Linda McMaken's Granite Rose

Those of you who have visited my home - either here in California or in Kansas before our move 12 years ago have seen my castle collection, in the beautiful glass cabinet with castle turrets hand made by my husband and a friend. More about that another day ...

But suffice it to say this cover fascinates me.  Come back tomorrow to learn more about Linda McMaken and Granite Rose.

Here's a blub:

Sworn to uphold his Emperor's orders, General Marcus Alexius must silence his inner voice to obey an Imperial command that his conscious is rebelling against.  He is asked to perform a clandestine kidnapping of the Dacian Princess - the princess of a country that executed his brother, and insure her safekeeping.

Sianna Cynara, the Princess of Dacia must endure the treachery of Rome, the enslavement of her country, her people and the horrible realization that her father might have sacrificed her to realize his dreams of Imperialism. 

They are thrust together in a Roman Empire where the Emperor has no heir, and where the dark forces of Rome’s elite Patrician society work to ensure one of their own will be named the successor.  The enemies of the Emperor bribe, coerce and murder to ensure General Alexius will never become emperor and that the Dacian Princess becomes a spectator sport in the Coliseum.  Thrust together by elements out of their control, two bitter enemies will find solace in each other's arms and the courage to challenge the powers of the Roman Empire.