Her reaction was a normal one to kindness—that was all. Nothing more serious. In a day's time she'd wonder what she'd ever seen in him. A gladiator, one of the infamis. A man outside polite society. A man whose profession was death.

"Julia," he said thickly, and put his hand on her elbow. She felt the sparks sizzle up her arm.

She would have to make sure that Valens knew and understood that she was not one of those bored women of Baiae, the notorious beach resort near Naples, where the wealthy went to play and party, ripe for the picking. Her reputation was of paramount importance.

* * *

The Gladiator's Honor

Harlequin® Historical #817—September

THE GLADIATOR'S HONOR is a thrilling story of sandals, swords and sex! It's Michelle Styles's debut novel for Harlequin® Historical.


Praise for Michelle Styles

"Exciting, enthralling and unforgettable,The Gladiator's Honor is a debut that will dazzle and delight from the first page to the last."

—Cataromance

"…blends passion with a dash of descriptive history…I look forward to more of her works."

—Coffee Time Romance

"The rarity of finding a romance set

during this time period is just part of the joy of reading The Gladiator's Honor… Just as the gladiators' games build to a climatic end, so does the relationship between Valens and Julia…a breathtaking, satisfying ending that brought tears to my eyes."

—Romance Junkies



To my long-suffering family and to