Saturday, September 26, 2020

The Buzz On A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS

A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS is a completely different genre for me. Time-travel to Ancient Rome? Two thousand years into the past? Omigosh! What am I thinking??

The truth is, the idea intrigued me. So here’s how this seed of a storyline grew. I was in the middle of my Sedona West murder mystery series when I received as a gift the DVD set for the BBC production,” I, Claudius.” I’d watched some of the programs over the years, but not the entire series. Honestly, it was a real treat to sit down and “binge watch” them. I already had in my library some of the historical sources dealing with this time period: Suetonius and Tacitus so I was familiar with this fascinating retelling of Roman events. And Claudius, dear unusual Claudius... what actually happened in Rome all those years ago?

What if... what if I could go back in time and interview him? Yep, my writer’s mind was working furiously. I’d already planned a time travel Regency as my next book, but I think it was when Claudius’ invasion of Britannia was mentioned that the light bulb went off. The emperor’s military campaign came to a head in Colchester, known as Camulodunum back then. And this meant I could still do a time travel to England... but back to the year 43 AD instead of Regency times!

The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was to try to write this novel. But what did I know about Ancient Rome? About Roman legions? About everyday life for the nobility, freedmen, and slaves? Not too much, I can tell you. So I read non-fiction and fiction books on all topics imaginable. I watched many DVDs to get a feel for the flavor of life back then. As for Latin... yikes. That was super hard.

After months of massive research, I was ready to weave together my story: a forensic anthropologist, Olivia, who inadvertently time-travels back to 43 AD; a weary Roman legate, Quintus, who yearns for retirement; and the Emperor Claudius, who was a bit mysterious, even back then.

A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS:

Olivia Kent knows a brass sesterce is an ancient Roman coin with a value roughly calculated to be one fourth of a day’s pay. What she doesn’t know is that one particular sesterce is going to transport her two thousand years back in time to 43 AD and Rome’s invasion of Britannia. With the help of a Druid priestess, Olivia dresses as a Roman soldier, and meets Emperor Claudius, along with a handsome legion commander. She changes both of their lives for the better... and her own as well. But here’s her dilemma: should she remain back in the first century where she can make a difference? Or should she take a chance and try to return to her own time?

A QUARTER FOR HIS THOUGHTS:

Quintus Antonius Avitus, commander of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, has served Rome faithfully but is weary of war. On this invasion, he comes across a puny, injured soldier, Livius. The soldier states that he is an American from a land to the west of Britannia--which is impossible since there are no lands past Britannia. But Livius is full of surprises, and also turns out to be a comely female named Olivia. Perhaps she is telling the truth? She is unlike any woman he has known. However, she insists that she cannot stay and must return to her home, despite the fact that Emperor Claudius wants her to accompany him to Rome. Quintus is torn: omnia vincit amor facit--does love conquer all? Or should he continue to auxilio imperatoris--help his Emperor?

An ancient coin transports Olivia two thousand years back in time to the Roman invasion of Britannia and into the arms of a hunky legion commander!

Available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

 The print copy is also available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1980841799

 This book is part of the Exciting Time-Travels line.


Here are some fabulous reviews:

 * 5 Sesterces... and 5 Stars! I confess I’m new to the genre of Ancient Roman romance and all that, and I have to say now, after reading A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS, I’m hooked!! Olivia, our fish-out-of-water from the twenty-first century, has to quickly adjust to the brutal world of Imperial Rome. Fortunately she has help, otherwise it’s for certain she would’ve been in more danger than just the initial beating at the beginning of her adventure. Her concern for the Emperor Claudius is touching, and as for Quintus, well, he is a warrior with macho integrity. As a couple, they have a huge divide in cultures and expectations to overcome. Thankfully, they concentrate on the things they have in common, instead of the differences. And then, of course, comes Olivia’s dilemma... For a peek into a creative imagining of what may have happened two thousand years ago--an alternate reality, do yourself a favor and read A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS.--Just Imagine Fanzine

* 5 Stars! Quite a different read: part creative and part historical. Ms. Knight shows just how very different life was two thousand years ago, and yet people still had the same needs driving them. I enjoyed how she sprinkled Latin into the conversations to show how Olivia had to slowly translate and interpret Roman conversations. Frankly, I enjoyed everything: we discover each piece of the puzzle, to then put it all together to learn the surprise twist... or twists at the end. Excellent!--Norwood Reviews

* 5 Stars! An Outstanding Time Travel Adventure! The charming and delightful novel allows the reader to time travel back to the Roman Empire... You will be captivated by [Olivia’s] adventures--if you are like me, you will also probably learn a lot about ancient Rome that you didn’t know before!--Amazon Review

 I am devouring this book!! Very, very few novels set in ancient times, even fewer romances, and as for time-travel... basically zip. Wonderful story!--Reader Comment

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Onto my tidbits from real life that I like to include in these Buzz Blogs. A pair of dice plays an important role in A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS. As it turns out, dice-playing was a favorite activity of the emperor’s. It’s documented that Claudius even wrote a book on it. So I had Olivia bring her lucky pair of dice with her on her trip to Colchester. Here’s a picture of the blue dice, below. They are mine and really were a souvenir from Las Vegas. As for winning $500 there, well, no, that didn’t happen, unfortunately!

In front of the large blue dice is a pair of gold dice I purchased online based on an Ancient Roman pair that the emperor might have actually owned.



Here’s the scene where Quintus, given the dice by Olivia, hands them over to Claudius.

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 With a frown, the Emperor took the small bag. He opened the drawstring and looked inside. “B-By the sacred she-wolf of Rome!” Two dice tumbled out into his hand; two colossal-sized dice the color of a moonlit sea. And just as transparent.

Claudius fingered each one. “These are very finely made, Quintus. And what are they made from? My own set of gold dice seems paltry next to these Am-American wonders.”

“Look at the side with the number ‘Two’, sir. A strange phrase: ‘Las Vegas.’ What can that mean?”

Claudius pulled out his gold dice and handed them to Quintus. As tiny as the dice were, they felt heftier than the overly large set of dice.

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For a highly unusual time-travel romance with a heavy dose of history, give A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS a try. I hope you enjoy Olivia and Quintus’ extraordinary story!

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

The Buzz On BREAKS AN EGG

Here’s Book Three, PUSHES UP DAISIES, in the Sedona West Mysteries series. Things are coming to a head in Cozy Haven with Sedona’s candy store stage of boyfriend shopping. But before she can make her selection, something pops up in the daisy patch... and it’s not a flower!

The titles of the series:

SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES--Book One

BREAKS AN EGG--Book Two

PUSHES UP DAISIES--Book Three

 A LONG, HOT, SUMMER!

Cozy Haven’s summer is heating up. A bar fight concerning a past date rape; a missing tourist found; villagers complaining about extortion; several people bashed on the head; a daylight abduction... it’s no wonder that tempers are exploding. Folks are at each other’s throats, and that leads to yet another murder to investigate. Sedona West can’t catch a break. Playing host to her sister and baby niece, she has to change her plans and help solve these crimes. The temperature is rising with her would-be suitors as well. These two hunky men are getting impatient for her decision. Should she choose Harrison Oakdale, the celebrity psychologist? Or does she prefer Doug Marino, Cozy Haven’s sheriff? What to do? What to do? Or maybe, when her own head is bashed by the killer, she’ll no longer have a choice... 

Sedona finds herself in the thick of things with more murder and mayhem. And, oh yes, a decision on which candy store flavor to call her own!

Available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

 The print copy is also available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095889680

 

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.


Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 Stars... or 10! Absolutely love this book. Love this series! Juggling everybody’s needs except her own, Sedona is in the middle of one big summer mess. This is the book where she (hopefully) makes her choice: Team Harrison or Team Doug. And oh, what swoon-worthy men those two are! Filled with of action, suspense, great characters, and of course a dead body or two, PUSHES UP DAISIES covers all bases. As to which flavor of candy Sedona selects, be sure to pick up your copy to find out!--Mystery Maven’s Reviews

5 Stars! This is number three in the three book Sedona West Mystery Series. While this book can be read without the first two, it’s enjoyable to get the full multiplex experience of everything the characters go through. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Sedona rebuilds her life after an acrimonious divorce, solves a few murders, and gets wined, dined, and wooed by two delicious men. Lucky Sedona! And lucky us, the readers!--Norwood Reviews

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 Now for my “Tidbit From Real Life”: so, not actually from “real” life, but it concerns something from Star Trek, one of my all time favorite TV shows... and movies. After Star Trek’s three seasons, the mystery of what the “T” stands for in James T. Kirk is finally revealed. The “T” is for Tiberius... a most unusual name.

In PUSHES UP DAISIES, Sedona sees Sheriff Doug’s nameplate and wonders what does the T. stand for in Dugan T. Marino.

Doug says, “I wish I could say T. stands for Tiberius, but I can’t. It’s Thomas.”

Her reply. “I like Thomas. But it’s too bad you can’t be an emperor of Rome. Or even Admiral James T. Kirk.”

Just a bit of fun! I hope you enjoy Sedona West’s adventures!

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!