Virgin Slave, Barbarian King -Louise Allen

Virgin Slave, Barbarian King by Louise Allen was released in 2007 as part of the Harlequin Historical line. It's the first of her novels I've read and the story drew me in completely.

Julia Livia Rufa, noble born daughter and innocent protected virgin of a Roman household, is horrified beyond reason when the barbarians at the gate invade Rome herself and steal, sack and burn. But it's not just the Visigoths she learns to fear, but other citizens of Rome. When she's sent out on a task by her mother she falls into the hands of two merchants of her own city who see her as nothing more than a pretty body to use.

But salvation comes in the form of a Wolf and Wulfric, a Visigoth, who takes her from the men who assaulted her in the streets of Rome. Saving her honor and virginity. As Wulfric's woman, or slave at fist, she's ordered to keep house er tent, for the marauders. Yet she quickly learns that as a slave in Wulfric's household she is far more free than she ever was as the protected, sheltered, obedient Roman virgin destined to be married off to further her families position in the great city.

Wulfric is a powerful, beautiful man who prizes honor above the ability to throw a woman to the floor and take her simply because she is his slave. He won't touch her against her wishes, but it quickly becomes apparent that the attraction he feels toward Julia is shared by the rapidly changing young Roman. Her life amongst the barbarians opens her eyes to the world around her.

This is a wonderful novel, Julia grows and changes, adapting to the world she suddenly finds herself thrust into. She discovers her own strength even in the face of people who are, at first her enemy. She discovers friends and enemies alike within the camp of the Visigoths and learns that the Roman way is not always the right way. Ms. Allen has written a delicious novel that I found hard to put down. Wulfric is strong, compelling, honorable, and sensual. He makes some hard choices that put others first ahead of his own desires in life and love, and by doing so he won my heart in a way that few romantic heroes have done before. Ms. Allen goes out of her way to be aware of the history of the time period, the way young women were used, and the way the lives of Roman children were planned out by their parents in many respects.

This is a must read book for lovers of historical romance and this dramatic time period.

ISBN 9780373294770