The Legend of Valentine: An Ancient Historical Love Story that Ignites a Revolution by Sheldon Collins Book Tour with Author Interview & Guest Post

I’m delighted to feature Sheldon Collins’s The Legend of Valentine, a novel that brings together history and myth to tell the extraordinary story of a man whose devotion reshaped the world’s understanding of love.

In third-century Rome, Valentine emerges from the shadows of violence with a new purpose, inspired by his love for Agatha, a woman whose blindness hides an indomitable spirit. Amidst the empire’s harsh persecution of Christians, he risks everything to secretly unite lovers in marriage. These clandestine acts of devotion put him on a collision course with imperial power, yet they also plant the seeds for a celebration that survives to this day. Collins delivers a story that blends historical drama, romance, and the enduring strength of faith, asking readers to consider how far one man will go in the name of love.

Sheldon Collins is a storyteller whose career began in film, where he wrote and directed award-winning works that found success on the festival circuit and on premium television. The Legend of Valentine is his first novel, brought to life alongside a cinematic audiobook production he co-directed. Collins lives in California with his wife and daughter, where outdoor adventures—from skiing and surfing to hiking and biking—fuel his creativity. A graduate of UC Berkeley in Rhetoric and the American Film Institute with an MFA in Directing, he brings both scholarly insight and visual artistry to his writing. Learn more on his website and Instagram.

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/legendvalentine

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217405700-the-legend-of-valentine

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.

Guest Post:

The Day My Book Hit the Bestseller List

On January 24, 2025, The Legend of Valentine reached the Amazon bestseller list for Classic Roman Literature — only three days after release. For many authors, that moment would be all celebration. For me, it came three weeks after the Palisades Fire destroyed my home and nearly everything I owned.

At the time, I could barely register the achievement. My days were consumed with relocating my family, replacing the basics, and simply surviving. It wasn’t until months later that the significance of that milestone sank in — and when it did, I was struck by how much my own life seemed to echo the very story I had written.

Valentine, my protagonist, is a soldier of Rome. He’s courageous on the battlefield, but emotionally unmoored — a man who has lost family, lost a true sense of home, and nearly loses his own life. The only anchor he knows is the brotherhood of warriors at his side. What makes his journey powerful isn’t just the clash of empires, but the quieter battles: the movement from emptiness to belonging, from faithless to faithful, from loveless to love-full.

After the fire, I felt some of those same fractures. A house is more than walls; it is a sense of place, of rootedness. Losing that left me feeling adrift, as though the ground itself had shifted. But, like Valentine, I began to see what remains when everything else is stripped away. For him, it was faith and love reborn in the midst of loss. For me, it was the outpouring of community — friends, neighbors, and even strangers showing up with tangible acts of kindness.

What deepened the experience was hearing back from readers. Some wrote to me about the history, others about the love story, still others about the themes of endurance, forgiveness, or faith rediscovered. I realized then that the book wasn’t one-dimensional; I had packed many threads into it, using Rome as the stage to explore truths that still resonate today. There is something in it for everyone to take hold of, because the themes are timeless.

That, to me, has been the real gift. Hitting a bestseller list is meaningful, of course, but the deeper joy is discovering that a story born in another century can meet readers right where they are — just as it met me in the ashes of my own life.

In the end, the lesson is the same for both author and reader: when everything seems lost, love and faith have a way of finding us again.

Author Q&A

Writing Process & Creativity

How did you research your book?

I started by diving into everything I could find online, then partnered with scholars to comb through libraries and archives for hidden gems. The thrill was in uncovering details that made the third century feel alive. Once the manuscript was complete, historians in both the U.S. and Italy fact-checked my work, and I even included many of the sources in the back of the novel for readers who want to dig deeper.

What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?

Valentine himself was the greatest challenge. His journey takes him from warrior to pious man, from flawed to fulfilled, and keeping him authentic and likable through all of that required enormous care. Writing such a layered transformation pushed me to wrestle with themes of love, faith, and redemption in ways I didn’t expect.

Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas spark from everywhere—books, news, conversations, even everyday life. But with this story, the legend of Valentine was the seed. The real work came from sitting with the story day after day, shaping scattered fragments of history into a narrative that truly connects with readers.

What sets your book apart from others in your genre?

I think readers will appreciate how the book weaves together many threads—adventure, romance, politics, and history—into one sweeping tale. It’s not just a love story or a war story; it’s a fusion of genres that keeps surprising you as the layers unfold.

What helps you overcome writer’s block?

I don’t really think of it as “writer’s block.” Sure, I hit tricky spots that need fixing, but I treat those as puzzles to solve. For me, showing up, working the process, and staying consistent always opens the door to new ideas.

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?

One of my neighbors read the book without telling me and suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, it was awesome!” That unfiltered joy meant as much as any formal review. For me, the magic of storytelling is in sweeping someone away, and you can feel that when a reader responds with pure enthusiasm.

Your Writing Life

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?

I create every day, though it’s not always writing. Recently I’ve been directing the multi-cast audiobook of The Legend of Valentine, which has taken a lot of creative energy. Typically, I work from about 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., but some days stretch into late nights or shrink to just a few hours—the key is staying in the creative flow.

Where do you write—home, coffee shop, train?

These days, almost always at home. I used to enjoy coffee shops, and I’ve written on planes and trains, but nothing beats my home setup with multiple monitors for research and drafting. When I travel, I bring my laptop, but home is my creative anchor.

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?

Not really. During audiobook production, I did set up a little putting range in my living room to keep me sane between takes. But when I’m writing, all I really need is water nearby—once I fall into the story world, everything else fades away.

Behind the Book

Why did you choose this setting/topic?

At first, I was drawn in because no one had tackled the origins of Valentine’s Day in this way—it felt fresh and exciting. But as I researched, the history and the love story kept pulling me deeper. What started as a challenge became a passion: a tale where history, romance, and the message that love conquers all could come alive together.

If your book became a movie, who would star in it?

I’d actually imagine it as a series! Valentine himself could be a breakout role for a newcomer, but for the key figures: Mark Strong would make a perfect Emperor Claudius with his quiet menace, while Hayley Atwell or Keira Knightley could embody Empress Serena with the elegance and fire the role demands.

Which author(s) most inspired you?

Ken Follett, without question. His ability to consistently deliver sweeping, intricate historical novels that are still completely gripping amazes me.

Fun & Lighthearted Qs

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Chocolate. Always chocolate. In any form.

What are you binge-watching right now?

This summer I enjoyed Platonic on Apple TV—light, funny, and exactly the kind of comic relief I needed.

If you could time-travel, where would you go?

If I could time-travel safely—without risk of plague or sword—I’d choose ancient Rome. To walk those streets and witness the empire firsthand would be incredible.

What 3 books would you bring to a desert island?

I’d love to pack novels from my indie author friends—brilliant storytellers who deserve more attention—but for survival I’d choose the giants. Ken Follett for epic history, Tom Clancy for sprawling suspense, and Diana Gabaldon for time-bending romance and adventure. Enough pages to last me months.

What’s something that made you laugh this week?

My daughter always makes me laugh. She’s on the spectrum and completely uninhibited—this week I watched her bounce joyfully down her school hallway with her backpack, iPad, and two water bottles. When I was her age, I usually had a scowl on my face in the mornings, only happy once school was over. She’s the opposite—she can’t wait to get to class. And it’s those little things that remind me how much joy there is in life.

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