I’m highlighting Sheldon Collins’s The Legend of Valentine, a richly detailed historical novel that reveals the man behind the legend and the origins of a timeless tradition.
In the third century, Rome groans under the weight of tyranny. Valentine, a soldier scarred by his violent past, finds redemption in Agatha, a woman of uncommon strength despite her blindness. Their love leads him into dangerous waters: he dares to conduct Christian marriage ceremonies in defiance of the emperor’s ban. What begins as a private act of devotion becomes a movement of resistance, challenging the empire’s brutality with the quiet power of love and faith. As danger closes in, Valentine’s unwavering stand ensures that his legacy will endure for generations, transforming his sacrifice into the foundation of Valentine’s Day. Collins weaves together vivid historical detail, suspenseful drama, and a deeply human romance, crafting an epic that resonates with modern readers while honoring the past.
Sheldon Collins first made his mark as a Hollywood director and screenwriter, creating films that won awards at international festivals and were broadcast on premium television. The Legend of Valentine is his debut novel, a project that extends his storytelling to the literary world alongside a dynamic multi-cast audiobook edition he co-directed. Residing in California with his wife and daughter, Collins enjoys time outdoors—whether on a surfboard, skis, or hiking trail—and finds creative energy in music, podcasts, and audiobooks. A graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in Rhetoric and of the American Film Institute with an MFA in Directing, he brings both narrative mastery and cinematic vision to his work. Learn more on his website and Instagram.
Author Interview:
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.
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.
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.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/legendvalentine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217405700-the-legend-of-valentine
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