It’s about books. No, it’s about stories of people, their aspirations, their dilemmas, their loves and their adventures. It’s about sacrifice, passion and loyalty, about betrayal, power-hunger and redemption. And it takes the imagination on one of the most intriguing ‘what if’ stories ever…
Roma Nova is an imaginary country (except in the author’s head and in those of similar enthusiasts) which bears some physical resemblance to a small European country but nothing like or any other otherwise. Developing along an alternative timeline from ours, it’s a survivor from the mess at the end of the Roman Empire, its people value strength, service and loyalty.
Women have always been prominent from the first day they buckled on armour and stood side by side with their men to defend their tiny country. They run the government, businesses and families. But men are in no way disadvantaged.
Two ‘strands’ centre round two tough but fallible heroines – Carina and Aurelia – both from the leading Mitela family. They are so similar in character, but their temperaments are different. Coffee is a must for both, but Aurelia likes a French brandy and Carina a chilled Castra Lucillan white wine.
Aurelia is a ‘bone-and blood’ Roma Novan brought up with Roman values that have endured for over fifteen hundred years. Carina, brought up in the Eastern United States, but tied by blood to Aurelia, has a less sure start, but she soon learns to become a solid Roma Novan, finding herself completely at ease in that society although she trips up on occasion.
Despite their service to the state in the elite Praetorian Guard and later as agents, then in government, both women find enduring love. However, that goes anything but smoothly for both of them and their children.
Carina’s strand takes place in the ‘present plus’ and running underneath her adventures are themes – empowerment (INCEPTIO), acceptance of the real world (CARINA, a novella), betrayal (PERFIDITAS )and nemesis (SUCCESSIO).
Aurelia features in Carina’s story – she’s her grandmother after all – but as a young woman in the late 1960s (AURELIA) and as a diplomat/investigator in the mid 1970s (NEXUS). In her forties in the 1980s (INSURRECTIO and RETALIO), she fights against an amoral criminal, later tyrant who threatens to destroy Roma Nova.
And other books? ROMA NOVA EXTRA is a collection of shorter stories, uncovering hidden glimpses of our characters from AD 370 to 2029.
And JULIA PRIMA set in AD 370 takes us back to the first meeting between Lucius Apulius and Julia Becausa in Roman Noricum. Readers kept asking me to write the foundation story of Roma Nova. So I did. But I had two much story for one book. The other half of that story followed in EXSILIUM – the epic journey that led to the foundation of Roma Nova in AD 395.
So if you’re looking for escapist thrillers with a Roman tone, special forces women, epic love, slightly off-piste heroines, loyalty, a sense of doing the right thing even if it’s not quite legal, a family with bad eggs and true heroes, tough men who have vulnerabilities, snappy dialogue and some provocations, you’re in the right place.
That’s a very quick run down. The book draw associated with this post has finished, but do take a look around the site – there’s a lot here for you…
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers – INCEPTIO, CARINA (novella), PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO, AURELIA, NEXUS (novella), INSURRECTIO and RETALIO, and ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories. Audiobooks are available for four of the series. Double Identity, a contemporary conspiracy, starts a new series of thrillers. JULIA PRIMA, a new Roma Nova story set in the late 4th century, is now out.
Download ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’, a FREE eBook, as a thank you gift when you sign up to Alison’s monthly email update. You’ll also be among the first to know about news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.
Please excuse me while I make excited squeals for the new short story collection. And both my father and uncle are living proof that men can enjoy reading books about women.
Excited squeals are definitely permitted! 😉
I loved it! Especially Conrad and Carina’s wacky Roman holiday. 😉
I thought that was a little different. And history is full of such mysteries…
I’m so impressed at the way that you have created your world, Alison. Good memories from hearing you read the early chapters in TW.
Thank you, Roland. I’ve enjoyed heaping lay upon layer as every country needs a history. I only hope I don’t catch myself out sometime. 😉
Fantastic giveaway! Would love to win ☺️ Keep up the good work Alison!
Your name is in the hat!
If it’s an international draw, I’d love to donate one to my local library (if that’s okay). 🙂
That sounds excellent idea!
Congratulations on your book launch! How excited you must be.
Very exciting when a new book goes out!
Oh, yes please! I’ve enjoyed reading them on my Kindle,but paper copies would be sooo much better!
I’m quite fond of a paperback, too!
Have only read Inception so far but really enjoyed it and look forwards to reading more of your Roma Nova novels Congratulations on writing so many books that are different and female focused they are a treat to read
Thank you, suzy. It’s been very enjoyable writing them.
Thank you to all who took part!
The giveaway is now finished, but you visited this page later, just click on the book page to discover where can buy any of the paperbacks.
Best to all,
Alison
Thank you!
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