The Soldier of Raetia
duty and desire in ancient rome
The Soldier of Raetia is an historical novel set in Ancient Rome and the Germanian frontier, combining military adventure with a coming-of-age romance.
Manilus Dardanus, a new soldier from the provinces, applies for military sponsorship with the respected general Cassius Valerian. Idealistic and naive, Dardanus has a lot to learn about the life he has chosen, and at first the brusque and reticent Valerian seems the least willing candidate to teach him. But a bond forms between this unlikely pair that no one, especially they, could have imagined; and as the legion moves out to the northern frontier, battles and betrayals will prove just how profoundly Dardanus and Valerian have changed each other's lives — and hearts — forever.
"a compelling portrait of a rough, complicated man gradually thawing to the idea of loving someone again"
-HNR Magazine Online
"well researched and an interesting peek into Roman relationships"
-Rainbow Reviews
"builds gradually like an orgasm, and climaxes nicely too"
- Gerry B's Reviews
"visuals unfold on the page as if the reader is standing right there"
- Historical Novel Review
"I was so engrossed, it truly felt as if I was there among the soldiers"
-Reviews by Jessewave
"so finely crafted that you can smell the leather armor and hear the scrape of sword upon sword"
-Amazon reader review
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