Oh, wow!
This book...I'm almost speechless by the weight and beauty of this story.
I'm glad I didn't know exactly what the subject of the story was before requesting because life feels deep right now, so my reading life....it's hard for me to read tragic stories...and while this was, it wasn't...because it was also hopeful. Encouraging. We aren't facing the persecution the early church did (with torture and arenas), but we are still facing the ramifications of the fall....and the hope of God's grace and mercy to meet us, where we are in our need. Beautifully written. I couldn't put it down.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Tyndale House Publishers for ARC.

Speechless. That is the one word I have after finishing this debut novel. Jamie Ogle brings you into the story with a heavy hitting scene that you can't help but turn the page and read the next and the next. This is a story that will stick with you and that you will want to chew on for a long while. The characters make you think and most important of all make you press into your faith in Jesus. It makes you think, what would I have done in that circumstance. I've been mulling over this book since I read it a week ago. It has lingered and will likely be in my top five books of the year. This book does deal with some heavy topics so when reading it come with that in mind. I sobbed at the ending even though I knew it was coming. (I rarely if ever cry at books). But it was the ending the book needed. The ending that will make you reflect back on your own life and the decisions you make daily. I cannot wait to read the need Jamie Ogle book. I will also never look at Valentine's Day the same way again.

“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.

"...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."

Beautiful, poignant, captivating, inspiring!

This is the first book I've read by Jamie Ogle, and I can not wait to read more! Biblical Fiction is my favorite genre and Jamie did not disappoint! This book has it all--intrigue, romance, adventure, faith, humor. The secondary characters were endearing and well-rounded. The main characters still have my heart, days later.

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.

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 end up joining Valentine’s underground church.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie Ogle for this gifted book!*

Synopsis: “Keep the faith, no matter what happens. God is good and does only good, even if others don’t. We can trust Him.” Iris goes about her day as she always has since a young teenager…in darkness. Injured and left blinded, Iris and her Roman jailor father have done everything possible to regain her sight and yet the Roman gods have failed them time and time again. But one day, a chance encounter with a young Christian leader named Valentine leaves her with the hope of a miracle, the possibility of a growing faith, and a chance at love. But when mistakes of the past catch up with Iris’s family, these three areas are tested in unimaginable ways. Can God still be good when life is so difficult?

Analysis: Jamie Ogle’s debut novel takes me back to the stories that first made me fall in love with historical fiction. Rich with historical detail and a beautifully written story, you’ll find yourself lost in the past and hoping for the characters’ future. You’ll heal, hurt, and hope right alongside the characters as they seek answers for their faith. Jamie’s storytelling weaves a timeless tale with difficult truths that will keep you turning the pages and wishing for more long after the story ends.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Warning for sensitive readers: This book includes events that depict the brutality of ancient Rome, including but not limited to stabbing, torture, and attempted rape.

This was an immersive tale with compelling characters. It seemed to have good historical knowledge, though I can't say so for sure since I'm not an expert on this era. What I appreciated most was the way the book handled with thoughtfulness and sensitivity the need for all types of healing, and the fact that God does not always choose to heal in this lifetime. This book was abundantly clear in sharing this and other Biblical truths.

As mentioned in my warning at the beginning of the review, this book is about a very violent time in history when many people had no rights or protections. That is all historically accurate. However, as a modern reader, I would have appreciated if the book had been a little bit more discreet in its handling of some topics (the attempted rape wasn't necessary to prove the author's point in that scene, especially in that level of detail. There is also a comment about suicide that felt too casual to me).

Overall, this is still an excellent book well worth reading. Modern Western Christians do not suffer the level of persecution that many Christians have (and still do) in other times and places; this book is full of good examples and reminders of how to stand in faith even when it costs one's life. Even though the book is written about events about 1700 years ago, it still feels fresh, immediate, and compelling.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary access to this eARC through NetGalley; I posted this review voluntarily with my honest opinions. I have also posted this review to Goodreads.

It’s been some time since I read a book set in this era. The time when emperors were gods and disobedience to them was punishable as treason.

In the third century after Christ, a Christian believer named Valentine was disobeying the emperor’s marriage ban and secretly marrying couples. He was even then known as the “Cupid.” In our story, Quintus and his blind daughter Iris became acquainted with Valentine and come to know the one true God through his witness. Iris especially experiences God’s miraculous touch in her life. The story is true to life; lots of scripture is quoted and these early believers suffered greatly for knowing and believing in the one true God.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Four and a half stars!

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle brings readers an insightful look into the early days of the Christian church and the courage and sacrifice of those living in such desperate times. Valentine is a public notarius in AD 270 in Rome and is also a devout Christian who leads a small secret house church.  When the emperor places a ban on marriages, Valentine believes that he must continue to provide the legal papers and perform marriage ceremonies, despite the risk to his own life. Valentine, or Val as his friends call him, believes that marriage is honorable in the sight of God and should continue as God has designed it.

Iris has longed to see again after losing her sight in an accident when she was just a child.  Her jailor father has spent all his money and even beyond his means with any and all attempts to find healing for Iris in all the idols and sorcerers of Rome, but with no success.  Iris's only hope lies with Valentine and the group that is dangerous to be associated with: the Roman Christians.  Through Val and the group of Christians, Iris not only finds healing  but also faith in God and spiritual sight.  Iris and her father's lives are utterly changed by their new faith and the community of believers in Rome.  However, the debts and shadows from the past still darken Iris and her father's future. With deep debts, betrayal, and constant threats facing them can Iris, Val, and the others learn how to trust God even when their lives are threatened. Can Iris and Val's friendship withstand the severe pressures ahead? Will this group of believers with various backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses be able to be bold when their faith is tested in the fire? Read Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle to discover for yourself!

I greatly appreciated this tale of faith, heartbreak, courage, redemption, love, and loss.  The characters were developed and brought to feel very real to the readers, not lacking faults or virtues.  I appreciated the somberness and reality of Christian life in those times as well as the way Ms. Ogle developed the plot. While there is a good mix of romance, suspense, and mystery, there is also a balance of the realities of life with its complications and messiness.

Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

Ever wondered how Valentine's Day came into existence? According to the author Jamie Ogle, the first mention in history of Valentine was during Emperor Claudius II's reign. While trying to stay historically accurate in Of Love and Treason, little documentation exists as to the events.

Of Love and Treason is a love story but, is first and foremost, a story showing the persecution of Christians and their reliance on faith. We are promised in Romans 8:28 that all things work for the good for those who love the Lord. Does our faith hold firm when we are in times of despair, of sickness, of persecution, of death?

Jamie Ogle masterfully writes of the strong faith and reliance on God and His goodness even in times of trouble. Be ready for a few tears as the story of Valentine and Iris is told. A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.

Of Love and Treason is a book that I requested based on the based description, the cover, and the title. I have never read any of her books before. But I was intrigued.

This book takes place in the brutal Roman era where the Christians are hunted and persecuted depending on which Emperor is ruling. Our lead characters are Val and Iris. Val is a scribe working as a notary by day--and a secret preacher of Christianity behind closed doors. Iris is a blind young lady who is doomed to spinsterhood because of her disability--no matter how much she and her father beseech the many Roman gods for healing. She works in a local bakery preparing the dough each day, while her father works as the local jailer. Unknownst to Iris her father has accumulated massive debt trying to pay sacrifices to the various gods in exchange for her healing--and now the Prefect has decided he will wipe away the debt--as long as her father gives Iris to the Prefect to "use". Her father is tortured in knowing what this means yet doesn't know HOW he will raise the money.

Iris and Val cross paths one day in the market when Iris is saved from being taken advantage in the market. As he leaves her, he tells her he would pray for her healing from blindness to the One God. She is puzzled by this and later when she's taken off guard by having a moment of sight after 7 years of darkness--she remembers what he said.

Val meanwhile is struggling in his job as a pastor in secret and notary during the day with the new ruling handed down from the emperor--NO marriages allowed for any single man. The emperor wants all the men to remain single so they can increase the number of soldiers in his army.---and this will effect even those soldiers who put in their time in the army and now want to marry. Val struggles because he KNOWS marriage is right and the Emperor is wrong--but to defy him and write marriage contracts much less MARRY people is an act of treason. Punishable by death. Does he obey the law or obey his conscience?

Through the course of the book Iris struggles with trying to understand how there can be only ONE God. But when she experiences a miracle, she can no longer deny the truth. Yet how do you worship and obey a God who allows bad things to happen to His people? Val struggles with maintaining secrecy in his role as "cupid" and protecting his family--and what about his new feelings for Iris?

You will go into the depths of the Roman prisons, the torture chambers, and yes even into the arena of the gladiators. And you will see a battle with believers to understand that "all things work together for good"--even if they aren't good things. Can you truly stay faithful when YOU are the one being persecuted and losing everything?

For some reason I didn't make the connection that this was going to be an imagined story for the life of Saint Valentine. I didn't connect that until like half way through. But then I don't keep Valentines Day or believe in saints--so it just wasn't in my radar! LOL. But if you DO know the history, then you will probably enjoy this book even more.

There are some great encouraging quotes for any Christian tucked into here. And seeing what the life was like FOR a Christian during that time is well done.

4 Stars
**A complimentary copy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest revie

A beautifully written historical fiction that captivates readers with its unique narrative of Valentine and his journey. The story is full of emotion, drama, intrigue, and inspiration. So expertly written, you feel as if you are on this long ago journey with the characters. It flows so smoothly you quickly lose yourself in the story.

This author’s style was reminiscent of one of my favorites, Francine Rivers. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was not only entertaining but thought provoking. It is a must read!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

OF LOVE AND TREASON by JAMIE OGLE is based on the story behind Valentine’s day and is a really worthwhile read as we are taken into the Roman world in the third century AD where a group of believers,led by Valentine Favius Diastems, meet at the house of Marius and Martha and their friends. It is an extremely difficult and dangerous time for Christians who are being persecuted when they refuse to recant theit trust in the One True God. Not only does the emperor feel that Rome is losing strength because people are neglecting the worship of their many deities, but he has also banned marriage in otder to keep men from getting out of military service. Val is a notarius who performs marriages at night…..
Iris is blind. Her father, Quintus Magius, the jailer, is heavily in debt from spending money on offerings to the gods, who are failing to restore her sight. However, when Val prays things happen that change their lives forever…..
The story is strongly based on Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” and other Bible verses that remind us of God’s goodness and power. We see the courage of these Christians as they stand together praising God and serving one another and those less fortunate.
There is not only faith and unconditional love but there is also berayal and brutality.
Of Love and Treason is really excellent biblical fiction and a book I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

"Of Love and Treason" is set in 269-270 AD in Rome. I thought a novel would be a fun way to learn about Valentine only to learn that he might not have even existed and the little that's recorded is conflicting. The author has done a lot more research than me, but this story didn't even seem to match the various legends beyond Val was a Christian leader who prayed that a blind daughter of a judge or jailor would see again when they presented it as a test.

Val was portrayed as such a thoughtful, kind, and courageous man that it was hard to read the scenes of him being tortured and martyred. (While not highly graphic, we do get a rundown of the various torture devices, how they're used, and how much pain Val was in during his ordeal.) I loved the Christian message: the cost of standing firm and reaching out to unbelievers during a period of persecution and how Iris struggled with how God is real and good because He gave her back her sight, but how can she trust a God that doesn't always protect His followers?

My main problem was that the main characters just didn't act realistically. Iris was under threat of being sold to her father's superior officer to be raped, beaten, and maimed. He was initially a serious threat, then suddenly Iris came out of hiding and went about in public with no thought to the threat. The evil man knew Titus cared for her yet didn't have someone follow him as he repeatedly went to visit her hiding spot. In another case, Val was threatened with death and warned to leave Rome that day, but his pride kept him there because his church needed him. Hello, he won't be there to teach them if he's dead, now will he? Val's supposedly in hiding but would go out in public both at night and during the day to help his doctor host. He also barged into the clinic when unknown people were present. And so on. It's like he had a death wish. Then, at the end, a lot of people we know and like were unexpectedly killed. The ending felt rushed and wasn't very satisfying.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I might recommend this to Christians who want to know what it was like for a Christian to live in Rome under persecution.

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.

This intriguing read pulled me back to Roman life in A.D. 270. Val is a Roman notary and an early day church leader. He is drawn to a beautiful blind woman and begins to pray for her healing. Iris is the daughter of a Roman jailer who has gotten into deep debt trying to find a cure for his daughter's vision. Quintus is a Roman soldier and speculatore charged with finding the cupid who continues to perform marriage ceremonies in defiance of the emperor's marriage ban. Is there one true God who has the power to heal? Why does He allow evil to happen? Of Love and Treason is a fascinating story that will linger in your mind long after you finish the last page and give you a whole new perspective on the meaning of Valentine's Day.

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!
💜 💜

This is the book I have been waiting my whole life to read. The beautiful story set in ancient Rome about St. Valentine. It was absolutely wonderful and romantic and heartbreaking (at how early Christians were treated) and the lengths a good person will go to ensure others' happiness. It was uplifting, well-written, and I couldn't put it down. Thank you so much to the publisher!

Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle is a compelling read. The setting is Rome in AD 270, yet a blind, twenty-something, Iris, who works in a bakery kneading bread and caring for her widowed and sometimes drunken father can subtly make you care. It is a time of Christian persecution, which Ogle fills with the kind of tension Jews of Nazi Germany must have felt. Beware, once you start reading, you won’t want to put the book down, even though you may be afraid to turn the next page.

The concept is fantastic and the historical research often sings. The portrait of daily life in Rome and the perceived Christian threat is well realized . In the flash forwards to Valentine's death in the ring there is a strong, somber urgent voice I wish had driven the whole story. While a very interesting debut but I did find the tone anachronistic to the serious subject matter. People chuckled and giggled and groaned a lot. Their stomachs rumbled constantly They exchanged puns and quips more of our time. This makes for an accessible read of a tragic but hopeful tale but did draw me out of the story several times. For someone who had so little to go on, Ogle fleshes out a vibrant Roman world populated with a tapestry of characters who all have a part to play in the legend of st Valentine. Fans of Connilyn Cosette and Francine Rivers will be at home. Truthfully I'm surprised this is the first we're seeing of this story in mainstream CBA fiction and I hope Ogle attempts another unique-to-the-market story again soon