Read Luther and Katharina Online
Authors: Jody Hedlund
Luther and Katharina
Luther and Katharina
“Jody Hedlund's
Luther and Katharina
is an absorbing and deeply researched look into the life and ministry of a figure in church history I'd previously known only from a few dusty facts. Jody breathes life into those facts with this fascinating and intimate portrayal of Martin Luther's life.
Luther and Katharina
is a compelling tale of tested faith, tumultuous church history, and incredible courage against daunting oddsâand one of the most unique love stories I've read in ages.”
â
L
ORI
B
ENTON
, author of
The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
and
The Wood's Edge
“My favorite Jody Hedlund novel to date!
Luther and Katharina
is a work of heart, showcasing a unique setting, a rich plot, and a shimmering romance drawn from two of history's most beloved heroes of the faith, Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora. Well done!”
â
L
AURA
F
RANTZ
, author of
The Mistress of Tall Acre
“
Luther and Katharina
is a sweeping romance set against the turbulent background of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. At times heartbreaking, at times breathtaking, readers will be swept away by both the love story and the historical details woven expertly through every chapter. Don't miss this one!”
â
R
OBIN
L
EE
H
ATCHER
, best-selling author of
Whenever You Come Around
and
Keeper of the Stars
“Complex and emotionally rich,
Luther and Katharina
gripped me from the very start and never let go. Not even when the final page was turned. The history, the love story, the depth of faith in this novel is masterfully woven by Jody Hedlund.”
â
T
AMERA
A
LEXANDER
,
USA Today
best-selling author of
To Win Her Favor
and
A Lasting Impression
OOKS BY
J
ODY
H
EDLUND
The Hearts of Faith Series
The Preacher's Bride
The Doctor's Lady
Rebellious Heart
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Captured by Love
Out of the Storm: A Novella
Love Unexpected
Hearts Made Whole
The Vow: Prequel to An Uncertain Choice, A Novella
An Uncertain Choice
L
UTHER AND
K
ATHARINA
P
UBLISHED BY
W
ATER
B
ROOK
P
RESS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921
All Scripture quotations or paraphrases are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Apart from well-known people, events, and locales that figure into the narrative, all names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously.
Trade Paperback ISBNâ9781601427625
eBook ISBNâ9781601427632
Copyright © 2015 by Jody Hedlund
Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Mike Heath, Magnus-Creative
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
W
ATER
B
ROOK
and its deer colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hedlund, Jody.
Luther and Katharina : a novel of love and rebellion / Jody Hedlund.âFirst edition.
pages ; cm
ISBN 978-1-60142-762-5 (softcover)âISBN 978-1-60142-763-2 (electronic) 1. Luther, Katharina von Bora, 1499-1552âFiction. 2. Luther, Martin, 1483-1546âFiction. 3. ReformationâGermanyâFiction. I. Title.
PS3608.E333L88 2015
813'.6âdc23
2015015818
v4.1
ep
This book is for you, Dad.
As a Lutheran pastor you embodied Martin Luther in so many ways: in personality, love of family, devotion to the gospel, and passion for your flock. You were well loved everywhere you served.
As you look down from heaven, I hope you're proud of your little girl.
Katharina von Bora
âa daughter of noble birth, but raised in convents from the age of five; also called Kate
Martin (or Martinus) Luther
âonce an Augustinian monk but excommunicated by the Catholic church; nailed his
Ninety-Five Theses
to the door of
All Saints' Church
in
Wittenberg
on October 31, 1517, sparking the Reformation; renowned minister and writer of the sixteenth century
Abbess Margareta (Reverend Mother)
âat Marienthron, she disciplines Katharina for Baltazar; also Katharina's aunt
Abbot Baltazar
âAbbot of Marienthron
Amsdorf
âfriend to Luther
Aunt Lena/Aunt Magdalena (von Bora)
âremains at Marienthron after Katharina escapes; serves as a mother figure to Katharina
Charles V
âhistorical figure, lived 1500â1558; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 1519â1556
Cranach family
âLucas Cranach, one of the wealthiest men in Wittenberg, owns a printing shop and prints most of Luther's writings; a famous painter; his wife, Barbara, befriends Katharina
Dr. Glatz of Orlamünde
âlives in Wittenberg; a rector
Elector Frederick
âLuther's benefactor and protector, who has his home palace in Torgau; also known as Prince Frederick, or Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
Greta
âmaidservant to Katharina; escapes with her from the Marienthron convent; in love with Thomas
Hans Luther
âfather of Jacob and Martin; a smelter
Jacob Luther
âMartin's younger brother
Jerome Baumgartner
âfriend of Elsa Reichenbach; comes to stay and develops a relationship with Katharina von Bora
Johann von Staupitz
âAugustinian vicar and a mentor to Luther
Justus Jonas
âclose friend of Luther's
Margaret von Schonfeld
âa nun who escaped from the Marienthron convent; a close friend to Katharina and is interested in Luther
Merchant Koppe
âa supporter of Luther; helps the nuns escape
Pastor Johannes Bugenhagen
âpastor of the Stadtkirche in Wittenberg; a friend of Luther's
Philipp Melanchthon
âfriend of Luther's; father to little Anna
Reichenbach family
âthe family Katharina initially works for in Wittenberg; Elsa is wife and mother; her husband is the mayor
Thomas
âMerchant Koppe's servant; in love with Greta
Wolfgang
âLuther's manservant at the Black Cloister
Zeschau sisters
âFronica and Etta; were tortured at Marienthron but escaped with Katharina