[photo credit: City of Pasadena]
Sheldon Collins, whose films have appeared on premium television and at film festivals, will present “The Legend of Valentine” at an upcoming event at the library. The book reimagines Valentine as a once-fearsome warrior who defies imperial decrees to unite lovers in secret ceremonies during an age of Christian persecution.
The transition from film to fiction wasn’t entirely unexpected for Collins, who holds degrees in rhetoric and directing.
“I’ve always been captivated by stories rooted in history, and with The Legend of Valentine, the romantic element was impossible to ignore,” Collins said. “After all, you can’t tell the story of the origins of Valentine’s Day without weaving together both history and a powerful love story.”
Set in Rome in 268 AD, the novel follows Valentine and his blind lover Agatha, who inspires his transformation from violence to faith. Collins consulted with historians from both the United States and Italy to separate historical fact from legend.
Collins co-directed the multi-cast audiobook edition with Becky Parker Geist. The audiobook won Outstanding Production at the 2026 SOVAS Voice Arts Awards.
The event at 140 South Altadena Drive is free and open to the public. For more information, call (626) 744-7266.
Authors & Their Journeys: “The Legend of Valentine” by Sheldon Collins will run on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 3-4 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 South Altadena Drive, Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 744-7266 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D194092588.
