Bøker av Debra May Macleod

Rome is a tinderbox, all it needs is a spark.18 BC. Pomponia, Chief Priestess of the Vestal Order, who has seen Rome through the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, faces her toughest crisis yet. A ruthless enemy is manipulating her from the shadows, threatening not just Pomponia but those she cares for - including the emperor himself. Worse, it seems that the gods are also against her. The Vestal Order is in an unparalleled crisis that she must answer for. Faced with threats from all directions, Pomponia must be willing to sacrifice everything to protect her status, the Order and the lives of those around her. In this unflinching conclusion to the Vesta Shadows trilogy, Pomponia realises that, like Rome itself, she must become even more ruthless than her enemies if she is to survive. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Stephanie Dray. The Vesta Shadows seriesThe Vesta Shadows trilogy spans decades, from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time, serving in the Temple of Vesta for more than fifty years. Set during the tumultuous years that saw the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus - and beyond - it dramatises some of the major historical events that occurred during her lifetime while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with fast-paced, engrossing and visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.

The New Vesta Home: How a Renewed Tradition Can Keep Your Marriage & Family TogetherIf reading Debra May Macleod's historical fiction novels on the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome inspired you to light a candle and think of the eternal flame (why not? they say everything old is new again), this nonfiction offering may interest you. It shares the author's personal experience with this ancient religion and offers ways - some lighthearted, others more meaningful - for those who are so inclined to incorporate it into their own life, relationship and home. What if your home was more sacred than any church or temple? The faith and flame of Vesta burned in antiquity for centuries, providing a spiritual focus for the home and protecting its foundations. Today, this tradition has been renewed and adapted, and is being embraced by a new generation of "spiritual but not religious" women, men, and families. From simple mealtime rituals to skills-based marriage and family-strengthening advice, The New Vesta Home is part spiritual treatise and part practical relationship manual. Use it to bring daily sparks of love, devotion, happiness and meaning to your marriage and home life.

Ancient Intuition: Ignite the Spark of Awareness Already Within YouIf reading Debra May Macleod's historical fiction novels on the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome inspired you to light a candle and think of the eternal flame (why not? they say everything old is new again), this nonfiction offering may interest you. It is the author's lighthearted but meaningful jaunt into intuitive territory, sharing her personal experience with this ancient religion while offering ways, for those who are so inclined, to incorporate it into their modern life. Many people live in a chronic state of uncertainty, unhappiness, discontent or dis-ease. Others feel that something is missing from their lives or that they haven't reached their true potential, whether in terms of their career, relationships, well-being, self-knowledge or spirituality. In Ancient Intuition, Debra May Macleod shares fascinating information and a practical, powerful process that can help you find more clarity, happiness, well-being and meaning in life. To ignite this awareness, you must go back in time: back to the beginning of the universe, back to the beginning of who we are as a species. Back to ancient YOU. And this little book, this little time machine in your hands, can help you do that. So travel from the Stone Age to the Classical Age to the Digital Age, and learn how to tap into the life-changing power of your intuitive self. If you wish, you can learn to live a more illuminated life full of insight, inspiration, self-realization. After all, your existence is a sacred spark of the eternal fire.

Peace is like a flame - easily extinguished.21 BC. After the turbulence of civil war, Augustus Caesar now rules Rome. Yet his authority is fragile, holding only so long as the people believe Rome's gods support him, particularly the beloved goddess of home and hearth, Vesta. Pomponia, now chief Vestal Virgin, continues to devote her life to the goddess. She has risen to a position of esteem in Rome and is a valued member of Caesar's inner circle. But when a contagion starts to ravage the city, tensions rise among Rome's inhabitants. Meanwhile, a malevolent nobleman called Soren starts plotting against her, threatening not just her friendship with Caesar, but everything she loves... Return to the meticulously researched world of Debra May Macleod's ancient Rome in this gripping sequel to Brides of Rome. Perfect for fans of Colleen McCullough and Stephanie Dray. Praise for Brides of Rome 'A fascinating look inside the lives of the enigmatic Vestal Virgins of Rome, who tended the sacred flame of Vesta in her temple in the Forum. But they were at the heart of Roman politics as well, true 'brides of Rome' who had a ringside seat in events of Roman history, and had a hand in them as well. Macleod lets us enter their forbidden and mysterious lives in a page-turning story of the birth of the Roman empire' Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of The Confessions of Young Nero'In an age of murderous warlords and ruthless politicians (often indistinguishable from one another) the seemingly benign Vestals could hold the balance of power. Debra May Macleod has written a fascinating mystery set within the relentlessly masculine world of Roman power politics, but seen through the lens of a unique, all-female institution. The Vestals did not just tend Rome's sacred flame. They guarded Rome's secrets' John Maddox Roberts, author of the Edgar-nominated SPQR Roman Mystery series'Riveting... This smart repartee captivates in every way' Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Protocol'Macleod gives readers a very rich picture of what the day-to-day life of the Vestal Virgins was like. This is very intelligent and well-researched Roman historical fiction, populated with very strong female lead characters (including a scene-stealing rendition of Livia). A fine start to a promising series' Historical Novel SocietyThe Vesta Shadows seriesThe Vesta Shadows trilogy spans decades, from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time, serving in the Temple of Vesta for more than fifty years. Set during the tumultuous years that saw the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus - and beyond - it dramatises some of the major historical events that occurred during her lifetime while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with fast-paced, engrossing and visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.

When passion is punishable by death, can one priestess keep her emotions concealed and help steer the course of history?Ancient Rome is a world of power and privilege, secrets and sacred duty. The esteemed priestesses of Vesta - the Vestal Virgins - are charged with ensuring the Eternal Flame in their temple never goes out. While it burns, Rome cannot fall. They are known as the Brides of Rome. Dedicated to a thirty-year vow of chaste service, Priestess Pomponia finds herself swept up in the intrigue, violence, wars and bedroom politics of Rome's elite - Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Octavian and Livia - all the while guarding the secret affection she has in her heart. But when a charge of incestum - a broken vow of chastity - is made against the Vestal order, the ultimate punishment looms: death by being buried alive. Debra May Macleod skilfully recreates the world of ancient Rome with all its brutality and brilliance, all its rich history and even richer legend. A true page-turner that is as smart as it is compelling, this must-read novel brings the Vestal order to life like never before. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Margaret George. Praise for Brides of Rome 'A fascinating look inside the lives of the enigmatic Vestal Virgins of Rome, who tended the sacred flame of Vesta in her temple in the Forum. But they were at the heart of Roman politics as well, true 'brides of Rome' who had a ringside seat in events of Roman history, and had a hand in them as well. Macleod lets us enter their forbidden and mysterious lives in a page-turning story of the birth of the Roman empire' Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of The Confessions of Young Nero'In an age of murderous warlords and ruthless politicians (often indistinguishable from one another) the seemingly benign Vestals could hold the balance of power. Debra May Macleod has written a fascinating mystery set within the relentlessly masculine world of Roman power politics, but seen through the lens of a unique, all-female institution. The Vestals did not just tend Rome's sacred flame. They guarded Rome's secrets' John Maddox Roberts, author of the Edgar-nominated SPQR Roman Mystery series'Riveting... This smart repartee captivates in every way' Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Protocol'Macleod gives readers a very rich picture of what the day-to-day life of the Vestal Virgins was like. This is very intelligent and well-researched Roman historical fiction, populated with very strong female lead characters (including a scene-stealing rendition of Livia). A fine start to a promising series' Historical Novel SocietyThe Vesta Shadows seriesThe Vesta Shadows trilogy spans decades, from 45 BCE to 14 CE. It follows the life of the Vestal priestess Pomponia Occia, who is inspired by the real Vestal Occia who lived during this time, serving in the Temple of Vesta for more than fifty years. Set during the tumultuous years that saw the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus - and beyond - it dramatises some of the major historical events that occurred during her lifetime while simultaneously bringing ancient Rome to life with fast-paced, engrossing and visceral storylines played out by a striking cast of characters.