Of Love and Treason

by Jamie Ogle

Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything.

Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valentine believes the emperor’s edict unjust and risks his own life for the sake of his convictions. But as his fame grows, so do fears for his safety.

Iris, the daughter of a Roman jailor, believes regaining her sight will ease the mounting troubles at home. Her last hope rests in searching out Valentine and his church, but the danger of associating with people labeled a threat to the empire is great. Still, as Iris's new friends lead her to faith in God, Iris is drawn to Valentine and they both begin to hope for a future together beyond the treacherous empire.

But when a past debt and a staggering betrayal collide, Valentine, Iris, and everyone they love must fight for their lives . . . and wrestle with trusting a God who can restore sight yet does not always keep His followers from peril.

Discussion questions for book clubsRetelling of the legend of St. ValentineFirst Christian historical romance novel set in ancient times by author Jamie Ogle

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Historical, Romance

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have known. This celebration of love adorned with roses is rooted in a martyr's testimony. Such a convicting witness. I will forever see Valentine's Day through new gospel glasses. 🌹

While Jamie Ogle's story is fiction, the bare bones regarding St. Valentine are not. As I think about what to write in this review, I keep running into spoilers.

Here is what I will say: there are reasons that Valentine weddings, roses, and cards with declarations of love can be tied directly to a man who loved Jesus and marriage. His efforts to assist Roman citizens into lawful marriage contracts in the late 3rd century lead to charges of treason.

I loved the historical setting. So reminiscent of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. Will be looking for more books by Jamie Ogle, but this one will be difficult to top. Have a box of tissues on standby! 😭💌

[Latisha Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that is unapologetically Christian, this is it. Don't be fooled though. It is a heavy book. But it's also a beautiful story that will stick with you. It is filled with heartache, betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness. This is not a happily ever after but it is full of hope. Hope that, in Christ, our pain and suffering on earth will be turned to glory in Heaven. Hope that, no matter our circumstances, God is working things for His glory and our good. This book is a story that will encourage your faith in the midst of trials.

I'm excited to read more from Ms. Ogle.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Love and Treason weaves a fascinating story based on Valentine’s legend.

Rome, AD 270. Emperor Claudius Gothicus needs a bigger military, thus he puts on a new ban. Marriage was never allowed for soldiers, and with the new ban it also includes the civilians. This new ban doesn’t discourage one man, namely Valentine, who performs wedding ceremonies in secret. He worries about women’s fates if they’re not married and have children. That’s why he is brave enough to lead an underground church, where there is only one God. And it’s the time when people believe in many gods. It’s a time when you have to tread your water carefully or you can be betrayed easily.

Iris is a blind young girl, who lost her sight at fourteen. She is the daughter of a Roman jailor - Quintus, who spent all of his money and even gained some debt to restore his daughter’s sight. Now, tribune Braccus is requesting repayment from Quintus, who took the loan from Praetorian treasury. There is some offer put forward by the tribune that could save the father and daughter, but none of them wants to take this offer. If Quintus goes to jail, he worries how his daughter will survive without him.

Iris’s hope is in Valentine. Will his God restore her sight?

This Christian historical romance novel set in ancient time expends the legend of one man, his work, and what he is remembered for, with the nuance of romance.

This novel offers emotional joy and heartache. It is wonderfully expended on one’s belief in God and God’s work. I believe this story will strongly resonate with those who focus on Christian stories and romance. I found the pace a bit slow. When it comes to character development it’s more focused on interaction between the characters rather than dimensions of each individual character. I wished there was more to character development.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[yuvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will see you again, my love. My soul and body will soon be separated, but my heart I leave with you.
As I live and die, I remain your true and loving,
Valentine

I was intimidated by the length of the book, so much so, that I put it off my reading list for a year. I shouldn't have, or maybe I should have waited a bit longer? I wasn't ready for it. I knew from the beginning that Valentine was going to die. But I wasn't ready to witness that. I haven't cried that much in a long time. Even as I am writing this review now, tears are continuously streaming down my face. My family's going to think I am going crazy.

I have to say, all the characters were so well developed and lovable. I was just so invested in the characters. Even the side characters, Beatrix, Iris' father, Cato, Martha, even Paulina and her slave.
I couldn't hate Titus, even if I tried to. He fought with himself. I really rooted for him as well. Generally, in books, if there's a love triangle, I immediately hate one of the two, or if not that extreme, prefer one more that the other. But even though Titus was not a love interest, I really liked him, his feelings for Iris were genuine and the internal conflict he had to face.. All well written.
I adored all the characters. My heart went out for Iris.
I don't how much of the story is true. I'm not a Christian so I'm not familiar with the religion and the stories affiliated with it.

Nevertheless, Valentine has my heart. He was a perfect gentleman. I don't have more words for him. The overwhelming emotions he still evokes in me have rendered me speechless.

I always thought Valentine's day was overrated. I never knew the story behind it. After reading this, I wonder how can one celebrate this day? I'll never view it the same way again.
The way the author has written about her Faith, has earned my respect. She managed to convey her message, without overwhelming us.

I don't know if I'll ever return to this book (I probably will, years down the lane), but I do know that I'll forever keep this book in my heart. This book is one of a kind, the likes of which one never forgets.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Whatever his goal, the emperor can’t outlaw love.”

This is a fantastic 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲.

It’s set in the Roman Empire in the year A.D. 269 in the wake of Emperor Claudius II’s marriage ban. Rumours have started that there’s one man still willing to perform marriage ceremonies in secret. When the inevitable happens and Valentine is accused of inciting illegal gatherings and leading unsanctioned religious activities, the world these four (below) belong to is turned upside down and they are brought to the place where they all have to make a difficult choice.


🔎Told from 4 POV:

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚 (his friends call him Valens or Val)
He’s 32, a public notarius by day and the leader of a secret church by night. He’s outraged by the ban and willing to defy the emperor, knowing it will possibly make him the most wanted man in the empire.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐚 (everyone calls her Iris)
She’s 21, an only child whose mother died in childbirth, and she’s been blind since she was 14 years old. She wants to know more about Christianity.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐮𝐬
He’s Iris’s dad and the carcer jailor. His sole focus has been on restoring his daughter’s sight after a terrible accident. He’s facing financial ruin as a result of his attempts.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞 (Praetorian Guard)
He’s been like an older brother to Iris after her father raised Titus when his parents died. He may view Iris as more than a sister…

The focus of this story is the 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, knowing that we’ll be risking something in the process. It’s also about:

❤️What it’s meant to be loved by God
❤️How it feels to be labeled a Christian in such a dark time in history
❤️Sharing burdens to lighten the load
❤️Why God answers some prayers and not others
❤️How to keep from clinging to grief
❤️How to go on trusting in God’s goodness

I never contemplated:

💡the societal repercussions of a marriage ban
💡that the sale of goods to Christians could have been prohibited

I was glad to be reminded that “the ability to pray came at a great cost.”

As I finished, I realized that we in the 21st century are not so different from those in the 3rd century; we have hopes and dreams, and we long for love, security and health. I was thankful that in this dark moment in history, there are and were still those willing to shine the light and rebel against the darkness.

“It is easy to trust in God when He works miracles, but will we trust Him even if He does not?”

I can’t wait for book 2 - the retelling of St. Nicholas coming March 2025!

I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥹

A surprising 4.5 star read! This is historical fiction set shortly after the events of the Gospels.
Iris, Valentine, Quintus, and Titus are all perspectives we get in this story, and each one added such depth and detail to the plot that I found them to flow easily.

I'm really happy that I gave this a try. The power and love of God is on full display here. Following Jesus came at a high cost back then and I admire it greatly.

I only didn't give this a full 5 star due to a caution I would also give - there are some torture scenes described that went a tad too far for me. I was uncomfortable and had to skim past some parts. I thought some details could have been spared in that regard.

Overall I loved this though and I am very impressed by this author's writing.
Definitely recommend!

Tropes & Triggers: forbidden romance, faith at the forefront, salvation, small love triangle, death of a loved one, torture.

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle
4.5 Stars
Blog Post with graphic: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

A Powerful and Moving Story of Faith, Love, and Sacrifice - A St. Valentine Story

WOW. This is a stunning historical novel. From the very first page, I was captivated by the gripping story of Valentine, a man of unwavering faith who stands boldly against an emperor. He is full of bravery, compassion, and devotion to Christ. There are some beautiful salvation stories in this book thanks to Valentine!

Iris truly stole my heart too. Her longing for physical and spiritual sight was beautifully written, and her transformation was breathtaking. The way she discovers faith amidst the dangers of Rome, all while navigating her relationship with Valentine, made for an emotionally rich and deeply compelling story.

We see such an important focus on standing for Christ in this book. We see how hard it was to be labeled a Christian during this dark time of history. We see the trust in God's goodness here, even when He doesn't answer prayers when we think He should. Specifically in the ending. The ending made me CRY so much because of the beauty shown in sacrifice and faith.

The author brings ancient Rome to life, from the political tensions to the early church’s desperate struggle to survive. The stakes felt real, and the danger ever-present. It puts me in the mind of the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers, which is also a historical fiction but it's set during biblical times. This book is not a biblical fiction, as its two centuries after the Bible was finished, but it is more of an early church historical fiction set during Rome, AD 270.

Overall, I loved this so much. While some of the romance elements were not my favorite as the pacing was a bit slower in that part, I completely see why the author added that in there. She needed someone to truly love Valentine for the faith impact at the ending to make sense. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of Christian historical fiction. It’s unforgettable. I know this is not biblical fiction, but I think if you like biblical fiction, this would be one you enjoy due to the early church history side of things in this. Certainly a favorite book of 2025 for me.

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Historical fiction - not biblical fiction

Rome A.D. 270

Iris is a blind jailer’s daughter. She and her father have exhausted every ounce of their resources to curing her blindness, yet no potions or ointments or any amount of offering to all of the gods, has made any effect.

Then Valentine walks into her place of work and they strike up conversation and he vows to pray to his God; the One true God, for her to see.

Meanwhile, there is a temporary marriage ban put into place by the emperor, yet Valentine feels called by God to continue performing marriage ceremonies in secret.

Rome is not willing to let the vigilante known as ‘The Cupid’ go around defying their laws and is determined to bring this ‘criminal’ to justice.

——-


Ok….this was such a gripping first half of the story, I was immediately immersed. I love historical fiction set in Bible times and this was great. I feel that the last 1/2 or 1/3 was more boring and felt myself fading in and out of the story.
That ending though! I LOVE when authors go *there* with their story telling!!!!! The ending brought my rating up to a 4⭐️ (from the 3⭐️ I was planning on after the lessening of my interest…)

A few terms that felt too modern (but I’m no historian, so they could be accurate for the time) were: Graffiti, apartment, cafe

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, heartbreaking and beautiful.🥺

I loved the characters and the setting so much. If you want a very unique early roman fiction era story, then this one is for you. I was truly captivated from the beginning and couldn't wait to find out what happened. I look forward to reading more books by this author.


*Thank you to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Jasmine (Jazzie) [Jesus Loves You!!] · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keep the faith, no matter what happens. God is good, and does only good, even if others don't. We can trust Him.”

~My Thoughts~
Wow... this book was incredible!! I loved it so, so much! There's no possible way I could ever put just how much I loved it into words.

It was so inspiring. It definitely put things into a different perspective, and made me think of things I had never thought of before and in ways I hadn't thought of either. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me feel so many different emotions! It kept me at the edge of my seat, too, and I so wish it didn't have to end!
It was a fantastic testament to God's love, like, y'all, all the faith scenes, and how many there were, was amazing! The writing was amazing, too, and I loved how Jamie Ogle added the letters into the story, too!

To be honest, before reading this book, I never thought of the origins of Valentine's Day, but now, I love to think how it might have actually started similarly to how it was done in this book.

If there was any book I'd for sure say you should read at least once in your life (other than the Bible), this one would be it!


~Characters~
Iris: Y'all, her testimony, and just how her walk to and with Christ was, was amazing! (Her father's, too) Her character as a whole was so good. She was very relatable, too!
(Lowkey, I do ship her more with Titus than Valentine, mainly at the beginning and end of the book, like, I really hope she ends up with him a couple years or so down the road… which I know I'm in the minority of… but that's besides the point.)

Valentine: Honestly, he's all I could want in a character. Like, he's definitely the type of man I would want to marry irl. His story was very touching, and I loved how prevalent his faith and God was in his life. Like, he was so caring, and kind, and I so, so wish his story didn't end as it did, but I know the story wouldn't have been as impactful if it had ended differently.


~Book Cover Rating~
10/10 It's so gorgeous imo, and I think it fits the story so well!


~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)

Trigger Warnings:
None that I can think of.

Faith based/Christian:
Lots of talking about God and their faith, reading scriptures, attending church. There was characters leading other characters to Christ.

Other Religious Content:
Many mentions of false gods, praying to false gods. Mentions of incense and temples.

Violence:
A mention that maybe they should slit their wrists (sarcastically, though). Mentions of Christians being killed in the arena. Death. Blood. Wounds. A character being shot with arrows, and beaten with clubs, and animals attacking them. Mentions of an accident where a character fell off a high roof, leading to her having many broken bones and losing her eyesight.

Sexual Content/Romance:
Hints and mentions of prostitutes. A man wanted to have a lady as a mistress. Falling in love. Kissing (not detailed). Weddings.

Magic:
None

Bad Language:
None

LGBTQ+:
None

Drugs/Alcohol:
Mentions of wine. Mentions of people getting/being drunk.

No drugs.


~Other Notes~
It's a standalone, and it's not in a series.


~My Age Recommendation~
16 years old and older.


~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Yes!!


~Will I reread this book at some point in time?~
Absolutely!!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. I don't even know where to begin with this review. I cried 3 different times as I viscerally felt the grief, pain, and enduring hope and devotion of faith tried by fire in this sobering but inspiring tale of what it looks like to give ALL for God's glory.
I will truly never see Valentine's day the same way again. Because of this book, I now know that this special day is so much more than candy, flowers, and cute cards can ever express.
I was so taken aback by what these characters had to endure to the point of calling my own "suffering" into question and crying out to God that I could have the same relentless surrender and humility in my own Christian walk. What are we really willing to sacrifice to serve God and those He calls us to serve?

To be honest, it took me a bit to get into the story and there were some slow parts that took me a little out of the story at times, but that was just a me thing. I ended up being extremely impressed at Jamie's well-researched depiction of the brutality of the Roman empire and the pagan torture they mercilessly inflicted on Christ followers.
Also, despite the age gap romance, it ended up totally winning me over, and I really felt the tragic climax of a true, beautiful and sacrificial love.
Even though I didn't make it to this until after Valentine's Day, I am SO GLAD I didn't keep passing this book by. I know rereading this is also a must because of the all-around depth the author crafted this story with.

🌹1 Thessalonians 4:13-18🌹

🎵I know how the story ends
We will be with You again
You're my Savior my defense
No more fear in life or death
I know how this story ends🎵

🌹Some non-spoiler quotes that just barely scratch the surface of this epic tale of faith and indomitable trust:

"No matter what happens—good or bad, by our estimation—it can always be redeemed by God for good if we trust Him.” (Romans 8:28 was quoted several times!!)

"Our lives are but single threads woven into the tapestry of history—of God’s story. Who can tell what picture our threads will complete?"

Will we choose to follow God? Is He worth the risk? Will we trust Him even when things don’t turn out the way we want?

[Lindsay Lemus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The faith in this book alone gets the 5 stars. The salvation stories in this book were amazing, especially during the terror and insanity that were the Romans.
I loved the look at early church history in this historical fiction and learning about the story behind St. Valentine or why we celebrate Valentines Day. I say historical fiction because this time period was 2 centuries after the Bible was finished, so it's technically not biblical times but early church history.
Valentine as a character was simply the best example of who a true Christ following leader is. The author did an excellent job portraying him as a humble shepherd caring for his flock in a time period ruled by barbaric rulers where it was difficult to live for God and not be persecuted or killed for your faith.
The pacing was slower than I would have liked, and there are some things I would have liked to be more fleshed out, but overall, this was a great experience, and I highly recommend it!

My review is my own and I greatly appreciate Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Bethany Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 longer RTC—-just spent the last several chapters of this book crying my eyes out. Good grief.

[Stacy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this!! The story, the characters and the faith were all amazing!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to do justice to this book with my review! It was a riveting, page turning, emotion filled journey!
I LOVED it!! Excellent in every way that I love most!
This is not just a Christian historical fiction novel with a bit of romance and drama. It is an amazing story of sacrificial love, and what that looks like from a spiritual level, as well as on a human level. The message of Salvation in Christ alone rings clear and true, and is portrayed in a very real way. This is not a light and fluffy read. It is full of emotion, drama, joy, heartache and relationships.
This author, Jamie Ogle, did an amazing job of researching historical facts, and then wove them together with her own creative inspirations. I was so very impressed with her style of writing, the flow, the characters, the settings, the language, the Scripture references. She did an excellent job of creating a believable atmosphere of Rome in the year 270 AD for Christians - very new in their faith and experiencing very real persecution.
One of my favorite quotes - "...He (God) asks it of us all. Death to selfish desires, to pride, to power, to having our own way, to anything that would keep us from following Him with our whole hearts."
>>That is what it's all about people. Following Jesus with our whole hearts and not allowing selfish desires to rule us. This book is a beautiful portrait of that belief.
I am very thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC of this book.
I am not required to give a good review. Everything expressed here is my own true opinions.
I hope this author will continue to write such amazing stories!!
And I hope this review will inspire you to give this book a try! I highly recommend it!
💜 💜

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars in the reread.

Thank you, Jamie and Tyndale House, for telling this important story - the little that is known about Valentine and what is known about Christians in the Roman Empire.
Mostly for telling the story about God, who is worthy and good and gives us a hope beyond this life.

Valentine got a happy ending, as all followers of Jesus are promised. Books like this break us out of our earthly perspective and open our eyes to an eternal one. This is a story about hope and the goodness of God. Valentine is just one man of a host that we'll meet in heaven who clung to both with his whole heart.

The details, world building, and humor are all fantastic. This is a high quality book worth your time.

[Jennifer Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been mulling over this review for days. This is a book that breaks any kind of tropes or molds or really expectations of what Christian historical fiction is. This book has it all--intrigue, romance, adventure, faith, and even humor. The secondary characters were endearing and well-rounded. The main characters were unforgettable.

This isn't a happily-ever-after book, but it does have a hopeful ending. It made me think a lot about standing for Christ in the face of persecution and about the contrast of the hope of the Gospel with the hopelessness of life apart from Christ. The most sobering part for me was the Christian parents who bravely faced death without knowing what would happen to their small children!

The writing and world-building are superb and the story is riveting. Highly recommend.

[Angela Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty. Gripping. Gut-wrenching. "Of Love and Treason" by Jaime Ogle is a soul-stirring tome that recounts the origins of Valentine and the harsh realities faced by the early Christian Church in Rome.

Ogle's fresh prose breeze across crumbling scrolls of Ancient History, whisking the imagination back in time, amid a whirlwind of dust and sand and rose petals. Immersive descriptions and nuanced characters guide the reader through a harrowing story that explores the depths of human depravity and heights of Christ's divine love.

If you're searching for a story that will challenge and inspire your faith, add "Of Love and Treason" to your TBR!

TW: Sexual assault. Persecution of Christians. Violence, torture & execution.

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

💗The setting was fantastic - Rome in 270 AD and the early-ish church (what do we call this era of the church, guys? I'm drawing a blank here.). The author clearly did her research - every time i came across something that seemed anachronistic to me, and I looked it up.... yep, totally a feature of ancient Rome!

💗The story was intense: we get the perspective of 4 characters (Valentine, Iris, Titus, and Quintus), and each one of them is feeling the pressure of a different situation. On top of that, each character is intertwined with the others, so the pressures they are feeling individually also affect the others in a variety of ways.

💗The narration of the story was gripping and emotional. Towards the end, there was a scene where I cried - it was very touching and some parts were a little bit difficult to read.

💗I have only two complaints: one, the epilogue was really really rushed. Honestly, that epilogue needs to be a whole 'nother book. And two, the language felt very modern. This isn't really a criticism, honestly, because clearly, there's no English equivalent to Latin that would make sense to the modern reader. It would be pointless to have them speak in antiquated English... so I'm not sure what would be the right solution here, but I do feel like the speech patterns and dialogue were very modern. It did take me out of the story a little bit, but honestly.... like I said, I'm not sure how it could be "fixed" or even if it's really broken.

💗Very strong faith elements!

💗Content warning: there are a couple brief torture scenes. I HATE torture scenes with a passion and cannot read them, but these were not too much for me. I also kinda skimmed them, so there's that.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story behind St Valentines.
I am always amazed by how much books can teach us - fiction, non-fiction, a combination!

CITY OF ROME SEPTEMBER, AD 269
Iris, a jailor’s daughter, had been blind for seven years.
Valentine is a Christian in a time where Christians are being persecuted. Then the Enperor releases an edict that new marriages cannot occur following an order for all unmarried men to be conscripted. Valentine becomes known as a Friend of Lovers, completing marriages in secret - a treasonous act.

What I love about this was how the story showed miracles are not a norm. They are not expected. Additionally, being a human means having free will to act as we see fit. Serving ourselves, others, the world, God.

“We’re told that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.” He hesitated. “All things might be good things, and they might be terribly difficult things.”
“That’s not very comforting.” She tilted her face away and shivered as a swirl of wind shot over them.
“Maybe not.” He shrugged. “And yet it is. Because we have the assurance that no matter what happens—good or bad, by our estimation—anything can always be redeemed by God for good if we trust Him.”

By combining fact with fiction, a love story with hope, despair, and scripture; made this a touching read.

The writing was simple yet engaging, making this a quick read.

“Love that has no will of its own is not love at all; it’s servitude—worse, it’s slavery.”

I would recommend this to fans of A Voice in the Wind.

Bookstagram

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful debut. Full review coming soon.

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’ve realized that retelling about well-known stories, like Valentine, or biblical retellings aren’t the genre for me. (with the exception of a few books, like Erin Phillips). The biggest reason why is because I’m so familiar with the story that the plot twists or climax scenes almost fall short because I already knew they were coming. Of course, that means the author was staying as true to the original story as possible, while taking some creative liberties, so it means they wrote an authentic version!

I will say that this book is filled with faith, clean romance, and thought-provoking themes, and I so appreciated that! Even though this book wasn’t for me, I’m sure many others would enjoy it, so don’t allow my review to deter you from reading it. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Of Love and Treason. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

[Breny and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless. One of the best books I've ever read. Top 3 of the year, FOR SURE.

[Malia Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's taken me a few days after reading to compile my thoughts for a review for this beautiful story. One of my favorite Christian historical fiction authors is Tessa Afshar and Jamie Ogle's storytelling is reminiscent of Afshar's: strong sense of setting, sweet found family, redemption arcs, and a clear sharing of the gospel ! Even though I read this in January, I know this will be on my top reads of this year for the way I was moved throughout the whole story.

Even though I had heard of the legends of Saint Valentine (the Cupid who secretly performed weddings during the Roman ban), I was thoroughly engaged in every part of this story. Iris and her fathers' transformation was just amazing and I related to Iris so much. I loved the side characters as well and was surprised by how much I laughed at some scenes! Overall, a beautiful story of the courage of doing the right thing/God's will over the fear of man.

We got glimpses of the ending throughout the story, but I was still crushed by it!!!! My heart!!!! What a roller coaster of emotions and I loved every second of it.

I got to listen to the audiobook and the narrator is incredible! Each character was distinct and the emotions were present in her narration.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me a few chapters to get into but by the end I was absolutely hooked! This historical fiction is set in Ancient Rome and the time of the early Roman church and details the beginnings of another persecution of the Christians. It’s a retelling of the story of St. Valentine. I really enjoyed it and I loved how beautifully the author wove together the story with characters strong in faith and fortitude based in the true God of the universe. It made me think about my own faith and pray that I too would be able to stand and able to trust God for miracles and also for when He chooses to answer in ways we don’t understand or that we would not prefer. What a beautiful faith rich historical fiction. Highly recommend!

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm speechless.

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Ogle’s OF LOVE AND TREASON is a must read! Beautifully written with a message for all believers committed to walking their faith no matter the trials and tribulations. Based on the St. Valentine’s legend, Ogle gives a convincing tale of what Valentine’s life could have been like during Emperor Claudius Gothicus’s violent reign in 270 AD/CE Rome.

The Story: Iris is a beautiful young woman blinded during an accident when she was fourteen. The daughter of a Roman jailor—Quintus—who is so far in debt he and his daughter may be sold into slavery. The debt was the result of Quintus’ investment in gods and goddesses to bring back his daughter’s sight. Something Tribune Braccus plans to exploit by taking Iris as his slave.

A “chance” encounter with Valentine at the bakery where she works sets in motion Iris’ journey of a miraculous healing and a healing of her soul. She and her father join Valentine’s underground church.

This Christian historical romance extrapolates from the obscure written history about Valentine in a convincing and inspiring way. With gritty realism of that brutal time for Christians, Ogle has stunningly written a story to be remembered.

What a timely book. Not because of its release in February, but because it addresses the question: Are you willing to die rather than recant your belief in the One True God and His Son. It is a question I asked myself throughout the book.

Highly recommended for readers who are looking for a deep, soul-searching story that is eloquently written.

I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful, impactful, heavy, and hopeful. It catapults what it truly means to be a Christian to stand up for what is right in a culture that pushes an evil agenda. It cuts to the heart and makes you question how much you trust God. It pushes you past your doubting thoughts that can become barriers into the hope we have in him. Even though persecution is scary he’s worth it and he’s worthy. Valentine’s Day will never be the same. I will honor a martyr who knew the goodness of God.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We must decide if God is worth trusting, when He does not answer our prayers the way we think He should… I promise, He is worth it.”

Of Love and Treason is the best Christian historical fiction I’ve read since the Mark of the Lion trilogy. And it’s just as devastating. It’s is a tragic story; we know from the first lines exactly how things will end. And yet it’s also achingly beautiful, on multiple levels. This is, above all, a tale of love in all its forms. We see the romantic love we’ve come to associate with the name Valentine. We also see familial love, the brotherly love of friends, and, above and through them all, the agape love of God, demonstrated through the sacrificial actions of His followers. Of Love and Treason utterly wrecked me, and I wish everyone would read it.

This is the story of Valentine, called the Cupid and haled as a hero by the people of Rome. When marriage is outlawed by the emperor, so that more soldiers can be drafted into the army, Valentine alone dares to defy the government and marry couples in the dead of night. History tells us that Valentine was martyred, slaughtered in the arena in A.D. 270. And just in case this isn’t known by the reader, Ogle reminds us on the very first page. And then she fleshes out this hero of the faith, breathing so much life and personality into a man whose legacy has been cheapened into chocolates and trite greeting cards. We see his life as a leader in the Church, as a notarius of Rome, as a treasured nephew and friend. We see him as a rebel, quietly defying Rome because he firmly believed that it was the right thing to do. We see him as a potential lover himself, falling gently in love long after he had given up on finding for himself what he facilitates in others. And we see him at the end, facing his death with so much grace and faith that it made my heart physically ache in my chest.

This is the story of Iris, a girl struck blind in an accident seven years ago. She is the daughter of a legionnaire turned jailer, and the father and daughter have incurred a tremendous amount of debt visiting priests and augurs, begging the gods for the return of Iris’s sight. Her disability disqualifies her from marriage, even before the marriage ban is in place. Titus, Iris’s best friend and a Praetorius, does all he can to help his friend and the man who has served as his surrogate father for so many years, but when their debt is called in, there’s nothing any of them can do. When she chances upon Valentine in the market one day, he promises to pray for her. She has no use for the Christian God but, when she has a flash of vision for the first time since the accident, she finds herself full of questions about Him, and determined to cross paths with Valentine again.

I’ve read a good bit of Christian fiction, and a lot of it feels more like clean fiction with occasional verses here and there. I’ve read a good bit of Christian historical fiction and it typically seems to fall into one of three camps: Biblical fiction, 1800s western fiction, or World War II fiction. There are of course exceptions, but those seem to be the biggest subdivisions of the genre. This book is none of those things. Of Love and Treason is an incredibly Christian story, down to the marrow. God was on every page of this story. It never felt cheesy, or trite. His presence rang so true. I also really loved the setting. Ogle did a brilliant job capturing the feel of Rome in this era; I was completely immersed.

And I need to talk about Ogle’s writing. This is a debut novel, and I was incredibly impressed by the craftsmanship. The occasional flashes forward to Valentine’s execution were exquisitely written, more poetic than the rest of the story. This tonal shift not only set these sections apart, but brought to mind the work of Madeline Miller, which is just about the highest compliment that can be paid to anyone’s prose, I think. The writing in the rest of the book was also fantastic, but a bit more workman-like, which suited the story being told. And Ogle’s presentation of the Gospel and prayer and all discussion of God never felt forced. Her presentation of early Church life and the faith of her characters felt as natural as breathing.

I loved everything about Of Love and Treason. It made me incredibly excited to read more of Ogle’s work. I will be preordering her next book as soon as possible. I was fascinated by this take on Valentine’s story, and find myself so interested to dig further into early Church history. But this story also made me excited to dig back into Christian fiction, to see how things have changed across the umbrella of the genre in the years I’ve been away. So thank you, Jamie Ogle, for crumbling my snobby, cynical aversion to Christian fiction as a whole. Your debut proved to me that it can be just as beautifully crafted as secular literature, but with so much food for my soul that fiction apart from Christ simply cannot offer. I so look forward to reading everything else you ever write!

[Darcy Schock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bittersweet heartbreaking and heartmending retelling of Valentine was so so good. Four POV’s intricately woven together tell a tale strong in themes of trust and dedication to the One true God.

Of Love and Treason is set in Rome during a time when they worshiped many gods. This story showcases the power of the One true God and brings to life ancient culture in a spectacular way.

It tugged on my heart in many ways and showcased the strong legacy of martyrs and their unwavering faith despite horrid persecution. It will be a re-read for me and I highly recommend it!