History With Action & Intrigue
924855
"Finding The Persian Way," is a wonderful story of the middle years of Cyrus the Great of Persia.  This excellent book is one of a continuing series about Cyrus's life and times.  The reader will get a sense of early Persian culture plus a great story of action and intrigue during early Persian history.

Precede this reading with Cyrus's early years in "Dawn Of The Greatest Persian."
3848263
action, adventure, history - liked it more as I went along but more history would be good.
1752674
I enjoyed the mystery along with the historical facts. Dan Brown keeps the story moving with twists & turns that keep you thinking. I definitely recommend this.
3002347
This is a fast-moving story with fascinating historical background, part real and part fantasy. The characters are well-defined and the action is very believable. The character of the First People comes through clearly from start to finish. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this story.
1919188
Intriguing! The first chapter was exciting. Chapter 2 brought the story to present day and it seems a little choppy at the start. Almost too much detail and, because the scene is under water, not much dialog to smooth it out. But once you get into it the story picks up speed. There is lots of action, twists and turns. I found the detail fascinating: boating, SCUBA diving, marine life, treasure - all of that and more - well researched and relative. The action was appropriately intense with surprises along the way to keep you turning the pages. Well done! Looking forward to the next in series.
954022
Loved everything about the way history is told. Plot is rich with action, intrigue, and facts. Good description of country and life in England and the colonies. Never lost interest, will read next books and highly recommend this one.
4601446
I enjoyed the action & plot. Hopefully, we will get a better character exposition in the sequel(s). Plenty of action & subplots appropriate. I'm looking forward to reading more about this war & the men & women who make up the 19th Armor. I like this author.
2376050
As a history buff, and with a particular interest in the British Isles, I looked forward to reading
The Forgotten Princess of Elmetia. England in the centuries after the birth of Christ was a fascinating mix of Celts, Romanized Britons, Angles, and the marauding Saxons. Rachel James has brought them all together in a fast-paced novel that centers on a swashbucklingheroine?

Yes, Teagan, the forgotten princess of the title, is filled with the aggressive sort of courage that faces deadly obstacles to save those she loves. She is a Celtic warrior princess, not from bloodlust, but for the cause of justice and helping those in need, whether a small child or the killer of her father.

You can read the plot summary elsewhere, so I want to recommend this tale of derring-do and sacrificial love for reasons other than just the exciting story line. Britain today is a fascinating result of cultures that clashed, fought, and ultimately learned to meld into each other to survive. The process of merging Celtic, Saxon and Roman cultures makes an interesting backdrop to the story. Some minor characters are particularly memorable, like the doctor Sherwin, friend of the dashing Ryce, and Cinnia, the complex wife of king-in-exile Niall.

Christianity came to the British Isles via its many invaders, and the author unashamedly weaves its influence into her book.  A strong message of intensely personal faith under-girds the entire story. That, the strong characters, exciting adventures, and an engaging heroine, make for an engrossing read.
2770565
An exciting and intriguing read with history thrown in the mix!  A very good book -  think it would make a great movie!  Didn't want to put it down, and very easy to visualize the characters!
2801128
Adeventure packed with historical accuracy; a great read.
2544350
"Conspiracies of Rome" was an entertaining and suspenseful read, filled with occasional scenes of blood-curling carnage bound to wet the appetite of anyone who is a fan of historical fiction.  The novel, the first in a saga, covers the travels of a young Anglo-Saxon nobleman named Aleric (or Alaric to the Greek and Romans) who journeys to the ancient city of Rome, where he becomes trapped in a conspiracy which he must uncover, hence the title. Along the way, the young barbarian becomes the unlikely preserver of ancient Greek and Roman literature which is rapidly being either neglected or destroyed in a world that no longer seems to have any use for them.

The story comes alive through the immersive and atmospheric descriptions of early 7th century Rome. Having once been the center of a powerful and immense civilization with a population of over a million people, Rome by the 7th century is in complete and utter decline having dwindled to merely a population of 30,000. From the abandoned and crumbling forums and temples to the ruined streets amid the desperate plight of its own destitute inhabitants, Mr. Blake is able to paint a fascinating and grim picture of a society in complete and utter decline.  I cannot wait to read the second novel of what promises to be a exhilarating saga. Highly recommended not just to fans of historical fiction but also to action-adventure, mystery and suspense readers as well.
402603
An excellent historical drama filled with action, a tragic love story, mystery and a compelling look inside the Crusades and the Templar Knights who sacrificed everything for God and honor.  Well developed characters who engage the reader from the first page.  A hard book to put down once you begin to follow Louis and his comrades on their journey to New Jerusalem and beyond.  Dixon paints a very vivid picture of this historical era while maintaining an honest look at the life and hardships that were endured.  I enjoyed the detailed battle scenes and the indepth look into the Templar Order, their rituals and their ultimate demise.  Outstanding second novel from a new author who has quickly placed himself on my personal "must read" list.
2820267
Fast paced action at its best. The story was so good, the characters so strong, that there was not a moment of boredom. The writing style at first seemed a little disjointed as short scenes jumped back and forth among characters and actions, but what a clever device to keep the story moving. This is the kind of historical fiction that can cause the reader to be concerned with the story and the characters, with historical accuracy never in question. Hats off to Dave Michael ... a masterful story teller.
1373393
An excellent read! The tone and flow of this novel transport you as if you were right there along side these impressive charachters. Enthralling story with such a seamless connection to the historical happenings. Hated to see it end, but couldn't put it down.
Would be nice for a continuation of this story or for possible similar stories to be told - well done!
3032601
Set in the 1st Century A.D., The Sign of the Eagle pits Celtic princess, Macha, against treacherous men of the Roman elite who are out to kill Emperor Vespasian. To this end, Macha must first prove her husband, Titus, a Roman tribune, innocent of treason against the emperor. With only the aid of her slave and friend, the Moorish woman Shafer, and Senator Bassus, who knows Titus is innocent, Macha has a job on her hands. The enemy will do anything to stop her from foiling their evil plot. Macha must evade assassins, travel from one end of the kingdom to the other, and face powerful enemies in order to free her husband and save the emperor.

Filled with rich details and pulse-pounding action scenes, Macha and The Sign of the Eagle will keep you up at night reading. This is a riveting historical novel of action and suspense!
272295
This novel will keep you turning the page.  The historical look at the Scottish raids on England and the ensuing skirmishes are quite exciting.  The in-depth look at the various leaders and their actions keep you wanting more.
3474132
Isle of Shadows is a tale of murder and intrigue against the backdrop of the island of Rhodes in 227 BC. Tessa is a famous hetaera-or courtesan-and companion to high-ranking official Glaucus. Seeking freedom from her existence as a paid companion to men who believe they own her, Tessa is determined that the only way out is to commit suicide. When Glaucus is suddenly killed in an accident, Tessa can feel that freedom within her grasp. With the help of the Jewish servant Simeon and a mysterious new arrival named Nikos, she manages to keep Glaucus' death a secret while speaking for him at The Assembly-Rhodes' governing body-and working to uncover a sinister plot in the volatile world of Greek politics.

The idea of telling story set in the ancient world before the time of Christ is an interesting one. A very helpful glossary section appears at the beginning of the book because she uses accurate terminology from that era. Ms Higley beautifully describes a Seder meal and gives the reader little glimpses into the society of the time. Isle of Shadows might also appeal to Jewish as well as Christian readers looking for an unusual historical fiction.

Disclosure in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : This book was presented to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers via BookSneeze.com without expectation of a positive review. The sentiments expressed here are my own.