1--What is the title of your latest release?
OF LOVE AND TREASON
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Rome, AD 270. When the Roman emperor bans marriage, Valentine continues marrying couples in secret. His defiance makes him a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he believes he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Of Love and Treason is a retelling of the legends of Saint Valentine, and since his story takes place in late-third-century Rome, it was an easy decision.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
For sure. I have two main characters, Iris and Valentine, and they’re both witty and charming.
5—What are three words to describe your protagonists?
Iris: creative, hopeful, determined.
Valentine: compassionate, courageous, and late for everything.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Since my female main character, Iris, is a baker, I learned a lot about Roman-style baking and baked goods. I tried a few recipes and learned that I am still bad at baking bread.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both. Sort of. I plot everything on Post-it notes first and then start writing. Usually, I hit a snag and have to stop and replot the Post-It notes, fix everything I just wrote, and then continue writing. That cycle repeats until the end. The whole point of being a plotter is to eliminate everything I just described, but that’s been my process for every book I’ve written so far. Maybe one day I can plot a story that won’t require so many deviations. A girl can dream, right?
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Neapolitan wood-fire pizza.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I wrote Of Love and Treason in the closet of our master bedroom. Views weren’t that great, but the distractions were minimal. Our new house has an actual dedicated office which I’ve painted a dark, moody green and brightened with white bookcases. I like the storied coziness of old things, but I don’t like clutter, so my style is a mixture of “antiques” and clean lines.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I have so many brilliant author friends who have always been so welcoming, kind, and encouraging! If I listed names, I know I’d leave someone out. But for compelling stories and lyrical prose, I love Amanda Dykes’s books. I’ve yet to find a book she’s written that hasn’t completely blown me away.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It brought the early church in ancient Rome to life in such a compelling way, and it drew me closer to God.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Of Love and Treason is my debut novel and I was insanely excited when I got “the call.” It was, and is, a dream come true to finally hold this story in my hands.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Historical fiction. I’ll read any period, as long as the story is compelling.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
It’s a toss-up between Gladiator, Braveheart, Pride and Prejudice (2006), and Nacho Libre. I love good rebels.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Cake (chocolate preferred, but not required - I’ve yet to meet a cake I don’t like) and hanging out with my family.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The last book I read was The Girl from the Papers by Jennifer L. Wright. It’s a fascinating reimagining of the Bonnie and Clyde story, and I couldn’t put it down.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian. Or Mexican - because tacos.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
There’s not a lot of free time for a homeschooling mom of three who writes in her “free time” but when I can, I love to read, garden, and keep bees.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I just turned in revisions on a Saint Nicholas retelling set in the early fourth century on the turquoise coast of the Mediterranean. It’s a story of redemption and forgiveness, sunken treasure, and a strong female heroine with a dark secret.
Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything.
Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valentine believes the emperor’s edict unjust and risks his own life for the sake of his convictions. But as his fame grows, so do fears for his safety.
Iris, the daughter of a Roman jailor, believes regaining her sight will ease the mounting troubles at home. Her last hope rests in searching out Valentine and his church, but the danger of associating with people labeled a threat to the empire is great. Still, as Iris's new friends lead her to faith in God, Iris is drawn to Valentine and they both begin to hope for a future together beyond the treacherous empire.
But when a past debt and a staggering betrayal collide, Valentine, Iris, and everyone they love must fight for their lives . . . and wrestle with trusting a God who can restore sight yet does not always keep His followers from peril.
Fiction | Historical [Tyndale House Publishers, On Sale: January 23, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781496479679 / ]
Jamie Ogle is a predawn writer, homeschool mom by day, and a reader by night. Inspired by her fascination with the storied history of faith, she writes historical fiction infused with hope, adventure, and courageous rebels. A Minnesota native, she now lives in Iowa with her husband and their three children, and she can usually be found gardening, beekeeping, and tromping through the woods.
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