THE STORY CONTINUES

THE CONCLUSION OF THE EXILE DUOLOGY - NOW AVAILABLE

Aemilia Lepida was closer to becoming empress than anyone knew when she was betrothed to Claudius—but her parents’ disgrace leads to the dissolution of her engagement, and her life changes forever.

Aemilia comes of age in Rome at a dangerous time, one in which her heritage makes her a desirable pawn in the schemes of others. Her own efforts to restore her family’s honor place her on a treacherous path of vengeance and intrigue that will consume her life even as it ultimately reveals a strength she never knew she possessed.

Meanwhile, Titus begins a journey harder and longer than he could have imagined, spanning from Rome to Dacia and back again. He will sacrifice more than he bargained for as he struggles to accept his new identity: a deserter in hiding, shielding a secret that could disrupt the empire, not knowing if he will ever again see the woman for whom he has upended his life.

Aemilia and Titus, and those around them, must decide whether their differences will keep them apart, or if Julia and her exile—their sole unifying connection—will be enough to bind them together, perhaps saving all their lives.

BOOK ONE OF THE EXILE DUOLOGY

Rome, 8 CE. Julia, eldest granddaughter of Augustus, is four months pregnant, and it should be cause for celebration. The only problem is that her husband was executed a year ago for treason. The math is simple, and damning.

Julia is exiled to a remote Adriatic island as punishment for her indiscretion, upending her privileged life. As she struggles to adjust to her new circumstances, a suspicious accident kills her only confidante, and she finds that trust is increasingly hard to come by—especially in a world where power is everything and where people will do anything to get it. Soon, Julia is forced not only to question what else fate has in store, but to fight for her illegitimate baby’s survival.

Julia’s scheming mother and slightly insane younger brother are already political exiles, but their newest plots pull her further into a deadly web of family betrayal and treason that threatens to taint Rome for generations to come. Further complicating matters is Titus, the bastard son of a senator. As one of the guards tasked with ensuring that Julia never escapes her island prison, she should resent him—but instead she finds herself increasingly drawn to him, at great risk to both their lives.

Reviewers are saying…

  • Megan, NetGalley Review (The Longest Exile)

    “…a riveting historical novel… This book is not just a compelling narrative but also a deeply informative journey into the complexities of Julia's life and the era she lived in.

    The author masterfully intertwines historical accuracy with engaging storytelling… The depiction of Julia's exile and the political intrigues surrounding it is particularly well done, shedding light on the often brutal realities of ancient Roman society and the precarious position of women within it.

    One of the standout aspects of the book is its attention to detail. The historical context is rich and well-researched, offering readers a nuanced understanding of Julia's world. This makes The Longest Exile not just a story about one woman's journey, but also a lens through which we can better understand the broader socio-political landscape of the time.”

  • Ashley, NetGalley Review (The Longest Exile)

    “…meticulously researched and extremely compelling.

    The story of Julia the Younger's eventful first year in exile had me turning the pages late into the night. The intrigue surrounding folks that would do her harm, the unraveling of the drama surrounding the adulterous pregnancy that sent her into exile, and her ongoing imprisonment are very well paced and highly engaging…

    …there are several parts of this novel that play out like something right out of [the TV show] DOMINA… and that is a high compliment to the author.

    Highly, highly recommended to all Romanophiles and those who love a forced-proximity romance! I will definitely be reading the sequel when it is released!”

  • Maddy, NetGalley Review (The Longest Exile)

    “When I started The Longest Exile, I was unsure if this genre was for me - while I tend to love more 20th century historical fiction, I had not yet dipped my toes into any ancient civilizations. I am SO HAPPY that I did!

    I found the writing and the story fast-moving, surprisingly easy to follow (especially for how many characters and relationships were introduced), and impossible to put down. I knew next to nothing about ancient Rome during this specific time period, but the author did a wonderful job of painting the lives of the characters and the conflicts of war in the area. I think this was also a unique focus to choose the close family of Augustus, as I have more typically seen stories in media regarding Caesar.

    I would recommend this to anyone interested in ancient Rome, historical fiction, or even looking for a dramatic and shorter read. It's also a huge bonus that the second book will be released in a few months, completing the duology.”

  • Avery, Goodreads Review (The Longest Exile)

    “…I wasn’t prepared for how much this book would stick to me!

    I immediately felt so much compassion and empathy for Julia the Younger. Knowing this is based on the life of the real Julia… made me feel so much more connected to the book.

    So many times I found myself crying without meaning to, tears over the situations these characters are in, tears over the hurt they felt, and so many tears over the anguish and pain it is to be a woman on this earth…

    It left me with a head swimming with thoughts, I spent quite a long time thinking through what I read in hopes of writing a review that would accurately capture what I read, but I don’t think I can do it justice!”

Events and Features

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