Looking for a faith-filled historical Christian romance with courage, banter, and a love story that looks a little like grace?
Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle is a Christian romance release set in AD 403 Rome. A Visigoth captive becomes a legendary gladiatrix and a conflicted medic learns that waiting on the Lord is not weakness. This author interview goes behind the arena walls into surrender and unmerited love in story that will make you hold your breath.
Meet Jamie Ogle
Jamie Ogle is a predawn writer, homeschool mom by day, and a reader by night who now makes her home in small-town Iowa with her husband and three children. Born and raised in the Northwoods of Minnesota, she writes historical fiction infused with deep faith, adventure, and courageous rebels—the kind of inspirational love story that grew out of her lifelong fascination with the story-rich history of Christianity.
Fun Fact: When I get stuck in my writing, it’s usually a signal for me to explore a different creative outlet for a bit. In the past, this has included things as simple as baking cookies, to the wild extreme of repainting the entire exterior of our house. It keeps my husband on his toes, that’s for sure.
About the Book: Daughter of the Rebellion
What happens when a Visigoth daughter imprisoned in a Roman gladiator school decides she will never rely on anyone—or God—again?
In this stirring historical romance by award-winning author Jamie Ogle, a young woman imprisoned in a Roman gladiator school becomes a legendary warrior. But when not even her fame is enough, she must fight to save herself and those she loves.
Rome, AD 403. As a loyal daughter of the Visigoth tribe, Adelgard followed her father to war, hoping to win back her family’s approval. But after a clash with the Roman army, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. Now she is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome, determined to keep the fickle love of the crowd and never again rely on anyone but herself for her own security. But beneath the fame lies a darkness and pain that holds her captive.
Felix despises Rome’s fascination with violence. But after returning from medical training to discover his father missing and his family desperate, he had little choice but to accept a position at the gladiator school managed by his uncle. He finds a kindred spirit in Adel and does what he can to preserve the humanity of the rebel fighters, but when he receives orders that further compromise his beliefs, he arrives at a crossroads.
Then Telemachus, a Christian leader, approaches Felix with an urgent message: if the Visigoth captives are not released, their army will invade Rome. Despite the risk, the emperor is bent on proving his power through a stunning, deadly day of gladiatorial games. As Telemachus seeks to save the Visigoth fighters, Felix and Adel join forces in a desperate rebellion that may define not only their own lives but also the course of history.
This is the kind of uplifting Christian fiction that stays with you after the last page—dust of the arena, ache of a guarded heart, and a love that looks a lot like Romans 5:8. Readers who want a clean love story will find Adel’s fight and Felix’s quiet compassion an unforgettable pairing.
If your shelf leans toward Tessa Afshar or other faith-based romance novels set in the early church, this inspirational love story is for you. It is a Christian romance release built on surrender, not spectacle alone.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes of Daughter of the Rebellion
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What inner struggle drives your main character(s)?
Jamie: At the beginning of Daughter of the Rebellion, Adel (the heroine) is determined to make a name for herself, determined to procure security for herself with her own two hands. Felix (the hero) is in a similar situation where he continually makes small compromises to provide for his family. Both have given up on waiting for God to answer their prayers, so they’ve forged ahead to take care of things on their own. It’s only when they find themselves in deeper trouble than they know how to escape, that they realize the beauty of surrender and waiting on the Lord.
What is the heart of the romance?
Jamie: Before I started writing, I thought this was going to be a friends to more story, but as soon as the characters started forming, it quickly became a grumpy/sunshine, enemies to more story. The banter was so fun, and the romance growing out of it surprised me with its tenderness.
Adel is a jaded fighter with a guarded heart and medic Felix (while still flawed in his own way) shows her way more patience and compassion than she, arguably, deserves. But as I looked at the story as a whole, I was struck by the realization that this is the way God loves us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). If that isn’t the best ‘enemies to more’ story in the world, I don’t know what is!
What do you hope readers carry with them?
Jamie: I pray readers see the unconditional love of God for them, that it’s offered freely and unmerited. And I hope they also see that a single life lived in surrender to God, can change the world.
What Bible verse encouraged you during this story?
Jamie: Psalm 37:4-5 have been my favorite verses for as long as I can remember. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Him, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” This isn’t a ‘good luck charm’ verse that promises we get everything we want. It’s a verse promising that when we delight in God, He becomes our desire and fills that desire. It’s also a promise that He leads and guides lives surrendered to following Him.
In the midst of my early writing journey, while I really, really wanted to be a published author, this verse served as a constant reminder that nothing else matters if my heart wasn’t fully surrendered to Christ. He’s where our joy and true fulfillment is found! I never realized until now how well this verse goes along with some of the themes of surrender in this book!
About the Author
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.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
Do you love Alaskan romantic suspense where danger forces two guarded hearts to rely on each other and God? Megan Short’s Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier delivers exactly that — a witness on the run, a determined US Marshal, deadly terrain, and the powerful reminder to come to Jesus when weary and burdened.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Megan shares the inner struggles of her heroine and hero, the “enemies to more” heart of the romance, the key message about moving from surface faith to a deep relationship with Christ, and the Matthew 11:28-29 encouragement that shaped the story and her own walk with God.
Meet Megan Short
Megan Short is an Australian author living in Melbourne. She writes inspirational romantic suspense, mostly because she’s tried writing other romance genres and someone always ended up dying! She’s a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. It’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith.
Fun Fact: Megan is a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. In fact it’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith. You can read her road to publication on her website where she published her testimony late last year.
About the Book: Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier
When her cover is blown, it’s a desperate race for survival.
Forced into hiding after witnessing a double murder by an organized-crime gang, Beth Ryder’s identity is suddenly leaked online and a kill order is placed on her head. Her survival is now in the hands of US Marshal Jake Cruz, who is determined to keep her alive. But when it becomes clear that more than one group is targeting Beth, the stakes are higher than ever. As they go on the run through dangerous Alaskan terrain with threats everywhere, Beth and Jake must outsmart their deadly enemies before they end up as collateral damage.
Tropes & Themes
Enemies to more
Protected witness in hiding
US Marshal protector
Alaskan wilderness survival
Faith journey from surface belief to deep relationship
Megan Short delivers gripping inspirational romantic suspense that keeps you turning pages while pointing readers to a deeper walk with Christ. You’ll root for Beth’s faith journey and Jake’s protective heart as danger forces them to trust God and each other. This clean, faith-filled story reminds us that Jesus offers rest for the weary and that the burden He gives is light.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
Megan: Both my heroine, Beth Ryder, and my hero, Jake Cruz, are filled with their own inner struggles that really get in the way of their relationship from day one. However, their main struggle is just as difficult—to keep Beth alive!
Beth is such a beautiful, selfless soul, and she first appears in my earlier novel Alaskan Police Protector. She loves people, but because of her protected witness status, she’s been forced to become someone she’s not—isolating herself and having to tamp down her natural urge to connect with others. She’s already been through a lot when the story begins.
But then she goes through so much more. Her journey is one of faith, but also just of accepting that she can trust others. Jake is naturally introverted compared with Beth, but he’s a deep thinker.
He’s been badly hurt in love, but like all tough guys he’s just pushed that hurt aside and has been getting on with it. He’s used to a certain level of control in his life, but Beth is just throwing all that out the window from the moment they meet. He has a strong faith, and his journey is more about trusting God with his own struggles.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
Megan: The heart of the romance is the same throughout my books—two people falling in love as they rely on each other and God to deliver them from mortal danger. In this story specifically, I chose an “enemies to more” trope. While Jake isn’t really an enemy because he’s protecting Beth, she certainly sees and treats him as an antagonist. That dynamic between them was so much fun to write, and I think I’m going to have to use the trope again soon
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
Megan: It might be a bit surprising to hear, but the key message of the story centres around Beth’s faith journey.
I had a pressing urgency to reach the Christian women who might go to church every Sunday, faithfully serve, study the bible and do their daily devotionals. But they don’t have a deep relationship with Christ.
That’s Beth. She’s doing more than going through the motions—she’s a great Sunday school teacher—but she’s missing out on that deep relationship that Jesus wants to have with her.
So often, God uses these trials and difficulties in our lives to discipline and refine us. I’ve certainly experienced that in my life. I can look back and see in hindsight all the times that God has led me to him through dark and turbulent times—even before I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. And he continues to do that.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
Megan: The bible passage I chose for this book was Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
I feel that this has to be one of the most encouraging verses in the bible. For me, at least. Using this verse really made me reflect on it deeply. I have a t-shirt with that message, and I had ordered some bible tracts and this was the message for that too.
In fact I’ve started putting that tract into every one of my author copies now. It’s very meaningful for the story, and for all Christians. In particular Matthew 11:30, which I did not include in the book continues: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What an encouraging reminder that journeying with Christ might require us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. But the burden is not ours alone to carry. It’s a light burden, and unlike the yoke of sin, what Jesus gave us when he died on the cross is that incredible gift of eternal life.
I try and think of this verse when I’ve packed too much in, and I’ve been neglecting my relationship with God – which happens far too often. It reminds me that our walk with Christ is with someone meek and humble.
About the Author
Megan Short is a Publishers Weekly bestselling Australian author of inspirational romantic suspense novels. She grew up in New Zealand where her favourite activity was watching bumblebees and day dreaming. A screenwriter by trade, she has writing qualifications from UCLA and has won some screenwriting awards. Megan currently lives in Melbourne and loves learning new skills and meeting new people, many of which make their way into her stories! She still spends too much time day dreaming and is a recovering chocoholic. Megan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Omega Writers, and the Australian Romance Readers Association.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
Author spotlights
Early giveaway access
Behind-the-scenes goodies
🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
Craving clean romantic suspense with danger, true crime twists, wilderness survival, and second chances? Dana Mentink’s Raging Waters delivers a gripping story of a determined podcaster seeking justice, her former friend turned reluctant protector, a massive flood threat, and the powerful truth that God sees your story through to the end.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Dana opens up about the burning drive for vengeance, the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers heart of the romance, and the reassurance that no failure or success can separate us from God’s secure love.
Meet Dana Mentink
Dana Mentink is a lifelong Californian and writes romantic suspense and wholesome mystery. The bear cubs are grown now (Yogi and Boo Boo) and Papa Bear is retired, but he works part time as her business associate! She pretty much never knows where she is. She is generally speaking lost if she has to get anywhere outside of her neighborhood. Friends and family know this about her so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
Fun Fact: I pretty much never know where I am. I am, generally speaking, lost if I have to get anywhere outside of my neighborhood. Friends and family know this about me so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
About the Book: Raging Waters
What happens when a true crime podcaster chases a dangerous lead into the wilderness and runs straight into the one person she blames most?
When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.
While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.
As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.
Dana Mentink delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense full of high stakes, emotional depth, and unwavering faith. Readers will root for the determined heroine chasing justice, the burdened hero stepping in to protect her, and the powerful message that God knows your story completely and will never abandon you. This clean, uplifting Christian fiction blends danger, redemption, and hope in a way that leaves you encouraged and reminded of God’s secure love—no matter the circumstances.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
The heroine has a burning desire to avenge a terrible loss she experienced. She must come to terms with what her life will look like if that doesn’t happen…and what it will look like if it does.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
This is a friends to enemies to lovers story. They are bound together by their relationship with the heroine’s brother and their own sense of duty and honor. Mackenzie is willing to risk her life to make her brother’s murderer pay. Gideon can’t stand to see her throw her future away. There’s a very large dam failure looming and an extremely violent villain pitted against them.
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
God knows your story and He’s going to see it through. He will never abandon or forsake you.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
The one I always go back to is Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… It reminds me that my standing in God is secure no matter what I do or if I fail or succeed.
About the Author
Dana Mentink is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of suspense and mystery. She writes for Harlequin, Sourcebooks, and Revell. A two time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense, she has been honored with a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She shares her writing den with a husband, an aged box turtle, and her rescue dog Junie. You can learn more at Dana’s website: www.DanaMentink.com
About the Christian Romance Book Nook
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
Author spotlights
Early giveaway access
Behind-the-scenes goodies
🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
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