Warrior or Wife - Lyn Randal

Lyn Randal is a new to me author, and if this book is anything to go by I'll be watching for other books by Ms. Randal. Warrior or Wife is a beautifully written story that combines historical detail with a powerful love that binds Lelia and Donatus. With Ms. Randal's attention to detail and the use of the Gladiatrix discovered in a recent dig, the book is a must read for any romance fans with a love for Ancient Rome.

Amongst the heat, dust and blood of the arena a woman stands alone in the midst of the cheering crowds. Within a handful of months Leda, the fames Gladiatrix, has gathered a following who cheer her on at fight yet she wasn't always a slave at the whim of the crowds. Leda used to be Lelia, a beloved daughter of a Roman senator. Raised in a position of wealth and power, her love for one man caused her to be tossed out into the street by her father.

Selling herself into the arena was a better choice than selling her body on the streets.

Now the man who loved her and walked away, a man who put his oath to Rome to serve as a warrior, has returned. His own father dead, the position of senator now hers and he wants his beloved back. But hurt and shame are not so easily overcome for Lelia.

And someone wants her dead. Out of the way. The baby she gave birth to, a baby missing for many long months before Donatus returned to Rome and one he knows nothing about, is now a hole in Lelia's heart. One she fears to tell Donatus about.

Ms. Randal's highly sensual tale of ancient Rome, battles, power play, the truth of a true friendship and the love shared between the hero and heroine all combine into a fantastic must read story. I wanted to cry, laugh and pull Lelia from the pages to tell her it would all work out. Her courage and strength were a sheer joy to read. The historical background feels accurate. The secondary characters are strong but don't overpower the story. Even the way Lelia is cast out from her family had a ring of truth to it. I applaud the author for her work and skill. All too often in a historical romance there are parts that jar me out of the book, where I am left wondering 'wtf' do they know anything about the setting? But Ms. Randal pulls it off!

Ms. Randal - well done. You've created a magical romance that I will enjoy re-visiting.

Warrior or Wife is a Harlequin Roman Historical Romance- released in February 2007
ISBN 978-0-373-29437-4