This week, we're welcoming author Georgie Lee, once again with her latest title, Mask of the Gladiator from Carina Press. Join us on Sunday, when the author will offer a free copy of the book to a lucky blog visitor. Here's the blurb:
Livia Duronius is driven to seek out a gladiator after watching him triumph in the Colosseum. His touch arouses a sense of hope she hasn't felt since Rome fell under the tyrannical rule of Caligula—and her late husband betrayed her. Though in danger of losing more than her heart, she vows to see him again, even after she learns her uncle has arranged her marriage to a senator.
Senator Titus Marius cannot resist indulging in a passionate encounter with the veiled woman who waits for him after the games, though he faces execution if his true identity is discovered. Bound by honor to wed another, and embroiled in a plot to free Rome from madness, he never expects to see the mystery woman again.
When the fates reunite them in the marriage bed, Titus vows to protect Livia at all costs—even from the lecherous eyes of the emperor...
Senator Titus Marius cannot resist indulging in a passionate encounter with the veiled woman who waits for him after the games, though he faces execution if his true identity is discovered. Bound by honor to wed another, and embroiled in a plot to free Rome from madness, he never expects to see the mystery woman again.
When the fates reunite them in the marriage bed, Titus vows to protect Livia at all costs—even from the lecherous eyes of the emperor...
**An Excerpt from Mask of the Gladiator**
Titus drove the sword deep into the man's flesh, twisting it
slightly to render the fatal blow. He pulled out the blade and held it over his
head, allowing the blood to drip into the sand. Thunderous applause echoed
through the amphitheater, the plebeians and patricians of Rome hailing him as a
hero. Titus breathed hard from the exertion of the fight and the thrill of this
dangerous victory, his chest pushing against the heavy leather cuirass. A
slight sneer curled the edges of his lips as he basked in the glory of having
defeated the best gladiator in Rome and the feared leader of Caligula's German
Guard.
Turning to face each section of the massive amphitheater, he
raised his sword higher, eliciting more cheers. Through his metal helmet, he
watched the flowers float down from the high seats to the blood-soaked sand of
the arena. The city would fall at this gladiator's feet. The women would flock
to him and gold would pour in too. Tomorrow, all the glory would be another
man's but for the moment it belonged to Titus.
Livia rose to her feet with the crowd, swept up in their
excitement and for a brief moment, shaking off the palla of fear constantly
surrounding her. Slaves hurried out from the side of the arena to carry off the
dead man but Livia barely noticed. Her attention was fixed on the triumphant
gladiator. The sun glinted off the pectoral covering his wide chest,
emphasizing his sweaty, muscular arms. Tight calves strained against the
leather straps of his sandals, leading up to where his taut thighs disappeared
under the dusty tunic. Something in the sheer strength of him called to her in
a primitive way she could not ignore, and on a level deeper than pure lust. His
victory spoke of hope and courage, and she longed to share in it, to let it
surround her like a finely woven tunic and drive away the uncertainty plaguing
the back of her mind.
Trumpets blared and the fighter sheathed his sword and left
the arena. Livia sat down, barely aware of the excited chatter of the other
matrons swirling around her. The image of the gladiator stayed with her,
accompanied by another emotion humming just beneath the surface, one she barely
dared to entertain. Touching her lips, she wondered what it would be like to
lose herself in his power and strength, feel the force of life flowing through
her and know again the joy of living as she had before Caligula, before the
traitor trials.
No, it is a ridiculous daydream,
she thought, pulling back her black veil and adjusting the gold stephane
holding it in place over her hair. Unlike other matrons who eagerly sought the
services of gladiators, she'd never indulged in such a forbidden dalliance. It
was too dangerous to risk her reputation on so base a pleasure, especially with
many already wondering why a widow of her status had not yet remarried.
"Caligula." The whisper of shock raced through the
matrons and all thoughts of pleasure vanished. Across the arena, led by a
parade of female slaves strewing flowers at his feet, Emperor Caligula entered
his box, waving to the now-reserved crowd.
"What's he doing here?" a woman behind Livia
hissed. "I thought he was at the Palatine Games."
"We all did or none of us would have dared come
today," another matron answered, a noticeable quaver in her voice.
"We should leave."
"No, you'll only draw his attention," her friend
warned.
Anger cursed through Livia as she recalled the horror her
friend Thuria had endured when the emperor's lecherous gaze fell on her. Her
husband had done nothing to protect her, and she'd taken her life shortly
afterward, unable to bear the shame.
BUY LINKS
Mask of the
Gladiator - http://ebooks.carinapress.com/1C1CE451-9420-4E12-8657-AE8CE6C6F330/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=561AB37C-9999-418D-A4DB-219BD27E7D11
A dedicated history and film buff, Georgie
Lee loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through
romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San
Diego before moving to Los Angeles to work in the interesting but strange world
of the entertainment industry.
Her first novel, Lady’s Wager, and her contemporary novella, Rock ‘n’ Roll Reunion are both available from Ellora’s Cave Blush. Labor Relations, a contemporary romance
of Hollywood, and Studio Relations, a
love story set in 1935 Hollywood, are currently available from Montlake Romance.
Look for her Regency novella, Hero’s
Redemption from Carina Press in July 2013, and her Regency novel, Engagement of Convenience, from
Harlequin Historical on October 2013.
When not writing, Georgie enjoys reading
non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please
visit www.georgie-lee.com
for more information about Georgie and her novels.
Social
Media Links
Twitter: @GeorgieLeeBooks
Website: www.georgie-lee.com
