Flavian Trilogy

Flavius Septimus, the commander of the Sepphoris garrison in Galilee, harbors a dark secret that casts a shadow over the lives of his son, Linus Flavian, and Maria of Magdala. In these novels, Linus, Maria, and Joshua, the Biblical Jesus, are born under a mysterious star in a world steeped in superstition and intrigue. As the Jewish Temple hierarchy, the Herodian dynasty, and the Romans vie for power in tumultuous first-century Judea, their adolescent lives unfold, intertwined with personal destinies shaped by the beliefs surrounding their births under that enigmatic star. "In providing historical, economic, and religious details, Peter Longley builds a bridge between spiritual divinity and traditional Christianity. Finally, it's a relief to find a theologian that makes sense of the Bible and its many translations!" – Jeanette Parker, USA "Longley blends a fantastic mixture of historical and fictional figures and events to narrate the early lives of Joshua, (also known as Jesus of Nazareth,) Maria, (also known as Mary Magdalene,) and Linus Flavius, (the fictitious son of a high-ranking Roman official.) Using simple, effective prose, Longley tells an engaging tale that offers plausible explanations of those well-known stories of the miraculous, such as the virgin birth and the turning of water into wine. Longley tells an intriguing story in a setting that is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time." – Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews, USA "Longley's feeling for the Roman and Jewish point of view is superb." – Dorothy Thompson, Scotland "I very much enjoy your interpretation of the life of Jesus and feel it is much more logical than the accepted version. I have always had a fascination with Mary Magdalene and her life as well. I found this book to be very interesting. Nothing I have read on Mary Magdalene has had the same sort of story line including that of her mother." – Cheryl Huffman, USA

The second instalment in the dramatic new series, The Flavian Trilogy. Joshua, Maria, and Linus Flavian now determine their destinies. From the Nazirites and the Essenes to the burgeoning fishing industry on the Sea of Galilee, Joshua and his band of followers are led from obscurity to the portals of the Roman Prefect in a movement poised to change the world. Maria of Magdala becomes a part of this movement, and is left with an awesome responsibility. Linus Flavian pits Roman pride and ambition against a Galilean past. Fishers of Men provides a fascinating commentary on the origins of Christianity that is both challenging and yet plausible, incorporating traditional beliefs, fictitious thoughts, and new controversial interpretations. With vivid prose and compelling characters, Fishers of Men offers a captivating glimpse into the first-century Roman and Judean worlds. "A provocative new picture of the 'historical' Jesus." – Kirkus Discoveries, Texas. "Peter Longley's unique interpretations of the life of the Messiah, along with his interesting and plausible explanations of miraculous events and his indications that Maria of Magdala played a vital role in the ministry of God's son, make for a fascinating and intriguing story and increases anticipation for the third and final book in the series." – San Francisco and Sacramento Book Reviews, California. "From the descriptive nature, it is obvious that this author has personal knowledge of these important first-century sites, giving authenticity to his work often missing in Biblical narratives." – Beecher, Springfield, Missouri.

With vivid prose and compelling characters, Along the Eagle's Way offers a captivating glimpse into Biblical times. The destinies of Linus Flavian, Maria of Magdala, and their son, Marcus, play out in this dramatic first-century story that spans the extremities of the known world of that time, from Britannia to India. The Roman Empire is rising to its Flavian height while a fledgling religious sect of Judaism reconciles itself with the mystery of its crucified leader, Joshua of Nazareth. Growing from a clash between nationalistic Judaism and a messianic universalism, followers from Saul of Tarsus to Simon Cephas take the fledgling faith out to the Gentile world on the trading routes of the House of Arimathea. Their witness, however, differs from the very personal understanding of divinity that Maria believes that she learnt from her lover, the crucified Lord. She passes this legacy on to her son, Ben Joshua, a child whom Joshua never knew. Ben Joshua finds this message enhanced when he travels to India as a partner in the House of Arimathea-but his survival is anything but certain. Longley's prose skilfully navigates a complex and intricate narrative. An intriguing read and a great alternative telling of a very old story. – Portland Book Review The politics of faith are as complex as the politics of nations. Exploring the politics of Judaism and the will of the Empire throughout the first century as well as many challenges to personal faith, Along the Eagle's Way is a riveting read that should prove hard to put down. – Midwest Book Review