Olivia and her husband Donald Fortescue have been married for twenty-two years. Olivia is forty-two, her body’s in good form. Donald’s just over six feet tall with sandy blonde hair. They love each other very much. There are just two problems. Donald travels a lot for his job and Olivia keeps having dreams of another life. While Donald is gone on his business trip in Singapore; Olivia fantasizes that she is a woman known as Domina. She meets a gladiator named Quintus Aesilius, who has jade eyes in addition to becoming Olivia’s lover. Mrs. Fortescue wakes up every morning after her visions at exactly 5:30 am as well as keeps a dream journal where she writes down everything that happens in her dreams. She goes to see a past-life hypnotist named Tamara. There she talks about her gladiator. Tamara asks if Olivia believes in reincarnation, which would explain the images, furthermore why they are happening.

At a fund raiser that Donald and Olivia are hosting there they meet Caitlin O’Hara. Caitlin ends up killing her boyfriend Fred Strokes in self-defense for trying to rape her. They decide to help Caitlin hire a lawyer plus take her in as part of the family. Kentrell, one of Fred’s friends finds Fred dead. A bunch of Fred’s friends including Kentrell decide to get revenge on Caitlin for Fred. Kentrell ends up getting arrested. Some of the guys hold up the Fortescue family including Caitlin hostage. Fortunately the police arrive. Kentrell escapes prison. He tracks down Caitlin in Rome with the Fortescue family. Will Olivia yearn for her prior life or will she be satisfied with her current one? Also will Kentrell get his revenge?

The way Rita Trevalyan would switch from Olivia’s dreams to the present was very effortless. This was an excellent thing as I was able to keep up with the story in addition to not losing track of what was happening. I enjoyed the fact that Olivia was in her forties as this showed that you don’t have to be in your mid-twenties to have lots of fun. Caitlin’s character as a strong female who was not about to let a tragedy overcome her was empowering. The interaction between Olivia and Quintus that existed was great. Roman Rhapsody is a good-quality read.

Reviewed by: Cheryl