Subscribe

‘All the drama and sensuality expected of an historical romance, plus a sensitivity to the realities of life in a very different time and world…’
Ursula Le Guin

The Wedding Shroud

A Tale of Ancient Rome Book One

In 406 BC, to seal a tenuous truce, the young Roman Caecilia is wedded to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from Veii. Leaving her militaristic homeland, Caecilia is determined to remain true to Roman virtues while living among the sinful Etruscans. But, despite her best intentions, she is seduced by a culture which offers women education, independence, sexual freedom and an empowering religion. Enchanted by Veii, but terrified of losing ties to Rome, Caecilia performs rites to delay becoming a mother, thereby postponing true entanglement. Yet as she develops an unexpected love for Mastarna, she is torn between her birthplace and the city in which she now lives.

The Wedding Shroud was judged runner-up in the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards for general fiction and was a finalist in the 2012 Kindle Book Reviews’ Best Kindle Book Award. It is the first book in the A Tale of Ancient Rome Saga, which includes The Golden Dice and Call to Juno.

Where to buy:

Read the complete series!

A Tale of Ancient Rome is now a complete trilogy including The Wedding Shroud, The Golden Dice and Call to Juno. 

The Wedding Shroud Reviews

Elizabeth Jane
Elizabeth JaneHistorical Novels Review (USA)
Elisabeth Storrs gives us a complex heroine, grappling with issues of spirituality and culture in ways that are non-cliché and refreshing. (Click to view PDF)
Isolde Martyn
Isolde MartynAuthor, The Maiden and the Unicorn
The fear of death but the zest to live – Elisabeth Storrs skillfully recreates the dilemma of a young woman torn between two of Italy’s ancient culture’s.
Ben Kane
Ben KaneAuthor, The Forgotten Legion
Storrs should be proud of herself for this gem of a book.
Sarah Johnson
Sarah JohnsonReading The Past Litblog (Book Reviews Editor, Historical Novels Review)
With her page-turning story, Storrs revivifies a long-ago past while reminding us that it’s a place utterly unlike the world we know: the mark of a skilled historical novelist. (Click to read more)
Mary Louisa Locke
Mary Louisa LockeAuthor, Maids of Misfortune
The Wedding Shroud is a masterful piece of writing, deftly weaving the narrative and the historical details into a book I could not put down.
Iefke van Kampen
Iefke van KampenDirector of the Museo dell’Agro Veientano, Formello (Rome)
Elisabeth Storrs’s A Tale of Ancient Rome series should really be called Tales of Ancient Veii, as it brings the Etruscan town to life. Thank you, Elisabeth, for giving a voice to some of the most intriguing pieces of the Museum of Veii.
Judith Fox
Judith FoxAuthor, Scraping Through Stone
Elisabeth Storrs explores the shifting realm of the human heart in this tale of power, duty and love set in ancient times…she renders her character’s struggle to find their balance recognisable and sympathetic.
David Ash
David AshNSW Law Society Journal
Shakespeare had the ability to make action happen offstage as well as on it. Fortunately for the reader, Storrs does too.
Lauren Keegan
Lauren KeeganAuthor of All the Bees in the Hollows
It has been a while since I have given a five star rating to a novel and The Wedding Shroud is certainly worthy of this.
Lisa Hill
Lisa HillANZ LitLovers Litblog
The Wedding Shroud is a well-written historical novel with a twist.
Diana Simmond
Diana SimmondSAM (Sydney Alumni Magazine)
Storrs negotiates the sexual and social politics with skill and verve.
Maria Grazia Spila
Maria Grazia SpilaFly High Litblog
Elisabeth Storrs combines detailed research and remarkably talented writing in her portrayal of life in Early Rome.
Susan Conventry
Susan ConventryReading World Litblog
This is marvelous historical fiction. The details are richly imagined…I was immersed.
Phillip Fioretti
Phillip FiorettiAuthor, Bonelands
…hopefully there will be more novels set in the ancient world by Elisabeth Storrs.
Debra Eve
Debra EveAuthor, Late Bloomers
'Elisabeth shares her great love for the Etruscan culture laced with the the bittersweet reality it no longer exists. If you loved The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, you will love The Wedding Shroud.'
Stephanie Hopkins
Stephanie HopkinsLayered Pages Litblog
The plot is engrossing and the character building is inspiring.
Lucy Bertoldi
Lucy BertoldiEnchanted by Josephine Litblog
…excellent historical fiction. I could go on and on!
Judges' comments
Judges' comments2013 Sharp Writ Book Awards
This book is a fabulous read, with interesting characters and plot, as well as fascinating historical details.
Judith Starkson
Judith StarksonAuthor, Hand of Fire
This novel pulls its reader into an unusual world where no other writer I know of has gone and unfolds an intriguing plot, revealing a little known corner of Roman history.
Mirella Patzer
Mirella PatzerAuthor, Orphan of the Olive Tree and Great Historicals Litblog
Lovely, easy to read prose makes this a truly engrossing read.
Tracy Falbe
Tracy FalbeHistorical Novel Review
Elisabeth Storrs has created a wonderful novel from a willing marriage of her historical research and writing talent.
Annelise Balsamo
Annelise BalsamoBookseller + Publisher Magazine
The Wedding Shroud is a solid page-turner.
Crisetta MacLeod
Crisetta MacLeodWriting NSW
…an insightful study of a young woman trying to find herself.

Also available in Italian