Eagle’s Honor: Ravished by Sandra Schwab is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I never pass up the chance to read a historical romance set in ancient times, especially these days when these types of novels are far and few between.

Set in AD 190, Livia, the daughter of a Roman officer, loses her entire family to a cruel illness. She is sent to live with her aunt in the bustling city of Rome, where she is exposed to opulence and open sensuality. Her aunt’s boredom prompts her to buy a barbarian slave for her own amusement, something that shocks Livia, but this Germanic warrior only has eyes for her.

Adelar has been enslaved after a vicious Roman attack, but when he sees a chance to escape, he doesn’t hesitate, his only regret being he must leave the sweet Livia, his little sparrow behind.

But, when Livia finds herself kidnapped after a battle, taken to the forts outside of Rome as a prisoner to a tribe whose language she can’t understand, the last person she ever expected to see was her Barbarian, her aunt’s escaped slave.

While she is considered the enemy among his tribe, Adelar will brook no violence against his little sparrow, nor allow her to be used as a pawn. But, he tries to resist his feelings for her, knowing it will only complicate matters. The longer he waits to make a decision about what to do with her, the harder it becomes to let her go.

But, it is only a matter of time before Livia will become a bargaining chip between her uncle, who is most certainly looking for her, and Adelar and his tribe. Her only hope being that there will not be a bloody battle between them.

I love forbidden love, where a couple is divided by class or duty or conflict, but still manage to find a way to be together. Those types of stories make for the most romantic and epic love stories, and the most satisfying.

I loved Livia because she was a humble, loyal, and honest, but was not biddable or a doormat, she had courage and fought for the love she knew was right.

Adelar is proud, fierce, brave, and a mighty warrior, but was also sweet, tender, and passionate. I did get frustrated with him a time or two, but of course Livia puts him in his place, but good!

This story is highly sensual, very sexy, but also emotional, with lots of true romance, mixed with intrigue and suspense, all presented in a well-balanced fashion.

4 stars ( )