Seven Wonders Series by Tracy L. Higley, T.L. Higley

In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?   The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaeira, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love... moreIn a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?   The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaeira, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.   Here is a powerful story showing how the love of God can transform even the most hardened person and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief. Endorsements: “T. L. Higley’s Shadow of Colossus is a fascinating glimpse into the rarely visited world of ancient Greece, a beautifully written tale of love and faith and adventure. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.” —DeAnna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound “T. L. Higley transported me so completely to Ancient Greece that when I was finished I felt as if I had to reorient myself to present time. An engrossing read, written with precision and style. I was sorry to see it end.” —Carolyne Aarsen, author of All in One Place “ Shadow of Colossus is a beautifully told tale, richly detailed, and set beneath one of the great wonders of the world. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling in the ancient world, you’ll want to be there as a fallen woman rises and the great Colossus falls!” —Ginger Garrett, author of In the Shadow of Lions less

Revised and updated from the original , Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus. As a courtesan, Tessa of Delos enjoyed unparalleled luxury and influence. But even in the grand palaces of Rhodes, she felt herself a prisoner. On the island of Rhodes, 227 BC, Tessa of Delos has served for ten years as a hetaira—a high-priced Greek courtesan—to a wealthy politician. In that time, she's lived in luxury, but as a virtual prisoner, serving at her master's whim... moreRevised and updated from the original , Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus. As a courtesan, Tessa of Delos enjoyed unparalleled luxury and influence. But even in the grand palaces of Rhodes, she felt herself a prisoner. On the island of Rhodes, 227 BC, Tessa of Delos has served for ten years as a hetaira—a high-priced Greek courtesan—to a wealthy politician. In that time, she's lived in luxury, but as a virtual prisoner, serving at her master's whim. Though intelligent and beautiful, Tessa has learned to numb herself to all desires for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. She joins forces with unlikely allies—a Hebrew houseservant named Simeon and Nikos, a seafarer who wants to work in the house of Tessa's owner. As Tessa seeks freedom for herself and for those she is beginning to love, forces collide that will literally shatter the island’s peace, bringing even the mighty statue of Rhodes, Colossus, to its knees. A powerful story showing how the love of God can transform and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief. less

What will freedom cost her?Enslaved in an Ancient World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to Find Love.Raised as a courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of the corrupt politician, Glaucus, on the opulent isle of Rhodes.?But when Glaucus meets a violent death, Tessa sees a glimmer of hope for escape.Forsaken by the gods and her mother, she has locked away her heart and surrendered her dreams of freedom and love... moreWhat will freedom cost her?Enslaved in an Ancient World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to Find Love.Raised as a courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of the corrupt politician, Glaucus, on the opulent isle of Rhodes.?But when Glaucus meets a violent death, Tessa sees a glimmer of hope for escape.Forsaken by the gods and her mother, she has locked away her heart and surrendered her dreams of freedom and love.But now, with the possibility of escape within her reach, Tessa must navigate a dangerous web of deception and political intrigue to break free.As she learns to trust Nikos, a servant sent to uncover the truth about the new leader of Rhodes, Tessa must also confront her own demons and find the courage to love again.But with conspiracy, betrayal and catastrophic events threatening to change the course of history, what will Tessa's freedom ultimately cost her?PRAISE FOR ISLE OF “One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever encountered. The prose is amazing, the story is riveting, and the characters are complex. I was absolutely and completely satisfied with every aspect of this story, which is rare for me. I am now a HUGE Tracy Higley fan.”—RONIE KENDIG, AUTHOR OF THE DISCARDED HEROES SERIES“Fast-paced adventure, fascinating characters and insights in to the culture, politics and people of this ancient world make this book a unique and unmissable read.”—REL MOLLET, RELZREVIEWZ.COM“Higley’s talent as a storyteller is obvious as she weaves the threads of Tessa’s salvation into a story that both inspires and entertains.”—CURLEDUPWITHGOODBOOK.COM“This is such a unique historical novel that it really sets itself apart from all others. Higley’s portrait of day-to-day life in the ancient world drew me in and her strong heroine kept me reading.”—JILL HART, THESUSPENSEZONE.COM“Blending suspense, romance, political intrigue, and a healthy dose of drama, Higley brings the struggles, class differences, and pagan culture of ancient Greece to vivid life . . . Strong characterization combined with rich historical detail have won this book a home on my shelves of keepers”—JENNIFER BOGART, TITLETRAKK.COM less

The untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar's daughterFor seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence... moreThe untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar's daughterFor seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence. When a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own freedom is threatened.As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family's secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband's brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, Tia must decide if she is willing to risk everything-her possessions, her gods, and her very life-for the Israelites' one God. Madness, sorcery, and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist's deadly potion as Tia chooses whether to risk all to save the kingdom-and her family. less

Guardian of the Flame is 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... moreGuardian of the Flame is 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. less

Revised and updated from the original, Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus. Enslaved in a World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to be Free. Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucus. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away. But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope... moreRevised and updated from the original, Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus. Enslaved in a World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to be Free. Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucus. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away. But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death. If she can keep it a secret long enough, she can escape. Tessa throws herself on the mercy of the Greek god Helios, but finds instead unlikely allies in Nikos, a Greek slave, and Simeon, Glaucus’s Jewish head servant. As Simeon introduces her to a God unlike any she has ever known and Nikos begins to stir feelings she had thought long dead, Tessa fights to keep her heart protected. As an assassination plot comes to light, Tessa must battle for her own freedom—and for those to whom she has begun to open her heart—as forces collide that shatter the island’s peace. “. . . Readers will find much to enjoy here: fine writing, suspense, mystery, faith, love, and a new look at an old story.” —Publishers Weekly (for Garden of Madness) less

In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaeira, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love... moreIn a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaeira, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island's peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.Here is a powerful story showing how the love of God can transform even the most hardened person and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief. less

The untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar's daughter For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world. Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence... moreThe untold story of King Nebuchadnezzar's daughter For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world. Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent yet oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence. When a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own freedom is threatened. As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family's secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband's brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love. In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, Tia must decide if she is willing to risk everything-her possessions, her gods, and her very life-for the Israelites' one God. Madness, sorcery, and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist's deadly potion as Tia chooses whether to risk all to save the kingdom-and her family. less

In a city teetering at the brink of anarchy, Daria finds hope among people of The Way. She escaped a past of danger and found respite in beautiful Ephesus, a trading center on the Aegean coast, serving as tutor to Lucas, the wealthy merchant who rescued her.But the darkness she fled has caught up with her.The high priests of Artemis once controlled the city, but a group of sorcerers are gaining power. And a strange group who call themselves followers of The Way further threaten the equilibrium... moreIn a city teetering at the brink of anarchy, Daria finds hope among people of The Way. She escaped a past of danger and found respite in beautiful Ephesus, a trading center on the Aegean coast, serving as tutor to Lucas, the wealthy merchant who rescued her.But the darkness she fled has caught up with her.The high priests of Artemis once controlled the city, but a group of sorcerers are gaining power. And a strange group who call themselves followers of The Way further threaten the equilibrium. As Daria investigates Lucas’s exploits into the darker side of the city, her life is endangered, and she takes refuge in the strange group of believers. She’s drawn to Paul and his friends, even as she wrestles with their teachings.When authorities imprison Lucas for a brutal crime, Daria wonders if even Paul’s God can save him. Then she uncovers a shocking secret that could change everything—Lucas’s fate, her position in his household, and the outcome of the tension between pagans and Christians. But only if she survives long enough to divulge what she knows.“Meticulously-researched, spellbindingly written with luscious prose and compelling and complex characters.” —Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author of Havah: The Story of Eve less