Welcome MK Chester!

Today on Word Wranglers, I'm pleased to have MK Chester. Check her out!



“Based on Actual Events!”

If you’re anything like me, you've watched a movie that was “based on actual events”. Am I the only one who wonders…is it REALLY based on actual events? Or is some of this storyline plain old fabricated fluff for entertainment value?
With a romance novel, you know you’re getting a healthy dose of fiction. There’s no question about that. But with a historical romance novel, the stage has to be set correctly in order for the story to carry off well. Discerning readers know when something’s not quite right—and they won’t hesitate to tell you about it.
So, for those interested in how much of Surrender to the Roman is “based on actual events”, I give you the following:

1. Trajan was the 13th emperor of the Roman Empire; he ruled from 98 to 117 AD.
2. Decebalus was the ruler of Dacia from 87 to 106 AD. He battled first with Domitian, then with Trajan.
3. Decebalus escaped the city with his family before the final Roman push, but not much is known about his family (how many wives, sons, daughters, etc.).
4. Decebalus is said to have slit his own throat rather than be captured; this act is depicted on Trajan’s Column.
5. The Flavia Felix legion was encamped at Sarmisegetusa, but they are not credited with bringing the head and hands of Decebalus to Trajan—that honor goes to the Legio VII Claudia.
6. The townspeople drank poison; history records scores of women and children already dead when the army breached the city.
7. After the victory, Trajan announced 123 days of “glorious celebration” to include gladiatorial games in Rome.
8. More than 100,000 male slaves were brought to Rome from Dacia both as a prize and to discourage future rebellion.
9. The southern provinces of Dacia were annexed to the Roman Empire, mainly because they contained gold mines, and later became known as Romania.
10. Veterans of the conquering legions were given tracts of land and encouraged to marry Dacian women to colonize the area.

The Dacian Wars encompassed two campaigns and made the combatants bitter enemies. The struggle also served to secure Trajan’s place as an admirable emperor who could offer citizens security from a perceived threat. He ruled for nearly another decade after this victory.


SURRENDER TO THE ROMAN

She might be a slave in Rome, but she would always be royalty in her heart...

As the Romans storm the last stronghold of Dacia, Princess Ademeni awaits her fate. Taken as a slave, she is deposited into General Marcus Cordovis's home as a gift.

Driven to avenge her family, Ademeni plots to kill her captor and escape. Though not the cruel victor she expects, Marcus keeps her too close to make escape easy--so close that Ademeni is soon tormented by an unbidden, traitorous attraction. In a moment of weakness, a passionate kiss almost undoes them both.

But the handsome, widowed general has another surprise for Ademeni: a young daughter. Marcus dares ask Ademeni to help him bridge the gap between him and his little girl. And now, Ademeni is growing too fond of those she is supposed to despise. As Marcus prepares for the triumphal march and the opening of the gladiatorial games--where captives of her homeland will be sacrificed--Ademeni readies for her own battle between revenge and love.

Available April 9, 2012 at Carina Press: www.carinapress.com
Available at Amazon: http://ow.ly/9UC8m
Available at Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/9UCiJ

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Comments

  1. Yay, another Carina author! Glad to see you here. Good luck with SURRENDER TO THE ROMAN. It sounds fascinating.

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  2. Hi!
    Welcome to WW! Wow, do you have alot of kewl factoids. I have a friend obsessed with Rome, I told her to stop by, too.

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  3. It's always good when an author can intertwine history with fiction. Congrats on your release.

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    1. Thanks, Maggie--it's the best of both worlds :)

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  4. So glad to see you here, MK!! What I love about historical fiction - romance and not romance - is learning a little more about that time period. Surrender sounds fab and it's on my list to buy - good luck!!!

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  5. Thanks for coming MK. I have a thing for stories about Rome and Egypt. I've always found the settings really exotic. And by the way, I love your cover!

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    1. Thank you, Shawn--Carina has great covers, don't they?

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  6. What a great background! Congrats on your new release!

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  7. Thank you, Martha (that's my first name too!)--nice to just get home and find such a great response :)

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