Book Sunday November 24

 The Last Vestal Virgin

The Inspiration:

I was inspired to write Beloved Sacrifice which is based on a real-life curse that was imposed on my ancestors long ago in the village of Pacentro, Itlay. I listened to this story time and time again by my grandmother. Yes, it is based on the curse, but the rest of the story is fictional.

Back in July of 2013, my husband took me to Pacentro, and I had three strange events that occurred during my visit that let me know my ancestors were listening.

The most profound encounter was at the shrine of our lady where I took off my shoes and walked in the small pond beneath. I felt the energy that was there as small shocks ran through my feet up to me knees. It was a connection I will never forget.  The shrine is mentioned in the story as well.

The Book:

In a small Italian village, an ancient curse stirs to life.
When a fearless mama from the D’Amici family learns that a dark spell cast by a vengeful gypsy cult over a century ago still shadows her loved ones, she vows to break it — whatever the cost. With storms gathering and time running out, she'll need all her courage, cunning, and fiery spirit. Because when you mess with an Italian mama, you’re in for a reckoning like no other.

Will she break the curse before it's too late?

Enjoy this Supernatural Tale that is great for Young Adult readers through adult as it blends history with mystery. Many facts of Rome’s cult of the Vestal Virgins are mentioned throughout the book.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Julianna visits her mother at the nursing home, where she finds out about the curse:

Julianna stood in shock. She knew her family had its share of illness and woes but just attributed it to natural causes.

“I am shocked mother! You... the Strega? Why did you keep this secret for so long?”

“Some things are left to be told when the time is right. They are governed by the laws of synchronicity, my dear. All things have a place and a time.”

Juliana turned to face her mother. She was beginning to sound like some enlightened being.

“As you know, the raging fever left me with tremors most of my life. Your sister, Maribelle, has a severe heart condition and Bella was born blind in one eye. And we have Lorena, not being able to conceive. And you, Julianna, have had crippling migraines since you were a teenager.”

“But Faith...she has no ailments...none that we know of,” Julianna speculated.

“They can surface at any stage of her life.” “What about Trulia, Armando’s daughter?”

 “That is the thorn in our side, Julianna. Her mother was Mia Constantino, and her mother was Gema, the sister of Bibianna. Mia having Trulia at the age of fifty is another oddity. The bloodline was only cursed from the women that I bore and their offspring. Armando was saved.”

“Sweet Jesus, Mother! What was wrong with Armando?”

“When Mia married Armando, Bibianna had already been dead. However, Gema, being an enchantress, had placed a spell on their marriage. Armando never knew Mia was related to Bibianna. Gema, being very beautiful and cunning, lured a handsome Sicilian gypsy to make love to her several times until she became pregnant. That’s how she had Mia. She wanted to produce offspring to keep her special Romani cult alive while mixing the blood of the D’Amici heritage. Hence, we have Trulia, your niece. The curse was to be altered so the seventh child would be also under the enchantment.

“When Strega Carlita passed, I had taken over for her and learned how your great-grandmother Selena saved my life. I had wanted to save others also. I was only ten years old when I learned the craft. Lest you forget, Julianna, the curse that was placed so long ago by Bibianna would stick until a seventh daughter would be born into our family.”

“I remember you told me of how that dagger was used in a ceremony to save your life. My grandmother must have been so strong.”

 “She was one of the strongest women I know. Many women in the village were jealous of her beauty and were worried that they would lose their husbands to her. How ridiculous this was! My mother was much in love with my father. She had few friends in Pacentro because of this.”

Julianna locked eyes with Donatella. “So, if Faith is with child, there is a chance it may be a boy.”

“Take a look back, Julianna; the only boys that had been born to my side of the family were Lucca from great-great-grandmother Rosa Domenica, and he passed when he was ten years old. And then my brother Armando.”

“But if Faith has a girl the curse will end,” Julianna reminded.

Donatella hung her head and Julianna was feeling more shocking news was about to reveal itself. “Okay, so then I am assuming Trulia is safe, being Mia was her mother.”

“Yes, she has the Romani protection rite from her mother.”

“How long have you known all of this?”

“I only came to find out years ago when I was doing work on our family tree. It must have been about ten years ago. Being there were lots of Constantinos in Pacentro, I thought nothing of it until... I dug a little deeper.”

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Lorraine Carey

https://authorlorrainecarey.blogspot.com/

Lorraine Carey is a reading specialist and an Award-Winning Author. She was living in California until fate whisked her off to Grand Cayman. She currently lives in Florida. Her love for paranormal stories began at a young age, and is no stranger to the paranormal, having encountered unexplainable events that are woven into her stories.