Flavia's Secret
by Lindsay Townsend
Published: September 2008
Publisher: Bookstrand Publishing
ISBN: 1606010832
Page Count: 232
Reviewer: Mirella Patzer





In Roman Britain during the second century, Flavia is a young slave. Under the gentle tutelage of the Lady Valeria, Flavia has learned to read and write and pens letters on her lady's behalf. For Flavia, it is a good life, but she yearns for her freedom. Flavia's life turns tumultuous when she discovers her mistress dead. Fearful that she and the other slaves will be blamed for the death and killed, Flavia forges a farewell letter from her mistress to Marcus, Lady Valeria's son, an officer in the military.

When Marcus arrives home to claim his inheritance, he is immediately suspicious regarding the circumstances of his mother's death. He also finds himself irresistibly drawn to the beautiful and spirited Flavia. Marcus enlists Flavia's help in investigating his mother's death. At first, Flavia is fearful of her new overlord, terrified he will discover her secret - that she forged her mistress' final letter. And although she does her best to resist the handsome Marcus, she cannot escape his charms and her burgeoning desire for him.

Marcus' suspicions soon fall on Lucius Maximus, the new decurian of Bath, an evil, lustful man. Lucius develops a strong interest in Flavia and will stop at nothing to possess her. Flavia manages to escape several of Lucius' loathsome attempts to claim her, but each time, it is Marcus who saves and protects her. She finds herself trapped and hopelessly embroiled in conflict. As Flavia's and Marcus' love for each other grows, the slave-master relationship coupled with a battle against a most malevolent villain draws the reader deeper into the story.

Lindsay Townsend's novel, Flavia's Secret, is an enjoyable romantic suspense set in an exotic time and place. The heroine's plight is touching and endearing. The plot, with its evil villain, engages the reader well. This is a good, light historical romance novel that is perfect for summer reading.

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