Jamie Ogle is quickly becoming a favorite historical fiction writer. She beautifully captures the times when the Roman Empire ruled the Earth. I absolutely loved Of Love & Treason which was the amazing story of St. Valentine & couldn*t wait to read As Sure As The Sea, the inspiring story of St. Nikolas. I was completely enamored by his story, the history, faith, & experiences based on actual events.

In the Eastern Roman Empire 310 AD, Emperor Diocletian rules with anti-Christian edicts outlawing Christians from working, owning property, etc. Demetria & her brother Theseus survive using their expert diving skills in harvesting coral & pearls for an employer who overlooks their faith. By day they work for their exacting employer, but at night they deliver food & provisions to fellow believers. When Theseus is injured, a handsome stranger comes to the rescue.

Nikolas survives his journey to Myra, but his fortune & boat lie at the bottom of the sea. As the new pastor, he hoped to use his fortune to help those in need. Though Demi*s reluctant to work with Nikolas, she*s drawn to the charming man & helps him recover his fortune. But when the Roman Empire ratchets up their persecutions, their faith is tested to its limits.

I thoroughly loved Demi & Nikolas! Both have experiences in their past for which they long for forgiveness. Demi believes she can never be forgiven for what she did & Nikolas blames himself for his family*s death. As they work together, they forge a strong bond in strengthening each other*s faith & find love. I loved their epic story & romance.

The trials of the early Christians were horrific & the author poignantly illustrates the pain & suffering they went through for their beliefs. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the story wondering if they*d survive the awful conditions. This story definitely gave me a renewed admiration & appreciation for these early Saints.

I loved learning more about St. Nikolas who*s so much more than the St. Nick we look forward to at Christmas. I enjoyed getting to know him through the careful, meticulous research the author infuses into the story. The faith thread was inspiring & there were so many quotes I had underlined.

Highly recommend! Looking forward to reading more books from this author. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.

"Do you know the way?"

"'The way is narrow.' His words were soft but steady in the way his gaze was. Fixed and solid."

"Nikolas . . . from Patara" and "Demitria, daughter of Anatolios" met under most unusual circumstances; tired and traumatized after rescuing her brother from a near fatal diving accident, Demi happens upon a stranger struggling to reach shore, his boat with highly valuable contents having sunk to the bottom of the sea.

Making a cautious introduction, Demi allows Nikolas to aid in carrying her brother to safety, wondering with every step if aligning herself with a total stranger was a wise decision. As it turned out, she had just met the new pastor of their underground Christian community, a group barely surviving under the cruel edicts of Emperor Diocletian. Finding food and shelter had become increasingly difficult and the constant fear of discovery hung undeniably heavy over their hearts.

With brush strokes as beautiful as the corals Demitria harvests from the sea floor, this remarkable narrative paints a picture that is both terrifying and awe-inspiring, drawing the ancient history of the early church back to life through characters and circumstances that readers will find nearly impossible to believe. . . . . or to forget. While there is breath, there is purpose. Where grace abounds, forgiveness remains. And courage? It's found deep within the heart of every believer who utters this simple prayer . . .

.. . . "Here I am. I'm ready."

Through the captivating words of Ms Ogle, I was transported to 310 AD and the early Christian church. Newly appointed Bishop, Nikolas, was sent to Myra in Greece where the persecuted church needed to meet in secret. But even in the dire, lean times, they had a solid hope in Christ. The author weaves an exceptional story of faith amidst danger and poverty, but showed that the people came together and shared the wealth of the gospel and the hope of the world to come. *This earthly life is short and full of strife, but there is a better, truer one coming. Let us set our gaze there.*

*The Lord has prepared work for each of us and while we have breath, we have purpose.*

There is a clear gospel message that should provide inspiration for all of us. Even in adversity, there is hope in Christ. These characters counted it an act of worship to care for those in need.

So many worthwhile themes are shown: forgiveness, faith, repentance, redemption, clear biblical teaching, and unfailing reliance on Christ and His word. This was an excellent story of the early Christians, with the added romance of Demi and Nikolas that enhanced the lessons we could all profit from.

Also interesting was the culture of the era and the occupation of diving for coral which added to the atmosphere.

This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Evil prevails when good men are silent. It is my duty to the next generation to show them true justice and to speak on behalf of the innocent who cannot speak for themselves.

Fantastic! A beautiful story that brings the persecution of the early church to life. This story is full of danger, betrayal, love and sacrifice. The friendships, found family, and romance themes are beautiful. Nikolas and Demetria have to battle their shame and feelings of inadequacy while building their faith and reliance on God. Inspiring! I will not forget this story anytime soon!

Favorite quotes:

Lord, I am Your servant. I ll do what You ask, and I ll do it how You want me to.

Where there is breath and life, there is purpose. You ll find it if you look.

*We cannot allow ourselves to dwell on what is coming and what we must endure. But instead set our eyes on our living hope. God will be our strength.*

Author Jamie Ogle takes readers to ancient Turkey where Emperor Diocletian*s anti-Christian edicts have created chaos and terror and introduces us to a 20-year-old coral harvester and pearl diver from Myra who is plagued with guilt at choices she*s made. When Demetria meets Nikolas, the town*s new pastor who is also wrestling with guilt, she*s offered a second opportunity at courage and a chance to stand up for her beliefs.

This is a spectacular story showcasing the power and freedom of forgiveness. I was encouraged in my spiritual walk, making it easier for me to stand up for my convictions in the trials ahead. We may not live in fear as those under Diocletian*s rule, but we will be given an opportunity to free ourselves from the shame and guilt of past choices and an opportunity to profess our beliefs. Will we take advantage of these options?

I appreciated an opportunity to look into the reasons for imposing libelli and the performance of sacrifices as much as I appreciated the reminder of God*s mercy and the need for repentance. I identified with the struggle Demetria has with worthiness and took heed to the warnings in the narrative.

*There is no glory in rebellion. Only suffering.*

This spectacular story with a unique setting, unforgettable characters and an important message is not one to be missed!

I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.