Decadent’s a Book for a Buck…Senator, Mine by Kerry Adrienne – Character Interview/Excerpt/Review

Senator, Mine

A 1Night Stand Story

All Mine Series – Book One

Genre: Adventure, time travel, sci-fi, historical, erotic romance

Heat level: 4

Word count – 14k

Blurb:

Eleanor’s romantic tour of Italy shatters when her long-time boyfriend dumps her in Pompeii. Hoping an evening with a handsome Roman might save her trip, she contacts Madame Eve at 1Night Stand, then goes out to explore, buying a small golden signet in a mysterious antiquities shop near the Forum.

Darius, a hard-working Senator in Ancient Rome, is puzzled by the Sibyl’s words: You will not find love in your lifetime. Following her directions, he spots Eleanor, a barbarian wearing his stolen senator’s ring.

A night spent together may be just what they both need to break down the columns of time that stand between them.

EXCERPT:

Am I dead? A bird called overhead and Eleanor opened her eyes. Where were the buildings? She sat up. Moss? There wasn’t any moss in the Forum. And all this vegetation. Crap! She felt around for her pack. Gone. What the hell? She searched behind her. Not there. She stood, steadying herself against a trunk. An olive grove. She must still be in Italy. The lightheadedness threatened to return and she held her head. After a moment she moved her hands from her face and, still leaning for support, twisted the ring on her finger. Trees with silvery leaves and cascading white flowers lined long rows in front of her as far as she could see. The Forum was gone.

Don’t panic. Count to ten.

“Eve said I would find you here.”

Eleanor turned to see a tall man standing about twenty feet away. His dark hair cropped short and his broad shoulders wrapped in a…toga? She blinked. “Madame Eve didn’t tell me how this works,” she said, walking toward the Roman god. Damn, he was handsome. She gulped. “Do you know?”

He shook his head. His warm skin tone set off his deep brown eyes and his chiseled features would have inspired sculptors.

“The Sibyl said Eve wanted me to find you here and take you down to the river.” He adjusted his money pouch on his hip and she trailed her gaze down to gaze at the complicated folds that she hoped concealed a bottom half as honed as his upper body.

“Hello?” She held out her hand. “I’m Eleanor. Nice to meet you.”

He looked down at her gesture then back to her face. At least they’d sent a hunk. Maybe he wasn’t very smart, but he didn’t have to be, did he?

He reached out and took her hand and she shivered from the strength and warmth of his grasp. Her heart thudded. She would have no problems going through with this night.

Five questions for a senator…

Interviewer: So, Darius, what made you want to become a senator? Besides the pay and status and women?

Darius (laughs): Yeah, the pay is good, and I love my house in Rome. The women were a bonus for a time, but I am weary of the whole scene. In all honesty, I only became a senator because I took over my father’s seat. He worked hard to elevate our name, and I really didn’t have a choice. I would have sullied our name if I refused.

Interviewer: Well, what’s the worst thing about being a senator?

Darius: Just one thing? I hate all the bickering and back-stabbing—both figuratively and literally. I also hate going to fight—and I always seem to get sent to the north where it’s cold and miserable. I don’t know why I haven’t been chosen to head south to the warm sea—I guess I’m not friends with the right person. Oh, I hate wearing a toga, too. The senator’s robe is so bulky and itchy. Not sure who had the idea that a senator should be wrapped up like a swaddled baby.

Interviewer: Why do you go visit the Sibyl? I’m not sure I’d want to go wait in line to see some old woman and listen to her rants in a dark and stinky cave.

Darius: It started with a trip to see her with a bunch of friends—kind of as a joke to most of us, but one man really put weight on her words. After a night of wine and dancing, we lined up to wait our turn to see her. Then she gave me this prophecy that was more a riddle than an answer. I have to go back.

Interviewer: Hmm. That is interesting. Sounds kind of like our modern-day palm readers or Tarot Card readers.

Darius: You believe in prophecy? I didn’t think many “modern” people did.

Interviewer: Of course I do! You’d be surprised how many people do. I just didn’t realize it was so popular in Ancient Rome. So, tell me. Do all gladiators look like Russell Crowe?

Darius: hmm? Who is that?

Interviewer: (laughing) Oh, I guess you don’t know who that is. Nevermind. Okay, last question. What qualities do you want in a wife? Besides the obvious.

Darius: Well, I’ve always pictured my wife as a friend. Someone I can confide in. That may not seem typical for Ancient Rome, but it really is. I want love, companionship, trust, and yes—intimacy. Is that too much to ask for?

Interviewer: No, no it isn’t. I hope Madame Eve can help you out.

Review

I know, another 1NS but this one is different. It has time travel, ancient Rome and some fantasy, too. As everyone in the free world knows, I worship at the feet of the authors that write 1NS and Ms. Adrienne is no exception. She thoroughly researched the time period and modern Rome, too.

When we meet both Darius and Eleanor, one is in Ancient Rome and the other in Modern Rome. The contrast is startling but also sets the scene for Madame Eve/Sibyl to do their magic.

I hate to use the word cute but this story was a cute one. Sure it hot but it was very sweet, too. Both Darius and Eleanor were so out of their element when they met and just watching them try to negotiate everything within each other is great. Darius is a gentleman to the core and Eleanor at the beginning of the story, was hurt and just wanted to get laid.

I loved the references that Ms. Adrienne pointed out in the story. The ring of course was a catalyst, too. 😉 If you are looking for a different 1NS story, Ms. Adrienne delivers. I hear she has another ‘Mine’ story for 1NS with a druid and then a pharaoh. Yep, I’m going shopping.