The Raven and the Rose

Read The Raven and the Rose Storyline:

Set against the tempestuous backdrop of Ancient Rome in the final days of Caesar...comes the stunning love story of a man and a woman who defy destiny to follow their hearts—only to be swept up in a forbidden and all-consuming passion.She is Julia Casca, a young noblewoman pledged against her will to the sacred order of Vestal Virgins...dedicated to a life of eternal chastity. He is Marcus Demeter, the powerful centurion and war hero sworn to protect Julius Caesar...betrayed by his own desperate desires.As a land seething with intrigue and treachery erupts in murder—turning honorable allies into deadly enemies—Julia and Marcus become lovers in an explosive liaison that rocks Rome and could destroy them both...About the AuthorI am Doreen Owens Malek, author of over forty books and lifelong fan of romantic fiction. I live in PA with my husband and college student daughter, a mini dachshund and a sun conyer parrot. I would like to tell you a little about myself.I came to writing by a circuitous route, starting out as an avid reader of JANE EYRE and WUTHERING HEIGHTS and GONE WITH THE WIND and REBECCA and any other similarly themed books I could find. I first worked as a teacher and then graduated from law school when I desired a more lucrative and independent career. I had always been discouraged from pursuing a writing career by the volatile nature of the business and the relatively poor chance for success. But the realization that I needed a focus for the future encouraged me to do what I had always wanted to do. I sold my fledgling novel to the first editor who read it, and I have been writing ever since. I have written all types of books for all types of people, but my favorite literary pursuit is and always has been romance. Nothing is as rewarding as hearing from my readers, so please use my website to communicate your thoughts and criticisms, as I am always eager to learn from you.   A romance novel rarely disappoints me: in an uncertain world filled with tragedy and sadness, reading about an appealing woman finding a strong man to love her and share her life is the perfect escape. I like to read and write stories in which the main characters overcome obstacles to get together, and then stay together because their mutual devotion cannot be denied no matter what else is happening around them. They always HELP each other and reinforce the quaint but enduring notion that love conquers all - at least in the fictional universe of my imagination. So pull up a chair and take down a book- or pick up a Kindle- and join me in a world where the heroes are tough and headstrong but never boorish and the heroines are feminine and sympathetic but never helpless.