05 May Faith L. Justice Dawn Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour #HistoricalFiciton #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @faithljustice @raggedymoonbooks @maryanneyarde

FEATURED AUTHOR: FAITH L. JUSTICE 

It is my pleasure to feature Faith L. Justice as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held from April 26th – May 7th 2021. Faith L. Justice is the author of the biographical historical fiction, Dawn Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome (The Theodosian Women, Book Two), which will be released by Raggedy Moon Books on 24th May 2020 (354 pages). The audiobook (12 hrs 41 min) was released on 19th February 2021.

Below are highlights of Dawn Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome (The Theodosian Women, Book Two),  Faith L. Justice’s biography, and an excerpt of her book.

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS: DAWN EMPRESS: A NOVEL OF IMPERIAL ROME

 

Dawn Empress: A Novel of Imperial Rome

The Theodosian Women, Book Two

By Faith L. Justice

Audiobook narrated by Kathleen Li

 

As Rome reels under barbarian assaults, a young girl must step up.

After the Emperor’s unexpected death, ambitious men eye the Eastern Roman throne occupied by seven-year-old Theodosius II. His older sister Pulcheria faces a stark choice: she must find allies and take control of the Eastern court or doom the imperial children to a life of obscurity—or worse. Beloved by the people and respected by the Church, Pulcheria forges her own path to power. Can her piety and steely will protect her brother from military assassins, heretic bishops, scheming eunuchs and—most insidious of all—a beautiful, intelligent bride? Or will she lose all in the trying?

Dawn Empress tells the little-known and remarkable story of Pulcheria Augusta, 5th century Empress of Eastern Rome. Her accomplishments rival those of Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great as she sets the stage for the dawn of the Byzantine Empire. Don’t miss this “gripping tale” (Kirkus Reviews); a “deftly written and impressively entertaining historical novel” (Midwest Book Reviews). Historical Novel Reviews calls Dawn Empress an “outstanding novel…highly recommended” and awarded it the coveted Editor’s Choice.

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Audiobook

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AUTHOR BIO: FAITH L. JUSTICE 

 

 

Faith L. Justice writes award-winning historical novels, short stories, and articles in Brooklyn, New York where she lives with her family and the requisite gaggle of cats. Her work has appeared in Salon.com, Writer’s Digest, The Copperfield Review, and many more publications. She is Chair of the New York City chapter of the Historical Novel Society, and Associate Editor for Space and Time Magazine. She co-founded a writer’s workshop many more years ago than she likes to admit. For fun, she digs in the dirt—her garden and various archaeological sites.

 

 

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EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 13

Constantinople, September 420

Paulinus led Theodosius further into the villa, sending servants ahead to announce their presence. “Quietly. The emperor is a guest and doesn’t want a fuss.”

They passed through the atrium into a formal garden complete with fountains and colonnaded sides. Small groups congregated wherever there was seating. Trampled rosemary and mint lightly scented the air. Servants mingled with the guests, carrying trays of small delicacies and flagons of wine.

A short dark man bustled up to them, bowing low.

“Asclepiodotus,” Theo acknowledged.

“Your Serenity does my humble home much honor.”

A plump woman with improbable red hair followed Asclepiodotus, practically throwing herself to her knees. Their actions drew the attention of other guests. Theo did not wish to be recognized and fawned over. He raised the women with a hand under her elbow. “Please. I’m not here as your emperor. Treat me as you would any other guest.”

“Thank you, Augustus.” The woman blinked large brown eyes.

“May I present my wife, Doria?” her husband offered. This time she curtsied.

“You have a lovely wife and home, Asclepiodotus.” Theo gave both a slight bow.

His host signaled a servant. “Get the emp…my guest a goblet of our best Thracian wine. See to his needs personally for as long as he stays.”

Paulinus stifled a cough. “Theo, perhaps I can introduce you to some of the other guests?”

“Of course!” Asclepiodotus backed away. “You’ll find quite an interesting mix. May I suggest you start with Olympiodorus? He is holding forth under the grape arbor about his visit to the Hunnic court. I’m sure our guest will find him most amusing. He is also a poet and historian.”

Paulinus guided Theo to a small gathering listening to a balding middle-aged man with the robust frame and the deeply tanned face of an outdoorsman. “…the court was in an uproar. I barely arrived and King Donatus dead! Of course his successor, King Charaton, accused me of spying and murder. Only quick talking and the magnificence of the emperor’s gifts kept me from the Huns’ wrath.”

Theo recognized the man as the historian tasked with documenting his reign. He didn’t look like a scholar. That Olympiodorus acted as a diplomat and befriended Asclepiodotus, head of the imperial agents, led Theo to one conclusion. A spy! He never got to talk to the agents in the field. This was, indeed, going to be an interesting party!

Olympiodorus caught Theo’s gaze. His eyes widened. Theo shook his head slightly.

“Tell us of your sea adventures.” A lovely girl diverted Olympiodorus by grabbing his arm. “I never tire of hearing those stories.”

The diplomat continued his tales of wandering and perils at sea. Theo’s attention strayed to the girl. She could have modeled for a statue of Venus, her face and form a perfect example of classic beauty: heart-shaped face with large, wide-spaced eyes, small nose and bowed lips. From her golden curls to her neat toes, Theo couldn’t avert his gaze.

“Who is she?” he whispered to Paulinus.

“Athenais. Aclepiodotus’ niece. Her brothers serve in your provincial governments—Thrace and Illyricum, if I remember right.” Paulinus gave Athenais an appraising glance. “Lovely, isn’t she?”

“I’ve never seen such beauty.” Theo felt a wave of heat radiate from his groin to his face—an unaccustomed pleasurable pain. He curled his hands into fists, digging his nails into his palms, trying to fight this sinful lust. “She’s not like the girls in my sister’s court.” Theo sometimes thought Pulcheria chose the women who attended her for their plainness, as well as their dedication to God.

“Athenais is not an empty-headed fool, like some women,” Paulinus said. “Her father held a chair in rhetoric at the Athens Academy and allowed her to attend lectures in philosophy. She’s also an accomplished poet.”

“Will you introduce us?” Theo spied his personal servant lurking with a goblet of wine, grabbed it, and gulped. The smooth vintage took the edge off his nervousness.

“Of course.” His friend grinned.

Olympiodorus finished his tale as Paulinus approached arm-in-arm with Theo. “Well met, Olympiodorus.” He dropped Theo’s arm, bowing slightly to the girl. “Athenais, may I present my good friend Theo?”

“My pleasure.” Eyes wide, she bowed, but otherwise did not acknowledge his rank. Her deep blue eyes bordered on violet. “Theo, do you like poetry?”

“Yes! Very much,” he managed to get out, though his tongue seemed swollen to twice its size.

“Then you’ve come to the right place. My friend,” she nodded to Olympiodorus, “will be reciting some of his work later. It’s quite good.”

Theo smiled until he thought his face would crack. Paulinus nudged him in the ribs. “I…uh…I understand you write verse as well.”

“I only dabble.” She lowered her lashes and shrugged delicate shoulders.

“I’d love to hear some.” Theo stood tongue-tied, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

Paulinus stepped forward, taking both by the elbow. “Perhaps this is too public a place.” He led them to an alcove shaded by a fig tree. “Sit here and get acquainted. I’ll send the servant.”

Theo didn’t notice Paulinus’ exit. He barely heard Athenais’ next remark from the blood roaring in his ears. “Uh, what did you say?”

“I asked where you had been earlier. You’re dressed for riding.” Athenais’ blue eyes sparkled.

“Inspecting the troops. It’s my responsibility, you know.” Theo wanted to bite off his tongue as the words came out of his mouth. She’ll think you a pompous ass, you fool!

He caught a whiff of sweat and horses. Oh, God, I stink!

He nearly got up to run out, but the servant appeared with goblets. Theo grabbed one to gulp. Now she thinks you are a drunk, you lackwit! He set the goblet aside, took a deep breath.

Athenais smiled and his heart nearly stopped. “I’ve always admired people who learned to ride. I’m afraid my exercise is confined to walking and wielding a pen.”

“I enjoy riding, but I find wielding a pen to be more satisfying. Some of my friends call me ‘the calligrapher.’”

“How delightful! What do you copy?”

“Mostly ancient texts. Some Holy Fathers, some historians.” Theo’s breathing slowed as he talked about his favorite hobby.

“I’d love to see your work sometime.”

“I’d love to show you.” He nearly lost himself again in her blue eyes. A horrible thought surfaced. “Are you visiting your uncle? For how long?”

Her face fell into sorrowful lines. “My father died last year. Uncle Asclepiodotus and Aunt Doria were kind enough to take me in.”

Though his heart soared at the news she would not be leaving soon, he recognized the grief of her loss. “I’m so sorry to have invoked painful memories.”

“I miss him very much.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “My mother died when I was quite young, and he was both father and mother to me.”

Theo heard a raucous squawk behind him.

Athenais looked up, startled. Then a smile lit up her face. “Olympiodorus has brought out his pet parrot. He is most amusing and can sing in several languages. I like when he dances.”

“Then, by all means, let us go watch this wondrous bird.” Theo stood, held out his hand, and accompanied Athenais back to the grape arbor.

Paulinus assured him later the parrot put on quite a show. Theo could only remember Athenais’ blue eyes and laughing smiles.

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