Great Caesar's Ghost

Art Historian Super Heroes #2

by Rebecca Branch

Maximillian DuPont, son of an American archaeologist and an art historian on the curatorial staff of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, heads to Paris, London and Rome. Recently jilted by his fiancé at Cal Berkeley, he strikes off on an antiquities buying tour. Tired of the night life, dating scene, and loneliness of his world in New York, Max finds focus in a recent find…an outstanding collection of the personal possessions of Gaius Julius Caesar, only recently discovered. Examining the priceless objects, Max sets off a chain of events which unlocks an ability to connect with any of Caesar’s blood ties throughout time, leading him back to Caesar himself.

Experimenting with his new found ability to time travel, Max amasses a fortune through stock purchases, becoming an overnight multi-millionaire. Complications arise when he meets Sally, a woman who shares his interests and passions; the unhappily married thoroughbred wife of a New York entertainment lawyer in 1955. More than ten years his elder, a bright, beautiful socialite, she clings to Max, who can’t help but empathize with a soul mate who lives her life as a society ornament.

In 1937, Sarah Goldsmith, beautiful and brilliant daughter of a German Jewish antiquarian, fights the prejudice of her times in pre-World War Two America, guarding her chastity, and concentrating her spirit and energy on her studies and her equestrian abilities. Lost in a world of nineteenth century romance novels, harassed by her neighbors, she fights the horrors of her times to complete her education and get away to New York City, a place where being Jewish has little stigma and where she might finally meet a companion who sees her for who she is.

This is a story of time travel, of places past and present, of historical figures and events, visited and observed by an art historian whose life pans between New York and Rome. The second book in a series, but a stand-alone novel, this book will take the reader to Paris, London, Rome, Berkeley, New York, and the North Atlantic as it wends its way through the fabric of time. Join the hero and heroine through their challenges and personal growth as they experience the turbulent times of the last century and Max sets his sights on his ultimate goal…meeting Caesar.

Genres: Romance

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2014

About the author

My name is Rebecca Branch and I live in New York City and am an architect by trade but an art historian by education. My father was an American archaeologist and my mother an Italian author and artist. I grew up in Rome and New York, attending UC Berkeley for undergraduate work and Columbia for my Ph.D. I worked as an assistant to the curator of Greco Roman arts at the Metropolitan Museum in my youth before leaving in order to earn a livable wage. I entered the design community and was the interior designer for many notable fashion companies. I also modeled through my college years and into my early thirties.

I started writing romance novels on a dare six years ago while in-between jobs.

Although sometimes placed in the erotic category, my work is far more about self-awareness, relationship building, coming of age, loss of innocence, personal development, reclamation, the culture of Italy, art and architectural history, an examination of the passage of time, food, and humor. I write as an adult to an adult audience and do not hide physical relationships behind closed doors. But what I write is loving and respectful of both genders, light and upbeat, fulfilling and satisfying. No one gets hurt, no one degraded. You should walk away from each of my books with a smile and an increased knowledge of the western world, Rome’s influence, politics, the social revolution, religion, and the inimitable wonder of a loving relationship between a good man and woman.

I work in the design field and also lecture to the architectural community on Roman architecture. I have two daughters in their mid-twenties. I've been living with a famous model/celebrity named Jessica who is my life and passion. We are about to release a book we've written together about our life since we met in 2016.

Reviews

[Dennis Cardiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Rebecca's first book Summer of '71 and gave it a 5-Star review on Goodreads and Amazon. The character of Max, from the first book, continues his adventures in Great Caesar's Ghost, however the books are completely independent.

Great Caesar's Ghost is a thoroughly satisfying read, just like good sex. This is a feel-good erotic mystery that will leave you feeling refreshed and wholesome, not dirty and used.

I haven't read many books that involve time travel, but this one quickly dispelled my disbelief. In each time period the author gives a fascinating account of the era, in terms of dress, appliances, architecture, speech and morals. As in Summer of '71, I learned something on every page. Rebecca has a unique and delightful manner of storytelling that gives the reader the feeling that she is a friend that they may converse with on an intimate level.

Be prepared for excitement, adventure, eroticism and thorough enjoyment as you read Great Caesar's Ghost by Rebecca Branch. I rate this book 5 Stars. Her next Book Roman Holiday is expected to be released in July of this year.

[Coco.V]

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[Lynwood Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Caesar's Ghost: Time Enough at Last
When I was a child one of my favorite programs was The Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves and Noel Neill. One of the main characters was Perry White, the Editor of the Daily Planet, played with much gusto by John Hamilton. When White was angry, frustrated, disgusted or exasperated, he would shout out to no one in particular "Great Caesar's Ghost!!!" Needless to say he grabbed everyone's attention, including Clark Kent aka Superman. He would leave poor Jimmy Olsen cowering from his wrath. And for years, nay decades, afterwards this is what I thought of in hearing the phrase, Great Caesar's Ghost. Now in 2015, that meaning has changed completely for me. Now the phrase conjures up an image of adventure, thrills, romance, discovery, companionship and time travel. Courtesy of that remarkable author Rebecca Branch.

Time travel as a subject matter has been written about by authors as diverse as Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury and Kurt Vonnegut. Now we can add Rebecca Branch to their company with this particular canon. Once again we meet Max DuPont, from Summer of '71, a very intelligent, sensitive and thoughtful young man still trying to find his place in this world. Max acts as both protagonist and Greek chorus. He is deeply involved in all aspects of the story but still detached enough to give commentary on his experiences to the reader. The time travel is no mere contrivance for the novel but an integral part of the story. We see Max's growth as a sensitive loving human being who is going to run the gamut of emotions. As we all do at times in our lives. For me Max DuPont hits very close to home.

Not only is Ms. Branch an excellent storyteller and teacher of various subject matters, I always learn something new from her, she writes great characters which populate her stories. In this story we have the rich, middle class, working class, merchants, poor and destitute. Each one gets their fair share of time in this story and all are important to Max in his development as a human being. Sometimes in a few short lines or pages, we learn all that we need to know about theses characters. Ms. Branch has a great gift into tapping in to individuals and bringing them to life. None of her characters are uninteresting. That can be a rare gift in some writers. In her stories, I can hardly wait to turn the page and see who am I going to meet next.

Through Max's eyes, we see the world at different times in its history and its people. And though the people of these times experience their own unique history and react accordingly, in the end Max can see that humans are essentially the same now as their were in the past and in the near future. All of our DNA is the same. The rainbow which is humanity passes through this novel. No matter our race, creed, religion, place of national origin deep in our fibers we are all the same. Good people are good, bad people are bad. No matter the age or time that they live. And most importantly, love of another person and having it reciprocated remains an essential for all of us, no matter the age in history or the age of the people involved.

For me Great Caesar Ghost's gets a well deserved five star rating. For me the essence of a good book is have I learned something I didn't know before. That box is checked. Can I visualize the written words before me into a coherent picture for my mind's eye. That box is also checked. Finally when I figuratively turn the last page, am I emotionally and intellectually satisfied with what I've read. With Great Caesar's Ghost that is a resounding yes. So dear fellow reader, I urge you do not hesitate. Read this wonderful novel and be prepared to be swept away into a world that we can only dream of. Once again, Rebecca Branch, I humbly thank you for this magnificent story. And I know more great things are going to come from you in the near future.

[Dean Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There must needs be an opposition in all things, and nothing is more so true than in the world of books. Once a melancholy reader, I’m delightfully, and finally, again a noble and jovial book lover. Mrs. Branch’s splendid debut, The Summer of ’71, a novel I now adore and coddle, created within me my reawakening as reader. So, indeed, I gobbled up her second effort, Great Caesar’s Ghost, scooping it down like a chunky toddler with an April-fresh tub of lime cotton candy. So many bad books, so many haunting books, so much tragedy, so much debasement to sift through. Yes, we need such books for self discovery and even enlightenment - but oh do we need books that travel through time and spin a yarn of mischief and wonder, of fresh experiments and delicious romance - of enchanting surprises laced with sophistication and pure style! And that’s EXACTLY what the writer serves you in her second quest.

The novel opens cascading around The Roman Empire in 494 A.D., then sashes the reader effortlessly across time, space, and place by the hand of a familiar friend - Maxi Dupont. Great Caesar’s Ghost is ONLY part time-travel saga. Like every good story, it’s also a reevaluation piece, teaching readers life values so often lost because of age, and because so often age exhausts our inhibitions. We take comfort in the lessons via Mrs. Branch’s gentle approach. The novel’s crowning moment comes from Max’s own words when speaking to a new lover.

“Pretend we’ve been together before. Pretend you’ve always been with me…that I’m your constant companion and that you don’t need to play games, or gain an advantage, or worry about how you look or act. Pretend I’ve always been your lover and that anything and everything is fine and there is no world outside us, no appointments to keep, people to meet, bills to pay, nothing outside this moment. Forget about everything you learned about men and women and how they come together in the light or in the dark. The only thing you have is a memory of youth, of having been cared for by loving parents, of trust and contentment.”

The passage describes in such a tender, such a fond way how each of every one of our souls literally craves to behave, but our physical selves too often forget due to jaded routine. If readers come away from Great Caesar’s Ghost ONLY remembering this passage, yes, Max’s words, but so much more Mrs. Branch’s words, we are more than just edified. We are now part of something, and completely eager to meet treasured memories of our treasured past. The novel is a treasure hunt, those blissful journeys we used to take as children lost in our imaginations to push forward and find priceless jewels, coins, or ancient journals.

As mentioned above, I more than allowed Mrs. Branch to take me by the hand again and lead me through the ins and outs of every charming revelation revealed behind the corners of every savoring chapter. I needed this book as much I needed The Summer of ’71. Time-travel books are those pieces of art - when done well - that absolutely require the willing suspension of disbelief. But when willing, the suspension takes us into worlds that allow us freedom to dance again, twirl again, belly-laugh and fall in love again. If this is what you need, or if like me, what you crave - because traffic jams, snow storms in Spring, 2 a.m. barking dogs and impossibly high-climbing debt keep the inky smear of anxiety always under your lids - let Mrs. Branch and Great Caesar’s Ghost nestle in next to you for a few hours - just the two of you - and watch all the other mess simply…flow…away. A beautiful book that leaves you astonished and completely refreshed!

[Cara Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved Rebecca Branch's first novel "Summer of 71" I was looking forward to reading this, her second of the series of three and was not disappointed. From the moment Max stepped back into my life, I was with him. Rebecca's attention to detail is wonderful, her colourful story telling draws pictures for your imagination to savour. Once Max cracked the secret of time travel you can't help thinking "yes, I would have done that."
The new love in his life (make that loves) are so believable, Max's encounters are wonderfully erotic of course and add a different dimension to the story. As their love grows and blossoms they have a number of "near misses" of different varieties. You will be siding with them on their travels and escapades and particularly when standing up for the underdog against the bully.
She takes your mind on a journey almost like being in Disney's Space Mountain - you have an idea which way you're going until it turns at 90 degrees and throws you off balance for a while. For those readers who love a cliff-hanger ending, this is for you. I never saw this ending coming. A great story with a great climax.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Caesar’s Ghost, by Rebecca Branch.
I love time travel stories, but this one puts its author in a category with the classics. The novel is the first of four connected stories of which I have already read three, and am starting the fourth.

Actually, the series begins in Rebecca's book Summer of '71, which is the love story of Max and Molly when Max is 18. Great Caesar's Ghost is next, following Max's separation from Molly. Then comes Roman Holiday, and finally Out of Time's Abyss, which I have yet to read.

Caesar ends in a cliff-hanger, as does Roman Holiday. Normally I hate cliff-hangers but with this story and its successors, I went with trembling hands to Kindle to download them, one after the other. I simply could not wait to pursue the story.

What is most remarkable is that this book is not merely a time travelogue, but a series of histories, an exploration of past events with a fresh eye, and a love story so hot it set my shorts afire.

For the history part of the story, Rebecca comes at everything with a fresh point of view through her male protagonist Maximillian (Max) DuPont. Her female protagonist and Max's soulmate is just as capable. I was a bit confused about her at first because Max has an affair with a young girl named Beth, before meeting Sally (aka Sarah Goldsmith) aka Salamandra.

But what really got me was her incredible invention of Ambrosia. She is an AI developed by Apple in the future, given a personality, emotions, feelings, logic, and the ability to learn and placed in a future version of the iPhone. Ambrosia becomes a time traveller along with Max and Sally, and the three form an unbreakable bond over the length of the novel. Shades of I Robot by Isaac Asimov!

I, like thousands of others, own and use a current version of the Apple iPhone, and I can just imagine the company developing something like Ambrosia in the future. Her presence (Max makes her she) lends a familiarity to the storyline which makes it almost instantly believable.

One thing I really loved—how Max made himself a billionaire by going back in time. He bought stock in Phillip Morris Tobacco Company before it soared in value, then jumped forward in time to sell his stock in the future. Then, recognizing that gold futures would soar, he reinvested a lot of his money in gold futures and just waited for them to blast off.

I could go on and describe some of the incidents in the novel, but the book is so cleverly written that were I to do so it would give away the whole plot.

Suffice it to say that the travellers jump through time from the near present, the near past, to the ancient world--and back and forth--in such a way that it leaves readers gasping.

One part of the story I have to reveal, though, because it is so central to the whole series.

Max, loses Molly as his consort in 1971 because Molly feels the differences in their ages is too great to be bridged. Seven years pass before Max meets Sally in 1979. He recognizes her instantly as a soulmate, but she is, again, much older than Max and the difference in their ages proves a barrier to a lasting connection.

However, instead of giving up, Max goes into the past--before 1979--and meets Sally as a young student closer to his own age. The result is a connection that lasts through the whole series and is at the heart of the romance in the story.

I continue to be amazed and delighted by the talent of this remarkable novelist. Her love scenes are without parallel, in my experience, not only because she works them so well into the historical narratives she is writing about, but also because she pulls no punches about the pleasures of human sexuality.

There is nothing crude or pornographic about her romantic interludes. They are always filled with loving consideration for both partners. They are, nevertheless, quite straightforward.

She does not use bowdlerized language or euphemisms. She tells it like it is, and it's even more remarkable because she knows no gender boundaries. Reading her novels is like being re-educated about human sexuality, and finally leaving behind all the old Puritan and Catholic nonsense about sex being only for procreation, and sinful for anything else. Thank heaven!

[Audrey Kellogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Caesars Ghost is a wonderful book. I was hooked after the first couple of pages. This is the continuing story of Max from Summer '71, who is now 25 years old. Max discovers time traveling and goes in search of his soulmate. Max's adventures include visiting Rome immediately after her fall, to the rise of fascism in the thirties, to the platinum blondes of the fifties, to contemporary New York.

Rebecca writes her characters in such a way that I feel as though I know them intimately. I’m in their shoes. I’m on the page with them. Her love scenes are neither brief nor standard erotica. They are so deliciously descriptive and carefully worded that I feel each and every emotion as the characters make love. It is eroticism at its best, but deeply personal and never offensive. There is nothing gratuitous and damn me if I would want to be either of her characters in love with such a partner.

The attention to detail for each of the periods of time is fantastic. Rebecca describes what the buildings looked like, the culture, how they dressed and spoke and thought; each shows Rebecca's expertise in history. This book kept me fascinated and learning something new as I turned each page. There is a cliff hanger which had me literally gasping and I will be reading the next book in the series, A Roman Holiday.

This is the fourth Rebecca Branch book I have read. She has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading the rest of her books.

[Cheryl Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read

I have absolutely enjoyed reading this book. The time travel in this story is rich in experiences and seems accurate to the smallest detail. There was no-one mentioned, seen, met and engaged with whom I had not previously heard of and read about. This was a rich tapestry of fiction melded with actual history and the people living in those times. Really looking forward to the next book - I could see into the future and I knew I would want to read it so I had purchased it already.

[Oscar Friedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing writer. Her second time travel book and the thot plickens!
The imagination in her stories boggles the mind! Snatching people from history
and introducing them to present day "miracles", the culture shock WOW!
And every chapter is captivating!
Rebecca's stories have the ability to draw the readers in and you won't notice how time passes.
You just keep reading and then look for the next book!
No spoilers, you need to read the book!

[Phil Romito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Caesar’s Ghost

This was one of the best books I have read Rebecca Branch is a fantastic author she takes you on a ride of your life and is very very knowledgeable on the material she uses I thank her so much for writing this book it left me wanting more thanks Becca

[A.J. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This book wrecked me. Emotionally it made me laugh, cry and mad. This is an outstanding book. I love these characters because they are real. Great job Rebecca Branch!!!

A.J. Smith