Duty and dedication? Or following your heart?
Which would you choose?
What if that choice cost you everything?
Which would you choose?
What if that choice cost you everything?

Ancient Rome, 216 BC
For thirty years, Livia has served Rome as a priestess to the goddess Vesta, guarding the temple’s sacred flame. All she wants is retirement, a happy marriage, and peace. Instead, the High Priestess falls ill, Livia assumes leadership, and all her dreams collapse.
While the temple flame burns, no harm will come to the city. But against her vows, Livia falls for Gaius, a married equestrian, who wants to shower her with love. Passion awakens a burning desire and Livia’s role as High Priestess falters. And Gaius’s wife will stop at nothing to keep her marriage intact.
As summer comes, Rome is threatened by the invasion of Hannibal and Livia must choose between duty or passion. A choice that might cost her everything.
Get swept away in this “story of forbidden passion that unfolds against an immersive historical setting.” The BookLife Prize.
Read an excerpt.
For thirty years, Livia has served Rome as a priestess to the goddess Vesta, guarding the temple’s sacred flame. All she wants is retirement, a happy marriage, and peace. Instead, the High Priestess falls ill, Livia assumes leadership, and all her dreams collapse.
While the temple flame burns, no harm will come to the city. But against her vows, Livia falls for Gaius, a married equestrian, who wants to shower her with love. Passion awakens a burning desire and Livia’s role as High Priestess falters. And Gaius’s wife will stop at nothing to keep her marriage intact.
As summer comes, Rome is threatened by the invasion of Hannibal and Livia must choose between duty or passion. A choice that might cost her everything.
Get swept away in this “story of forbidden passion that unfolds against an immersive historical setting.” The BookLife Prize.
Read an excerpt.
Praise for The Sacred Flame
“I absolutely loved this book! Littlestone’s historical information, ancient yet modern characters, and insightful commentary stirred my imagination. Brava!”
Bonnie Salamon |
“The Sacred Flame is beautifully written. Lovely and tragic. I read it in two days on vacation and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. I could not sleep after finishing it, thinking about the fact life used to be like that (and sometimes still is for some people).”
Sheri Bagwell |
“For what can be more real than love and the relentless quest to have it, damn the consequences. Such is the drama of this exquisite tale, told with sensual, transportive language. Such is this story of love that entices and eludes yet calls the soul regardless, leaving us utterly haunted.”
Suzanne Baker Hogan |