In this second volume of the "Embers of Empires" series, Roman intelligence agent Marcus must escape the court of Emperor Constans when he uncovers the humiliating secret of the young ruler's vice-ridden entourage. His flight pitches him into a more dangerous assignment-to investigate a military conspiracy to usurp Constans' throne. Worse, this mission means spying on the very man whose trust Marcus craves more than anything. Moving from the Late Roman imperial courts to Mursa, the bloodiest battleground of fourth century Europe, the ex-slave must outwit Gallo-Roman rebels, vicious imperial siblings and ruthless espionage rivals--all of them embers of an empire blindly smoldering toward extinction. Packed with action and intrigue, "Usurpers" is sure to delight fans of Steven Saylor, Robert Harris and Bernard Cornwell.

The first volume of a thrilling espionage adventure series unlike all others-with the unique setting of Late Roman North Africa in 347 A.D. among religious terrorists. The Circumcellions are suicidal extremists determined to uproot the centuries-old Roman army occupation of the Numidian desert and the official Christian church it now defends. Bodyguard-slave Marcus has only one mission-to spy his way to freedom-but has he bargained on betrayal by the man he respects more than any other? Meticulously researched, fast-paced, and well-plotted, 'A Veiled Assassin' introduces the Embers of Empire series that carries Marcus from Donatist fanatics to doomed Gallo-Roman army reformers to corrupt Antioch eunuch courtiers-all of them embers of a empire blindly smoldering towards extinction. 'Roman fiction' fans tiring of the Republic or Imperial periods are welcoming this new series with enthusiasm. A Veiled Assassin promises to rank Hunter alongside Steven Saylor, Robert Harris and Harry Sidebottom.

Roman intelligence agent Numidianus' secret assignment, to spy on the Caesar Gallus and his vicious consort Constantia, tosses him into the court of Antioch's cesspool of corruption and violence. Should he risk his career by betraying the unstable Gallus to his cousin, the Emperor Constantius II, or play it safe and let the Eastern Empire fester? More urgently, can he rescue his own son Leo from mutilation into a eunuch by the powerful Lord Chamberlain Eusebius? A thrilling espionage adventure set in the fourth-century Roman Empire, The Back Gate to Hell pits Marcus against the warring heirs to the Constantine dynasty and the eunuchs who rule them--all of them embers of a empire blindly smoldering towards extinction. Packed with action and intrigue, the Embers of Empire series will delight fans of Bernard Cornwell, Steven Saylor, and Robert Harris.