Welcome to the world of  D.J. Manly

The Gladiator Series at Total-ebound has been a pleasure to write. I love Gold and Samuel, and apparently so do the readers. I've had so many emails. Gold and Samsum were given a HEA as it should have been, but Gold ended up caring for his nephews and he had a son. So, I decided to write their story and introduce the character of Ariston, who I know you'll all fall in love with, as I did. Coming very soon from Total ebound!

What's it about?

Book four in the Gladiators Series

To follow in his father’s footsteps, Gold’s son will need to defeat Ariston in the arena to become champion...but Ariston might be the love of his life.

Nicolaus has lived in the shadow of his father all his life, a father who was the greatest gladiator of them all. His desire is to prove himself in the arena, even though it is against his father’s wishes. He also has other desires, forbidden desires for his father’s lover, and a love/hate relationship with the slave he must defeat if he is to reign victorious as a gladiator in the arena.

Ariston falls in love with Nicolaus the moment he sets eyes on him. A slave all his life, he has never known freedom but he is the unbeatable champion. The fact that Nicolaus can’t decide whether to bed him or kill him greatly complicates his life when he becomes the newest addition to Gold’s ludi.

Here's a taste

Future Rival

        “You weren’t kidding,” Garner murmured against my ear, “he’s stunning.”

        “I’ll kill him one day in the arena,” I dropped.

        “That would be a shame,” my brother commented. “There are a lot of things I could think doing that would be better spent with that one.”

        “He is the champion!” I protested.

        “I bet he is,” Garner chuckled.

        I elbowed him just as Petorio came to join us. “What are you two hens cackling about?”

        I shot him a dirty look.

Garner did what he always had when Petorio made insult, ignored him. “We were just saying,” Garner told Petorio, “the champion from Pagula is sweet enough to eat.”

        Petorio shook his head. “He will be defeated. Maybe not tomorrow by that idiot boy uncle chose to challenge him but eventually…maybe even one day by me.”

        “I think I’ve heard those words before,” Garner sniggered. “Well, you boys go on about how you want to take his head and I’ll just dream about him taking me.”

        “Whore,” Petorio teased, getting Garner in a headlock.

        Garner pushed him away. “Oh go rough house with your gladiator boys and leave me to the gentler pursuits.”

        Petorio laughed and walked off.

        “I thought it was illegal for a man of Petorio’s status to fight with slaves.” Garner announced, his gaze resting on Ariston.

        “It is illegal but he has the King’s blessing for minor events.”

        “Of course he does. How is old so and so, our…what is it...cousin twice removed?”

        “Better not let him hear you say that. He’s here somewhere.”

        “Which one of them is away at war now?”

        I grinned. “The younger one.”

        “Hard to tell apart really. When is Sparta going to let go of their war like nature and become a democracy likeAthens. And two kings, not one, two! Honestly!”

        “It’s too boring inAthens,” I grinned.

        “Men are civilized there, enjoying culture and art, not that these…” He did a little roll with his tongue as his gaze fell on Ariston, “barbarians.”

        “Guess there’s something to be said for barbarians,” I teased.

“I won’t argue with you there.”

“You want him?” I bragged. “I could arrange it,” I said without really thinking.

        “A gift?” His eyes twinkled. “I didn’t know you have that authority, little brother!”

        I put my head down. “We can ask Father.”