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Vestal Virgin (Suspense in Ancient Rome) [Kindle Edition]

Suzanne Tyrpak , Blake Crouch
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)

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Print List Price: $13.95
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Book Description


Vestal Virgin--suspense in ancient Rome
Elissa Rubria Honoria is a Vestal Virgin--priestess of the sacred flame, a visionary, and one of the most powerful women in Rome. Vestals are sacrosanct, sworn to chastity on penalty of death, but the emperor, Nero, holds himself above the law. He pursues Elissa, engaging her in a deadly game of wits and sexuality. Or is Elissa really the pursuer? She stumbles on dark secrets. No longer trusting Roman gods, she follows a new god, Jesus of Nazareth, jeopardizing her life and the future of The Roman Empire. (From the "Tales from the Adytum" collection.) 336 pages.

            *New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks says,
"A writer of real talent, a promising new voice."
            New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen says, 
"Suzanne Tyrpak weaves a spell that utterly enchants and delights. Her writing is pure magic."

Please note: Due to the setting and the times, the book includes several scenes involving deviant sex--suggestive rather than graphic--and not more than a few paragraphs.


Editorial Reviews

Review

A fascinating and intriguing work of historical fiction.
Midwest Book Review -- 5 stars


This book begins with the poem, "The Silent Dead" by Catullus and perfectly sets the stage for the beginning of this most inspiring and heartbreaking work.
5 Stars from J. Lynn
--Red Adept Reviews

With a fluid writing style, Suzanne Tyrpak has created a gripping tale that immerses you in another time and culture. From the very beginning, I was pulled into the storyline.
--Mother Lode Book Reviews

  There is a tension throughout that is well worth savoring, a sort of dread that fills the reader as things start to go wrong.  -- Alice Y. Yeh  (5 Stars) --Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews

Historical fiction readers will relish this powerful thriller that brings vividly to the armchair audience first century Rome.
--Harriet Klausner, The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews

From the Author

About seven years ago (before my divorce, when I had some expendable income) I traveled to Rome with a group of writers. I fell in love with Italy, Rome in particular. A travel book I read contained a short blurb about vestal virgins; it mentioned they were sworn to thirty years of chastity and, if that vow were broken, they would be entombed alive. That got me going! Plus, on a tour of the Coliseum, a guide pointed out the seats designated to the vestal virgins--the six priestess of Vesta were educated, and therefore powerful, at a time when most women weren't even taught to read.

I traveled to Rome twice, and on my second trip I hired a scholar who specialized in the year I'm writing about, A.D. 63-64, to give me a tour of the Forum. One of the most useful books I found was History of the Vestal Virgins of Rome, published in 1934 by T. Cato Worsfold. I also wrote to Colleen McCullough, and she was kind enough to write back. She gave me the name of an out-of-print book that I've used a lot, Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic, by H.H. Scullard. I have shelves of books about Roman history and Paul of Tarsus. Very little has been written about vestal virgins--but that gave me quite a bit of leeway. After all, I'm writing fiction!

Product Details

  • File Size: 906 KB
  • Print Length: 338 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1460943147
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Adytum; second edition (December 11, 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004G093HQ
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,461 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

This is a well written book, with good plot and character development. Arador  |  23 reviewers made a similar statement
I wonder just how much research was behind the story as I felt it wasn't real. Doris E. Brown  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Women Characters January 1, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
In general I'm a fan of historical fiction, including ancient Rome, so I was immediately drawn to Vestal Virgin. I was not disappointed. The author did a superb job with the setting. She deftly worked in details of life in ancient Rome, and I could easily understand the everyday life of the times and exactly what it meant to be a vestal virgin. The sights, the smells, the sounds--all seemed real as I watched the characters' lives unfold.

The virgins typically were chosen as children and took vows to serve for 30 years. Vestal virgin Elissa is the main character and she is no exception to the strict laws. As a vestal, she is an educated and powerful woman who starts out wanting to avenge her brother's death at the hands of the tyrannical Nero. She ends up finding a better goal. Along the way she is pursued by Nero, who thinks he is a god. But courageous Elissa is also a mystic and she works to decipher an ancient prophecy that foretells the destruction of Rome. Elissa's younger sister Flavia is another strong woman character. Ambitious Flavia has a different goal from her sister--she wants to become Nero's wife.

I read this book quickly, unable to put it down. I was caught up in the story and totally invested in the lives of the well-drawn characters. I loved Elissa and even Flavia, who behaved like a naive and spoiled child, won me over in the end. The men characters, though well-drawn, did not appeal to me as much and came across as weak in comparison to the women.

Very enjoyable book and I would like to read more by this talented author.
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent picture of Ancient Rome brings ruins to life December 21, 2010
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Vestal Virgin is historical fiction based on real events and people in Ancient Rome. Sound boring? Most of these novels are but not this one! You will be thrust into the world of Vestal Virgins and Roman gods. You'll live the life through a Vestal's eyes and appreciate true love. You'll discover Early Christianity- the way Roman citizens did- whispered through rumors and innuendo.
I could not put this book down, stopped reading all other materials- just to finish. I guess the end was a little too neatly tied together for my tastes but I really enjoyed the read.
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29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars As good as Robert Harris December 28, 2010
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a big fan of Robert Harris since 'Fatherland', and when he delved into Roman history and offered 'Pompeii' - combining well researched history with fictional suspense, I was once again absolutely blown away. 'Vestal Virgin' is without doubt as good, and a must read for anyone who loves a fantastic story set in ancient times as turbulent as today's.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Vestal Virgins
When I came across this book on the free lists, I hesitated to pick it up. I knew Nero would be pretty bad, even if the author was able to gloss over how evil he really was. Read more
Published 1 day ago by 3 Lil Lambs
1.0 out of 5 stars Ridiculous Book
I can't recommend this book. It was not historical and had a lot of dirty language with some disgusting scenes describing the sexual orientation and antics of Nero. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Historical Maiden
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Vestal Virgin
I'm extremely interested in ancient Rome and this filled the bill for me. I thought it very interesting to learn about these women. Read more
Published 2 months ago by E. Kuyers
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
While recovering from surgery a friend gave me a copy of Vestal Virgin. I didn't know what to expect since I had not read a novel by this author before. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gail Harris
1.0 out of 5 stars Difficult
I tried to read this book, but it wouldn't read. There was nothing there to grab the interest. Consider yourself warned.
Published 2 months ago by Longfellow
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay
This had a completely unsuspected ending, which was nice. I enjoyed the story line, but if you know the history of that time and of the Vestal Virgins, you will really be... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kymberly Parker
4.0 out of 5 stars A different book for me
This book's setting is completely different from what I usually read but I will read anything that catches my interest. I learned a little about Ancient Rome's Vestal Virgins. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dawn Sky
3.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read but I bet it was hard to write.
May have required some research into Roman history. Entertaining to follow the characters through their trials and tribulations. Even interjects some early Christian History.
Published 3 months ago by James Denman
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done for a Historic/Fiction Novel.
I just completed my read of "The Vestal Virgin". I gave it a full five stars. I sense the Author looked ahead and did her best to add to as much of the influences of Roman... Read more
Published 3 months ago by oldaddy
4.0 out of 5 stars A very good read
This book gives you a vivid look into Roman life during the time of Nero. The book is well written.
Published 4 months ago by James E. Greer
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More About the Author

Suzanne Tyrpak ran away from New York a long time ago to live in Colorado. When she's not working at Frontier Airlines or writing, she enjoys bike-riding, swimming, skiing, hiking, and dancing.

Working for an airline allows her to travel extensively and do research for her stories. She's been to Egypt, Greece, and Italy doing research for her novels. Suzanne says, "I like to smell the air, taste the food, see the light on the buildings, experience the people, and explore the setting I plan to write about."

Suzanne is interested in the daily lives of ancient people, especially the roles of women. Much has not been documented. In order to create that world, she steeps herself in fragments of writings, jewelry, and household goods--visiting museums and consulting her extensive collection of books. At Marlboro College she majored in Classic Theater (with a focus on ancient Greek plays) and ancient religions. Research for Hetaera included traveling to Athens and Delphi.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers awarded her first prize in the Colorado Gold Writing Contest for her novel, Sisters of the Nile. Maui Writers awarded her third prize in the Rupert Hughes writing competition for Agathon's Daughter. Hetaera is Book One in the Agathon's Daughter trilogy. Her debut novel, Vestal Virgin--Suspense in Ancient Rome, has garnered numerous glowing reviews. Suzanne has also epublished two short collections of (mostly contemporary) short stories: Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) and Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales. Her short story Downhill was first published in Arts Perspective Magazine. Rock Bottom is published in the Mota 9: Addiction anthology, available on Kindle. Her short story Ghost Plane was published by CrimeSpree Magazine. Venus Faded appears in the anthology Pronto! Writings from Rome (Triple Tree Publishing, 2002) along with notable authors including: Dorothy Allison, Elizabeth Engstrom, Terry Brooks, and John Saul.

*New York Times bestselling author, Terry Brooks says about her writing: "...a writer of real talent...a promising new voice."
*New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen says, "Suzanne Tyrpak weaves a spell that utterly enchants and delights. Her writing is pure magic."







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