Vestal Virgin: Suspense in Ancient Rome

Endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors Terry Brooks and Tess Gerritsen, with an introduction by New York Times bestselling author, Blake Crouch. 156 readers give it 3.5 stars – some love it, some find it challenging. A Vestal Virgin in Nero's Rome, torn between sacred vows, a mad emperor's obsession, and a forbidden faith.

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.

This novel includes mature themes and suggestive scenes (not graphic) consistent with Nero's historical depravity. Reader discretion advised.

From the author of: 
Hetaera (Suspense in Ancient Athens)
Rosy (Dreams Can Become Nightmares)
Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction)
Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales


Suzanne Tyrpak ran away from New York a long time ago to live in Colorado. Her debut novel is Vestal Virgin, suspense set in ancient Rome, available as a trade paperback and in all eformats. Her collection of nine short stories Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) is available on Kindle, Nook and Smashwords. J.A. Konrath calls it, "Pure comedic brilliance." 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. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers awarded her first prize in the Colorado Gold Writing Contest, and Maui Writers awarded her third prize in the Rupert Hughes writing competition. *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."