We are excited to feature Sheldon Collins’s debut novel The Legend of Valentine, a sweeping tale of love, sacrifice, and defiance set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire.
The story unfolds in 268 AD, when Rome is ruled by cruelty and fear. At its center is Valentine, a once-feared warrior who narrowly survives death and is forever changed by Agatha, a woman whose blindness hides extraordinary courage. Through their love, Valentine finds a new calling: to defy imperial law by secretly performing marriages for Christian couples. Each ceremony risks his capture and execution, yet with every vow spoken he plants the seeds of resistance against tyranny. As his defiance intensifies, Valentine’s actions ripple far beyond his lifetime, giving rise to the enduring tradition of Valentine’s Day. More than a love story, this novel is a chronicle of rebellion and faith, where devotion shines brightest in the darkest times.
Enjoy an Excerpt
They stood facing each other, Rose towering over Bear, her height and poise only deepening his discomfort. With a deep breath, she leaned down to kiss him, her lips hovering close to his as he awkwardly closed his eyes and puckered. But just as their lips were about to touch, Rose pulled back.
“This isn’t right,” she exclaimed as she sat back on the log.
“What is it?” he demanded, his heart now racing at the thought of actually kissing her.
“You’re at a disadvantage,” Rose replied, her gaze lingering on his stature.
“What do you mean?” he asked
“The man I am to wed will likely be taller than me. It makes little sense to practice with somebody of your height,” she explained, her voice tinged with defeat.
Bear’s frustration was evident, but inspiration quickly lit his eyes. Scanning the riverbed, he announced, “I have an idea.” Quickly springing into action, he gathered flat rocks and assembled them into a makeshift platform. With a satisfied grin, he climbed on top, elevating himself slightly above Rose’s height. “There. How’s this?”
Rose’s smile widened at his ingenuity. “Perfect,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she stood up and approached him.
As her lips neared him, he leaned down awkwardly while balancing on the rocks, his heart pounding in anticipation. Suddenly, their lips met. The sensation sent a surprising shiver down each of their spines. But as they drew closer, Bear’s balance betrayed him, and he toppled into the river with a startled shriek.
Emerging from the water, soaked and sputtering, he caught Rose doubled over in laughter. “You must work on your balance, Bear!” she teased, her laughter echoing through the forest.
“I will never do that again!” he declared, his pride wounded.
Rose, still chuckling, offered a playful retort: “Yes, you will!”
“No, I will not!”
Rose turned and ran off through the forest toward a meadow, her laughter trailing behind her as she playfully chanted, “Yes, you will! Yes, you will!”
“Wait for me!” he called, pausing briefly to strap on his sandals before resuming his chase. Suddenly, he halted and hid behind a tree, his gaze fixed on a formidable figure advancing across the meadow on horseback. It was Rose’s father—the town’s jailer, a man feared by many and someone Bear instinctively knew to avoid.
“Daughter, the hour has come,” her father declared as he approached Rose and drew her onto his steed. “And how many times must I remind you not to wander off into the forest without permission?”
“Wait.” She hesitated, her gaze darting back toward the forest in search of Bear’s familiar figure, but he was nowhere in sight.
“What is it?” her father pressed, his brow furrowed as he followed her gaze.
“It’s nothing,” Rose replied, lowering her head. She knew better than to reveal her relationship with Bear, wary of her overly protective father’s reaction.
With a gentle kick, her father urged the horse forward, and they departed from the forest.
Hardly able to contain his emotions, Bear stepped out from behind a tree and called out to her: “Rose!”
Unheard by her father, she turned in her saddle and gave Bear a small, heartfelt wave in farewell. Bear waved back, feeling a hollow ache begin to settle in his heart. As the horse picked up speed and galloped away, Rose clutched her father and turned her head forward. A tear rolled down Bear’s cheek as the truth dawned on him—his feelings for Rose ran deeper than friendship. Silently, he had always imagined them growing old together, a future he had never dared voice to his first and only true love.
About the Author: 
Sheldon Collins built his career in Hollywood, where he wrote and directed films that were praised for their narrative depth and showcased at international festivals before airing on premium television. With The Legend of Valentine, he translates that cinematic storytelling to the page in his first novel, complemented by a multi-cast audiobook edition he co-directed. He lives in California with his wife and daughter, where he enjoys the outdoors—surfing, skiing, hiking, and biking—as well as music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Collins holds a BA in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute, blending academic insight with directorial expertise in his fiction.
Learn more on his website or follow him on Instagram.
Buy the book at Amazon.
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