Spotlight

May Monthly Spotlight

Publisher's summary

Since the reign of Emperor Tiberius, an uneasy peace has existed along the Danube frontier between the various Sarmatian tribal kingdoms to the north and the Roman Empire to the south. Now, a new threat has emerged in Dacia, as the aged King Duras seeks to unite his people; a feat not witnessed since the legendary King Burebista more than a century before. With great audacity, Duras sends his heir, Prince Decebalus—whose name means strength of ten men—into Roman Moesia. Pursuing more than glory and spoils, Duras hopes to win back some of the disputed territories south of the Danube and halt the increasing encroachment of the Roman Empire.

Early Dacian victories, coupled with the death of the imperial governor, find Rome engaged in an unexpected war it was ill-prepared for. Unlike most ‘barbarian’ peoples the Empire has faced over the centuries, the Dacians are better equipped, organised, and like the Romans, possess a professional army. With great duress, Emperor Domitian orders vast numbers of reinforcements to the Danube.

Thousands of miles away, across the seas in Britannia, Gaius Artorius Armiger’s tenure as prefect of the legendary cavalry regiment, Indus’ Horse, is coming to an end. Now in his early forties, with his children coming of age, Gaius is eager to relinquish command and either take up a civilian posting or, perhaps, retire to his family’s manor in Londinium. His hopes are dashed following a despatch from the emperor, extending his command, while ordering Indus’ Horse to make for Moesia with all possible speed.

Thousands of imperial soldiers from across the Empire converge along the Danube with Indus’ Horse but one element of the British contingent. Gaius bids an emotional farewell to his wife and children before taking to his horse, in what he hopes will be his final campaign as a soldier of Rome.

Publisher's summary

Follow an unfortunate soul who has been thrown into a fantasy world with nothing. He is quickly railroaded into joining the Legion and has to develop under harsh conditions while slowly discovering his potential power.

This story has light LitRPG elements with a stat and magic advancement system. The MC is not overpowered and experiences the pain of growth as he tries to find a place in the strange new world while staying alive. Neither are coming easy to him as his Legion Company is constantly in harm's way.

Publishers Summary

**A Tale of Tenacity, Courage, and Inspiration: John Muir's "Stickeen"**

This annotated version not only presents Muir's vivid descriptions of the dramatic Alaskan scenery but also delves into intriguing facts about his life. In this book, you'll discover:

Insights into John Muir's Early Life
His Significant Contributions to Conservation
The Enduring Legacy of Muir's Work

In the book, John Muir recounts a profound experience he had while exploring the glaciers of southeastern Alaska alongside a small dog named Stickeen.

Muir takes listeners on a captivating journey, vividly illustrating their harrowing adventure crossing an unstable glacier amid an unrelenting storm. Throughout the narrative, Muir's deep admiration for Stickeen's courage and tenacity in the face of danger shines through, as the dog bravely persevered across increasingly dangerous glacier formations and weather conditions despite his diminutive size. Muir's narrative draws the listener into the intensity of their surroundings.

Ultimately Muir finds hope and meaning in their survival, seeing divinity in the shared struggle for life expressed in Stickeen's spirited efforts. Muir's ability to derive profound inspiration from a "little dog" in such a perilous situation underscores his distinctive vision and values as a preeminent nature writer and conservationist.

Get your copy today!