Lucius and Callistus by J. P. Bowie
Slaves to Love, Book 1
MLR Press
Ancient Historical M/M
ISBN: 978-1-60820-416-8
Reviewed by Lisa

In 73 B.C. Capua is a flourishing township of the Roman Republic and her Senate. There are more slaves than citizens and free men in this modern, civilized land. The good people are not taking careful note of the unrest that surrounds them.

Though he bears his father little love Lucius Tullius goes through the motions of concern for his mother and sisters sake as his sire lays dying. To avoid the turmoil in the household Lucius visits the market with a good friend and stops short at the slave pens when he sees Callistus, a Gaul in a cage. With only a glance between them Lucius feels an undeniable pull. But before he can attempt to buy the slave Callistus is sent to gladiator school.

The life of a gladiator is brutal and short at the best of times. Training for the area Callistus meets a fellow slave named Spartacus who fires the slaves imagination of freedom. There is no future for a patrician and a slave, yet the spark is alive between them. Only the gods know why Lucius and Callistus have been brought together at this time when the world is about to fall into the madness of riots and insurrection. Lust isn’t enough to keep them together but maybe love is.

Take a walk far back in time when the few had all the power over the many in Lucius & Callistus. There’s no future for Lucius & Callistus yet once they meet the seed of love grows and flourishes between the pair. Even though it could mean disaster and death Lucius refuses to push his feelings for the Gaul aside. Fighting against all odds for the chance of even a moment together, Lucius & Callistus prove that the heart knows what the heart needs. A simply inspiring romance.