As Sure as the Sea

Author: Jamie Ogle
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 368
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Once she denied everything she believed in. Now she’d give anything to choose differently. But in the shadow of the Roman Empire’s persecution and the shame of her past, she fears that what she wants most will be forever out of reach.

Eastern Roman Empire, AD 310. In the shadow of Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts, Demitria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who turns a blind eye to her faith. By night, Demi goes upriver with her brother, Theseus, to obtain provisions for fellow believers in the port city of Myra. While willing to risk her own life to ensure others are safe and fed, Demi lives with a desperate fear for those she loves and carries secret shame over her greatest failure. When Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help.

Arriving in a sinking boat, Nikolas is burdened by guilt over his older brother’s tragic death. Though the wealth he inherited from a prosperous shipping business now rests at the bottom of the sea, as the new pastor in Myra, he is determined to recover it and use it for good. As the violence against Christians increases, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and distribute it to those in dire need.

Despite wondering if she can ever be worthy, Demi is drawn to Nikolas and longs to trust in his belief that freedom can be found in forgiveness. Then one terrifying night, everything changes as the Roman Empire’s fury rains down. Demi has no other choice but to decide if she has the courage to do what she once failed to . . . and if the faith she calls her own is sure enough to carry her.

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

Wow! This book blew me away! The imagery is fantastic. The underwater world of the Mediterranean came to life in my mind.

The characters are written brilliantly! Demi is AMAZING!! She's strong, physically, and mentally. She is devoted to caring for the church, even to the point of risking her life several times. She also carries guilt over a decision she made in the past. Nikolas has a heart for the church and for others in need. His compassion often gets him into sticky situations. Rex is another favorite. His exuberant personality has a calming effect on others.

The time period that the book is set in (AD 310) is an especially difficult time to be a Christian. Persecution is at an all-time high. Sometimes, trust was put in the wrong person, and the result was horrible.

The part that brought a smile to my face involves an orange. I'll leave that part a mystery!

I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

This is a new author for me. She did not disappoint. I enjoyed this story to the fullest.

Wonderful characters that will leave you thinking about them long after this is over. In fact, the way the whole storyline went will leave you amazed.

Lots of action that will keep you engaged and some twists and turns that I never saw coming.

I loved this novel about the early church and all they went through. There is some romance along the way too.

The way she described these places made me feel like I was in the story with Demi and Nikolas. I really enjoyed their adventures so much that I hated to see their story end.

This will be one of my favorite review stories of 2024.

I received a complimentary eBook courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle is an awe-inspiring Christian Historical Fiction novel that immerses readers in the trials and tribulations of the ancient church under the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Through the lens of Demetria, a young woman who carries many burdens, both spiritual and emotional, the author weaves a tale of strength, hope, and courage in the face of unspeakable horrors.

The story opens with Demetria sinking to the bottom of the sea with a stone tied to her ankle. And takes the reader for a well-researched, in-depth look at coral diving. Without the aid of scuba equipment, it was amazing how long Demetria could stay underwater to gather coral and even oysters before her lungs burst. But the water for Demetria was like a second home. Yes, it had its dangers, but it also brought her a sense of calm.

After a heart-stopping first chapter, we are then introduced to our other main character, Nikolas. Like Demetria, Nikolas had regrets he lived with, things he wished he’d done better. Both characters had pasts that haunted them and it is through their love of God and struggles with these inner turmoils that their affection for each other and their faith and trust in God grows.

In the setting for this story, the church is in hiding and cannot buy or sell anything without a libelli, a token (or mark if you will). It was an official certificate that confirmed the owner had performed the required sacrifices and worshipped the emperor. Without the libelli to buy food or get a job, Christians relied on each other. In this story, the churches had an underground network of sorts, where they shared food, grain, etc. 

I loved the attention to detail in this story. However, some may find those details a little hard to handle, as it describes the torture Christians faced if they did not deny God. But, it is needed so that the reader can understand the danger and the cost involved in following Jesus. 

There was only one part of the story that gave me pause because it was left unanswered. A character was introduced (Timothy) and he believed in heretical teachings. Nikolas, as pastor to the church felt he needed to address the issue. He gathered the elders and they discussed what to do and then, you never hear about the results. So, I was surprised the reader was left hanging on this.

Despite that missing thread, the author has brilliantly portrayed the inner turmoil of the mind when we fail God. This was Demetria’s and Nikolas's biggest regret and I loved how both grew into their faith.

If you need a boost to your faith or are wondering how the early church survived, this is a must-read for you. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley, for my honest review.

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