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

Suzanne Tyrpak (Author), Blake Crouch (Foreword)

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!

See all Editorial Reviews

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)
  • #100 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Ancient > Rome

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

By L.C. Evans VINE™ VOICE

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.

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

By Rosaria Cain

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.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as Robert Harris December 28, 2010

By jeroen ten berge

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.

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."