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Light in the Empire #2
Blind Ambition
Sometimes you have to almost die to discover how you want to live.It’s AD 114 in the Roman province of Germania Superior, and being a Christian carries a death sentence. Tribune Decimus Lentulus is on the fast track for a stellar political career back in Rome. When he’s robbed, blinded, and left for dead, a young German woman who follows the Way finds him. Valeria knows it’s his duty to have her and her family killed, but she chooses to obey Jesus’s command to love her enemy and takes him home to care for him.It’s not his miraculous recovery that shakes Decimus to his core. It’s the way they love him like family and their unconcealed love for Jesus. In spite of himself, he falls in love with the Christian woman Rome wants him to kill. Can Valeria hide her faith to follow him into the circles of Roman power? Or should he abandon his ambition to help rule the Empire and choose to follow a different way?Dangerous times, difficult friendships, lives transformed by forgiveness and love.Blind Ambition is the second volume in the Light in the Empire series. These novels will take you around the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, Judaea, North Africa, Roman Egypt, and, of course, to Rome itself. Each can be read as a stand-alone and includes discussion questions for groups."This is a fabulous ancient-world series of novels that follow the lives of fictional early Christians. Carol is meticulous with her research and a true expert on Ancient Rome! History lovers and those who enjoy my biblical books are going to LOVE this series!" -- Roseanna White, best-selling author and Christy Award winner.If you enjoy the Roman-era Biblical fiction of Tessa Afshar and Francine River’s Mark of the Lion series, you’ll love the stand-alone novels of the Light in the Empire series.Buy Blind Ambition to enjoy a faith-filled adventure today.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
103 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Carol Ashby
15 books140 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2017
Blindness comes in different forms - sweet Amazing Grace!!
Amazing Grace can sum this book up in so many words. Decimus learns so much about himself with a family that takes him and loves him unconditionally and treats him as family. Their love for Jesus rocks him to his core. Decimus is your typical touch Roman.
Valeria is a lovely woman that any man would be happy to marry. I loved her strength in God! And her personality. She's a very strong woman that takes care of her two young siblings.
I loved Gaius and her younger sister. You'll chuckle at his antics and smile at her sweetness.
This one book you need to read and to your shelves! An amazing book of forgiveness and redemption!
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.
Amazing Grace can sum this book up in so many words. Decimus learns so much about himself with a family that takes him and loves him unconditionally and treats him as family. Their love for Jesus rocks him to his core. Decimus is your typical touch Roman.
Valeria is a lovely woman that any man would be happy to marry. I loved her strength in God! And her personality. She's a very strong woman that takes care of her two young siblings.
I loved Gaius and her younger sister. You'll chuckle at his antics and smile at her sweetness.
This one book you need to read and to your shelves! An amazing book of forgiveness and redemption!
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.
January 8, 2023
Interesting story. I liked it.
This book is very much a book about a man coming to the faith though his interactions with a woman and her family, a sort of slow conversion. So, if you are not wanting to read a more inspirational toned book, this might not be your cup of tea. Normally, I don't read inspirational books that are this, well inspirational, but I am curious about the characters and the world of early Christians. I was also curious because this book is set in Germania Superior around Argentoratum (Strasbourg), which is where my mom's paternal line is from (possibly even back to the Roman times, I can only trace to 500s though).
Though, since I read this back to back with book 1, the many similarities seemed more obvious to me. For example:
...Things like that. The plot is different. I'm not saying they are the same, just that reading the books back to back made these little similarities more obvious.
That being said, there are many differences, not only in location and character backstory, but also how the Christianity is presented. In book 1, they are Jews that follow Jesus, but here they are Gentiles. How they present the faith is different - instead of going to Shabbat and synagogue they are reading codices of the Gospels. Valeria talks more about Christianity's theological beliefs, what it means to be saved, the afterlife, agape (esp loving one's enemies), etc.
This book is very much a book about a man coming to the faith though his interactions with a woman and her family, a sort of slow conversion. So, if you are not wanting to read a more inspirational toned book, this might not be your cup of tea. Normally, I don't read inspirational books that are this, well inspirational, but I am curious about the characters and the world of early Christians. I was also curious because this book is set in Germania Superior around Argentoratum (Strasbourg), which is where my mom's paternal line is from (possibly even back to the Roman times, I can only trace to 500s though).
Though, since I read this back to back with book 1, the many similarities seemed more obvious to me. For example:
...Things like that. The plot is different. I'm not saying they are the same, just that reading the books back to back made these little similarities more obvious.
That being said, there are many differences, not only in location and character backstory, but also how the Christianity is presented. In book 1, they are Jews that follow Jesus, but here they are Gentiles. How they present the faith is different - instead of going to Shabbat and synagogue they are reading codices of the Gospels. Valeria talks more about Christianity's theological beliefs, what it means to be saved, the afterlife, agape (esp loving one's enemies), etc.
July 11, 2017
4.5 star
I am enjoying this series about the early Christians of the Roman Empire. It is obvious that the author has done her homework. The story is rich in historical detail. The reader is submerged into the story of a young Roman tribune who is seriously injured in an ambush. He is rescued by a young Christian woman. She puts her life and those of her family at risk when she brings him into their home.
While he is recovering from his many injuries including the loss of his sight, Decimus feels drawn towards this family. He has not experienced the open relationships, the love that is freely shared in this family. He learns that the love freely shared in this family is centered around their shared belief as Christians. Will he be healed enough to return home? Will his eyesight return, so that he can return to the life he knows? He finds that his beliefs and way of life are challenged by this simple family.
Valeria finds herself drawn to this man, but she has made a vow that she will not marry anyone who does not share her faith. Will Decimus turn her family in to the Romans? Will he trust in Jesus and share her faith? I love her gentle but strong spirit, that lovingly cares for others.
This is an incredible story of salvation, and the sacrifice many have made as believers to follow Christ. I found at times the story moved slowly, but realized that the author was skillfully showing how the Holy Spirit slowly works on one's heart. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am enjoying this series about the early Christians of the Roman Empire. It is obvious that the author has done her homework. The story is rich in historical detail. The reader is submerged into the story of a young Roman tribune who is seriously injured in an ambush. He is rescued by a young Christian woman. She puts her life and those of her family at risk when she brings him into their home.
While he is recovering from his many injuries including the loss of his sight, Decimus feels drawn towards this family. He has not experienced the open relationships, the love that is freely shared in this family. He learns that the love freely shared in this family is centered around their shared belief as Christians. Will he be healed enough to return home? Will his eyesight return, so that he can return to the life he knows? He finds that his beliefs and way of life are challenged by this simple family.
Valeria finds herself drawn to this man, but she has made a vow that she will not marry anyone who does not share her faith. Will Decimus turn her family in to the Romans? Will he trust in Jesus and share her faith? I love her gentle but strong spirit, that lovingly cares for others.
This is an incredible story of salvation, and the sacrifice many have made as believers to follow Christ. I found at times the story moved slowly, but realized that the author was skillfully showing how the Holy Spirit slowly works on one's heart. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 3, 2017
Blind Ambition is a good story, even though I don't think it was as good as the first book in the series. In some ways, it was too similar to the first book, and I was looking for something a little different.
The beauty of this series and what makes this story shine is the relationship the characters have with Christ, and how they strive to be Christ with those who don't care for them.
The author has a unique way of showing readers how Christians treat others can I have a significant impact. I will continue to read this series and recommend it.
The beauty of this series and what makes this story shine is the relationship the characters have with Christ, and how they strive to be Christ with those who don't care for them.
The author has a unique way of showing readers how Christians treat others can I have a significant impact. I will continue to read this series and recommend it.
August 29, 2018
Blind Ambition by Carol Ashby is the second volume in the Light in the Empire Series. This beautifully written novel takes the reader on a heartwarming journey from the Roman province of Germania Superior to Rome itself in 114 AD. Valeria is a devout Christian in a place where followers of the Way are persecuted. When she comes across a Roman tribune who has been robbed, blinded, and left for dead, she decides to follow Jesus’ teachings and save him despite the danger he could bring to her and her family. Tribune Decimus Lentulus is an ambitious military leader who doesn’t bother to look beneath him, but when he meets Valeria and her family, he can’t help but be drawn to their unconditional love for each other and for God.
I absolutely loved this novel! I especially appreciated the attention to detail and historical accuracy that made the story feel so real. By far, my favorite setting from the story was Rome, from the luxurious gardens and villas to the putrid cells beneath the amphitheater. Nevertheless, my favorite part of the novel was the wonderful character development that occurred as Valeria and Decimus struggled to choose between their heart, their responsibility, and their faith. Their courageous decisions and actions truly inspired me!
I highly recommend this novel! I can’t wait to read the other volumes in the series and learn more about these characters in the fourth volume, Faithful!
I absolutely loved this novel! I especially appreciated the attention to detail and historical accuracy that made the story feel so real. By far, my favorite setting from the story was Rome, from the luxurious gardens and villas to the putrid cells beneath the amphitheater. Nevertheless, my favorite part of the novel was the wonderful character development that occurred as Valeria and Decimus struggled to choose between their heart, their responsibility, and their faith. Their courageous decisions and actions truly inspired me!
I highly recommend this novel! I can’t wait to read the other volumes in the series and learn more about these characters in the fourth volume, Faithful!
January 14, 2020
This is one of the best series of Biblical Historical fiction I have read. The research and depiction of the Roman era is outstanding! The characters are strong, original and very real. This book is full of action and intrigue. The amount of loving forgiveness truly shows how real Christianity is lived out in their daily lives. I highly recommend this book.
February 11, 2021
Enjoyed
Have mixed feelings about this one. I did enjoy the story, but it was almost identical to the previous one. It also had too many repetitions and was drawn out. (I think if I read one more 'she patted his arm' or 'she pushed back a lock of his hair ' I would scream). That said, I will purchase the next in the series.
Have mixed feelings about this one. I did enjoy the story, but it was almost identical to the previous one. It also had too many repetitions and was drawn out. (I think if I read one more 'she patted his arm' or 'she pushed back a lock of his hair ' I would scream). That said, I will purchase the next in the series.
December 5, 2021
The first half of the book I found somewhat difficult because of the 'romance' (a very unchaperoned young lady) but the last 1/4 of the book was terrific.
There was a lot of repetition of gesture and thought patterns but I think it was deliberate as it emphasized the disconnect and then increasing connection between the two main characters. The last 1/4 was 5 star.
There was a lot of repetition of gesture and thought patterns but I think it was deliberate as it emphasized the disconnect and then increasing connection between the two main characters. The last 1/4 was 5 star.
November 8, 2023
Last Easter I started reading/rereading the whole Light of the Empire series. Each book challenged me and had a wonderful impact. This one was no exception. The challenges the early Christians faced were so hard, but they trusted and carried on. I appreciate that they take place in different parts of the Empire and show life as they lived it.
March 16, 2021
Great Read
This series is a blessing!! the scriptures used background is so up lifting Read all eight books back to back only toke 10 days couldn't get enough. Enjoy a Great Christian based books!!
This series is a blessing!! the scriptures used background is so up lifting Read all eight books back to back only toke 10 days couldn't get enough. Enjoy a Great Christian based books!!
December 25, 2017
Predictable plot. Not as interesting as I would have hoped
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews