In 81 AD, a Christian (Pelonia Valeria) is sold into slavery by her evil uncle after her family and servants are killed by marauders on their way to her cousin’s wedding. Ex-gladiator, Caros Viriathos, who is now a gladiator trainer, buys Pelonia as a slave. He is attracted to her, and once he hears her story, he is compassionate. In the past he was also sold into slavery and forced to fight in the arena, or die. He won his freedom, eventually, after doing so well in the ring. Pelonia wants to be set free, but how can Caros let her go when he is falling for her?

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was so good! I loved the unique storyline and the setting, in ancient Rome. The story had great descriptions and atmosphere. There was the horror and tension of the Christian slaves being murdered in the arena. Caros, trying to understand Pelonia’s devotion to Christ. The building trust and love between Pelonia and Caros. I also liked the secondary characters, some who have their own stories in other books in this series, which I look forward to reading.

A romantic, different, and exciting read by Carla Capshaw. ( )

Amazingly written. ( )

I was expecting this to be the usual light, quick Christian romance. The story grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't out it down. What a great way to start off the year! ( )

A cute story. Carla Capshaw really gets in the middle of the setting in a fantastic way. Very entertaining.

Seventeen-year-old Pelonia is a young Christian woman living near Rome in 81 AD. She lived a comfortable life, sheltered from the dangers faced by Christians in Rome, until her greedy uncle had her father murdered and sold her into slavery. She is brought to Rome, where she is purchased by Caros, a former gladiator. Though still a young man, Caros has lived a difficult and violent life. After witnessing the horrific deaths of his family, he was sold into slavery at the age of fifteen and trained as a gladiator. Having won his freedom in the arena, he is now a lanista and runs a school where he trains gladiators.

When Caros sees Pelonia for sale, he is drawn to her beauty and innocence, decides she must be his, and purchases her to be a slave in his household. But he is unwilling to force her, and begins something like a courtship with her, determined to win her heart. Soon, he realizes she is the only person with whom he truly feels at peace. But although she is attracted to Caros, and realizes that she does truly love him, Pelonia fights her feelings, because he is not a believer in her faith, and she is determined to escape and find her surviving family so she can live as a free woman again.

The Gladiator is a wonderful story of faith and love set in Ancient Rome, a unique setting for a historical romance. Although a first time writer, author Carla Capshaw does a wonderful job of bringing the setting and characters to life, and I look forward to reading more from her. I highly recommend this book to readers who like inspirational romances or historical romances with unusual settings. ( )