Enslaved: An Ancient Rome Forbidden Romance

by Cassandra Dean

A tale of breathless passion, constant devotion and all-consuming love from Award Winning Australian Author Cassandra DeanI was to teach a slave.Marcus, a gladiator in my father’s ludus, was compelled to my presence to learn of Rome’s gods, her legends. When first he came, fear consumed me – fear of this silent, resentful slave who burned with his anger.Time, though, changes much. Marcus softened and I grew unafraid. As we became closer, I grew more than merely unafraid – I grew to love him. Never did I think we would be separated.I was wrong.I forced myself to forget. Forget Marcus, forget the almost-smile he gave to me alone, forget everything but my life as it was now. Then, one day, I wandered into a market and spied Marcus, and the truth I had always hidden, thought to forget, was thrust upon me.I had never ceased to love my slave.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

Cassandra Dean is an award-winning author of historical and fantasy romance. She grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.

Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com

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Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional rollercoaster spanning many years! Lucia is 16 when she first meets Marcus. Watching their relationship grow and change over time was quite heart wrenching. The life of a gladiator and the life of a young daughter of a powerful man in this time period clearly are not their own. Watching Lucia’s life progress without her control seemed to suck the pleasure out of it. Although an uncomfortable path, I did like the journey Lucia and Marcus embarked on years later. It is satisfying to see that sometimes HEA dreams come true!

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
Lucia is quiet & studious, when she is sixteen her father brought a young gladiator to her room & compelled her to teach him about the Roman gods. Marcus was at first a silent, resentful slave who burned with his anger. Time, though, changes much. Marcus softened and Lucia grew unafraid. As we became closer, I grew more than merely unafraid – I grew to love him. Never did I think we would be separated. Then Lucia is married. Years later her marriage is dissolved & she returns to her mother's house Then, one day, she wandered into a market and spied Marcus.
This is a re release of the author’s first book & it has been extensively changed, it is now much longer & a far more rounded story. I really liked both Marcus & Lucia both slaves, he because he’s been bought but she's a slave to her father’s whims & dictates, then her husband demands. Whilst the pair are attracted to each other & fall in love whilst she's teaching him about the god’s it takes several years before their feelings can at last be voiced. The characters are well portrayed & have depth. The author also painted a vivid picture of Lucia’s life. I found myself drawn into the story & read the book in a sitting, engrossed from cover to cover
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the author writes in different time periods.

This time, it’s Ancient Rome.
I liked Marcus and the situation is challenging at best.