A Christy Award-winning novel chronicling the forbidden romance between Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, set against the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. She was a nun of noble birth. He was a heretic, a reformer, and an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of … than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther. His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.
Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.
But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support and love. Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.
– Christy Award: Historical Romance Fiction Winner
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I have always been intrigued by the amazing contribution Martin Luther made to Christianity. It was interesting reading about his marriage.
This author never disappoints, with characters unique in personality and emotional tension that builds in the face of their circumstances. Great dynamics set against the backdrop of historical events.
This book gave me a lot to think about in the atmosphere it was based in. It took people of great courage of their convictions.
Enlightening as to what Luther and Katharina lives were like. I loved it and could hardly put the book down
I was very interested as I learned so much about that time in history concerning the battle with the Catholic Church and the difficulties of the Reformation. Also a very interesting “love story”.
I love the history this book offers. Although it is a work of fiction, it is based on facts. It is sometimes difficult because people did cruel things during the reformation of the church.
This is a story about several novitiates that escaped from a convent in the time of Martin Luther. He rescued some of them and developed a friendship with one in particular. This is a very interesting story at this time in history.
I realize it’s a fictionalized account of Luther and Katharina but I was taught more about that period in history than I’ve ever learned before. Great read, I did get a little board with the “arguments” between the peasants and upper class but I have a better understanding of the issues because of them.
While this is a novel, there are enough facts in here to educate.
Great historical context for Martin Luther and his wife. Helps us grasp the actual events 500 years ago as the Reformation was happening. I enjoyed the characters and am in awe of the sacrifices they were willing to make to spread the Truth.
I know it’s fiction but too many liberties were taken with the story of Martin and Katie. I did not appreciate the graphic descriptions of torture, I can’t get them out of my head. I know they happened but weren’t necessary for the fictionalized story.
Knowing it was a novel, I expected there to be some license with facts and truth. But I felt the “kidnapping” events were more of a stretch than necessary. Filling in conversations, how events happened, and some chronology gaps were more my expectation. I would have liked to have read more of their family life together instead of ending with the birth of their first son. But it is a good read and very close to a 5-star rating!
I had forgotten how brave the Reformers were. Told in a page-turning way!
Biographical in nature, but fictionalized, a saga of Martin Luther after he nailed his 95 theses to the door and began the Protestant Reformation. He was hunted by the Princes, the Pope and others who wanted to kill him. It is also the story of Katharina von Bora, a nun who left a convent, with whom Martin had an acerbic relationship, but in the end, they fell in love with each other and were married. A good read…..I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a little history, too!
Very readable story which enlightens the times in which Martin Luther lived and demonstrates his commitment to Christ against great obstacles.
I really, really liked this book….gave me the desire to read more on Martin Luther, the “real” life.
Very well written. Good plot from the first page. Very informative of historical figures and cultures.
Highly recommended