The Champion

The Champion by Carla Capshaw

Publisher: Love Inspired Historical/Steeple Hill Books

August 2011

ISBN: 978-0-373-82879-1

Pages: 288



Rome AD 84


Tiberia the Younger “Tibi” is about to be sent to become a priestess that many would find to be an honor but Tibi isn’t ready to give up her freedom or her faith. The problem is leaving her will very little options and if she can’t find an answer quickly she is going to end up with a life she doesn’t want. Tibi turns to Alexius to see if he might be able to help though how she isn’t sure of but when one is desperate they are willing to try anything.

Alexius of Iolcos is a gladiator that has been intrigued with Tibi for as long as he has known her. Now that she is in trouble he knows that he will do anything possible to help her including offering her marriage so that she will be safe. Though this action will put him in the most danger that he has ever been in, not just from her vengeful father but also from his heart.

Tibi is going to have to decide if what she wants because with her noble family this will never be accepted since they only see Alexius and a lowly gladiator. She has always been an oddity within her family and if she does marry Alexius this is sure to make it so that she will never get acceptance from her family. Tibi is going to have to make some decision quickly or she will never have the future she has always dreamed of.



This story shows a different side to Rome that most books don’t show readers. For those that enjoyed the show Spartacus they are sure to love this story as it is reminiscent of the show. The characters and details of the places in the story are richly written and will have the reader hating to put the book down for any reason. Once the story draws the reader in it doesn’t let go until the very end. The story gives the reader a glimpse of what the times where like at that time and the turmoil that was happening behind the scenes in the political arena. This one is worth giving a chance as the reader will not be disappointed in the least.

I give this one 4 red roses