The Centurion

Duty. Honor. Tyranny. Love. Ever since Lucius read of the heroic exploits of Caesar, he dreamed of the glory of Rome and of securing his own great name. But his first station as a centurion is in the backwaters of Jerusalem. Haunted by the crucifixion of Jesus, yet eager to learn more of this supposed King, he seeks out His followers, soon becoming enthralled with one Mary Magdalene. But before his curiosity is quenched and any romance catches fire, he is summoned to lead conquests against the barbarians of Gaul. There the hardships of battle, year after year, wear down a heart that was just beginning to come alive. Mary continues to journey toward God, while Lucius drifts further and further away. Decades later, life-worn and weary, their paths cross again during the Christian persecutions in northern Italy, and they must choose to serve either love or duty. Includes appendix with details about the historical sources behind the story "Duty. Honor. Tyranny. Love. Lucius read of the heroic exploits of Caesar's Fourteenth Legion and their attacks on Gaul and Britain, and ever since, he dreamed of the glory of Rome and adventures on the high seas that would secure his place in that glory. But his first station was in the backwaters of Jerusalem. Haunted by witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus, Lucius seeks out one of his followers, Mary of Magdalene. He must know more about this King of the Jews. In the weeks that follow, the centurion finds himself falling for Mary Magdalene and the Lord Jesus, whom she follows. But, the centurion, instead, follows General Paulinus to halt the rebellion in the Britons with Lucius, his most trusted officer, leading his men into battle. In the most brutal of times-a sweeping stage that includes persecution within the borders of the Roman Empire and war outside its borders-The Centurion chronicles Lucius and Mary's journeys, which take very different routes; hers toward God; his away from God. Decades later when their paths cross again, during the Christian persecutions in northern Italy-life-warn and weary, they must choose to serve love or duty."-- Provided by publisher An ambitious Roman soldier. A stunning crucifixion. An unlikely romance. A long war and a chance reunion—the moving parts that make The Centurion a gripping story of love, duty, and sacrifice. Lucius has always dreamed of military conquest and Roman glory. Little does he know how a routine crucifixion will change him forever. Curious about this “King of the Jews,” Lucius seeks out His followers and falls for one named Mary Magdalene. But all is interrupted when Lucius is called to lead military campaigns. There the hardships of war, year after year, wear him down to nearly nothing. When Lucius finally returns to Rome, the city has lost its allure. A chance encounter tests his allegiances, and he must decide who he is, what is real, and what is worth dying for. This work of historical fiction includes an extensive annotated list of sources. An ambitious Roman soldier. A stunning crucifixion. An unlikely romance. A long war and a chance reunion the moving parts that make The Centurion a gripping story of love, duty, and sacrifice. Lucius has always dreamed of military conquest and Roman glory. Little does he know how a routine crucifixion will change him forever. Curious about this King of the Jews, Lucius seeks out His followers and falls for one namedMary Magdalene. But all is interrupted when Lucius is called to lead military campaigns. There the hardships of war, year after year, wear him down to nearly nothing. When Lucius finally returns to Rome, the city has lost its allure. A chance encounter tests his allegiances, and he must decide who he is, what is real, and what is worth dying for. This work of historical fiction includes an extensive annotated list of sources.