Review- Out of the Ashes by Lori Dillon

Theirs was a love destined to be -- torn apart by the wrath of Vesuvius.

David and Sera are soul mates meant to be together, if only their bumbling guardian angels could do their job right...


Pompeii, AD 79 

First united in Pompeii as a privileged merchant's daughter and a slave gladiator, their young love is cut short when Vesuvius unexpectedly erupts. After several botched attempts, their angels get one final chance to bring the couple together and personally escort them back to war-torn Italy, nearly two thousand years later.

WWII, 1943

Sera is now an archeologist excavating the ruins of Pompeii. David is an American soldier masquerading as an Italian, sent to spy on the Germans camped near the ruins. With the help of their earth-bound angels, they soon find each other again as they excavate the ruins.

But will deception, the horrors of war, and the forgotten tragedy of their past lives, prevent them from unearthing the love of a lifetime?






The concept of a soul mate is nothing new in literature. Lori Dillon has taken that concept one step further. What if you guardian angels were responsible for you finding your soul mate and living happily ever after? Piece of cake, right?! You haven't meet Marsha and Hershel yet...




David and Sera are soul mates. *sigh* Once they meet, their lives should become entangled as they live as one forever and ever... uh no. Marsha and Hershel are what you would call...um... hands off guardian angels. But trust me, once you meet them, you will fall in love with Marsha and Hershel. Now, David and Sera have had multiple attempts through multiple lives to get together. This is the angels last chance and the "love birds" aren't helping the situation at all. He's an American soldier sent to spy on the Germans camped near the ruin of ancient Pompeii. She is living in Axis controlled, fascist Italy. Perfect scenario for love at first sight, right? (detect the sarcasm in that statement)


Lori Dillon has weaved a wonderful tale of love, heartbreak, hope, and loss. From the first meeting of Sera and David's soul, we are taken on a journey that defies time and place. Throughout the novel, we can see where the two "enemies" fight their feelings, mostly because of political alliances. Slowly, we start to see all the other obstacles in the way of finding true happiness. Can Marsha and Hershel keep it together long enough for David and Sera to come together? Will David and Sera learn to trust their hearts?


I know I have probably posed more questions in a review than you are supposed to but I found Out of the Ashes to be thoroughly charming. I hope you have been enticed enough to read this for yourself.  My greatest fear in writing a review is to give something away that I had the pleasure discovering for myself. I did struggle writing this because I wanted to make it right. I fear I have not done the book any semblance of justice. 


I implore you to read Out of the Ashes by first time novelist Lori Dillon. I am giving 4 out of 5 stars. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.


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Please read my interview with Lori and 

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