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Synopsis:
Set in the turbulence of 3rd-century Rome, The Legend of Valentine reimagines the man behind one of history’s most enduring figures. Far from the greeting-card myth, Sheldon Collins brings Saint Valentine to life as a soldier, a lover, and a reluctant saint caught in a time of political upheaval and religious persecution.
As the Roman Empire trembles under shifting loyalties and the rise of a forbidden faith, Valentine is pulled in conflicting directions — sworn to duty as a soldier, yet bound by a dangerous love that defies the empire’s rule. His struggle is not just for survival, but for the right to live and love authentically, even when sacrifice is the only path forward.
Blending meticulous historical detail with a deeply human story, The Legend of Valentine is both intimate and epic. It explores timeless themes of love, loyalty, faith, and resilience, reminding readers that the heart of legend is not myth, but humanity.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KtVh9S
Bio:
Sheldon Collins is an award-winning storyteller whose career began in Hollywood as a screenwriter and director. His films, praised for their narrative power and character depth, have been featured on premium television and at international film festivals.
A graduate of UC Berkeley (BA in Rhetoric) and the American Film Institute (MFA in Directing), Collins brings a filmmaker’s sensibility to his fiction. His debut novel, The Legend of Valentine, reimagines the life of Saint Valentine in ancient Rome. He also co-directed its groundbreaking audiobook adaptation, featuring eighteen professional voice actors, cinematic sound design, and an original score by Grammy-nominated composer Stephen Endelman.
Collins lives in California with his wife and daughter. Outside of writing and directing, he enjoys outdoor pursuits such as biking, hiking, surfing, and skiing, as well as immersing himself in music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Author Links
https://www.facebook.com/authorsheldoncollins
https://www.instagram.com/sheldon_collins_author
Excerpt
From a commanding perch atop the looming mountain, concealed within the cloak of
shadows, lurked a menacing threat. A formidable contingent of fifty Alemanni lay in wait,
poised to unleash a devastating ambush on the empress’s entourage. These Germanic warriors,
notorious for their fierce raids into Roman territory, exuded a ferocity that had shaken the empire
in recent years. They brandished long, imposing swords with razor-sharp, double-edged blades
and curved axes crafted for maximum devastation. Complementing this infantry’s armament
were stout shields and a cache of bows and arrows. An enduring enemy of Rome, the Germanic
tribe stood resolute, eager to strike against the Romans.
Behind the scouts, additional Alemanni were busily soaking large hay bales, bound
tightly with rope and soaked in oil. Nearby, small bonfires cast a flickering glow. Positioned
adjacent to these fires, units of archers stood motionless, their gazes filled with hatred as they
gazed down upon the legionnaires.
Amid this hidden assembly of warriors, an imposing Alemanni forced his way to the
forefront. His bald head and untamed beard heralded the onset of the impending conflict.
“Angriff! Für die Ehre der Alamannen!” bellowed the outlander in his native tongue,
commanding his men to attack in honor of the Alemanni.
Suddenly, the Alemanni ignited their torches, set the hay bundles ablaze, and unleashed
them, letting them tumble down the hillside. The ropes that bound them eventually unraveled as
they rolled, transforming them into blazing spheres that scorched the earth. Concurrently, the
archers ignited their arrows, releasing a volley that filled the sky, creating a rain of iron.
The Romans, oblivious to the impending danger, continued their march toward the
tumultuous river. Suddenly, surging infernos rolled down upon them, followed by the flaming
arrows from above. The savage cries of the Alemanni pierced the air, striking a chilling note that
seemed to freeze the soul.
“Take cover!” Valentine shouted, his eyes widening at the barrage of arrows and rolling
bales of fire hurtling toward them.
Bloodcurdling screams erupted from the Romans as the blazing hay engulfed them,
setting aflame the front ranks of soldiers. A deluge of arrows rained down next, finding their
marks among the legionnaires. The sight of barbarians, having breached the Alps and now
standing on Italia’s soil, filled the Romans with a terror as consuming as the flames themselves.
“Protect the empress!” shouted a decurion, a commander of cavalry, his voice ringing out
just before an arrow pierced his neck, silencing him instantly. The force of the impact threw him
violently from his saddle, his life snuffed away before his body hit the ground, leaving behind
the riderless steed.
Valentine whirled around, facing the grim reality of legionnaires falling in droves. The air
was thick with the harsh stench of burning hay, charred flesh, and smoldering shrubs. Fire blazed
through the underbrush, surging toward him. Behind him, his men braced, preparing for the
imminent charge.
“To the river!” Valentine yelled to his men.
Valentine, Marius, and the rest of their infantry hastily discarded their spears before
plunging into the tumultuous river—the weight of their armor already threatening to pull them
under. The blazing hay bales hurtled over them, narrowly missing their mark.
Struggling against the current, Valentine fought to resurface, gasping for air as he finally
emerged. The river’s bend guided them toward a shallow bank where the water was waist-deep,
allowing them to regain their footing. His gaze immediately locked onto the empress’s carriage,
now besieged by six Alemanni riding horses, locked in fierce combat with her guards.
The Praetorians fled from the battlefield’s inferno. The carriage jolted and careened, its
wheels rolling over the searing remains of Roman soldiers.
“The empress!” Linus shouted from the river as the men noticed her carriage race off.
