Trial of Bronze and Blood

By: M.K. Deoradhán

Narrated by: Xe Sands, Gary Furlong

High stakes, gladiator battles, and second-chance romance collide in this steamy new adult fantasy romance perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter, Bloodguard, and Gladiator.

Four deadly trials will reunite them. One secret will tear them apart.

When a mission goes wrong and ends with her best friend dead, Drusilla Valerius is rescued by someone she never expected to see again: Marcus Scaevola. The only man she’s ever cared for—the man who spurned her feelings six years ago.

Marcus should’ve known Dru wouldn’t be the same woman he left all those years ago, and is he’s unprepared for her distrust of him–and her uncanny ability to kill. But he has a purpose for seeking her out.

Bound by loyalty, he convinces her to train King Cato of Anziano, one of the last countries yet to fall to the tyrannical Imperium, in the Valorem Blood Trials.

Unlike years’ past, the Imperium has a heavy hand in it, hiding beneath the guise of peace and unity between their two countries. When both Dru and Marcus find themselves joining the competition–Dru to take the place of an innocent and Marcus to protect the king–they’re forced to trust one another with their lives.

Now inescapably entrenched in the gory, duplicitous world of the blood trials, feelings long-buried surface, blurring the lines between duty and honor, love and loyalty. But Marcus carries a devastating secret–one that could destroy the foundations of Dru’s world...

Don’t miss this adult romantasy debut combining the second-chance romance of Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli with the deadly trials of Gladiator. With their lives and their hearts on the line, will love be enough to thwart the might of the Imperium?

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio

What a Shock

I did not see that last bit coming- even when I guessed some I DEFINITELY didn’t get that last bit

Need More

First, the narrators did a great job. It was so enjoyable. Second this story? I am not okay. I need more. I did not see it all coming and I need to listen again to see where I missed any hints. Very well done.