Liberty

This novel was a wonderful story about love and freedom. It dealt with liberty, or freedom, on many levels and leaves the reader feeling satisfied. I also liked how it dealt with freedom from hate and anger over wrongs. The story was fast paced and kept my attention at all times. I absolutely love historical novels about ancient Rome and in the medieval time period. I have not read the novel other reviewers have mentioned by Gillespie, but I plan to. All in all, it was worth staying up late into the night to finish this book.

Rhyddes ferch Rudd is a member of an ancient Celtic tribe who had been dominated by the Romans. Hated and abused by her father for reasons unknown, Rhyddes is sold to Roman tax collectors as payment to settle the farm debts of her father. While Roman law states that a person acquired via tax collections must remain in the same condition in which they were purchased, the soldiers who bought Rhyddes torture her in vile ways. The woman that arrives at the Londinium slave market is not the young girl that unwillingly left her home weeks before. Bought by the owner of Londinium's gladiator school, Rhyddes has one lesson to learn - obey or die. This is a bitter lesson for Rhyddes who wants nothing more than the return of her freedom. The only bright spot in her entire existence is Aquila, the man she loves but will never be able to have. Marcus Calpurnis Aquila is the son of a Roman governor as well as a highly prized and famous gladiator. Aquila, or "the Eagle" as his fans chant, hasn't the stomach for political office much to his father's dismay and ire. He would rather be performing and outshining opponents in combat in front of cheering crowds in the amphitheater. However, Aquila's father has other plans for his son and they don't include his risking his life for entertainment. Restless and opposed to his father's wishes, Aquila remains loyal to the gladiator motto - obey or die. That motto will haunt Aquila more often than he knows because against all odds and defying all laws, Aquila has fallen in love with Rhyddes, the Celtic gladiatrix slave know as Libertas. LIBERTY is an epic historical romance with many facets. Not only was I treated to a thrilling story, but I learned important aspects of early Roman culture and customs. My heart ached with despair over Rhyddes' enslavement and then pounded with joy at the love shared by Aquila and Libertas. Both yearning to be free of the laws by which they are bound, these dynamic characters portray a selfless love by which legends are made. LIBERTY by Kimberly Iverson was released in October 2006 by HQN. Fully anticipating a good read, the intensity, passion, and intrigue of LIBERTY was eye catching and completely enthralling. If you are a fan of well written, utterly entertaining historical romances, then LIBERTY is the book for you! I was spellbound.

Just turned eighteen, Rhyddes ferch Rudd realizes that her father loathes her though she has always been obedient and hard working. When raiders arrive, he calls the names of seven of his children to help him defend their home; he leaves out only Rhyddes. Not longer after successfully defeating the Picts, her dad sells Rhyddes into slavery where eventually Gladiator Master Jamal buys her and renames her Liberty. She proves to be one of the best gladiators inside the ring as no one matches her ferocity and prowess. However, she remains a slave craving freedom and the love of the son of the Roman Governor of Britannia Marcus Calpurnius Aquila. They met because he also fights inside the ring as a gladiator though he volunteers unlike the woman he loves, a taboo for a Roman politician. LIBERTY is a more a historical tale than a romance as the deep tidbits bring to life the ancient Roman occupation of Britain. The story line focuses on the forbidden love between the female Celt and the male Roman, but that takes a back seat to the era. Based on a real archeological find, Kimberly Iverson provides an intriguing tale starring a woman warrior (now if Hollywood can find a female to Crowe about). Harriet Klausner