Review - Courageous by Dina L. Sleiman

Bethany House; 360 pages; $13.99; Amazon

After watching half of the one and only season on Camelot on DVD this week, it dawned on me that I had a religious fiction novel involving knights just sitting on my desk collecting dust.

What is the name of this novel?

It's called Courageous written by Dina L. Sleiman and published last summer by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - AKA, a book I signed up to review but forgotten to read it!

The novel is actually book three of the Valiant Hearts series, and though I had never read the other books in the series, I went ahead and read the title this week.

Set in the year 1219 (around the time of the Holy Roman Empire), the novel centers on Rosalind of Ipsworth, a young woman who joins a group of defenders who are trying to free captives from a Tripoli prison. Still haunted by her past, she is devoted to the cause and will do anything to help others in need.

The last thing Rosalind was looking for was "love," but that is exactly what she finds when Sir Randel Penigree enters her life.

Final Thoughts: I've never been a big reader of books set in around the Crusades, but I now have anew interest in the subject after reading Courageous, a fictional tale set in the 1200's. I have no idea what the other two books in the series were about, but I had no problems jumping right into this one; which to me it felt like a standalone tale. 

I had never heard of the author before, so I was little skeptical (like I am with all new writers) when I started read this. However, all my fears disappeared as soon as I read opening page as I could clearly tell the author had a good narrative skills and an unique way with descriptions. 

Overall, I ended up liking Courageous quite a bit. While it's not the greatest historical fiction that I have ever read, it's still pretty good, and I would definitely recommend the title to others.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy from in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.





About the Author: Award-winning author, Dina Sleiman, writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Her debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, won an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Selah Awards, and her cross-over YA novel, Dauntless, won the 2016 Carol Award. Also look for her books, Love in Three-Quarter Time, Dance from Deep Within, and the rest of her Valiant Hearts series with Bethany House Publishers. Dina serves as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well, and she loves to represent them at writers conferences throughout the US. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace.

For more info visit her at dinasleiman.com.