Bøker av Preston Holtry

DECLARED AN ENEMY OF ROME, ARRIUS MUST NOT ONLY FACE GENERAL ARVINNIUS'S RE-LENTLESS EFFORT TO FIND AND EXECUTE HIM, BUT ALSO THE HOSTILITY AND DISTRUST OF THE NATIVE TRIBES NORTH OF HADRIAN'S WALL.General Arvinnius gave the tribune a hard look. "Querinius, Arrius is to be taken alive no matter the cost. I want to be present when the treasonous bastard is crucified."Now an outcast and a fugitive of Rome, Arrius is not easily accepted by the Selgovi in spite of Ilya and his close friendship with her son, Joric, High Chieftain of the Selgovae Tribe. Arrius works hard to make the tribal clan chiefs understand the inevitable slaughter that is about to happen when the tribe confronts the legions about to march north. In time, he is able to convince the tribesmen to change their individual style of combat to a more unified approach and avoid pitch battles in favor of skirmish and ambush. When Joric is killed early in the conflict, Ilya becomes queen of the Selgovi. By now, Arrius has won the respect and confidence of the tribe. The subsequent invasion by the Roman legions is made more problematic by disaffection among the tribes. When Arrius is captured by Tribune Querinius, it becomes both a rallying cry for the Selgovae Tribe and a turning point in the war. Although the defeat of Querinius is significant, the tribe begins to accept the inevitable that Roman might is too great for the tribes to overcome; consequently, it falls to Arrius to play a key role in the Selgovi withdrawal north into Caledonia where the tribes already there intend to resist the southern migration. "Historical fiction at its very best, Preston Holtry's Enemy of Rome provides a powerful and most satisfying conclusion to his Arrius trilogy. With effective dialogue, provocative male and female characters, and exhilarating sections of violence, this well researched book makes us feel as though we are on the inside looking around us rather than merely on the outside looking in. A must-read novel."-John Vance, author of Echoes of November and Awake the Southern Wind"Preston Holtry has surpassed himself with Enemy of Rome, the final installment of the Arrius trilogy. Based on the first two novels, I expected a thrilling end and Preston did not disappoint! … With realistic characters and unforgettable images of life in the Roman encampment and the tribal villages, Preston weaves a masterful tale, intertwining historical fact and riveting fiction. Be prepared to stay up late as you won't want to put it down. This is an exciting finale to the trilogy, right to the last page!"- Randall Krzak, author of The Kurdish Connection and Dangerous Alliance"Enemy of Rome continues the story of the maverick Roman who is at odds with the men who command him… a most believable novel. He transports the reader to the northern frontier in the second century very well. The dramatic ending is satisfying and the writer teases the reader with literary pleasures to come. Preston Holtry has truly joined the ranks of those who write the better books about the Roman Empire."-Griff Hosker, author of the Anarchy and Dragonheart book series."A sprawling, multi-dimensional historical and epic novel in which Mr. Holtry exercises masterful control. He seamlessly weaves together history, adventure, passion, and family dynamics into a fascinating story that is always engaging, intriguing, and illuminating. It is also a helluva lot of fun."-Hank Luce, author of A Darkness in the Pines, Secret of the Nightingale Madonna, Brainways, and Crown of Thorns

ARRIUS IS FACED WITH THE MOST FATEFUL DECISION OF HIS LIFE WHEN EMPEROR ANTONINUS PIUS PLANS TO EXTEND THE EMPIRE'S BORDER IN BRITANNIA NORTH OF HADRIAN'S WALL."On the contrary, Arrius, if you're fortunate enough to see the sun rise tomorrow, it will be you who will be on the way to Eboracum ¿ in chains, I might add. Guards seize him by order of Tribune Quintarius. Marcus Arrius, I place you under arrest for conspiring against the empire of Rome."At the fort called Banna, one of 14 forts on Hadrian's Wall, Marcus Arrius begins the slow process of turning around a dispirited and ineffective Tungrian Cohort stationed there. His efforts are made more challenging, and dangerous, by the hatred and jealousy of Matius Betto, the centurion he replaced as commander. It does not take long for Betto and Tribune Tiberius Quinterius to combine efforts to discredit Arrius. In time, Arrius gains the respect and loyalty of the officers and legionaries at Banna with the exception of a few disgruntled officers who remain committed to Betto. His malaise caused by the brutality of the Judaean war dissipates as his relationship with Ilya deepens when she becomes pregnant with their child. However, it is Ilya who becomes the unwitting means for Quinterius and Betto to accomplish their objective when her heritage and kinship to Beldorach, High Chieftain of the Selgovae are revealed."ARRIUS-Legacy is a fast-paced novel set in the early days of the Roman Wall. Full of action with twists and turns it is an exciting read. It is hard to put down. The detail to the period is remarkable and it is very accurate when dealing with both the Roman Army and the tribes who lived north of the wall. The ending leaves the door wide open for the third in this very enjoyable series."-Griff Hosker, author of the Anarchy and Dragonheart book series."Preston Holtry's ARRIUS Volume 2, Legacy, is a smash hit. Disillusioned with how the Roman Empire handled the war in Judaea, Arrius requested a new assignment about as far away from Rome as possible. He's taken to his new duties well, but speaking his mind continues to get him into trouble with his superiors and with the commander he replaced. The bright side to his current posting is Ilya, a Selgovae woman, and her son, Joric."-Randy Krzak, author of The Kurdish Connection"If you enjoyed Volume 1 of the ARRIUS series: Sacramentum, you won't be disappointed by the next installment---Legacy. The same meticulous research and storytelling will immerse you into the ancient world and have you anxiously anticipating Volume 3."- William Francis, author of The Katie Dugan Case."Preston Holtry's Legacy, the second volume of his Arrius Trilogy, is simply excellent historical fiction, marked by memorable and complex characters, strong dialogue, and impeccable research. Preston depicts expertly the period's robust muscle, when Rome sought to maintain its hold of early Britannia."-John Vance, author of Echoes of November and Awake the Southern Wind