Valeria, the Martyr of the Catacombs: A Tale of Early Christian Life in Rome

"Valeria, the Martyr of the Catacombs: A Tale of Early Christian Life in Rome" by W.H. Withrow, is a historical novel set in 4th-century Rome during the time of Christian persecution under Emperor Diocletian, where the lives of a Roman centurion, his Greek secretary, and a young Christian woman named Valeria become intertwined. The story starts with a tense conversation between the centurion and his secretary about the recent persecution of Christians, setting a dangerous stage as they discuss a new imperial edict. The main character, Valeria, navigates the hidden catacombs, a refuge for those seeking to protect their beliefs in a very hostile place; themes of faith, betrayal, and survival emerge as the narrative unfolds, promising to display the courage of early Christians and the complex relationships between people of different backgrounds.