From Lynne Gentry comes this e-short prequel to The Carthage Chronicles and her upcoming novel, Return to Exile, shedding light on the love story of Ruth and Caecilianus and the beginnings of the church in Carthage and their relationship with the young Roman noble, Cyprian.

Before Dr. Lisbeth Hastings took her unexpected tumble into third-century Carthage and found herself amidst the persecuted church, future bishop Caecilianus, then a famous dyer of imperial purple, was visiting the tapestry shop in the low-rent district every Tuesday. It may have been a part of his duties as the deacon tasked to check upon the widows and their families, but deep down, he knew it was because of Ruth, the widow's lovely daughter who was so very determined to get the family back on their feet of her own accord.

Can Caecilianus break through Ruth's single-minded focus to show her the freedom of surrender? Or will Ruth's dogged self-sufficiency push away the man who loves her?

• Publisher: Howard Books (November 26, 2014)
• Length: 64 pages
• ISBN13: 9781476751337