Aurelia Blog Tour and Review

AURELIA by Alison Morton
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher:SilverWood Books
Series: Roma Nova, Book Four
Genre: Alternative Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher/Author via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for an honest review

Late 1960s Roma Nova, the last Roman colony that has survived into the 21st century. Aurelia Mitela is alone - her partner gone, her child sickly and her mother dead. Forced in her mid-twenties to give up her beloved career as a Praetorian officer, she is struggling to manage an extended family tribe, businesses and senatorial political life.

But her country needs her unique skills. Somebody is smuggling silver  Roma Nova's lifeblood - on an industrial scale. Sent to Berlin to investigate, she encounters the mysterious and attractive Mikl's, a suspected smuggler, and Caius Tellus, a Roma Novan she has despised, and feared, since childhood.

Aurelia suspects that the silver smuggling hides a deeper conspiracy and follows a lead into the Berlin criminal underworld. Barely escaping a trap set by a gang boss intent on terminating her, she realises that her old enemy is at the heart of all her troubles and pursues him back home to Roma Nova...

My Take:

I haven't read any of the other Roma Nova novels, but since this is a sort of prequel to the others, it wasn't an issue for me. I wasn't sure what to expect from AURELIA, but I was intrigued by the idea of a Roman colony surviving into modern times. Another aspect of the novel that particularly appealed to me was the fact that the families are lead by the women.

There is a brief explanation of the alternative world and how Roma Nova has evolved at the beginning of the book. I found this information very helpful and so interesting. Since I hadn't read the previous books, it helped with the world building and was also fascinating from an (alt) historical perspective.

I found myself quickly drawn into the world and the story. Aurelia is a compelling and admirable main character. There are many interesting characters including some really awful villains -- the best kind - the kind I love to hate. Longstanding grudges and resentments play a big part and make me want to read more about this world and these characters.

I was actually a bit surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The plot is complicated and covers quite a bit of time and several countries with lots of action and intrigue and even a fair amount of tragedy.  I hate to give too many details about the story because this is definitely a book that should be experienced without too much information. It was a delight and I am looking forward to reading more in the Nova Roma series.

Aurelia Book Trailer

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About the Author

Even before she pulled on her first set of combats, Alison Morton was fascinated by the idea of women soldiers. Brought up by a feminist mother and an ex-military father, it never occurred to her that women couldn't serve their country in the armed forces. Everybody in her family had done time in uniform and in theatre - regular and reserve Army, RAF, WRNS, WRAF - all over the globe.

So busy in her day job, Alison joined the Territorial Army in a special communications regiment and left as a captain, having done all sorts of interesting and exciting things no civilian would ever know or see. Or that she can talk about, even now. . .

But something else fuels her writing. . . Fascinated by the mosaics at Ampurias (Spain), at their creation by the complex, power and value-driven Roman civilisation started her wondering what a modern Roman society would be like if run by strong women. . .

Now, she lives in France and writes Roman-themed alternate history thrillers with tough heroines:

INCEPTIO, the first in the Roma Nova series

- shortlisted for the 2013 International Rubery Book Award
- B.R.A.G. Medallion
- finalist in 2014 Writing Magazine Self-Published Book of the Year

PERFIDITAS, second in series

- B.R.A.G. Medallion
- finalist in 2014 Writing Magazine Self-Published Book of the Year

SUCCESSIO, third in series

- Historical Novel Society?s indie Editor?s Choice for Autumn 2014
- B.R.A.G. Medallion
- Editor?s choice, The Bookseller?s inaugural Indie Preview, December 2014

Fact file

Education: BA French, German & Economics, MA History
Memberships: International Thriller Writers, Historical Novel Society, Alliance of Independent Authors, Society of Authors
Represented by Annette Crossland of A for Authors Literary Agency for subsidiary and foreign rights.

Connect with Alison Morton

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon UK Author Page
Amazon US Author Page

Aurelia Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 11
Tour Kick Off & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, May 12
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, May 13
Spotlight at Book Nerd

Saturday, May 16
Excerpt & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews

Sunday, May 17
Review at Carole's Ramblings

Friday, May 22
Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary

Monday, May 25
Review at A Book Geek

Tuesday, May 26
Spotlight at The Lit Bitch

Friday, May 29
Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, June 3
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Friday, June 5
Spotlight at Layered Pages