"Saxon falls to Roman"

Wulfred is the leader of a Saxon group who attack Melania's Villa in Britannia (around 500 BC). Melania has hidden herself in the series of pipes used to heat the villa. When Wulfred figures out where she is and pulls her from the pipes, he sets up a series of confrontations between the two of them, resulting in clashes of will seldom "read" in most romances. The strength and steadfastness of the characters make this a great book. Melania remains strong throughout and never softens towards the Saxons, just her captor. Wulfred never stops hating the Romans and Rome, just Melania. So often, in historical fiction, the characters come to understand and sympathize with the other's beliefs. But not Wulfred and Melania. They only come to love and understand each other.....and both remain strong and believable throughout. The other characters, Saxon and Roman, are portrayed with interest and liking. The conversations between the Saxon's are very enjoyable. My only difficulty with the book comes in the understanding and liking of Melania's strength by Wulfred. I think most barbarians would simply have raped and killed someone like her. But then, there would be no book.

Reviewed by Merrilee Heffernan
Posted March 16, 2002

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Summary

He had sworn to battle the empire wherever he found it, and an isolated Roman villa in Britainnia seemed the perfect target for his revenge. He and his fierce Saxon warriors would sweep through it like an inferno, destroying all in their path.

From the moment he saw her, he knew she embodied all that Rome stood for: pride, arrogance, civilization...beauty. She was a woman like no other, fighting with undaunted spirit even as he made her his slave. And as he gazed into her glittering golden eyes, he realized he could not leave until he had satisfaction from her.

She called him barbarian, called him oaf, called him her enemy. Yet when he took her in his hard-muscled arms, her body trembled with excitement. But would the fire flaring between them conquer him or her? Was the passion that burned in their souls born of hatred, or of love?