As Sure as the Sea was difficult to put down! Several moments had me on the edge of my seat, wondering if I would be crying or breathing a sigh of relief at the end of the book. The characters throughout are memorable, and I was excited to remeet some familiar ones. My heart ached for Demitria and Nikolas and all they faced, and their story made me consider how "easy" being a Christian in the Western world is today. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you to Tyndale for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle is an awe-inspiring Christian Historical Fiction novel that immerses readers in the trials and tribulations of the ancient church under the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Through the lens of Demetria, a young woman who carries many burdens, both spiritual and emotional, the author weaves a tale of strength, hope, and courage in the face of unspeakable horrors.

The story opens with Demetria sinking to the bottom of the sea with a stone tied to her ankle. And takes the reader for a well-researched, in-depth look at coral diving. Without the aid of scuba equipment, it was amazing how long Demetria could stay underwater to gather coral and even oysters before her lungs burst. But the water for Demetria was like a second home. Yes, it had its dangers, but it also brought her a sense of calm.

After a heart-stopping first chapter, we are then introduced to our other main character, Nikolas. Like Demetria, Nikolas had regrets he lived with, things he wished he’d done better. Both characters had pasts that haunted them and it is through their love of God and struggles with these inner turmoils that their affection for each other and their faith and trust in God grows.

In the setting for this story, the church is in hiding and cannot buy or sell anything without a libelli, a token (or mark if you will). It was an official certificate that confirmed the owner had performed the required sacrifices and worshipped the emperor. Without the libelli to buy food or get a job, Christians relied on each other. In this story, the churches had an underground network of sorts, where they shared food, grain, etc.

I loved the attention to detail in this story. However, some may find those details a little hard to handle, as it describes the torture Christians faced if they did not deny God. But, it is needed so that the reader can understand the danger and the cost involved in following Jesus.

There was only one part of the story that gave me pause because it was left unanswered. A character was introduced (Timothy) and he believed in heretical teachings. Nikolas, as pastor to the church felt he needed to address the issue. He gathered the elders and they discussed what to do and then, you never hear about the results. So, I was surprised the reader was left hanging on this.

Despite that missing thread, the author has brilliantly portrayed the inner turmoil of the mind when we fail God. This was Demetria’s and Nikolas's biggest regret and I loved how both grew into their faith.

If you need a boost to your faith or are wondering how the early church survived, this is a must-read for you. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley, for my honest review.

This is a new author for me. She did not disappoint. I enjoyed this story to the fullest.
Wonderful characters that will leave you thinking about them long after this is over. In fact, the way the whole storyline went it will leave you amazed.
Lots of action that will keep you engaged and some twists and turns that I never saw coming.
I loved this novel about the early church and all they went through..
There is some romance along the way too.
The way she described these places made feel like I was in the storybwoth Demi and Nikolas. I really enjoyed their adventures so much that I hated to see their story end.
This will be one of my favorite review stories of 2024.
5 stars for a wonderful adventure. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
All opinions are mine

Wow! This book blew me away! The imagery is fantastic. The underwater world of the Mediterranean came to life in my mind.

The characters are written brilliantly! Demi is AMAZING!! She's strong, physically, and mentally. She is devoted to caring for the church, even to the point of risking her life several times. She also carries guilt over a decision she made in the past. Nikolas has a heart for the church and for others in need. His compassion often gets him into sticky situations. Rex is another favorite. His exuberant personality has a calming effect on others.

The time period that the book is set in (AD 310) is an especially difficult time to be a Christian. Persecution is at an all-time high. Sometimes, trust was put in the wrong person, and the result was horrible.

The part that brought a smile to my face involves an orange. I'll leave that part a mystery!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I LOVED this book. I don't read a lot of books set in this time period--310 AD, but I may have to start. As a Christian, I enjoyed reading a book set in the early church time. While it is fiction, it sparked my interest in learning more about this time period/what Christians endured then.

The characters were really well-developed. While not perfect, they were likable and their character development was great. The plot was steady, keeping my attention so much that I stayed up too late to finish it.

The writing is very good. I haven't read anything by Jamie Ogle, but I will look for her other books. Ogle managed to write a difficult time in church history with hope. It was really well done.

Overall, wonderful book for fans of Christian fiction or historical fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of the book. My thoughts are my own.

As Sure as the Sea offers a fascinating glimpse into the hazards, persecutions, and challenges faced by early Christians at a particular time and place in the Roman Empire. The faith required to stand firm under those circumstances was inspiring. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and seeing them work through their struggles and find their courage. I also enjoyed getting to know their world through their day to day experiences, including diving for precious coral and pearls. Despite recognizing a historical figure, I didn’t know how his story would end, and I was kept very much on the edge of my seat, especially as the story approached its conclusion! Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley for review purposes.

As Sure as the Sea is the first book I have read written by Jamie Ogle and I look forward to reading some more. It was fun to dive into some early church history.

The character development was great. I loved getting to know Demitria and Nikolas and the others in the church. Seeing the trauma that they both went through and how they grew in their faith was encouraging.

The storyline and setting were great. It really gave a great picture of what the early church went through. When they being persecuted and what they went through to spread the gospel during those dark times. Some of the scenes of persecution almost brought me to tears just thinking about what they endured even while maintaining their faith. The setting was perfect. I could really picture the story well.

The romance was great. It was sweet and slow building, as they resisted their feelings for a while. I loved watching them grow.

Jamie Ogle did a fantastic job intertwining faith throughout the whole novel. It was really encouraging to be able to see where our faith started and grew during those times of the early church. Just imagining the faith, they had to have during this time period.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book because it delves deeply into themes of redemption and personal growth. Demi’s struggle to reconcile her past mistakes with her hopes for the future felt incredibly real and emotional, keeping me invested in her journey. The historical backdrop of Roman persecution added a sense of urgency and danger, making the stakes even higher. I found myself reflecting on the idea of second chances and how difficult it can be to move forward when burdened by shame. While the plot was a bit predictable, the combination of heartfelt emotion and rich historical context made this a powerful and memorable read. I give this book 4.5 stars

Beautiful writing in both story and description. It was such a poignant look at the early church and how much persecution they endured, and how much it changed everything for them in the way the had to live, but how it gave them purpose and compassion towards others despite their suffering.

I loved both Demi’s and Nikolas’ perspectives and struggles, and how they fought for each other to realize redemption and Jesus’ true heart of acceptance and forgiveness towards his people, rather than a spiteful god we are afraid he will be - dolling out condemnation and rejection. Their stories of mistakes and failures were relatable and told beautifully.

I actually had no idea this was a reimagined story about St Nickolas till maybe halfway thru, so that made the book even better. The irony is I read it the week before Christmas, so very fitting. I loved how Nikolas’ heart for others changed the trajectory of the church there to not be internalized and self-preserving but generous and accepting.

Also, absolutely loved seeing Iris, Titus and Beatrix from Of Love and Treason. Book crossovers are my favorite.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

“We cannot allow ourselves to dwell on what is coming and what we must endure. But instead set our eyes on our living hope. God will be our strength.”

Author Jamie Ogle takes readers to ancient Turkey where Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts have created chaos and terror and introduces us to a 20-year-old coral harvester and pearl diver from Myra who is plagued with guilt at choices she’s made. When Demetria meets Nikolas, the town’s new pastor who is also wrestling with guilt, she’s offered a second opportunity at courage and a chance to stand up for her beliefs.

This is a spectacular story showcasing the power and freedom of forgiveness. I was encouraged in my spiritual walk, making it easier for me to stand up for my convictions in the trials ahead. We may not live in fear as those under Diocletian’s rule, but we will be given an opportunity to free ourselves from the shame/guilt of past choices and an opportunity to profess our beliefs. Will we take advantage of these options?

I appreciated an opportunity to look into the reasons for imposing libelli and the performance of sacrifices as much as I appreciated the reminder of God’s mercy and the need for repentance. I identified with the struggle Demetria has with worthiness and took heed to the warnings in the narrative.

“There is no glory in rebellion. Only suffering.”

This spectacular story with a unique setting, unforgettable characters and an important message is not one to be missed!

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

This was my first book by Jamie Ogle - but it definitely won't be my last. What a lovely, lovely story. It had everything I was looking for - lyrical writing, a captivating, endearing heroine, wonderful historical accuracy, and romance. One of the things I really appreciated was that it felt authentic to me - that the heroine was real (not a 21st century woman magically implanted into the ancient world). I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as I wanted to know how this would end. Highly recommended and I can't wait to own this novel in print!

AS SURE AS THE SEA by JAMIE OGLE is a beautifully written novel in which the author immerses us into the early church in Myra in 310AD, which had been started by the apostle Paul two decades earlier. Her characters are beautifully portrayed as they serve the Lord and one another, battling against an insufficiency of food and the fear of capture and execution. There is a sense of family amongst the believers as they meet together in secret, taking communion and remembering what the Lord did for them on the cross, and reading the scriptures together, agaiinst the background of pagan feasts and rituals and the fear of betrayal.
Demitria and her brother Theseus are divers working for Mersad, the “self proclaimed jeweller of the seas”, eking out a living as best they can along the Lycian coast. I love the descriptions of the sea and the surrounding beauty, and the very relevant scriptures on which the God fearing characters base their lives.
Nikolas arrives from Patara as a replacement pastor, and, as a cover, teaches latin at the boys’ school where Titus and his family live and lesd the church. Both Demi and Nikolas have feelings of guilt and struggle to forgive themselves and feel God’s forgiveness for things they have done in the past. Will they stand strong when their lives unravel and their faith is tested?
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I was so engrossed in the story that I could not put the book down. I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational read strongly enough. It is the first of this author’s novels that I have read and it most certainly will not be the last!
I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I loved Of Love and Treason so when I saw this one coming out I just had to read it!!!
So good! One of my favorites! I look forward to more from this author.