Second Chances

Light in the Empire #5

by Carol Ashby

Must the shadows of the past destroy the hope of the future?In AD 122, Cornelia Scipia, proud daughter of one of Rome's noblest families, learns her adulterous husband plans to betroth their daughter to the vicious son of his best friend. Over her dead body! Cornelia divorces him, reclaims her enormous dowry, and kidnaps her own daughter. She plans to start over with Drusilla a thousand miles away. No more husbands for her. But she didn’t count on meeting Hector, the widowed Greek captain of the ship carrying her to her new life.Devastated by the loss of his wife and daughter, Hector’s heart begins to heal as he befriends Drusilla. Cornelia’s sacrificial love for Drusilla and her courage and humor in the face of the unknown earn his admiration…as a friend. Is he ready for more?Marriage to the kind, honest sea captain would give Drusilla the father she deserves…and Cornelia the faithful husband she’s always longed for. But while her ex-husband hunts them to drag Drusilla back to Rome, secrets in Hector’s past and the chasms between their social classes and different faiths erect complicated barriers to any future together. Will God give two lonely hearts a second chance at happiness?Dangerous times, difficult friendships, lives transformed by forgiveness and loveSecond Chances is the fifth 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 Second Chances to enjoy a faith-filled adventure today.

Genres: Biblical Fiction

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2018

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

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying the Light of the Empire series by Carol Ashby. The series follows four Roman families during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian as they travel the Roman Empire. It is also a story of faith, of God calling the first Christians to Him, and the dangers of persecution they faced from the Roman Empire.

Second Chances is a story of how God can use the evil and painful circumstances in life for ultimate good. Once again, Lucius Fidelis' evil plans send members of his family fleeing from Rome. Cornelia and her daughter Drusilla travel by sea planning to start over far away from Rome. As always, Ms. Ashby can be relied upon for her expert attention to historical detail as she pens another engaging story in this series. I love the return of characters we have met in previous stories and am looking forward to the next books in the series. Most importantly, I loved how the author shows that God can use the scars or valleys we have in life to bring our greatest gifts from God. Will Cornelia and Hector get their second chance at love or will the different backgrounds between that of a Roman noblewoman and a former slave be too large of a chasm to cross? Will Cornelia accept Hector's faith in a Christian God that had been the cause of her father-in-law Publius' death? At times the pacing seems slow, but have realized that is how the author illustrates God slowly working in the hearts of her main characters. I am looking forward to revisiting these characters again and learning more of their story as the final books in the series are released.

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.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chances

What I loved about this story is the author's ability to make the characters' Christian faith a natural part of their lives. It was not preachy or written in a way that would make the reader feel condemnation. "Second Chances" was a love story that showed you life is always changing, but Jesus is always the same. And we can trust Him with our lives, even when we feel hopeless.

And one of the things that bother me about “Second Chances” was the abrupt ending; I felt that once Cornelia and Hector declared their love for each other, the story was over. I would have loved to see them as a married couple and to see how they navigated through life's ups and downs.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a sweet book. Masterfully done, too... Just like her othere in h er series. I didn't want to put it down, because the story kept me riveted and wanting to know what would transpire next. I was happy to see the other characters from her other series appear and to see how they interacted with this noble patrician woman claudia. If course, they also helped her discover two special gifts inlife.... But to find out what those are, you just have to p lot your course and set sail into this book. 😊

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Rome is one of my favorite periods to read about, so I'm always happy to discover a new author who explored the culture and faith of the New Testament era in fiction. This book portrays the plight of a young woman with a father who is more concerned with his reputation and honor than his daughter's happiness.
This was an all-too-real problem in ancient Rome (and many other eras). Read the book to see how courage and faith help protect these women from ambitious and selfish men.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book that shows you no matter how much your life may change, Jesus is always constant in His love and care. Now I want to read the series in order. Very good book!!