Her Last Day

by Kat Holmes, L.J. Holmes

This will be a day no one ever forgets, and Daria unfortunately has a front row seat.The date was August 24th 79 A.D. and it started like every other day in Pompeii. But the clock is ticking and disaster is about to strike. Daria, the wife of a selfish businessman, is about to find out that there are worse things than a loveless marriage. But through it all, is there any cause for hope?

Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2012

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book because I had bought it. The writing style did not engage me. The story centers around Daria in Pompeii on August 24th 79AD. We already know what happened on that date.

[Susan Bernhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pompeii situated at the base of Mt. Vesuvius was destroyed in 79 A.D. with the volcano's eruption. I had been to Pompeii a couple of years ago and spent a lot of time wandering through the excavated buildings and down its many streets. And so, I wanted to read Lin and Kat Holmes' (mother and daughter team) novel "Her Last Day" because of the setting.

Lin and Kat brought Pompeii to life again in "Her Last Day". The humanization of this tragic day in history is the focus of the story with the brave and compassionate, Daria and her kindly slave, Acteon. Daria, a noblewoman is given in an arranged marriage to an overbearing, abusive husband Titus. During her marriage, she develops a special bond with, Acteon and without giving too much away, this story is about their final time together.

This fast-paced novel held my interest from start to finish. It's descriptions of Pompeii are accurate and it's tension-filled. Great twist towards the end of their book.

[L.R. S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pompeii, August 24th 79 A.D.— the date has never meant more to me than just another unfortunate event in history, but Daria’s story has changed that. Vicariously hurting from the pain of her marriage, and admiring her for kindness and fortitude, this beautiful heroine’s experience in those dreadful hours has humanized this historical event for me and has marked it as a tragic one.
Seemingly unhampered by the constraints of a novella, Lin and Kat Holmes paint the Pompeii scene vividly. The attitudes and norms of society were evidently well researched, and I was consequently transported to a singular cultural realm (and I’m thankful I was born long after its demise.)
Her Last Day is not only a history lesson in disguise, but a romance with paranormal elements. And to top it off, there’s twist at the end which is a special treat!

[Eileen Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the start I was taken with the premise of this short story. It's August 24th 79 AD in Pompeii, and the reader knows already that something terrible is going to happen. This story follows a day in the life of Daria, a brave and sympathetice heroine who is married to Titus, a bully and an abusive husband. There are lovely descriptions of a normal domestic day in Daira's household, and we find out that Daria has formed a bond with a slave, Acteon. As Vesuvius rumbles, tension mounts unbearably. The story has an unexpected twist, in the best tradition of short stories. A fast-paced and gripping read.

[Sara Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella about a women trapped within a loveless marriage in 79 AD, Pompeii is smoothly crafted and turned out to be a genuine joy to read. L. J. Holmes and Kat Holmes have created a brave and compassionate heroine in Daria, and as they go about chronicling her daily life, amid cultural excesses and domestic duties, the impending darkness of the day transforms the character's lives, and a tender love story emerges. Like a delicate piece of glass sculpture, this read should be cherished and savored. I highly recommend this historical gem.

[Heath Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, the best thing about reading a book from an author your not familiar with, is not trusting them. What is going to happen? I felt this way while reading Her Last Day, by a joint mother daughter writing team. I enjoyed this book, start to finish. My heart went out to the heroine, sympathizing with her, and the life she was subjected to. Very impressed! I recommend this book to anyone with a heart that is compassionate.