Who is Vesta?

Vesta is the powerful ancient Roman goddess of the home and hearthfire. For centuries, her Eternal Flame was kept alight in her temple by her priestesses, the esteemed Vestal Virgins. Here, you’ll find Debra May Macleod’s novels on the Vestals, and much more, so that you can illuminate your life with the sacred flame!

Gold snake with ancient history written inside
Blue snake circling Greek key pattern
Gold snake coiled around golden circular pattern with geometric designs
Blue snake wrapped around a circular geometric pattern, resembling a classic Greek or Roman design.
Golden snake encircling a decorative circular pattern with geometric motifs, resembling a Greek key design, on a transparent background.
Blue serpentine snake wrapped around an ornamental circular frame with ancient Greek-style patterns, on a transparent background.
Gold snake wrapped around a circular Greek key pattern border.
Blue snake wrapped around circular Greek key pattern

New Release!

book cover for Coelia Concordia, showing a statue on a base

COELIA CONCORDIA: THE LAST VESTAL VIRGIN OF ROME

For over a thousand years, the esteemed priestesses of Vesta were tasked with keeping the goddess’s Eternal Flame burning in her temple. As the guardians of Rome, the Vestal Virgins were revered, for as long as the fire was alive, the Eternal City would endure.                                           

This is the thrilling, emotional story of the last Vestal Virgin—Coelia Concordia—and her battle to save the sacred flame from an encroaching darkness. It is also a story about a prophecy and a curse fulfilled, the fall of an empire, and the relentless suppression of the old gods as seen through the eyes of those who lost everything, but never gave up hope—all against the backdrop of the biggest cultural shift in the history of Western civilization.

Want to learn more about the real-life people in COELIA CONCORDIA?

Visit the Coelia Concordia page now!

Need a Little Drama in Your Life?

See the sacred flame burn in the temple… feel its heat, hear it roar… immerse yourself in the world of ancient Rome and the Vestals with these action-packed, emotional historical fiction trilogies:

book cover of Rhea Silvia, statue with wolf and infants

The First Vestals of Rome Trilogy

book cover of Tarpeia, with statue of a woman looking at a bracelet and Roman soldiers
Book cover featuring a statue of a Roman figure, ancient columns, and a painting of Roman vestals with the title "AMATA: The First Vestals of Rome - Book 3" by Debra May Macleod.
book cover for Brides of Rome, with Vestal priestess walking into the temple

The Vesta Shadows Trilogy

book cover for To Be Wolves, with image of a Vestal priestess looking out from a terrace over the temples of ancient Rome
Cover of "Empire of Iron" by Debra May Macleod, depicting a woman in a toga holding a torch, standing before Roman soldiers and columns.

FEATURED VIDEOS

Book cover with a statue holding candles, ornate gold snake design, text "Debra May Macleod," "Divining Your Life: Candle Readings with the Flame of Vesta" on blue background.

Do You Have Questions In Your Life?

Just like astrologers read the stars, it is possible to “read” a candle’s flame. Whether your questions are big or small, serious or irreverent, the ancient practice of candle reading might help you discover the answers.

This fun nonfiction offering is perfect for readers who couldn’t help but light a candle while reading my novels about the eternal flame.

In fact, the unique method used within is based on what I learned about ancient divination practices while researching my novels about the Vestal Virgins.

DEBRA’S BLOG

About the Author

A woman looking at an ancient stone monument with carvings, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Debra May Macleod is an author of seven historical fiction novels set in Ancient Rome and featuring the esteemed order of Vestal Virgins. Her novels chronicle the Vestal Order's history over a thousand year period, from its earliest days to its emotional end.

She is privileged to have been invited to participate in research excursions in the Roman Forum, the Forum of Caesar and Imperial Fora, including places inaccessible to the general public, and informs her writing with this invaluable perspective. 

Debra holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Classics, as well as a Juris Doctor. An author with a true passion for her subject, she also writes about Vesta’s legacy in the modern world, including how she is honored today.