure story, elements for those who want romance, and elements for those who want Christian spirituality.

The one critique I have, is that the villains are a bit cartoonish (I can almost visualize them twirling their mustaches...)

Oh, yes--I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. The opinion and review is my own opinion

[Andrea]

I love reading historical fiction set in ancient times, and I believe this series is my favorite historical fiction I’ve ever read. This book is just as good as the rest of the series! And while this is a stand-alone book, it is set just after Hope Unchained and involves some of the same characters, so you might enjoy reading Hope Unchained first. If you’re not worried about reading spoilers for Hope Unchained, go ahead and read Hope’s Reward first. :)

I definitely stayed up later than I should have reading this book, but I don’t regret it.  The story is powerful and compelling, and I appreciate how the author isn’t afraid to show the Holy Spirit involved in the lives of his people and guiding their actions. (don’t worry, there’s nothing weird in here – it all has a Biblical precedent!) I can’t recommend this book (and the whole series!) enough!

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own. And even though I got a free copy on my kindle, I plan to buy a hardcover copy soon to grace my bookshelves and beautify my home with its amazing hardcover book beautifulness. :)

[Teresa Nasson]

Hope's Reward is a gripping tale set during the most intriguing era of early Christians and roman gladiators. It follows the story of Felicia - a newly married girl who tries to flee from her abusive husband, and Matti - an ex gladiator who is trying to flee from a life of fighting towards freedom in Jesus amongst fellow Christians. Carol Ashby has brought these characters to life and you can't help but feel all the emotions experienced as you visit these historical places.

I was first introduced to Carol Ashby in Honor Bound, which I was surprised to find out was number 8 in this series. I haven't read much in this category, but I am definitely a new fan to this time period which is deeply captivating and absolutely enjoyable to read. Hope's Reward, book 9 in this series, is the second book I have read by Carol Ashby, but it won't be the last. Regardless of it being part of a series, this stand-alone book was beautifully written and put together.

*I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Charlotte Dance]

Really good historical fiction sets you in a time and place and teaches you about it in a way that is seamless with the story. This is really good historical fiction. Matti, a former gladiator, decides he must live out his new faith and seek more knowledge. On his way, he finds Felicia and her slave being robbed and saves them. They hire him and begin their travel together. His new faith finds him conflicted between spreading his joy in it and safety. So many historical nuggets give it authenticity. The theme of forgiveness rides through this book. Not just forgiveness for small things, but hard and terrible things. The book is worth reading for the thoughts on that alone.

I have read 2 other books in this series, but not ones that preceded this one. It stands alone well, but I do want to go back and read the others.

I was given this book as a complimentary copy, but this review is my own opinion of the book and I was not required to write it.

[Brooke Burger]

If you love stories set in ancient Rome and the era of the early church, you will love this one.


More importantly you WILL fall in love with the hero of this book.  How could you not love a muscular, strong, protective,  loving Man of God???  Matti stands to loose his life over his faith, yet he presses on.  How many of us are ready to do that??


Matti's love of God and his amazing love for others puts me to shame.  When the time comes will I stand for my faith so strongly?


(I was given a copy of this book and asked to make a review of it.   I am under no duress to leave a positive review.  All opinions are mine alone.)

[Andrette Herron]

This is the 2nd novel I have read by Carol Ashby, and the first one where I have met these characters. She writes about the early church, and how Christians had to navigate living out their faith while under the Roman Empire. Hope's Reward follows Matti's journey as a new believer, on his way to find fellow Christians who can teach him more about God. During the course of his travels, Matti rescues Felicia and her companions which leads to him offering to travel with Felicia as her bodyguard. Felicia is fleeing a husband who has tried to kill her and Matti is running from his previous career as a gladiator. Their journey together, leads to them both finding truth - their real quest for hope can only be found in God.

I enjoy Carol Ashby's stories. She includes a lot of history and I find them very informative with the background about the early church under the Roman Empire. As each of her characters search for meaning and purpose, it's wonderful to see how God answers each of them and brings them to a place of wholeness and hope and reconciliation.

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Amber]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Due to my phone's inability to download the book and my work suddenly picking up, I am still working through the book.
However, I can tell that so far the book is high quality, as I have come to expect from her other novels. She does not disappoint with this book, her eleventh in the series. All characters and scenes are well drawn out and personable. I was hooked from the first page and I can't wait to finish the book. Highly recommend!!

[Ann]

This is a wonderful addition to the Light of the Empire series. It is well written and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's an inspirational story full of adventure, romance and forgiveness. This book can be read as a stand alone, but it is so much better if you read them in order, in my opinion. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Trudy Cordle]

I loved Matti and Felicia's story!! The book was gripping from the very beginning, and I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next! I loved the way Matti was sharing his faith without saying a word, and how he treated others. Another great book by Carol, and I'm ready for the next one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Carlene Havel]

I love the characters in this book! Especially Matti. He’s my idea of a romantic hero, strong, kind, patient – but formidable when he has to fight villains! There’s so much interesting history interwoven. I learned a lot about how marriage, divorce, and dowries worked in the days of the Roman Empire. Also, interesting details about the early church, gladiators, and daily life. Wonderful love story, beautifully written. Highly recommended!

[Wendy Park]

This was a delightful novel. It features the story of Felicia, a woman escaping abuse from her newly-wed husband and Matti, a gladiator fleeing the ring due to coming to faith in Christ. Circumstances cause their paths to cross as they seek refuge in Thessalonica. Where will the journey to get there take them? Will they find freedom?

The strength of this book is giving you a picture of what life was like for late first-century Christians facing persecution in their small house churches. How do you balance the desire to share the goal with the fear for your life and those of others?

It also depicts the struggles of women with limited rights in regards to property and marriage.

While this book is a part of a series, it easily stand on its own. I highly recommend it.

I received an advanced reader copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Christine Dillon]

Another good adventure story. I especially love learning more of Roman history including things like marriage laws, citizenship. It was a dangerous thing to be a Christian and yet they increased because each lived out their faith and loved others, prayed for them and told them the good news. Just like we can still do today.

[Mr John Callaghan]

Another five star read

I have loved every one of the books in this Light of the Empire series. The characters have depth and are interesting so we always want to fine out what their future holds. Look forward to any of the characters in this novel appearing in a later book. Always inspiring and a blessing to my own faith
Thanks again Carol!
By Penny Callaghan

[Katherine Bartlett]

Hope's Reward tells the story of a woman who is trying to escape from an abusive husband and the man who she hires to protect her. In the early Roman years after Jesus, this story tells the power of forgiveness and hope.

[Olayinka Imoni]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me about the importance of discipleship and the Joy that one experiences after giving one's life to Jesus. The Roman era setting also made it a much delightful read. I got this complimentary copy without any conditions to favour my reviews.

[Lisa Wilson]

I felt encouraged, convicted, and loved while reading this book. God spoke to me throughout this story of forgiveness in faith. Ashby was used by God to write a story full of forgiveness that touches the reader and encourages them to forgive as well. A must read!

[JMBooher]

Adored the Book

I have love this entire series, and the universe you have written through the nine books. I can't wait for books ten and eleven. Thank you for your hard work.

[Sherry Snider]

I love all of her books. I only put it down when I can't stay awake. lol.

[Susan]

I am thoroughly enjoying the Light of the Empire series. Felicia finds herself fleeing from a violent marriage, but in her journey towards freedom, help comes in the unexpected form of a stranger. The author's research of Roman life is exemplary, replete with rich detail inserted seamlessly into a story full of adventure, memorable characters, romance and a strong faith thread of forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.