"Ms. Tolomei has written a beautiful and emotional story. In Roman Seduction, we see Aurelius fight his lust and growing love for Attilio, a man who has declared sex for him does not include any emotional attachment. The fear of rejection we see throughout this tale is realistic, sometimes heart rendering, and yet at the same time shows us the courage it must take for this man to spend time with Attilio knowing that more than likely the feelings will never be mutual. A spectacular read for any fan of GBLT as well as a fan of romance in general!" CTR rated it 5 cups
1st century AD, Egypt, sun, heat, passion and the army…can these ingredients shape the destiny of two Roman soldiers? Don’t miss the sensually hot prequel to Trespassing All Hallows Eve!
Alexandria, Egypt, hot sun melts the senses and rushes blood in heated passion, the same unquenchable desire Aurelius feels for Attilio. Before Brighit and Celtic England, Aurelius is sure his destiny is the blond Roman soldier…or is he? Don’t miss the sensually hot prequel to TRESPASSING ALL HALLOWS EVE that will tie three people’s destinies forever.
Synopsis
Alexandria, Egypt, hot sun melts the senses and rushes blood in heated LUST, the same unquenchable desire Aurelius feels for Attilio, a Roman soldier recruiting for the army. Aurelius, the son of a wealthy tradesman, isn’t really interested, but attraction for the handsome soldier will make him pursue an acquaintance that will turn out more significant than he would have believed at first.
Excerpt
“Please, tell me about the Celts,” Aurelius asked once. “I find those far-away tribes fascinating.”
Attilio swallowed a generous sip of wine. “I hate to admit it, but the Celts are one of the few people I didn’t quite become connected to.”
“Why not? Are they so very different from us?”
The centurion shrugged. “In many ways they are.” He drank again, unwilling to get into any detail. “I only spent a year at Curia Raetorum, one of our border cities, and it wasn’t enough to—“
“Get into their heads?” Aurelius teased.
“Right,” Attilio admitted, a little surprised his young friend had already caught on to his mind’s workings. “Their way of thinking still escapes me, but I know I’ll get another chance to study them, even though my men don’t look forward to it,” he concluded, mentioning his soldiers for the first time.
“Where are they now?” Aurelius wondered.
“They’ve earned a much needed rest in Rome or wherever they chose to go.”
“But you’re here working.”
“My choice, Pullus.” To take that damn woman off my mind and resolve some very personal trust issues. He had answered neutrally, not intending to tell his young friend about Keitha or her betrayal. “In Curia Raetorum, our last post, we had a difficult time. The situation got out of control, ending with a violent rebellion, and we had to kill all the rebels. Afterward, the general felt he owed us some rest. I was happy for my men, of course, but asked him for another assignment, even if alone.”
“Do you miss them?”
“I miss army life from time to time. The tight discipline is invaluable and I wish civilians had half of our training.”
“If they had, you probably wouldn’t have had to deal with the rebellion.”
Again surprised by his insight, Attilio nodded.
“And were women involved, too?” Aurelius asked candidly.
“Why do you ask?” the centurion challenged.
Aurelius shrugged. “They tell me their women are…different.”
Attilio sent him an ironic glance. “Since when do women interest you, Pullus?”
Aurelius blushed. “I…just something I heard.”
“And since we’re on the subject,” the centurion continued, “what have you got against women anyway?”
Aurelius shifted nervously as if his seat had turned into a heated brazier. “I…I don’t like them much, that’s all.”
“Let me get this straight,” Attilio pursued relentlessly, the answer hardly enough to let his young friend off the hook. “You have a mother, right?”
“Of course, I do.”
“And you don’t like her.”
“I didn’t say that,” the dark-haired man flared.
“Funny, that’s exactly what I thought I heard just a second ago.”
“I said it, yes, but I didn’t mean it like that.”
The centurion leaned forward, his chest extending over the table. “Then please explain.”
Professional Reviews
Coffee Time Romance & More (CTR) rated it 5 cups
Rating: 5 Cups
Aurelius "Pullus" Ladeo is of a mixed race, from a Roman father and an Egyptian mother. As if that is not enough of a hindrance to some, he also happens to find himself attracted to men.
Attilio Metrono Tacitus is a soldier in the Roman army and has seen his fair share of war, famine, strife, and hate. He also knows what it is like to have a woman look you straight in the face even as she is stabbing you in the back.
Aurelius notices Attilio standing in the same spot time and again but does not have the courage to go up to him, afraid his desire will show. The legionary knows that Pullus is interested in men, and though he himself usually sticks with women, there is something about the other man that calls to him. So over the course of many nights they begin to get to know each other over drinks at the local tavern. When it is time for Attilio to head out on another mission, what will happen to Aurelius and will he be left with a broken heart?
Ms. Tolomei has written a beautiful and emotional story. In Roman Seduction, we see Aurelius fight his lust and growing love for Attilio, a man who has declared sex for him does not include any emotional attachment. The fear of rejection we see throughout this tale is realistic, sometimes heart rendering, and yet at the same time shows us the courage it must take for this man to spend time with Attilio knowing that more than likely the feelings will never be mutual. A spectacular read for any fan of GBLT as well as a fan of romance in general!
Caution: This tale contains scenes of m/m/m as well as m/f and is a red-hot romance!
Danielle
Fallen Angels Review (FAR) rated it 4 Angels
Rating: 4 Angels
Half Egyptian, half Roman, Aurelius is a merchant following in his trader father’s footsteps. One day in Alexandria, he notices a fair-haired handsome centurion, Attilio, who asks him if he wants to join the Roman army. Hoping that Attilio has a more intimate proposition for him, Aurelius meets the centurion at a bar. He’s intrigued by Attilio’s open bisexuality, but disappointed that Attilio chooses to spend the night with the barmaid rather than with him.
Attilio loves his life in the army, never staying long, always moving on. It’s suited him ever since he was betrayed by a Celtic woman, Keitha, but now he wonders if he should find someone to trust again before the darkness of his past takes over. He forms a friendship with Aurelius and one night, invites him to sample a male slave newly arrived in a brothel. Aurelius goes along with it, but he’s confused – is this a test of his love and devotion to Attilio?
Laura Tolomei has created an intriguing scenario with Attilio and Aurelius. Attilio is a strong, macho character yet he is also full of wisdom and knows his own mind. I really felt for him when we learned about his past. He’s a very honest character, but he remains true to the time in which the story is set. Aurelius is his opposite, attracted to men but not entirely open about it. Attilio teaches him to let go of his fear and disgust of women and to be open about his wants. Roman Seduction is a interesting read with good period detail and two fascinating characters.
Joyfully Reviewed
Centurion Attilio Metrono Tacitus is on leave after a brutal campaign leaves a sour taste Attilio can’t shake. He meets Aurelius ‘Pullus’ Arianus, the son of a local merchant and the two strike up a friendship.
Pullus fears getting to know Attilio better because that will lead to heartache when the centurion joins his men and departs Alexandria. To further complicate the attraction Pullus feels, Attilio seems to prefer women. Time is running out. Pullus must decide whether to voice his desires or watch the centurion walk away forever.
Take a step back in time with Roman Seduction where mixed signals can mean the difference between heartache and joy. Attilio is a likeable hero but unfortunately Pullus comes off as somewhat whiny at times. Roman Seduction is just that, an old fashioned sexy seduction with a hot little surprise twist or two at the end.
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