Sold to the Gladiators

It’s the year 161 A.D., the height of the Roman empire. Two former gladiators, Rufus and Felix, are trying to build a new life. But how do they find this new start? Rufus has pledged his allegiance to Felix for many reasons. Felix knows what he wants. He just doesn’t know where. After the usual vague, unclear answers from a well-known seer, the two men head for Britannia. They couldn’t know what they’d find. Along the way, they pick up a local slave, Bethan. She knows Roman cruelty all too well. While being sold to two handsome gladiators is a surprise, she expects nothing more than what she’s come to know. Felix and Rufus soon make it all too clear what they expect from her. Being used in whatever way they see fit? Nothing new. Servitude without question? Of course. But Rufus is a former native of the area and a former slave himself. He’s delighted to find Bethan. Why? And Bethan soon discovers a secret that becomes her all-consuming passion. But it also puts her at odds with her new owners. As Felix and Rufus begin to trust Bethan, there are secret agendas which could destroy Felix’s dreams and Bethan’s new obsession. And what about Rufus? What are his plans in all this? Nothing is clear. It seems as if Bethan’s headed toward the ultimate punishment a slave can endure. Felix may just lose his one chance to claim his dream. Can these three learn to believe in and trust each other, even as it’s in a masters/slave arrangement? What about the unknowns involved? How will they affect the three? In the end, just what will Bethan, Felix, and even Rufus be willing to sacrifice? I absolutely loved this book. Is it a romance? Yes. Is it HOT? Absolutely. But what puts this book head-and-shoulders above the average historical romance is the attention to detail, the historical accuracy of the book, plus the uniqueness of the characters. Bethan starts out as a world-weary, loving, caring, but also somewhat cynical slave. That may sound very contradictory but it’s true. Rufus and Felix are hardened warriors focused on their own existence and nothing else. They’ve had to be. But the way these three characters meet, the absolute opposite goals of each, and the way they ultimately come to an understanding of each other is extraordinary. I was captivated by each individual character and her/his motivation which is very often at odds with the others. I’m a fan of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman history, and this book gets the Roman historical aspects dead on. It’s creative, inventive, and historically accurate in ways you don’t often see. It also demonstrates an understanding of human nature regardless of time, location, or place in history. There’s a true depth of emotion as well. It’s very clear Ms. Peaches has done a significant amount of research into the history, individuals, and locations in which the story is set. Jaye Peaches has created a very special story that shows her creativity and talent. I was delighted from beginning to end. I give Sold to the Gladiators five stars without hesitation. Thank you, Jaye Peaches, for a rare and uncommon treat. One final note. Please be an informed reader and consumer! This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, think hard before buying any book you know you won’t enjoy. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and all booksellers’ websites. Use these resources. DON’T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON’T ENJOY THE BOOK. It’s not fair to the author! She works extremely hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to the book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the author an extreme disservice. Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!