In the days when superstition ruled the world, twin babies are born with terrible afflictions. The family in this tale goes against tradition, deciding to keep these children and raise them with the protections and advantages a prominent senator of means can provide. Blessing or Curse takes place in ancient Rome in the 390s BC, ending in 387 BC. The story follows the lives of Alexandrus, Lucretia, and their children leading up to the invasion and fall of the city to the Gauls. The family struggles and is blamed for the impending doom that will befall the city due to their breaking of traditions. Despite their treatment, they rise to the occasion and do what they think is best for their homeland. Author Bio : A Michigan native, Dawn Chick began this book in 2011. She finished it in 2013 as her thesis project for her master's in humanities, with a concentration in English creative writing at Tiffin University. She has also studied history at Madonna University and theater at DePaul University. The love of the history of the Roman Empire, Greek tragic theater, and creative writing combined to craft her tale. This is her first book.