Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries

Leonidas, champion gladiator of Rome, is set free from the games by a mysterious benefactor who grants him freedom, a place to live, and a servant-Cassia, a scribe-to look after him. But the benefactor is only so generous-Leonidas must pay his own way and Cassia's, which means hiring himself out. The sharp-witted Cassia quickly lands him a post as a bodyguard, escorting a retired senator to Ostia. The journey soon turns deadly, as Leonidas and Cassia find themselves squarely in the middle of intrigue that reaches from the slums of the Subura to the Palatine Hill and the emperor Nero himself. Book 1 of the Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries Award-winning author Ashley Gardner also writes as New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley and national bestselling author, Allyson James. She has written more than fifty novels and novellas in mystery, romance, historical fiction, and urban fantasy. When not researching or writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing guitar, building miniature room settings, hiking, and drinking gourmet teas

AD 63Leonidas the Gladiator's former trainer, Aemil, asks him to look into the disappearances of gladiators from his ludus. Leonidas and Cassia investigate, and soon uncover gruesome murders involving some of the wealthiest citizens of Rome.Leonidas pits his skills against an unknown killer who hunts gladiators from the back lanes of the Subura to prestigious villas atop Rome's hills. He and Cassia must succeed in uncovering the murderer's identity before Nero grows impatient and makes Leonidas pay for the chaos the killer has rained down upon his city. Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of 75 published novels and novellas in romance and mystery. She writes historical and paranormal romance as Jennifer Ashley; mysteries as Ashley Gardner; and paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James. She has been published since 2002 at Penguin / Berkley, Ellora's Cave, and now independently, and has won numerous awards for her work. See her websites for more information.

Former gladiator Leonidas begins a job working as a builder and almost immediately stumbles across a valuable ring. Cassia realizes is very, very old, and has more significance than just being a trinket. The ring is key to unlocking a possible conspiracy against Nero, and the princeps commands Leonidas and Cassia to uncover the plotters by any means necessary. But the ring and conspiracy are just the tip of the troubles that Leonidas uncovers, bringing danger very close to home. Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of 75 published novels and novellas in romance and mystery. She writes historical and paranormal romance as Jennifer Ashley; mysteries as Ashley Gardner; and paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James. She has been published since 2002 at Penguin / Berkley, Ellora's Cave, and now independently, and has won numerous awards for her work. See her websites for more information.

Leonidas, freeman, former slave gladiator and champion of the Roman Colosseum, now must fight the full might of the Roman Empire. A man who owed him money was murdered, and Leonidas is a prime suspect. With the formidable assistance of Cassia, a greek scribe who is also his unwanted slave, Leonidas fights the treachery of justice in the courts and back lanes of Imperial Rome. And if he loses, he faces a short, painful future back in the Colosseum, without friends, arms, or hope. Award-winning author Ashley Gardner also writes as New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley and national bestselling author, Allyson James. She has written more than fifty novels and novellas in mystery, romance, historical fiction, and urban fantasy. When not researching or writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing guitar, building miniature room settings, hiking, and drinking gourmet teas