Hope Unchained

Light in the Empire #7

by Carol Ashby

Can the deepest loss bring the greatest gain?

Rome’s conquering army took Ariana’s family and freedom, but nothing can take her faith in Jesus. When she rescues a tribune’s wife from certain death, her reward is freedom and a chance to free her brother and sister. But first she must catch up with the slave caravan before they vanish forever, and tracking them from Dacia to the coast seems impossible for one woman alone.

Discharged from the legion with a hand crippled by a Dacian knife, Donatus faces a future without hope. When the tribune asks him to escort Ariana on her quest, it’s the only work he can find. It means four weeks with a Dacian woman and a gladiator bodyguard, but it takes money to eat. A man without options must take what he can get.

But a lot can happen in four weeks. Even battle-hardened men can be touched by love and forgiveness, and it’s easier to face an enemy with a sword than to face the truth. When his moment of truth comes, what will Donatus choose, and what will that mean for both of them?

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

Hope Unchained is the seventh volume in the Light in the Empire series, which follows the interconnected lives of four Roman families during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. Each can be read stand-alone. The nine 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.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2019

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

[Sarah Ashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written novel about ancient Rome, rich with historical detail. I was amazed by the author's depth of knowledge, particularly for the geographic setting of the novel. The characters were realistic and fleshed out. If you enjoy Christian historian fiction or Roman historical fiction, you'll enjoy this book.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The cover of the depicted the story line so well.

Ariana's life was dramatically changed when her Mother and Father were murdered and her brother and sister were separated from her. Ariana was even sold as a slave. God intervened and she was taken in my a Roman soldier, the very kind of man that could have killed her parents. Ariana learned to forgive and truly love others despite what she suffered. Isn't that what God teaches us to do?

Ariana constantly prayed to God to help her. She was very instrumental to helping many people find an abundant life with Christ.

There was danger, drama, friendship and love inside the cover of this book. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Carol Ashby for a free ARC of this book.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

What a great book! It started out slow, but quickly picked up the pace. From there it held my attention until the last page. This story was a sweet story about how no matter the evils that may befall us, God never fails us and will always be with us. It reminds me of psalm 93, yea though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff shall comfort me.
As Christian's, we know that no matter what evil comes our way, God will turn what seems hopeless and devastating into something wonderful. Carol so clearly showed this to us in this book. Read this book so you can know, too, that God can turn anything bad circumstance around for our good.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series I've read and I plan to read all of them.
Adventure stories within the Roman empire. Each one is not only a good story but allows you to learn more of the customs and cultures of Rome and the surrounding nations and peoples. Each one has some sort of link with the others which means we can hear the ongoing stories of our favourite characters or some relative ...
Strong Christian story to each and shared naturally, giving us an idea of what it was like to follow Jesus in the first centuries AD -without much personal access to scriptures and often in isolated situations. Yet the issues of learning to forgive, to trust ... are universal ones.
Recommended. These books would also be appreciated by teenagers from about 13.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book. Any opinions are my own.

[Mel Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope Unchained is the first book I read in this series. It works well as a standalone. It is a story of hope and faith in terrifying times. The author's research was phenomenal and I learned so much about the ancient world. This story was about finding Christ, testifying of Christ, and putting your faith and trust in Him. It was a wonderful reminder of what being a follower of Christ should be. That being said, I gave it three stars because it was a little too safe for me. Everything was tied up in a neat bow, but for me being a Christian is a messy affair, with doubts and trials that test my faith all the time. I would have liked to see the MC struggle with her faith a little more. She was almost too perfect.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Ashby has once again delivered another inspirational tale of the early Christians under the Roman Empire. Her research of this time period is impeccable.

I found Hope Unchained to be a wonderful story of learning to love and serve our enemies and to be willing to share one's faith. Ariana's belief that God is in control of all events, bringing good from bad, is a story of hope. This is also a story of freedom, freedom that unchains us from the separation that sin has put between mankind and God.

One of my favorite quotes:
"Our hope in a time of trial could be what leads another person to seek God."

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

[Dawn Kinzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Hope Unchained, sixteen-year-old Ariana is strong in her faith and determined to survive after her parents are killed by the Romans. She and her younger brother and sister are taken to be sold as slaves, but a Roman tribune rescues Ariana. He trusts her to be a companion to his crippled and suicidal wife. He has one condition—Ariana is to never share her Christian faith with his wife or anyone else. Ariana concedes and trusts God for her future and that of her siblings.

I loved this story about God taking bad situations and turning them around for good. The author took me on a wonderful journey of faith, hope, and love ... and gave me a satisfying ending.

This is the seventh book in the author’s Light of the Empire series, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Susan Ajaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ariana is a Christian that loses many of her family members through the Roman Army. She is brought to the wife of a Roman soldier. His wife is crippled and he needs someone he can trust to serve and protect her even from herself. Donatus is hired to accompany Ariana on her quest to find her sister and brother. Arian's faith is all she relies on to keep life in the hands of the one true God.

Follow the story through a faith that cannot die. As Donatus finds himself undone by a beautiful woman and she finds her sister and a brother she didn't know she had. Good read.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! It is well written and holds your attention. I've read all of the books in this series and they just keep getting better. This book can be read as a stand alone. This is a story that shows how God can turn something bad into something good. I can't wait to see what the next book is about. I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Light in the Empire series. I would love to see more from this series. Becoming a believer in Christ and romance pair together well in Carol Ashby's books!

[Mr John Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have so enjoyed all the books in this series, each with an encouraging tale of light in the darkness and hope in impossible circumstances. So look forward to the release of “Honour Bound”
By Penny Callaghan

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. I loved reading it every moment. I cried with Ariana when she lost her brother and rejoiced with her when Marcia, Donatus and Ursus find our LORD. Carol is a blessed writer and capture the reader from the first page. Thank you for an uplifting and blessed book.

[DEBBIE AGUILAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great family dream

This series is wonderful, I read all nine books in 7 days. Just had to fide out what happens to The Legacy.