Follow my blog!

Sunday, September 05, 2010

New Giveaway! Now I'm giving away Valeria's Cross by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales!

For a chance to win this awesome book, simply read my review below and post one line from it that makes you want to read the book. I'll select a winner next week using the Randomizer program.

Valeria's Cross Valeria's Cross by Kathi Macias

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 About the book:

In the 3rd century, pampered Roman princess Valeria falls in love with Mauritius, captain of the Theban Legion. She sends him off to battle, where he suffers under the schemes of a notorious pagan general with an ambition for power and a lust for Valeria. In a scene based on true events, the evil Galerius kills Mauritius and his entire legion for their Christian faith. And in a shocking turn of events, the grieving Valeria is forced to become Galerius’ wife against her will. Never has a marriage been set up for such failure. Valeria loathes her new husband, but he seems to undergo a change of heart, adopting a child for her and giving her power and authority, and even love. She struggles with the commitment she knows she must keep, and the love she knows she will never find again.

My review:

Valeria's Cross is an incredible tale set during a time period when being a Christian could be deadly. I've read several books in the past year from the same time period such as Guardian of the Flame and Cleopatra's Daughter, and this book surpasses them all. Full of passion for people and for the Lord, this story really takes a look at Valeria's life and her purpose during that tumultuous period in history.

Though a fictional account, I found Valeria's Cross to be very believable. The struggles and temptations that Valeria faced were so realistically done that it left me breathless. I totally understood her pain and her passion. She had a difficult life of having to continually rectify her faith with the things her station required because of her role and position as Diocletian's daughter.

I grieved with Valeria more than once. She was a true martyr, in my opinion, for having to do so many things that she resisted at first, yet eventually conceded to. While women had some influence, they clearly had no power during that generation. Her suffering paid off, though, several times and she did experience joy in her life despite the heartache that preceded it.

It fascinated me how the sign of the cross and ashes on the forehead were used by the early church as a way Christians showed their allegiance to Christ when they were forced to participate in pagan ceremonies, or die. Valeria was a compassionate and likable character whose doubts and feelings rang true to me. Her life exemplified true forgiveness and she had a powerful testimony.

What I loved best about Valeria was that she was portrayed as very human. She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more. This sweeping romance was powerfully written, and emotionally evocative. Bottom line...I was enthralled with this story. It's definitely making my best fiction of 2010 list!


To also enter for a chance to win this awesome Biblical gold coin shown above, simply click on this link and go to Kathi Macias's blog for further information and directions. Best wishes to you!

26 comments:

Casey said...

Looks like a GREAT book! Please include me, thanks. :) And my favorite line (or should say most intruiging)

I grieved with Valeria more than once. She was a true martyr, in my opinion, for having to do so many things that she resisted at first, yet eventually conceded to

Sorry it didn't all copy and paste, but you get the idea. :)

caseymh18(@)gmail(.)com

Lisa M. Collins said...

Her suffering paid off, though, several times and she did experience joy in her life despite the heartache that preceded it.

scrapbookangel said...

I have entered nearly every drawing to get this book. Please enter me in the drawing.

Jennifer
avidreader at middleswarth dot net

Anonymous said...

I cant believe Mauritius was killed!!
This is one of the sentences in your review that makes me want to read it.

Or that She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more.

Thanks for the giveaway!
dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

Michelle said...

I've had this book on my wishlist for sometime. Really want to read it.

This intrigues me:

She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Diane said...

The initial book summary made me nervous if I would like it but your review was inspiring and I would love to win this book.

estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

Sheri said...

Valeria's Cross sounds so different from most of the books that I read but after your review I would definitely like to read it. One of the lines in your review that interested me was "What I loved best about Valeria was that she was portrayed as very human. She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more.

Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!

Sheri

hsruitt [at] juno [dot] com

Martha Lawson said...

She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more - that's my favorite line!

Please enter me for this one, it looks awesome.

I follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Bluerose said...

Valeria was a compassionate and likable character whose doubts and feelings rang true to me. Her life exemplified true forgiveness and she had a powerful testimony.

I know that's two sentences, but they both made me want to read this book. :)

bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

buddyt said...

Unlike yourself, I have not read much about this period but your review has interested me.

If the giveaway is open worldwide, I would like to be entered.

My favourite line from the review is:

She was a true martyr, in my opinion, for having to do so many things that she resisted at first, yet eventually conceded to.

Thanks

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Pink Panther said...

Sounds great. I don't really read Christian fiction that much but Valeria's Cross definitely got me intrigued. Thanks for the lovely review and giveaway! :)
You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I wasn't sure about this book until I read your review, so glad that she is portrayed as being human.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

karenk said...

"this sweeping romance was powerfully written, and emotionally evoactive."

thanks for the opportunity to read this novel.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Carole said...

Your reviews are always honest and well written, Michelle. The fact that you gave this book 5 stars alone makes me want to read it.

One of my favorite lines from your review was: "It fascinated me how the sign of the cross and ashes on the forehead were used by the early church as a way Christians showed their allegiance to Christ when they were forced to participate in pagan ceremonies, or die." Valeria's Cross takes place during a time period that I've always found challenging and inspirational and I will definitely be reading this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy, Michelle.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

justpeachy36 said...

"Full of passion for people and for the Lord, this story really takes a look at Valeria's life and her purpose during that tumultuous period in history."

This part made me want to find out more about this book and read it. I am also a big Kathi Macias fan so that helped as well.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Andi said...

What I loved best about Valeria, was that she was portrayed as very human. I loved that and it makes me want to read the book more than I already do. I think we sometimes forget that Christians are human and we mess up. Great review! Please enter me!
Andinewberry(at)yahoo(dot)com

windycindy said...

This books really sounds amazing!
This is the line from your review
that really strikes me ~
"She had a difficult life of having to continually rectify her faith with the things her station required because of her role and position as Diocletian's daughter."
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Great review! This line makes me want to read the book -

Her suffering paid off, though, several times and she did experience joy in her life despite the heartache that preceded it.

hope to have the chance at winning.

cza [dot] roman at yahoo[dot]com

Katie Marie said...

This is the line in your review that perked my interest...

"What I loved best about Valeria was that she was portrayed as very human. She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more."

I love to read books where the they seem so real and have temptations, just like any of us! Sounds like a great book! Count me in!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie M

Anonymous said...

Your about Valeria character makes me want to read this book. "Valeria was a compassionate and likable character whose doubts and feelings rang true to me."

sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Both the interview and the review are exceptionally done. I read so many things in the review that were inviting to read the book...
She suffered from many temptations that are rarely shown in Christian fiction, which impressed me all the more.
The sufferings and battles of yesterday, regardless of time period, are human struggles, all and the same. God allows our struggles in each generation so that we can learn who we are in our relationship with Him. Thanks for the giveaway. I appreciate the chance to win. I hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Karen said...

"She struggles with the commitment she knows she must keep, and the love she knows she will never find again."

Looks like another great one, thanks!

kpuleski at gmail dot com

Jaedyn said...

Wow, I would love to read this! From your review, I can see that you loved this book. :)

"I grieved with Valeria more than once. She was a true martyr, in my opinion, for having to do so many things that she resisted at first, yet eventually conceded to."

I think any book that makes you feel what the characters are feeling is worth reading!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo dot com

Lisa D. said...

this book sounds incredible. please include me. your review is great. thanks!

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

and the winner is...

Sonflower (posted as Anonymous)

Bobbiann said...

Sounds like a fascinating book; please put my name in the hat. The line that intrigues me most from your review is, "She struggles with the commitment she knows she must keep, and the love she knows she will never find again."
Thanks.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Share this post

Bookmark and Share