JF Ridgley Historical Fiction Books
It is said that in good times readers love dangerous, scary stories set in the present time because readers and writers feel safe, but, during hard, stressful times, they like history…, maybe because history has happened and i survived. I don’t know, but both the present day and the past amaze me in how they are so alike yet too different. What I like about historical fiction is it’s almost like science fiction….not real, but it is real. It was real. anyway.
And I get to share how the history has changed me..
Red Fury Revolt
Three towns writhe under the Iceni queen’s wrath, as she leads her warriors intent on destroying all things Roman – be it Roman temples, Roman villas, or entire families….read more
The Chrysalis (Short story)
Ravaged by Rome, Morrigan turns her fear into revenge and now it is Rome who should fear her. Rome’s tax collector Decianus Catus intrudes on Morrigan’s
….read more
Red Fury Rage
Squawking seagulls circled in the blue sky as the Roman galley tugged for its freedom in the restless water of Porta Liguria pier. Slaves piled cargo boxes
….read more
A Roman Affair
I remember that fall day when I fell in love with Gaius Suetonius Paulinus. It was at Tullius Marcus’s afternoon party in Rome. I have always loved parties, and meeting people….read more
Games Romans Play
Vows of Revenge
Amid pirates, godfathers, and forbidden love, vows of revenge are made in the unforgiving world of ancient Rome. Aelia Sabina, a patrician’s daughter, and Martino….read more
Birth of a Bully (Short story)
Birth of a Bully is not a pleasant story, because no babe was ever born a bully. It is learned. Bullying is not pleasant, nor good, nor right. It is mean and cruel and has ….read more
Threatened Loyalties
Messalina Claudia wants nothing to do with her parent’s arranged marriage with Marcus Galerius Alexius. But her need to find her missing friend requires his help. ….read more
For the Family
Short story
Viciria is an actual person who once lived in Herculaneum. She’s real as is her son—Marcus Nonius Balbus—the ‘first citizen’ of Herculaneum. Before this wealthy resort….read more
