Ward Sanford
'An impressive blend of historical portrayal and dramatic fiction' --Kirkus ReviewsThe events and characters of this novel series are based on the writings of the first-century, Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.The First Jewish Revolt against Rome in the first century led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and to the rise of Christianity and modern Judaism. Now for the first time, ancient eyewitness accounts have been transformed into a series of suspense-laden novels, letting you enter the lives of the men and women involved on both sides. You get to experience their fears and hopes and dreams as they are forced to confront life and death and the meaning of their lives on a daily basis. This is an epic story you that will keep you engaged and wanting to read more!In Book 1-Resisting Tyranny, you meet the cast of main characters as they struggle to survive when their ship is capsized in a storm in the middle of the Adriatic. On arrival in Rome, they must face the whims of an emperor and the great fire that almost consumes the city. Once in Jerusalem, evil forces seek to ignite a rebellion as our friends try to hold together a fragile status quo. As open warfare erupts, the Romans realize they have greatly underestimated their foe.In Book 2-Against All Odds, the enthusiasm following a Jewish victory quickly erodes as they see the empire planning to strike back. Returning with a more experienced leader and in much greater numbers, the Romans first attack Galilee. There at the siege of the fortified headquarters, our friends find themselves on opposite sides. Visions and an escape from certain death lead to capture and imprisonment, while in Judea an escape from evil leads to an uncertain future.In Book 3-Growing Anarchy, Jerusalem begins to unravel with fear as competing rebel leaders vie for control of the city. Romance compels a trip to the far reaches of the Empire, where aide is sought from a politician with rising ambitions for the imperial throne. His favor may be the only hope of an escape from behind enemy lines in Jerusalem. Meanwhile our heroine, turned assassin, has found that killing enemy spies can mean killing friends, yielding a vengeance more bitter than sweet.In Book 4-Final Siege, Rome finds itself in its own civil war with emperors lasting for months, not decades. Jerusalem continues to suffer under rival factions whose self-serving leaders refuse to unite. Their failure suddenly comes into sharp focus when the Romans arrive to a city with empty food stores. Fierce battles accompany a long siege, and starvation leads to acts of desperation. A last-minute plea for peace fails, and friends must look for meaning to what fate has delivered.'The story sweeps across a first-century world that’s diverse, gritty, and laced with tension. . . . Everything is supported by an incredibly well-researched foundation. The time period and social customs are delightfully developed... there is political and religious strife, moments of ancient beauty, and well-developed characters to carry the plot forward.'--Historical Novels Review February 2020'The plot is as gripping as it is historically edifying, remarkably authentic, and rigorously researched. At its conclusion, readers will be left impatient for the book’s sequel. An impressive blend of historical portrayal and dramatic fiction.'--Kirkus Reviews June 2020Amazon Reviewer★★★★★ The characters are so well developed that you feel for them, hope for them; in some cases you hate them, in others you love them! I especially appreciate the variety of main characters-peaceful Jewish believers, extremists, sympathetic non-Jews, those in the ruling classes, soldiers, etc.
