We’re excited to be giving away two copies of To Rule a Ruler by Kaarina Parker to our GrownUps members!
To be in the draw, simply make sure you’re a GrownUps member, signed up to our newsletter, and fill in your details at the bottom of the page.
About To Rule a Ruler
The thrilling conclusion to Fulvia, Kaarina Parker’s bold, feminist epic of ambition, legacy and birth of an empire.
‘I lived forty glorious years in the heart of one of history’s most powerful civilisations … I knew men in my life who would become gods and women who deserved to. Magnificent as they all were, I am not a mere footnote in their stories. Mine is a history all its own.’
Fulvia Flacca Bambula is now a wealthy young widow, with more than gold to her name. In the wake of the death of her husband, the populist politician Clodius, she has captured the love and loyalty of the people for herself, while harnessing the force of one of ancient Rome’s most violent criminal gangs.
As civil war erupts, the clever and ambitious Fulvia takes advantage of the unrest to establish her own authority. And finally, the men who rule Rome begin to understand just how formidable she has become. There are those who fear her and those, like Julius Caesar, who see her potential.
When Fulvia is reunited with Marcus Antonius, an old friend appointed by Caesar as his general, she sees a man who could rule all of Rome – with her help. They marry, and when Caesar is assassinated Fulvia and her new husband make a perilous bid for ultimate power. As they battle to gain control of an empire, their opponents are legion: Caesar’s killers, Brutus and Cassius; the wily young queen Cleopatra; the great orator Cicero, and the cold and calculating Octavian. Fulvia must face down these ruthless political players, protect her children, and fight to keep the loyalty and attention of Marcus Antonius. The odds against her are almost overwhelming, but Fulvia’s warrior spirit has been forged by tragedy and condescension, and now she will fight for the legacy she knows she deserves. Whatever the cost.
Author note:
‘She cut off the head of her enemy, who happened to be one of the most famous Romans who ever lived, and stuck a hairpin through his tongue to silence his slander against her. What’s not to love?
Telling Fulvia’s story has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I first discovered her in a footnote while at university, and the more I read about this formidable woman, the greater my disbelief that she was so unknown. She was a dominant force in Ancient Rome, one of the key players in the creation of an empire. I wanted to tell her story, in the hopes that more people might come to know and admire this daring woman. I hope that somewhere in these pages of political intrigue, vengeance, romance, rage, and power, readers find something in her story that resonates with them.’
About the Author:
Kaarina Parker is a writer, model, and activist based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand). Kaarina studied history and film at the University of Melbourne, where she earned a BA (with Honours). She went on to earn a Master’s of Creative Writing. She has a particular love for the extraordinary women of the late Roman Republic, who achieved so much and are credited with so little.
Kaarina is also a successful model, having appeared in fashion campaigns for New Zealand and international brands, including Mi Piaci, RUBY, Hera Couture, Taylor Sport, Trish Peng, Bendon, and more.
Kaarina has been interviewed for a variety of New Zealand publications. She was featured on a panel for Ensemble’s 2021 Fashion Week event, discussing inclusivity in the fashion industry. She is a prominent voice in the fight for size inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry. She was named as a Model to Watch at NZFW 2023: ‘She is the modern model: a muse, personality, a unique intelligent beauty.’
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You must be a GrownUps member and subscribed to our newsletter to be eligible to enter.
The competition closes on 29th July 2026. Winners will be notified via email by 30th July 2026.
It is your responsibility to provide a correct New Zealand postal address for prize delivery. GrownUps is not responsible for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
Winners will be drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
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One entry per household.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.
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