The Martyr

ISBN-13: 9781499614404 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 358 str.

Rita L. Betti

Opis

Inspired by the martyr's death of St. Blandina in Lyons, Gaul, 177 A.D., THE MARTYR, follows the fictional story of her life from her capture in Parthia by the Romans, to the slave auction in Antioch to her final destination near Lyons, Gaul. Set during the reign of Roman Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, when being a Christian is a crime punishable by death, Blandina's life suddenly changes when the Roman army invades her home in Parthia taking her family captive. Death claims them one by one until only she and her 9 year-old sister, Lucida, remain. Determined to keep the promise to her parents that she would watch over Lucida, Blandina chooses to sacrifice her own happiness keep her promise. But when their master, Caius, decides to sell them to different owners, Blandina's world crashes in on her. Now instead of protecting her sister, she determines to escape and find Lucida so they can run away and live in freedom. But her escape plan goes horribly wrong and Blandina ends up a murderer and fugitive. With her sexuality as her only weapon, she learns quickly that a woman can use her wiles to get what she wants. Blandina takes refuge in a brothel, the only work for which she feels suited for, thinking she earn the money she needs to keep searching for Lucida. But her life is in jeopardy again when she insults her employer's best customer and has to flee. Help comes from an unexpected source, when she is found by Antonio, her childhood sweetheart. But Blandina feels unworthy to resume their relationship and sets out to find Lucida on her own. Eventually, she is persuaded by Antonio to come with him and together they shall look for Lucida. Hope is rekindled and love burns again for young Blandina. Lucida and Blandina are reunited but under circumstances that lead to eventual disaster.