book REVIEWS

  • “Collins’s piercing exploration of faith, sacrifice, and redemption gives this epic love story an intricate depth often missing in similar titles.”
    BOOK LIFE / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
  • “A complex and ambitious adventure… Listeners are in for a treat— sound effects and dialogue create a cinematic audio production emphasizing love, faith, and resistance. Listeners will be immersed in a vivid ancient world they won’t
    soon forget.”
    KIRKUS REVIEWS
  • “An incredible story of Valentine’s life—well told with a cast of secondary characters who either wish to bed him or murder him—an immersive tale with a surprising twist that shows that true love never dies!”
    The Historical Fiction Company
  • “Collins’ epic historical adventure and romance is full of pulse-pounding scenes. The Audiobook is a cinematic full-cast production with soundtrack, effects, and vivid sound mixing. The enhanced audio demonstrates how to bring a high-stakes tale to life.”
    American library association (Booklist)
    Heather Booth
  • “Collins has written a riveting, page-turning story about an elusive historical figure we celebrate every February the fourteenth. In his cinematic account, we get a fascinating look at how he might have lived and loved in Ancient Rome!”
    SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW
    Susan Miller
  • “The Legend of Valentine is an entertaining historical novel about action, love, and what it means to have faith. In time, the storylines intersect via Valentine himself, leading to a final plot twist that befits the preceding spirited adventure and that exceeds expectations, resulting in final satisfaction.
    FOREWORD
    Katy Keffer
  • “A powerful novel that asks as much of the reader as it does of its hero. It stands as a definitive recommendation for anyone drawn to cinematic sagas, where the clash of swords in ancient Rome meets the deeper collision of faith and duty, a story both grandly epic and achingly human.”
    Chanticleer Book Review
  • “Collins’s creation of a vivid interpretation and exploration of the legend of Saint Valentine deserves widespread acclaim, and will reach a large audience of historical fiction readers.”
    MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
    D. Donnovan
  • “THE LEGEND OF VALENTINE delivers an arresting fusion of meticulously researched historical fiction, star-crossed romance, and spiritual rebirth.“
    INDIE READER
    Edward Sung
  • “Readers looking for a historical novel full of drama and intriguing characters will enjoy The Legend of Valentine. The narrative is cinematic, with lots of action, conflict, and betrayals. The characters are well-drawn and distinct.”  
    BLUE INK REVIEW 
  • “Through this book, Collins presents his impressive talents as a writer, storyteller and historian as he blends heart-stopping action with tender moments of passion, faith, and sacrifice.“
    Book Trib
    Natalie Kavale
  • “The Legend of Valentine is a powerful tale about love’s triumph over adversity. Collins melds history and myth, offering readers a unique perspective on a
    timeless story.“
    READERS FAVORITE
    Carol Thompson
  • “I loved getting to read The Legend of Valentine! LOVE, LOVE… thrilled with the book!“
    LAURIE CHITTENDEN
    Former Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins & Penguin Group
  • “I congratulate you because the 3rd century is an extremely complex period. Moreover, the religious topic is very sensitive, and it’s easy to portray it as a good versus evil fight that makes the characters seem almost like a parody. Instead, here they feel like
    real people.    “
    Chiarra Torrisi
    Historical Consultant with Master’s in Archaeology & Ancient History from the University of Turin
  • “I did enjoy The Legend of Valentine!! Bonam Fortunam!”
    PROFESSOR KIRA JONES
    Historical Consultant, Expert on 3rd Century Roman Empire, Professor of Latin at
    Emory University
  • “Collins has crafted a powerful work with The Legend of Valentine, one that will captivate readers and stay with them long after the final page.“
    Lee Holden
    Qigong Master, Energy Healer, TV Personality. Author of Ready, Set, Slow and 7 Minutes of Magic, Founder of Holden Qigong
  • “What I found most compelling was how Collins brings the slow-burning themes of love, faith, and defiance into a powerful crescendo within the plot, creating a story that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever stood up for what they believe in, despite the consequences. Overall, I highly recommend The Legend of Valentine to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a perfect blend of romance and social commentary.”
    Readers favorite
    K.C. Finn
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • “a masterful blend of romance, action, and political intrigue—truly a page-turner from start to finish“
    NETGALLEY REVIEW
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • “perfect balance of action, historical depth, and vivid depictions of warfare. It’s not just a romance—it’s a gripping tale of loyalty, sacrifice, and the clash between faith and empire. A must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction with equal parts heart and grit.“
    Netgalley review
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • “an exceptional blend of history, action, and romance that held me from beginning to end. It’s my favorite book of the year. Highly recommend!”
    NETGALLEY REVIEW
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Collins’s historical backdrop is meticulously rendered, and I especially found the portrayals of Roman military life and political scheming to be the best parts of his writing. Overall, this is a well-done Christian historical novel that leans into the era’s turmoil, the quiet resilience of early believers of Christ, and the fictionalized bedrock of a day now and forever dedicated to love.
    READERS FAVORITE
    Jamie Michele
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • “Collins took the histories of what we know about Rome and its citizens and created a phenomenally detailed well written historical romance that immerses the reader into the intricate plot.“
    NETGALLEY REVIEW
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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