Sophia chooses to live a lonely existence as the keeper of
the lighthouse at Alexandria. She prefers her books to the
wretched people who live beyond her walls, yet she operates
the lighthouse to prevent shipwrecks and to save other
families from the heartache and loss that she still
grieves. Change comes to Egypt in the form of Julius
Caesar and Roman troops. Sophia must watch as her young
friend Cleopatra and Ptolemy each try to cur favor from
Caesar and take the throne outright. However, Sophia has
little patience for politics, and the imprisoning of the
scholars including her dear friend and mentor, Sosigenes,
is the last straw. Unfortunately, soldiers soon overrun
her lighthouse, and she is supposed to be their hostess.
How will she balance all her duties and keep her secrets
hidden? Sosigenes keeps telling her that she needs to
learn to love again. Is there room in her heart for love
for the one God, a Roman soldier, or anyone?
Lucius Bellus is a loyal Roman soldier and a friend of
Caesar, yet he and his troops soon find themselves at the
mercy of the general and sent on a most unpleasant task.
Bellus must take the lighthouse, and he knows firsthand how
unwelcoming the keeper is. However, Sophia intrigues him
with her knowledge and the same unquenchable desire to
learn that he possesses. She shows him Alexandria through
her eyes and he is impressed with the inner workings of the
lighthouse and the surrounding city. They have a rocky
friendship, and she is always quick to point out that they
are enemies. As tensions rise and Alexandria prepares for
battle, Bellus must choose his path. Will he do what he
must to protect the Roman forces or will a sharp-tongued
woman stand in his way? Will he extinguish any flames of
hope that he may have with his actions?
T. J. Higley has once again piqued my interest with a
fascinating glance at history. She brings a richness to
the past with her attention to detail thus creating a
fabulous atmosphere in which to immerse the reader. Her
characters vary widely from servants to rulers, and each
plays an integral part in the ensuing drama. I just love
being taken on an adventure, and Ms. Higley definitely
takes you on an expedition to ancient Egypt. She has
carved her own niche in the inspirational genre with this
amazing historical loaded with action, intrigue, and
romance. GUARDIAN OF THE FLAME is a page-turner, and I
highly recommend any of the Seven Wonders Series.
Guardian of the Flameis book three in
the Seven Wonders series of novels transporting readers back
to the Ancient World. Characters struggle to find meaning in
a pagan society and are confronted by the one true God and
His message of redemption.The year is 48 BC. Sophia, a
woman hurt by past loss, guards the famous lighthouse of
Alexandria, Egypt, in order to hide herself away from a
world she deems cruel and unloving. But there is no escape.
Political turmoil swells as Roman general Julius Caesar and
his legion storm the city, and Cleopatra, Greek queen of
Egypt , fights to retain her country against both Caesar and
bloodthirsty rivals within her own household. Sophia is
caught in the middle between a loyalty to Cleopatra and her
maddening interest in Bellus, the Roman soldier whom Caesar
has instructed to overtake the lighthouse.