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Wonderful book. Francine Rivers used to write secular novels, but found her calling was with Christian stories.

I found myself pulled into the story, wanting to know what happens next, and being fascinated with the Roman way of life. Knowing how Francine Rivers writes, I'm sure the historical accounts of everyday Roman life is pretty accurate. Yes, there is love and romance, but only hints of sex. Nothing tawdry. The descriptions of the Roman gladiator fights were fairly graphic, not to mention the accounts of people being fed to the lions as entertainment. Very sad..

Don't bother reading this if you're not willing to read the second in the series. You will want to know how it continues...

Also, if you're put off by the Christian theme, she is probably not the author for you. I'm still surprised how people become so inflamed by a blatant Christian theme in a Christian novel, by a Christian writer. Well of course! It would be like reading a vegetarian cookbook and not expecting an obvious "vegetarian way of life is better...." thread through out. Not to mention a strong possibility of the "dangers of being a carnivore..." being pointed out more than once.

As Homer Simpson would say.. "...d'oh!"