I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘From the Ashes.’
They called it the Flavian Amphitheatre. We call it the Colosseum. Let the Games begin.
Rome, 80AD. A gigantic new amphitheatre is being built. The Emperor has plans for gladiatorial Games on a scale no-one has ever seen before.
But the Games don’t just happen by themselves. They must be made. And Marcus, the man in charge of creating them, has just lost everything he held dear when Pompeii disappeared under the searing wrath of Vesuvius.
Now it will fall to Althea, the slave woman who serves as his scribe, to ensure the Colosseum is inaugurated on time – and that Marcus makes his way out of the darkness that calls to him.
Can a motley crew comprising a retired centurion, slaves, a prostitute and an ex Vestal Virgin pull off the greatest gladiatorial Games ever seen? Or will they fail and find themselves in the arena as
punishment?
Time is running out to deliver an unforgettable spectacle.
From the Ashes is the first, fast-paced novel in the gripping new Colosseum series. Follow the quick- witted and fiercely loyal backstage team of the Colosseum through the devastation of Pompeii, plague and fire. This is historical fiction at its most captivating: both action-packed and tender.
Take a front row seat at the Colosseum’s inaugural gladiatorial Games.
Buy From the Ashes today.
Trailer Link – https://youtu.be/CbM54gjiT20
Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Colosseum-Book-1-ebook/dp/B08W1TJWXH
https://www.amazon.com/ashes-colosseum-book-1-ebook/dp/B08W1TJWXH
Author Bio –
Melissa Addey writes historical fiction set in Ancient Rome, medieval Morocco and 18th century China. She is a fulltime self-published author and runs workshops for authors wanting to be entrepreneurial.
Her books have been selected for Editor’s Choice by the Historical Novel
Society and won the inaugural Novel London award. She has been the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library, has a PhD in Creative Writing and works with the Alliance of Independent Authors on their campaigns.
If you’d like to try her writing, visit http://www.melissaaddey.com to pick up a free novella, The Cup.
Social Media Links –
https://www.melissaaddey.com where readers can get a free novella that starts another series (medieval Morocco).
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAddeyAuthor
https://twitter.com/MelissaAddeyg
Review-
This was something of a departure from my usual reads, but I’ve always been fascinated with the story of Pompeii and so the synopsis immediately caught my attention.
I’m so glad it did! This is an exceptional tale; brilliantly told and worthy of many plaudits.
Written in a thoroughly engaging style but with a definite sense of historical accuracy, author Melissa Addey has created a piece of historical fiction that will live long in the memory.
I loved the fact that this was so much more than a recount of the building of the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum) in Rome. It is a tale of loyalty, heartache, respect and integrity, whilst at the same time offering a perspective into some of the lesser known elements of Roman society at that time.
The portrayal of such strong female characters in Althea and Fausta, was particularly fascinating, supported by the seemingly forward-thinking for the time Marcus, who enabled them to flourish despite their perceived places in society as a slave and prostitute.
The detail surrounding the planning of the amphitheatre and the hundreds of civilians involved in bringing the ideas to fruition, as well as the description of the pestilence that threatened to scupper the endeavour was especially interesting and added a real human element to what is usually a glorified topic.
I note that this is penned as the first in a Colosseum series. I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for future releases!
With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.
Further stops can be found here:
Pickled Thoughts and Pinot 