16 Feb 2018

First Line Fridays 22: From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia Willis



Friday has come again! I am still reading one of the books I included a couple of weeks ago, and a title from NetGalley. I usually try to read at least one Print book and one Kindle book at once (often two), and since my new year's resolution is to try to finish all the unread books on my Kindle, I might as well plough into them. 

Turns out some books I have had on there for a long time: I mean a really long time, like two years or more. So I chose my next read by going backward chronologically, and looking for the oldest unread books and came up with the one I am featuring today. 

Indy author Alicia A. Willis (now Alicia Jones), writes in the style of the classical authors like G.A.Henty, who only puts a lot of research into her books, but also consults historians who specialize in the subjects and period she writes about. 

I have featured reviews of the titles in her Comrades of Honor Trilogy, set in 13th century England and France on this site.  From the Dark to the Dawn is a standalone title, which covers the very different territory of Ancient Rome.

 Decadent Rome, 61 Anno Domini. The masters of the universe have crushed the Iceni rebellion with an iron hand, slaughtering and enslaving her people.

For Philip, his existence as a captive means living to hatred. He despises his rich, young master, resenting his life of servitude and the wrestling feats Marcus forces him to perform. Bitterness engulfs his soul until he only lives for the day when he will crush the might of Rome.

Then Christianity enters the picture. Taught by a Jewish breadmaker to know the man called Christus, Philip begins the struggle to forgive and honor his master. But forgiveness is not easy towards one who lives for himself.

Marcus Virginius knows nothing but power and pleasure. Destined to a successful career serving Nero in the Praetorian Guard, he wants no part of Christianity. And he is determined to crush Philip’s newfound faith – no matter what it takes.

Join Philip and Marcus in their journey of redemption, faith, and forgiveness. Is love enough to conquer hate? And will the light of the gospel ever surmount the darkness of Rome?

Persecution abounds – will the two young men survive its terrors and live to experience the bright hope of a new dawn?

Yes, the Iceni revolt was the one led by the legendary British Queen, Boudicca. An interesting starting point for a Christian book. Have a great reading week, and don't forget to comment with your own first line, then see what everyone else is reading by clicking the link below. 

https://hoardingbooksblog.wordpress.com/tag/first-line-fridays/

14 comments:

  1. Happy Friday!

    Today on my blog I am sharing the first line from the new novella by Bell Renshaw, As Easy As Riding A Bike. It's a really fun read.

    I am currently reading The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere. I am LOVING this story so much. I am just beginning chapter 7, so I will leave that first line here:

    "Rosalyn drew the blanket around her to ward off the chilly night air as the carriage moved briskly down the near-empty streets."

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    1. I have read that, but don't remember this scene. Its been a while.

      Thanks for visitiing and happy weekend.

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  2. I haven't seen a lot of Christian fiction about this period in British history (Glastonbury by Donna Fletcher Crowe is the only one I can think of). This sounds like a great addition to my to-read pile!

    I'm featuring Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman on my blog, which doesn't have any link to pink or hearts (although it is romantic suspense so there is some romance). I'm currently reading, Focus on Love by Candee Fick which has a Valentine's Day scene, even if it's not central to the plot. Here's the first line:

    Elizabeth Foster ripped the Christmas wrapping paper from the box on her lap.

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    1. There is a fair amount set in Ancient Rome, but not in Roman Britain, you are right. 'Glastonbury' starts at this time, and spans Hundreds of years, if I'm recall.

      Have a good weekend.

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  3. I have so many books in my Kindle...I don't know if I will ever finish them! :) Happy Friday!

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    1. I have the same affliction. I really hope to read them all one day, but not sure its going to happen this year!

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  4. That does sound interesting! I’m sharing from the Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers Romance Collection (read through NetGalley) today. Here’s the first line from Partners in Crime by Vickie McDonough: “Run, Laurel. Run!”

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Yes: and there will be many more diverse periods of history appearing if I get through all the books on my Kindle.

      Thanks for visiting and Happy Weekend.

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  5. starts off with tension!!!

    My current first line is from Missy Tippens’ new novella “Her Valentine Reunion” (in the Back to You collection) – "In a preemptive strike against the Valentine’s Day funk that hit her every year in February, Abbie Rogers had been working on her latest craft project she’d dubbed Operation Kill Cupid.”

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    1. It does. Your First Line sounds great, and very funny.

      Thanks for visiting and Happy Weekend.

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  6. Sounds fascinating! Definitely a great first line. The book I'm featuring on my blog is Rumors and Promises by Kathleen Rouser. Since I'm on chapter 14, I'll share the first line from that chapter here. "I insist that you stay here and rest today, Sophie." Have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. I know I’m late but yesterday was busy! Happy Weekend! My first line is from A Langhorne Romance (which is in Right Where We Belong collection) by Deborah Raney.

    “No sooner had Lily O’Neal plunged her hands into the sticky bread dough than the doorbell rang. Why did it always work that way?”

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    1. Dont worry, I have published FLF posts on Saturday before. Thanks for visiting and happy weekend.

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