Guardian of the Flame by T.L. Higley
Historical Fiction/Christian Fiction, 381 pages
B & H Publishing Group

Courtesy of LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer Program

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 fights to retain her country against both Caesar and bloodthirsty rivals. Sophia is caught in the middle between loyalty to Cleopatra and her maddening interest in Bellus, the Roman soldier whom Caesar has instructed to overtake the lighthouse.

This book surprised me. It is good enough for me to consider reading the others in the series. I have never read Christian Fiction before, and this first foray was a pleasant one.

I don’t wish to give the impression that I expected otherwise. Until I did research for this review, I had no idea the book was considered to be Christian Fiction; this aspect of the plot is so integrated and subtle.

Sophia is a strong character who needs someone even stronger to break through the walls she has put up around herself, physically and emotionally. An unlikely choice at first, Bellus, a Roman soldier,  is soon developed into someone who opens Sophia’s long buried feelings, and pain. Sometimes the only way to heal is to address the wound directly.

Higley does a good job in managing all this, and more, as this story is set within a larger story, one many know well. She is able to keep the reader focused on her fictional characters, and not overwhelmed by those of Cleopatra and Caesar.

In terms of adding layers to the story, it is not hard to do because of the setting. Political intrigue, murder, deceit, war – the rich history of Egypt is readily available for the author to work with. She could have done more, but it would have taken the reader away from the story she was telling, possibly losing them along the way.

All of it comes together for a read that kept me occupied deep into the night. I could think of worse things to lose sleep over. This book isn’t one of them.

T.L. Higley has had a lifelong interest in history and mythology, which has led to extensive research into ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. She is thrilled to bring readers the Seven Wonders Series, and it’s her hope that in escaping to the ancient past with her, readers will feel they’ve walked through these deserts, explored ruins, felt the white sand and blue sea under their feet.