What do you think?
Rate this book
Luther and Katharina
2016 ECPA Book of the Year for Fiction! 2016 Christy Award Winner for Historical Romance!
Katharina von Bora has seen nothing but the inside of cloister walls since she was five. In a daring escape, Katharina finds refuge with Martin Luther and seeks his help to pair her with the noble, wealthy husband she desires.
As class tensions and religious conflicts escalate toward the brink of war, Martin Luther believes that each day could be his last and determines he will never take a wife.
As the horrors of the bloody Peasant War break out around them, the proud Katharina and headstrong Martin Luther fight their own battle for true love, in one of the greatest love stories of history.
Katharina von Bora has seen nothing but the inside of cloister walls since she was five. In a daring escape, Katharina finds refuge with Martin Luther and seeks his help to pair her with the noble, wealthy husband she desires.
As class tensions and religious conflicts escalate toward the brink of war, Martin Luther believes that each day could be his last and determines he will never take a wife.
As the horrors of the bloody Peasant War break out around them, the proud Katharina and headstrong Martin Luther fight their own battle for true love, in one of the greatest love stories of history.
386 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
About the author
Jody Hedlund
70 books4,164 followersJody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
November 30, 2015
I think to truly enjoy this book you either have to have not much knowledge of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora's life or you have to try to block out everything you know and try to enjoy the story. And, I couldn't do that. The reformation and Martin Luther were among my favorite subjects when I was studying theology and to read about Martin Katharina marriage like a love story just didn't work for me because their marriage were a marriage of convenience, not love. Martin Luther himself wrote that they didn't marry for love and that she wasn't even his first choice.
I liked the beginning of the book. Katharina and the other nuns escape from the cloister and everything about settling into a life outside the cloister. But my problem with the story grew as the story became more and more romantic. I can understand the need to invent happenings and new characters, but personally I just couldn't accept changing the very nature of Martin and Katharina's relationship. if this had been two other persons and not based on two real persons would this book been much better.
So, I would say that this book will enjoy those that can see past the truth, that can take the authors romanticisation of a marriage that without any doubt was more a marriage of convenience than a marriage of love. It was in no way badly written, I just couldn't enjoy reading something that for me feels wrong. I wish had liked it better because this was a book that I have wanted to read for a long time.
I received the book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the beginning of the book. Katharina and the other nuns escape from the cloister and everything about settling into a life outside the cloister. But my problem with the story grew as the story became more and more romantic. I can understand the need to invent happenings and new characters, but personally I just couldn't accept changing the very nature of Martin and Katharina's relationship. if this had been two other persons and not based on two real persons would this book been much better.
So, I would say that this book will enjoy those that can see past the truth, that can take the authors romanticisation of a marriage that without any doubt was more a marriage of convenience than a marriage of love. It was in no way badly written, I just couldn't enjoy reading something that for me feels wrong. I wish had liked it better because this was a book that I have wanted to read for a long time.
I received the book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2015
Do I spy a novel about Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina!!??
IT IS!?
YAY!!!!
*Looks at release date* October 6!
UPDATE: 5 stars!!!!
My Review
Luther and Katharina is yet another hit for Jody Hedlund. Luther and Katharina tells the love story of Martine Luther and his wife Katharina Von Bora. When they first meet Luther is still a monk and she a nun. Not long after Luther leaves the Catholic Church because of certain practices being done that were not biblical. Luther writes and nails the 95 Theses to door of the church, he has to hide for a time and eventually finds himself in front of the King and Cardinal. They ask hime to recant everything he has said and done. Luther refuses. I loved reading a fictional tale about Luther and his wife. It was a tale I had yet to read and it was very enjoyable.
July 4, 2016
4.5 stars.
An excellent historical fiction of Luther and his wife! I was already familiar with the story, and was pleased to see how true Hedlund kept to the main facts. This is one of my favorite true-life romances of all times, and I am glad to see that a Christian author has done the story so well. It to me was very romantic without being sensual, and I loved the development of the relationship. Knowing how it all turned out did not detract at all from the story for me! And the historical setting was masterfully portrayed.
Thank you, Jody Hedlund!
An excellent historical fiction of Luther and his wife! I was already familiar with the story, and was pleased to see how true Hedlund kept to the main facts. This is one of my favorite true-life romances of all times, and I am glad to see that a Christian author has done the story so well. It to me was very romantic without being sensual, and I loved the development of the relationship. Knowing how it all turned out did not detract at all from the story for me! And the historical setting was masterfully portrayed.
Thank you, Jody Hedlund!
May 10, 2018
Since the age of five, Katharina von Bora has spent her life within the walls of a convent. In an act of daring, she, along with several other nuns, seek refuge with Martin Luther for both protection and his help in finding a husband of noble birth. As tensions among the classes and religious faction escalate to a dangerous degree, Martin Luther knows that each day could be his last, and he vows he will never marry. With the bloody peasant war looming, will proud Katharina and stubborn Martin unite as one, not just in the name of religious persecution, but in the name of love as well?
It goes without saying that I am always excited to read a Jody Hedlund novel. She is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, and a go-to for me when I want to read a story full of history and romance. Her same trademark detail and romantic moments are here, yet there is something about this story that captivated me in a way that some of Hedlund’s previous novels did not. The plot is engrossing; once I started this story, it wasn’t one I could easily sit down for a long period of time. The heightened tension of that time in history is very evident throughout the story’s entirety.
The historical detail is exquisite. I loved the details about customs at the time, especially regarding betrothal and marriage. What seems strange now was quite commonplace then, and while it sort of jarred my modern sensibilities, I found it all fascinating. The ruthlessness of the times is very evident within this story as well; perhaps this, more than anything, sets this novel apart from her previous ones. There is a gritty nature to this story that drew me in from the start. It completely fits within the story’s context; the Reformation was a dangerous time, especially for Martin Luther and anyone who supported him. Jody doesn’t hesitate to portray these dangers accurately, and while some of the events that take place are heart-wrenching, they always feel realistic and true to the story. The world in general was a rougher, more precarious place, and it is especially so for these characters, who fly in the face of persecution for the Reformation.
Though Jody focused more heavily on the historical aspect of the story, fans of her romance, don’t fear. The romance between Luther and Katharina is passionate, based on both physical and emotional attraction, but they also challenged each other mentally and intellectually. I was actually surprised at the amount of romance in the story because for some reason, I had it in my mind that there would be less when compared to Hedlund’s previous books, but truly there wasn’t. While sometimes Martin and Katharina’s misunderstandings had me smacking my forehead in frustration, overall, I loved their bantering just as much as their stumbling, bumbling journey to love.
As individuals, both characters have nuances and complexity that make them fascinating to get to know. Katharina is a strange mix of humility and pride; humility because of the way she grew up in a convent as a nun, but pride because she remembers her noble birthright. Letting go of her nobility is one of Katharina’s biggest downfalls, and sometimes cause her to make choices that she thinks are the better thing to do. Martin Luther has both internal and external conflict against him; physical ailments hold him back from completing the work that he knows he is called to do, while his many enemies seek his demise. He is often torn between preserving his life in order to continue on with the work of the Reformation and doing the often dangerous, life-threatening tasks that propel it forward. Once these two characters meet, sparks fly, and I was fully engrossed in their interactions both as individuals and as a couple.
Since the story itself revolves around the Reformation, I wasn’t sure how the faith aspect would come across on the individual character level. There was no need to be worried though, because, as I mentioned above, while the Reformation provided the external conflict, their inner conflicts were rich and genuine as well. Martin doubted many times whether making this stand was the right thing to do and despaired when his actions caused harm to others. Katharina’s struggle with allowing God to transform how she saw herself and who she thought she could be is unique to her but also a universal struggle.
Hedlund presents details about the religious conflict in ways that appear organically throughout the story, whether through conversation or through the character’s own thoughts. Though I can’t say I know much about Martin Luther besides what I learned in school or watched on TV (thank you, History Channel!), I never felt lost in the details, nor overwhelmed with too much information. I felt informed while reading, which is always a bonus for me.
Luther and Katharina is definitely one of my favorites of Hedlund’s novels. While I suppose in some ways this was a departure from her previous novels, in that it is a bit heavier in historical detail, the decision to do so was a winning one indeed for this reader. Highly recommended for readers of her previous books and fans of historical fiction, especially stories based on real-life historical figures.
It goes without saying that I am always excited to read a Jody Hedlund novel. She is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, and a go-to for me when I want to read a story full of history and romance. Her same trademark detail and romantic moments are here, yet there is something about this story that captivated me in a way that some of Hedlund’s previous novels did not. The plot is engrossing; once I started this story, it wasn’t one I could easily sit down for a long period of time. The heightened tension of that time in history is very evident throughout the story’s entirety.
The historical detail is exquisite. I loved the details about customs at the time, especially regarding betrothal and marriage. What seems strange now was quite commonplace then, and while it sort of jarred my modern sensibilities, I found it all fascinating. The ruthlessness of the times is very evident within this story as well; perhaps this, more than anything, sets this novel apart from her previous ones. There is a gritty nature to this story that drew me in from the start. It completely fits within the story’s context; the Reformation was a dangerous time, especially for Martin Luther and anyone who supported him. Jody doesn’t hesitate to portray these dangers accurately, and while some of the events that take place are heart-wrenching, they always feel realistic and true to the story. The world in general was a rougher, more precarious place, and it is especially so for these characters, who fly in the face of persecution for the Reformation.
Though Jody focused more heavily on the historical aspect of the story, fans of her romance, don’t fear. The romance between Luther and Katharina is passionate, based on both physical and emotional attraction, but they also challenged each other mentally and intellectually. I was actually surprised at the amount of romance in the story because for some reason, I had it in my mind that there would be less when compared to Hedlund’s previous books, but truly there wasn’t. While sometimes Martin and Katharina’s misunderstandings had me smacking my forehead in frustration, overall, I loved their bantering just as much as their stumbling, bumbling journey to love.
As individuals, both characters have nuances and complexity that make them fascinating to get to know. Katharina is a strange mix of humility and pride; humility because of the way she grew up in a convent as a nun, but pride because she remembers her noble birthright. Letting go of her nobility is one of Katharina’s biggest downfalls, and sometimes cause her to make choices that she thinks are the better thing to do. Martin Luther has both internal and external conflict against him; physical ailments hold him back from completing the work that he knows he is called to do, while his many enemies seek his demise. He is often torn between preserving his life in order to continue on with the work of the Reformation and doing the often dangerous, life-threatening tasks that propel it forward. Once these two characters meet, sparks fly, and I was fully engrossed in their interactions both as individuals and as a couple.
Since the story itself revolves around the Reformation, I wasn’t sure how the faith aspect would come across on the individual character level. There was no need to be worried though, because, as I mentioned above, while the Reformation provided the external conflict, their inner conflicts were rich and genuine as well. Martin doubted many times whether making this stand was the right thing to do and despaired when his actions caused harm to others. Katharina’s struggle with allowing God to transform how she saw herself and who she thought she could be is unique to her but also a universal struggle.
Hedlund presents details about the religious conflict in ways that appear organically throughout the story, whether through conversation or through the character’s own thoughts. Though I can’t say I know much about Martin Luther besides what I learned in school or watched on TV (thank you, History Channel!), I never felt lost in the details, nor overwhelmed with too much information. I felt informed while reading, which is always a bonus for me.
Luther and Katharina is definitely one of my favorites of Hedlund’s novels. While I suppose in some ways this was a departure from her previous novels, in that it is a bit heavier in historical detail, the decision to do so was a winning one indeed for this reader. Highly recommended for readers of her previous books and fans of historical fiction, especially stories based on real-life historical figures.
Read
October 10, 2018Kudos to Jody Hedlund for taking on such a difficult slice of history. The amount of information packed into this novel is impressive, yet it doesn't read at all like a textbook. Every piece of knowledge gained is also integral to the story's plot. I couldn't help but root for Martin and Katharina as they surmounted so many obstacles in their unusual path to each other. A worthwhile read!
October 11, 2015
Phenomenal historical fiction! Luther and Katharina is the story of Martinus Luther (better known as Martin Luther) and Katharina von Bora. Prior to reading this novel I knew next to nothing about Martin Luther and not much more about the Reformation. Through reading Luther and Katharina, I feel like I've visited the Reformation time period. What a difficult and interesting time!
Katharina is a strong personality with a warm heart. The author doesn't portray her as perfect and Katharina does have her character flaws painting her as realistic. Martinus has a passion for moving worship of God in a different direction and puts the interest of others above his own. I especially enjoyed the banter between Martinus and Katharina.
Luther and Katharina is a well told educational novel and highly recommended for readers who enjoy heavy amounts of history. I found it to be delightful. I have a new favorite Jody Hedlund novel!
Katharina is a strong personality with a warm heart. The author doesn't portray her as perfect and Katharina does have her character flaws painting her as realistic. Martinus has a passion for moving worship of God in a different direction and puts the interest of others above his own. I especially enjoyed the banter between Martinus and Katharina.
Luther and Katharina is a well told educational novel and highly recommended for readers who enjoy heavy amounts of history. I found it to be delightful. I have a new favorite Jody Hedlund novel!
July 3, 2019
3.5 stars
Jody Hedlund remains one of those authors that no matter how much time has passed since I read one of her works, she can immediately hold my attention.
Often writing about historic women time has forgotten, Hedlund explores the relationship between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. Set in the 16th century and amidst war between the nobles and peasants, the former monk and former nun form a reluctant attachment in the middle of all the chaos around them.
But I wouldn't go so far as to claim that it was a great romance. Rather, Hedlund shows us two stubborn people that are both tested in their faith to let go of their pride and forge a future together. Hedlund doesn't sugarcoat history either. We see the dark gritty nature of the time period, the class divisions, and the political and religious upheaval during the Protestant Reformation.
A reading guide of questions and a detailed author's note are included.
Goodreads review published 03/07/19
Jody Hedlund remains one of those authors that no matter how much time has passed since I read one of her works, she can immediately hold my attention.
Often writing about historic women time has forgotten, Hedlund explores the relationship between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. Set in the 16th century and amidst war between the nobles and peasants, the former monk and former nun form a reluctant attachment in the middle of all the chaos around them.
But I wouldn't go so far as to claim that it was a great romance. Rather, Hedlund shows us two stubborn people that are both tested in their faith to let go of their pride and forge a future together. Hedlund doesn't sugarcoat history either. We see the dark gritty nature of the time period, the class divisions, and the political and religious upheaval during the Protestant Reformation.
A reading guide of questions and a detailed author's note are included.
Goodreads review published 03/07/19
November 20, 2015
Originally found at: https://26countlesspossibilities.word...
Genre: Christian, Romance, Historical Fiction.
Favorite Quote: "Satan, if you frighten me, Christ will give me courage; if you kill me, Christ will give me life."
Age Range: 18+
Stars: 2/5 stars.
I can tell Jody Hedlund did a lot of research for this book: the correct outfits, the way they talk, even how to catch fleas! I appreciate that, but I don't feel she built her characters at all. They fell kind of flat with me, and I didn't connect to the characters or the budding romance. I also felt like Katharina's personality would change throughout the book.
This is definitely not a book for teens. There were several mentions of rape and girls losing their virginity. There was also a marriage bed scene that made me very uncomfortable.
Overall:
I probably won't be reading another Jody Hedlund book. I've tried several times and haven't enjoyed them.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review
Genre: Christian, Romance, Historical Fiction.
Favorite Quote: "Satan, if you frighten me, Christ will give me courage; if you kill me, Christ will give me life."
Age Range: 18+
Stars: 2/5 stars.
I can tell Jody Hedlund did a lot of research for this book: the correct outfits, the way they talk, even how to catch fleas! I appreciate that, but I don't feel she built her characters at all. They fell kind of flat with me, and I didn't connect to the characters or the budding romance. I also felt like Katharina's personality would change throughout the book.
This is definitely not a book for teens. There were several mentions of rape and girls losing their virginity. There was also a marriage bed scene that made me very uncomfortable.
Overall:
I probably won't be reading another Jody Hedlund book. I've tried several times and haven't enjoyed them.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review
November 26, 2015
History has always been one of my favourite subjects, and I love well written historical fiction. I am well aware that it is necessary to take most historical fiction with a grain of salt - for pretty much any topic the author will have to do a lot of interpretation both due to lack of information and in order to make the story more interesting and readable.
When I got the chance to read the recently published Luther and Katharina, I jumped at it straight away. Religion has always been of special interest to me, and while I didn't grow up Lutheran, it is the state church in Denmark. Luther's clash with the Catholic church is one of the most important events within Christian and European history. His marriage to Katharina von Bora, a former nun, made the break from celibate traditions complete.
As I just mentioned, I do not expect historical fiction to be "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth", but I was very disappointed by Luther and Katharina.
Jody Hedlund really stretches the facts around the relationship between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora, in order to turn it into a clichéd and stereotypical romance novel. There's certainly a time and a place for romance, but it is well known that the marriage between Luther and von Bora was not born out of romance, but rather of convenience - even as they did grow fond of each other once married - and to set an example for other priests, monks and nuns:
This quote is from Luther: Man Between God and Devil the definitive biography on Martin Luther, written by Heiko Augustinus Oberman, who is one of the greatest authorities on Luther.
If Hedlund had chosen to write about how romance developed between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora after their marriage, I would have absolutely no objection, but to go against their own words is incredibly disingenuous in my opinion. Instead Hedlund turns it into a stereotypical romance novel where your main characters are "attracted to each other against their will". Just from one chapter:
Of course there were many, many complications before they could get married - most of them due to them not being able to, you know, open their mouths and say what they were thinking. Although neither of them, apparently, had any problem saying many intentionally hurtful things to each other.
I find it incredibly problematic the way we have romanticized being rude and dishonest - too frequently it is seen as a sign of true love and passion, when really it sets the stage for gaslighting and emotional abuse. From a young age we teach our daughters that if the boy in your class pulls your hair and is mean to you, it's because he likes you. No. That is not okay. Poor social and communication skills is not excused nor caused by passion and "true love". And they make a successful and loving relationship incredibly difficult to achieve, without some serious changes.
To be fair, if I had taken the time to look at Hedlund's website, I probably would've picked up on the main theme of her books - Christian romance - and would've given it a pass altogether. But I was given the opportunity to read Luther and Katharina for free, through Blogging for Books, and thought it looked interesting.
However, I did thoroughly enjoy the first couple of chapters detailing the nuns' escape from their convent - based on true events. If the rest of the book had been more like that, my review probably would've been very different. As it is, unless you absolutely love romance novels and don't really care about the historical facts around Luther and von Bora's relationship, I would recommend you skip this one.
I received this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
When I got the chance to read the recently published Luther and Katharina, I jumped at it straight away. Religion has always been of special interest to me, and while I didn't grow up Lutheran, it is the state church in Denmark. Luther's clash with the Catholic church is one of the most important events within Christian and European history. His marriage to Katharina von Bora, a former nun, made the break from celibate traditions complete.
As I just mentioned, I do not expect historical fiction to be "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth", but I was very disappointed by Luther and Katharina.
Jody Hedlund really stretches the facts around the relationship between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora, in order to turn it into a clichéd and stereotypical romance novel. There's certainly a time and a place for romance, but it is well known that the marriage between Luther and von Bora was not born out of romance, but rather of convenience - even as they did grow fond of each other once married - and to set an example for other priests, monks and nuns:
But the decisive factor was that both of them regarded marriage as a profession and divine vocation without the romantic expectations of love that were later to increase so enormously the number of disappointments and marital breakups. It is true that the two had not been passionately in love when they started out, but what began as fondness and gratitude for a new form of companionship developed into a firm bond...
This quote is from Luther: Man Between God and Devil the definitive biography on Martin Luther, written by Heiko Augustinus Oberman, who is one of the greatest authorities on Luther.
If Hedlund had chosen to write about how romance developed between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora after their marriage, I would have absolutely no objection, but to go against their own words is incredibly disingenuous in my opinion. Instead Hedlund turns it into a stereotypical romance novel where your main characters are "attracted to each other against their will". Just from one chapter:
At least he wanted to convince himself that it was her intensity and not her loveliness that made him squirm.
For a brief moment he could see the frightened little girl once abandoned and forgotten. Sorrow beckoned him to rescue her, to reach out to her, to comfort her. Her vulnerability stirred a place deep inside him, evoking a strange urge to cross the room and touch her cheek, to feel its smoothness.
How was it possible that with just one sentence Sister Katharina could reduce him, the doctor of theology, the great preacher, the learned professor, to an errant boy in need of a thrashing? How could she make him want to hang his head in shame and at the same time fill him with such annoyance that he neglected to restrain his tongue?
Of course there were many, many complications before they could get married - most of them due to them not being able to, you know, open their mouths and say what they were thinking. Although neither of them, apparently, had any problem saying many intentionally hurtful things to each other.
I find it incredibly problematic the way we have romanticized being rude and dishonest - too frequently it is seen as a sign of true love and passion, when really it sets the stage for gaslighting and emotional abuse. From a young age we teach our daughters that if the boy in your class pulls your hair and is mean to you, it's because he likes you. No. That is not okay. Poor social and communication skills is not excused nor caused by passion and "true love". And they make a successful and loving relationship incredibly difficult to achieve, without some serious changes.
To be fair, if I had taken the time to look at Hedlund's website, I probably would've picked up on the main theme of her books - Christian romance - and would've given it a pass altogether. But I was given the opportunity to read Luther and Katharina for free, through Blogging for Books, and thought it looked interesting.
However, I did thoroughly enjoy the first couple of chapters detailing the nuns' escape from their convent - based on true events. If the rest of the book had been more like that, my review probably would've been very different. As it is, unless you absolutely love romance novels and don't really care about the historical facts around Luther and von Bora's relationship, I would recommend you skip this one.
I received this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2021
I’ve never been what someone would call an avid reader about historical figures. Any kind of historical “biography” type story kind of scares me off. Those I do experience are exclusive to the silver screen, which we all know is often misleading for entertainment purposes. This is also where anything I know about Martin Luther comes from. When I learned Jody Hedlund was tackling the iconic figure, I confess my reaction was one of neutrality. However, it’s safe to posit I have a different opinion now I’ve actually read this nearly 400-page tome.
his primarily follows, Martin Luther. But Katharina, the woman who would later become his wife, also enjoys a primary role in the story as it switches off perspectives between the two. The book covers Katharina’s escape from the convent; Luther’s fits with illness and battles he fights for the right to freely worship God; their relationship as well as intertwining fictional story threads, to add more layers to an already complex novel.
What a life Martin Luther lived. In coming to the end of this book, I don’t think a person can have any other reaction save that. His crusade to do right by God, his conscious and what's right is incredible. Nearly every move he made was met with opposition, sometimes even in his counsel. It’s his persistence and belief in what he cannot see that sets him up as being a person to admire. We should all strive to be as bold as he was. He never wavers no matter how bleak, and is as trustworthy as is the gospel he shares.
The surprising thing about this novel was how romantic it is. True it’s not ideally romantic in the same way as Jody’s historical romance novels (Bethany House) are, but it’s definitely more than I'd anticipate. The story is as much Katharina’s as it is Martin’s.
They each have separate things to work through emotionally and survive (including illness, kidnappings and general persecution), but the sparks between them is really, quite intriguing. Their marriage begins in misunderstandings and yet, beautifully, they still find a way to each other. In any fiction novel, there is likely some creative license, but I feel confident Jody does her research. With that in mind, Luther and Katharina is a delightful story of romance, tragedy and perseverance we can all learn something from.
Sincere thanks to the author, Jody and publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.
his primarily follows, Martin Luther. But Katharina, the woman who would later become his wife, also enjoys a primary role in the story as it switches off perspectives between the two. The book covers Katharina’s escape from the convent; Luther’s fits with illness and battles he fights for the right to freely worship God; their relationship as well as intertwining fictional story threads, to add more layers to an already complex novel.
What a life Martin Luther lived. In coming to the end of this book, I don’t think a person can have any other reaction save that. His crusade to do right by God, his conscious and what's right is incredible. Nearly every move he made was met with opposition, sometimes even in his counsel. It’s his persistence and belief in what he cannot see that sets him up as being a person to admire. We should all strive to be as bold as he was. He never wavers no matter how bleak, and is as trustworthy as is the gospel he shares.
The surprising thing about this novel was how romantic it is. True it’s not ideally romantic in the same way as Jody’s historical romance novels (Bethany House) are, but it’s definitely more than I'd anticipate. The story is as much Katharina’s as it is Martin’s.
They each have separate things to work through emotionally and survive (including illness, kidnappings and general persecution), but the sparks between them is really, quite intriguing. Their marriage begins in misunderstandings and yet, beautifully, they still find a way to each other. In any fiction novel, there is likely some creative license, but I feel confident Jody does her research. With that in mind, Luther and Katharina is a delightful story of romance, tragedy and perseverance we can all learn something from.
Sincere thanks to the author, Jody and publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.
November 30, 2015
See my full review at http://smilingbookreviews.blogspot.co...
What a gripping story! The courage, the persecution, the loneliness, the faith! The depth of this book is amazing. With plenty of rich drama, action, history, and romance, you'll be glad you picked up this book to read. It is very well written!
If you've ever wanted to know more about Martin Luther, this book will satisfy. The reformation of the Catholic church came about with much blood, sweat, and tears. The life of persecution that Martin Luther lived was more than any of us could ever imagine. I like the thought that the last 20 or so years of his life was brightened by his marriage to Katharina.
Although this book is heavy with history and the persecution that was prevalent in that time period, the author does not neglect the romance. The attraction that Luther and Katharina feel towards one another is denied by both to the point that I wanted to slap both of them...lol. Katharina has a warm heart despite being strong-willed and yearns to have the family that she was denied when her father took her to the Abbey at the age of 5. However, she struggles with the pride of being of noble birth and through many trials has to learn to let go of her lineage in order to move on to a future of love and family. Luther struggles with the fear of being rejected by this woman that has created passionate feelings in a man that believed he would be alone all his persecuted life. He also fears for her safety and well being if she were to marry him. They go through a lot before they find the path that God has laid out for their future.
Content warning: The reality of the persecution of the time is not glossed over in this book. Although not graphic, there are mentions of physical persecution and violence (some sexual). Like I said, not graphic but still there. (Probably less graphic than some crime shows on TV.)
*Thanks to Blogging For Books for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*
What a gripping story! The courage, the persecution, the loneliness, the faith! The depth of this book is amazing. With plenty of rich drama, action, history, and romance, you'll be glad you picked up this book to read. It is very well written!
If you've ever wanted to know more about Martin Luther, this book will satisfy. The reformation of the Catholic church came about with much blood, sweat, and tears. The life of persecution that Martin Luther lived was more than any of us could ever imagine. I like the thought that the last 20 or so years of his life was brightened by his marriage to Katharina.
Although this book is heavy with history and the persecution that was prevalent in that time period, the author does not neglect the romance. The attraction that Luther and Katharina feel towards one another is denied by both to the point that I wanted to slap both of them...lol. Katharina has a warm heart despite being strong-willed and yearns to have the family that she was denied when her father took her to the Abbey at the age of 5. However, she struggles with the pride of being of noble birth and through many trials has to learn to let go of her lineage in order to move on to a future of love and family. Luther struggles with the fear of being rejected by this woman that has created passionate feelings in a man that believed he would be alone all his persecuted life. He also fears for her safety and well being if she were to marry him. They go through a lot before they find the path that God has laid out for their future.
Content warning: The reality of the persecution of the time is not glossed over in this book. Although not graphic, there are mentions of physical persecution and violence (some sexual). Like I said, not graphic but still there. (Probably less graphic than some crime shows on TV.)
*Thanks to Blogging For Books for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*
April 27, 2018
This is a story of two historical characters: an early 16th century German reformer, Martin Luther, who believes that “God’s mercy is not for sale. It’s free…” and a woman, Katharina von Bora, noble knight’s daughter, who becomes a nun, due to a lack of dowry to get married, as this is “the surest way to get to heaven.”
He is an excommunicated monk, who attracts crowds wherever he moves, such is his pure remarkable love for God, “…given freely, not forced.” She with the other nuns flee the convent as words of Luther reach many cloisters about “cloistered life wasn’t necessary for their soul’s salvation.” He “awakens their desires that had been forced into slumber.” Now they want to experience the new words preached by Luther, “…Marriage is not only honorable but necessary…Men and women, who were created for it…”
The fleeing nuns find shelter at a monastery, where Luther resides. He feels responsible for finding them new homes and that’s what he does. Except for a bossy woman from a noble family, Katharina…
The author recreates a valid atmosphere between nobles and peasants, their clashes, and interaction seen through conversations between Luther and Katharina. But above all, she paints well a picture why Luther is so passionate about the Reformation; the abuses of the Church had been going for far too long.
Overall, this is an interesting story and pretty well-written. I gave it four stars as there is too much arguing between Luther and Katharina to a point that it is hard to be believable, especially when both of them are ordained for religious duties.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
He is an excommunicated monk, who attracts crowds wherever he moves, such is his pure remarkable love for God, “…given freely, not forced.” She with the other nuns flee the convent as words of Luther reach many cloisters about “cloistered life wasn’t necessary for their soul’s salvation.” He “awakens their desires that had been forced into slumber.” Now they want to experience the new words preached by Luther, “…Marriage is not only honorable but necessary…Men and women, who were created for it…”
The fleeing nuns find shelter at a monastery, where Luther resides. He feels responsible for finding them new homes and that’s what he does. Except for a bossy woman from a noble family, Katharina…
The author recreates a valid atmosphere between nobles and peasants, their clashes, and interaction seen through conversations between Luther and Katharina. But above all, she paints well a picture why Luther is so passionate about the Reformation; the abuses of the Church had been going for far too long.
Overall, this is an interesting story and pretty well-written. I gave it four stars as there is too much arguing between Luther and Katharina to a point that it is hard to be believable, especially when both of them are ordained for religious duties.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
October 13, 2015
Wow, what an amazing story! When I picked up Jody Hedlund's latest book, I didn't think that I would be taking such an in-depth journey into Martin and Katharina Luther's lives.
I was enraptured with this story from the very first page. It starts with a bang and doesn't let up. It's one of those books where you sit down to read a page or two and look up 10 chapters later. You know, the kind where you are annoyed to have to return to real life, even for a moment.
When I picked up this book, I was not expecting the complexity of the characters, and the vibrant historical details, and the rich depth of emotions. My heart was dragged along for the ride. It soared and broke for Luther and Katharina at times as they tried to navigate their many differences. I'll be honest... I shed a tear or two for several of the characters. They were so real, it was impossible not to. :)
This book also made me truly appreciate my relationship with God and the religious freedom that we have today. I can't imagine not being able to pray my own thoughts and feelings or not be able to read the Bible.
5 stars just isn't enough for this truly excellent read.
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
I was enraptured with this story from the very first page. It starts with a bang and doesn't let up. It's one of those books where you sit down to read a page or two and look up 10 chapters later. You know, the kind where you are annoyed to have to return to real life, even for a moment.
When I picked up this book, I was not expecting the complexity of the characters, and the vibrant historical details, and the rich depth of emotions. My heart was dragged along for the ride. It soared and broke for Luther and Katharina at times as they tried to navigate their many differences. I'll be honest... I shed a tear or two for several of the characters. They were so real, it was impossible not to. :)
This book also made me truly appreciate my relationship with God and the religious freedom that we have today. I can't imagine not being able to pray my own thoughts and feelings or not be able to read the Bible.
5 stars just isn't enough for this truly excellent read.
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
November 2, 2015
My mind goes helplessly blank as I write this review. What can I rightly say about a historical that not only gave a deeper insight into the lives of Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, but also provided delightful hours of reading?
I think it is a well known fact to every Jody Hedlund fan out there that her books have the ability to simply catch readers by surprise. I have yet to read one that bored me to tears, and don’t expect to! Whether it’s about Lighthouses and its keepers set in Michigan, or swoon-worthy knights vying for the hand of a lovely maiden, whatever the story involves, you can count on it being more than enjoyable! And Hedlund’s first historical is no exception! As I flew through the pages of Luther And Katharina: A Novel Of Love And Rebellion, I found myself both inspired and amazed. Though I was familiar – but not extremely – with the Reformation before reading this novel, I can’t help but now see it with new eyes. And new appreciation.
'' Our Lord always gives us more than we pray for. If we pray properly for a piece of bread, He gives us an entire field. Yet we rarely begin anything with genuine prayer and thus miss out on so much of His blessing. ”
Honestly, I think Jody Hedlund did an outstanding job bringing it all to life. Never before have I experienced that close up, personal inside look at the people of the Reformation. Never before could I really admire Katharina von Bora like I do now. Getting to know the person who Martin Luther was – Standing up for what he believed at the cost of persecution, inside struggles – through the pages of this novel was truly incredible. And reading about how they came together?
Loved it so much I could read it again. Which I will!
Usually when I hear love and rebellion mentioned in the same sentence it makes me a little uneasy of the outcome. In the case of this novel, it was a needless worry. Everything, from the historical facts to the incredible storytelling, made a perfect fit. And I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Originally posted here;https://athoughtreflected.wordpress.c...
I think it is a well known fact to every Jody Hedlund fan out there that her books have the ability to simply catch readers by surprise. I have yet to read one that bored me to tears, and don’t expect to! Whether it’s about Lighthouses and its keepers set in Michigan, or swoon-worthy knights vying for the hand of a lovely maiden, whatever the story involves, you can count on it being more than enjoyable! And Hedlund’s first historical is no exception! As I flew through the pages of Luther And Katharina: A Novel Of Love And Rebellion, I found myself both inspired and amazed. Though I was familiar – but not extremely – with the Reformation before reading this novel, I can’t help but now see it with new eyes. And new appreciation.
'' Our Lord always gives us more than we pray for. If we pray properly for a piece of bread, He gives us an entire field. Yet we rarely begin anything with genuine prayer and thus miss out on so much of His blessing. ”
Honestly, I think Jody Hedlund did an outstanding job bringing it all to life. Never before have I experienced that close up, personal inside look at the people of the Reformation. Never before could I really admire Katharina von Bora like I do now. Getting to know the person who Martin Luther was – Standing up for what he believed at the cost of persecution, inside struggles – through the pages of this novel was truly incredible. And reading about how they came together?
Loved it so much I could read it again. Which I will!
Usually when I hear love and rebellion mentioned in the same sentence it makes me a little uneasy of the outcome. In the case of this novel, it was a needless worry. Everything, from the historical facts to the incredible storytelling, made a perfect fit. And I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Originally posted here;https://athoughtreflected.wordpress.c...
August 23, 2015
I received this book from the author/publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
Jody Hedlund is an incredibly talented author! Her writing all but dares you to put the book down as you read vigorously what will happen next! Her characters come alive in such a unique way and her stories always have motivation and inspiration found in the main plot. In Luther and Katherina, Jody dives into Martin Luther's world and brings it alive like I've never seen, or read. So it was definitely tense and suspenseful yet it was beautiful at the same time. The only thing that I would warn the readers on, is that Jody is a master of description, so the sexual issues that took place in this time of history are shown, yet they aren't overly detailed. However, the violence is detailed enough to see clearly.
Nevertheless, I rate Luther and Katharina 5 out of 5 stars and will probably be reading this book again in the future!
Thanks for reading!
You can read this review, as well as many others, on my blog at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wor...
Jody Hedlund is an incredibly talented author! Her writing all but dares you to put the book down as you read vigorously what will happen next! Her characters come alive in such a unique way and her stories always have motivation and inspiration found in the main plot. In Luther and Katherina, Jody dives into Martin Luther's world and brings it alive like I've never seen, or read. So it was definitely tense and suspenseful yet it was beautiful at the same time. The only thing that I would warn the readers on, is that Jody is a master of description, so the sexual issues that took place in this time of history are shown, yet they aren't overly detailed. However, the violence is detailed enough to see clearly.
Nevertheless, I rate Luther and Katharina 5 out of 5 stars and will probably be reading this book again in the future!
Thanks for reading!
You can read this review, as well as many others, on my blog at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wor...
May 26, 2015
Luther and Katharina is a sweeping romance set against the turbulent background of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th 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!
— Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author of Whenever You Come Around and Keeper of the Stars
— Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author of Whenever You Come Around and Keeper of the Stars
September 23, 2015
Martin Luther is the leader in the movement to reform the church. He is known as a heretic by many. Yet his teachings have touched the hearts of several nuns, among them Katharina von Bora. Since she was five years old, Katharina has lived a secluded life in the abbey. When she escapes with several other nuns, they soon find refuge with Martin Luther. All Katharina wants is for Luther to arrange her marriage to a nobleman. Luther fully understands that with tensions rising, he should never take a wife. After all, there have already been several attempts on his life. Yet as much as he tries to deny it, Katharina's fiery nature and her intelligence draw him like a moth to a flame. Will they both discover that perhaps a penniless monk and a noble nun can find happiness and love together?
Jody Hedlund is by far one of my favorite authors. While her other books have been historical, this particular one is very different. You see, in her others, she may base them on the lives of historical people, but changes the names. In this one, no names are changed.
I'll admit I know who Martin Luther was. I don't know much about his life, but I do know who he was. What I didn't know was all that went on in this time period. There really is so much going on that I was shocked. There are also some customs that were normal then that I was like what?!
I loved the romance between Luther and Katharina. I loved how neither one wanted it and that it kinda snuck up on them. I also loved how great they were together. The betrothal ceremony and the need for witnesses did not make sense to my modern mind. But a recent blog post I read by Jody explains that custom in a whole lot more detail.
This book really is packed full with adventure, mystery, romance, and grace. It's unlike any of her others, but it is still wonderful. It probably took me a day or two to read (yes I put everything else down).
I recommend this anyone who loves history, love historical romance, loves church history.
I received this book for free from the author to help promote. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Laura Frantz, Jody Hedlund, Kristy Cambron
Rating - 4 stars
Jody Hedlund is by far one of my favorite authors. While her other books have been historical, this particular one is very different. You see, in her others, she may base them on the lives of historical people, but changes the names. In this one, no names are changed.
I'll admit I know who Martin Luther was. I don't know much about his life, but I do know who he was. What I didn't know was all that went on in this time period. There really is so much going on that I was shocked. There are also some customs that were normal then that I was like what?!
I loved the romance between Luther and Katharina. I loved how neither one wanted it and that it kinda snuck up on them. I also loved how great they were together. The betrothal ceremony and the need for witnesses did not make sense to my modern mind. But a recent blog post I read by Jody explains that custom in a whole lot more detail.
This book really is packed full with adventure, mystery, romance, and grace. It's unlike any of her others, but it is still wonderful. It probably took me a day or two to read (yes I put everything else down).
I recommend this anyone who loves history, love historical romance, loves church history.
I received this book for free from the author to help promote. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Laura Frantz, Jody Hedlund, Kristy Cambron
Rating - 4 stars
June 6, 2018
I thought this book was really cute. It is the historically true romance between Martin Luther and Lady Katharina. One of the things that makes the book especially interesting is the dynamic between Luther as a persecuted ex-monk and Katharina as an ex-nun noblewoman. What kind of relationship would a man and a woman have when they have both sworn off marrying for life and stayed far away from the other sex for most of their lives? Add to that miscommunication and assassination attempts on one of their lives, and you have yourself a very interesting historical romance.
The two of them were kind of hilarious together. I laughed when Luther said at the beginning that he would pity the man who marries her. If only he knew then what would happen! For a while, even when they loved each other, they couldn’t be in a room together for five minutes without fighting. It was frustrating and humorous to watch. I’m glad they made their relationship work in the end.
I had been wanting to read this book for a while, but when my History of Christianity professor started talking about Martin Luther, I immediately started reading it. My professor was saying that, historically, Luther was pretty obnoxious. He was so passionate that he went a little far sometimes. And I think Jody Hedlund did an excellent job capturing his personality in this novel.
I really enjoyed this book, and I hope other readers of historical Christian romance will enjoy it as well.
I bought this book as well as received a complementary copy of it. All opinions expressed in this book are my own, and I received no compensation for them.
The two of them were kind of hilarious together. I laughed when Luther said at the beginning that he would pity the man who marries her. If only he knew then what would happen! For a while, even when they loved each other, they couldn’t be in a room together for five minutes without fighting. It was frustrating and humorous to watch. I’m glad they made their relationship work in the end.
I had been wanting to read this book for a while, but when my History of Christianity professor started talking about Martin Luther, I immediately started reading it. My professor was saying that, historically, Luther was pretty obnoxious. He was so passionate that he went a little far sometimes. And I think Jody Hedlund did an excellent job capturing his personality in this novel.
I really enjoyed this book, and I hope other readers of historical Christian romance will enjoy it as well.
I bought this book as well as received a complementary copy of it. All opinions expressed in this book are my own, and I received no compensation for them.
September 30, 2015
What a powerful story! I had trouble setting this book down. The author brought the sixteenth century time period vividly to life and I learned so much that I didn’t know before.
Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora were such complex characters, each with their own burdens. The author has written a novel that does not hesitate to portray characters who make very real mistakes. They hurt those they love through harsh words or inaction. They question God’s plan for their lives and attempt to take matters into their own hands. They both deeply feel emotions, yet struggle to share those emotions with the one they love.
Luther and Katharina were so very interesting to read about. The times they lived in were scary and downright dangerous. The side characters in the book did much to illustrate the importance of Doctor Luther’s message and how important to the cause he was. There were even a few lighthearted moments, at times, between Jonas and Luther. These interactions between Jonas and Luther, as well as the growth of the romance between Luther and Katharina, truly took the image I had of Doctor Martin Luther from a fuzzy piece of history to a real human being.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was full of rich, historical detail and a love story between the two main characters that even a rebellion could not crush.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora were such complex characters, each with their own burdens. The author has written a novel that does not hesitate to portray characters who make very real mistakes. They hurt those they love through harsh words or inaction. They question God’s plan for their lives and attempt to take matters into their own hands. They both deeply feel emotions, yet struggle to share those emotions with the one they love.
Luther and Katharina were so very interesting to read about. The times they lived in were scary and downright dangerous. The side characters in the book did much to illustrate the importance of Doctor Luther’s message and how important to the cause he was. There were even a few lighthearted moments, at times, between Jonas and Luther. These interactions between Jonas and Luther, as well as the growth of the romance between Luther and Katharina, truly took the image I had of Doctor Martin Luther from a fuzzy piece of history to a real human being.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was full of rich, historical detail and a love story between the two main characters that even a rebellion could not crush.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
December 30, 2019
Set in Germany during the beginning of the Protestant Reformation and the peasant revolt, I found this book very interesting. I didn't really know very much about Martin Luther's life or the Protestant Reformation, and Hedlund does an excellent job of bringing both to life. So many interesting facts to learn: Girls as young as 5 left at abbeys to become nuns because a noble stepmother didn't want them around. Girls molested by abbots. Young monks and nuns who wished to leave imprisoned and tortured. Indulgences by which members of the Catholic church paid to have their sins forgiven. This book makes it very clear why Martin Luther felt that there needed to be drastic changes to the church and why his very life was in jeopardy as he spread this word throughout the monastaries, abbys, and among the peasants.
The developing romance between Luther and Katharina was quite interesting as well. Beginning as constant antagonists to one another to slowly developing respect for each other to finally realizing they were perfect partners was intriguing.
I found that Hedlund's after notes explaining what was historical fact and what had been added for interest helpful as well. Her historical research definitely made this book very educational.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
The developing romance between Luther and Katharina was quite interesting as well. Beginning as constant antagonists to one another to slowly developing respect for each other to finally realizing they were perfect partners was intriguing.
I found that Hedlund's after notes explaining what was historical fact and what had been added for interest helpful as well. Her historical research definitely made this book very educational.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
April 28, 2016
This book was so much better than I anticipated! I love Jody Hedlund, but this time period and setting is not my favorite to read. BUT she wrote this story in such a way that made it so interesting and historical, I really couldn't put it down. This is a great story of real life in 1523 and all of the events and issues going on at that time. At the end of the book I was happy to read that the majority of the storyline is fact and really happened. Luther and Katharina are such unique characters and real. They both have faults and I love that it wasn't easy to fall in love or instant. I also like that the Bible is presented many times. Reading it in this time period made me realize, the Bible hasn't changed, they had many of the same words we do today.
The romance is sweet and a large portion of the book is about their relationship, the good and bad. This is definitely a romance so don't pick this book up expecting otherwise, there is nothing detailed but lots of kissing.
I loved every aspect and Hedlunds' writing has a way of capturing your attention until the end. I have yet to read a book by her I haven't loved.
Five stars.
Look for this book in stores October 6, 2015!!
"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."
The romance is sweet and a large portion of the book is about their relationship, the good and bad. This is definitely a romance so don't pick this book up expecting otherwise, there is nothing detailed but lots of kissing.
I loved every aspect and Hedlunds' writing has a way of capturing your attention until the end. I have yet to read a book by her I haven't loved.
Five stars.
Look for this book in stores October 6, 2015!!
"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."
September 26, 2017
So....going from one Jody Hedlund book I didn't much care for right into another was interesting. The difference in these books was significant.
This is historical fiction at its finest. The story is of Martin Luther, father of The Reformation and Katharine von Bora from an aristocratic family, dropped off at a convent at five, never hearing from her family again.
Further synopsis, mostly spoiler
The historical detail in this book was amazing. Of course some of it was fictitious for the sake of narrative, but much of it was historically accurate. Well researched and well written, this is one of my favorite Jody Hedlund books.
4.5 stars. A few details about the marriage bed at betrothal and wedding were not graphic, just not something I was fond of. Then it got a little cheesy at the end as it was wrapping up. But not too bad.
All in all, really good story.
This is historical fiction at its finest. The story is of Martin Luther, father of The Reformation and Katharine von Bora from an aristocratic family, dropped off at a convent at five, never hearing from her family again.
Further synopsis, mostly spoiler
The historical detail in this book was amazing. Of course some of it was fictitious for the sake of narrative, but much of it was historically accurate. Well researched and well written, this is one of my favorite Jody Hedlund books.
4.5 stars. A few details about the marriage bed at betrothal and wedding were not graphic, just not something I was fond of. Then it got a little cheesy at the end as it was wrapping up. But not too bad.
All in all, really good story.
September 4, 2021
I've been curious about the marriage of Martin Luther, a former monk, and Katarina, a former nun so when I saw this book and written by Jody, I downloaded it!
The story did not disappoint as far as getting the straight history about this unusual couple. The characterization of both spouses was excellent--strengths, flaws and fascinating people. I've always been impressed by a lowly monk taking on the most powerful man in the world at the time, the pope. And yet Luther's strength come from his faith in God and the power of his own spirit. He suffered from many ailments that might have sidelined a less faith-filled or intense character. The history of the time was portrayed in all its horror. I think that most 21st century people have no idea what life was like 500+ years ago. Yet the same struggles such as trying to figure out who to marry and why and reconciling with parents who don't understand the path a child has taken are the same. Well done, Ms. Hedlund.
The story did not disappoint as far as getting the straight history about this unusual couple. The characterization of both spouses was excellent--strengths, flaws and fascinating people. I've always been impressed by a lowly monk taking on the most powerful man in the world at the time, the pope. And yet Luther's strength come from his faith in God and the power of his own spirit. He suffered from many ailments that might have sidelined a less faith-filled or intense character. The history of the time was portrayed in all its horror. I think that most 21st century people have no idea what life was like 500+ years ago. Yet the same struggles such as trying to figure out who to marry and why and reconciling with parents who don't understand the path a child has taken are the same. Well done, Ms. Hedlund.
March 17, 2016
Jody's written a dozen (or so?) great books. I mean, highly enjoyable stories rich with realistic characters, romance, and historical details woven neatly together.
Anything she writes, I'll read, and I can hardly choose a favorite.
Now I can.
Luther and Katharina is hands-down, her best story yet. My opinion, of course. :) It's an unforgettable story about faithfulness to people and to God, and about a life-changing love that crossed social boundaries, all based on the life of church reformer Martin Luther, the man who made it possible for anyone to read the New Testament, whether rich or poor.
Luther and Katharina is a historical masterpiece with political tension, touches of mystery, and the reminder that no person, or class, is better than another. God's grace is for everyone who accepts it. The spiritual thread is beautifully tied into the story through the main characters' emotional arcs.
Martin Luther & Katharina von Bora's tumultuous, tender relationship was fascinating to read about. Jody doesn't shy away from the persecution experienced during this horrific time, difficult to read at times but also a good reminder to be grateful for those early church leaders.
I can't recommend this book highly enough!
Anything she writes, I'll read, and I can hardly choose a favorite.
Now I can.
Luther and Katharina is hands-down, her best story yet. My opinion, of course. :) It's an unforgettable story about faithfulness to people and to God, and about a life-changing love that crossed social boundaries, all based on the life of church reformer Martin Luther, the man who made it possible for anyone to read the New Testament, whether rich or poor.
Luther and Katharina is a historical masterpiece with political tension, touches of mystery, and the reminder that no person, or class, is better than another. God's grace is for everyone who accepts it. The spiritual thread is beautifully tied into the story through the main characters' emotional arcs.
Martin Luther & Katharina von Bora's tumultuous, tender relationship was fascinating to read about. Jody doesn't shy away from the persecution experienced during this horrific time, difficult to read at times but also a good reminder to be grateful for those early church leaders.
I can't recommend this book highly enough!
May 18, 2016
"Time to jump."
When Katharina von Bora leads an heroic escape from the convent where she has spent nearly her entire life, she takes a gigantic leap of faith; the radical teachings of Doctor Martin Luther c0nvincing her that a cloistered life cannot guarantee her salvation. Knowing that the cruel Abbott Baltazar will torture her mercilessly if she and her sisters are captured, she is initially relieved when her group finds refuge within the walls of Luther's nearly abandoned Black Cloister.
The fiery reformer and the nun of noble birth immediately have clear differences of opinion about just about everything. Eventually, one thing becomes abundantly clear, opposites can certainly attract, drawing Katharina and Martin towards a destiny that requires the patience of the almighty God to accomplish.
"Luther and Katharina" is a love story for the ages, overflowing with countless historical references, pulsating with sweet, tender conversations, culminating with a rather dramatic, heart-stopping resolution. The heroic sacrifices of these two individuals should give us pause and fill us with a renewed joy in our salvation.
When Katharina von Bora leads an heroic escape from the convent where she has spent nearly her entire life, she takes a gigantic leap of faith; the radical teachings of Doctor Martin Luther c0nvincing her that a cloistered life cannot guarantee her salvation. Knowing that the cruel Abbott Baltazar will torture her mercilessly if she and her sisters are captured, she is initially relieved when her group finds refuge within the walls of Luther's nearly abandoned Black Cloister.
The fiery reformer and the nun of noble birth immediately have clear differences of opinion about just about everything. Eventually, one thing becomes abundantly clear, opposites can certainly attract, drawing Katharina and Martin towards a destiny that requires the patience of the almighty God to accomplish.
"Luther and Katharina" is a love story for the ages, overflowing with countless historical references, pulsating with sweet, tender conversations, culminating with a rather dramatic, heart-stopping resolution. The heroic sacrifices of these two individuals should give us pause and fill us with a renewed joy in our salvation.
Shelved as 'the-discards-of-shame'
March 12, 2018I thought that I would enjoy this book more than I did. I read about half way and my interest started to wane. I think the constant dangerous escapades with an evil bishop pushed me over the edge. I also didn't feel for any of the characters.
July 12, 2022
Wat een gezeik
July 3, 2016
This was my fourth book by the popular author Jody Hedlund. I don’t know very much at all about Martin Luther, so last year I decided to request this book about him. It looked good, even if I would not be easily able to distinguish fact from fiction. This was plugged as being the first outright Historical Fiction work by this author (as opposed to her previous Historical Romances), but personally I did not notice a whole lot of difference.
There was still a very strong element of Romance and a lot of romancey scenes. I suppose the subtitle ‘A Novel of Love and Rebellion’ should have been a clue. For those who enjoy historical romance this would not be a problem, but those who expected something different might be disappointed.
I do believe that whilst Mrs Hedlund is a good storyteller, her stories are not always well executed. They tend to be very dependent on ‘dramatic devices’ such as violence, both physical and sexual and throwing every adverse circumstance possible at the characters. The Middle section of the book is like a constant round of killing or the mention of killing, kidnapping, rape or attempted rape. For example, the word ‘torture’ is used 9 times, ‘abuse’ 10 times. For a book of just under 400 pages, if you average it out, it’s like a mention of torture or abuse every 20 pages.
I understand there was a Peasant’s Revolt and a virtual war between the Princes and Peasants, but the book just seemed to get really, really repetitive at this point, with Luther agonizing about the actions of the peasants, but wanting to support them, and flitting back and forth in his sympathies and affliations.
Also, I found Luther to be an incredibly frustrating character. We are told numerous times that he was totally against violence, and would condemn the use of violence by either side. Yet he seemed to be constantly prepared to make excuses for the peasants saying ‘their demands have merit’, and harping on about ‘freedom’- even when they were going about raping nuns and disembowelling priests in the name of his reforms. Then, when the nobles supress the revolt, which he advised them to do, he condemned them for it, because they used violent means and he was meant to be the protector of the peasants. Protector of what? Murderers and rapists from the consequences of their actions?
Although my knowledge of this period is limited, a number of details struck me as rather modern. One was Luther’s outlook, particularly when it came to politics and the ‘freedom’. I almost wonder whether American authors seem to have some odd need to interpret everything in European history as some sort of ‘class war’ or in light of their revolution. There were a number of modern terms and phrases (I’m sure one of the characters said ‘gal’ at one point), and the way in which Katherina would occasionally whine about nobody having the right to ‘control her life’.
I also did not feel the treatment of the church was always entirely fair and accurate. I know the 16th century Catholic church was corrupt, I know the Reformation was needed, but the depiction just seemed to be taken to extremes. Thus the Abbott of the Abbey from which Katherina escapes was a sadist and a rapist. I mean how stereotypical can you get- the evil and immoral cleric? It’s also said that she and many of her fellows ‘had no choice’ or were forced by their families into the celibate vocation of being nuns. This detail in particular did not ring true, because whilst there were some people who were put into monasteries and nunneries as children, many people still chose to enter them or go into the church willingly.
Finally, there was absolutely no mention of the way that Luther went off the rails in his later years, and became not only an anti-Semite, but as oppressive as the system that had been thrown off.
Perhaps the author was simply unaware of this, but Luther seemed altogether rather too heroic and perfect, as well as the ideas he represented. It’s like as long as the lead character represents the ‘true gospel’ social equality and ‘freedom’ or Protestantism against the supposedly evil ‘system’ or ‘institutional religion’, then they and everything they stand for is all sweetness and light. Sadly, that’s not always the case in real life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Blogging for Books for the purposes of leaving a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
There was still a very strong element of Romance and a lot of romancey scenes. I suppose the subtitle ‘A Novel of Love and Rebellion’ should have been a clue. For those who enjoy historical romance this would not be a problem, but those who expected something different might be disappointed.
I do believe that whilst Mrs Hedlund is a good storyteller, her stories are not always well executed. They tend to be very dependent on ‘dramatic devices’ such as violence, both physical and sexual and throwing every adverse circumstance possible at the characters. The Middle section of the book is like a constant round of killing or the mention of killing, kidnapping, rape or attempted rape. For example, the word ‘torture’ is used 9 times, ‘abuse’ 10 times. For a book of just under 400 pages, if you average it out, it’s like a mention of torture or abuse every 20 pages.
I understand there was a Peasant’s Revolt and a virtual war between the Princes and Peasants, but the book just seemed to get really, really repetitive at this point, with Luther agonizing about the actions of the peasants, but wanting to support them, and flitting back and forth in his sympathies and affliations.
Also, I found Luther to be an incredibly frustrating character. We are told numerous times that he was totally against violence, and would condemn the use of violence by either side. Yet he seemed to be constantly prepared to make excuses for the peasants saying ‘their demands have merit’, and harping on about ‘freedom’- even when they were going about raping nuns and disembowelling priests in the name of his reforms. Then, when the nobles supress the revolt, which he advised them to do, he condemned them for it, because they used violent means and he was meant to be the protector of the peasants. Protector of what? Murderers and rapists from the consequences of their actions?
Although my knowledge of this period is limited, a number of details struck me as rather modern. One was Luther’s outlook, particularly when it came to politics and the ‘freedom’. I almost wonder whether American authors seem to have some odd need to interpret everything in European history as some sort of ‘class war’ or in light of their revolution. There were a number of modern terms and phrases (I’m sure one of the characters said ‘gal’ at one point), and the way in which Katherina would occasionally whine about nobody having the right to ‘control her life’.
I also did not feel the treatment of the church was always entirely fair and accurate. I know the 16th century Catholic church was corrupt, I know the Reformation was needed, but the depiction just seemed to be taken to extremes. Thus the Abbott of the Abbey from which Katherina escapes was a sadist and a rapist. I mean how stereotypical can you get- the evil and immoral cleric? It’s also said that she and many of her fellows ‘had no choice’ or were forced by their families into the celibate vocation of being nuns. This detail in particular did not ring true, because whilst there were some people who were put into monasteries and nunneries as children, many people still chose to enter them or go into the church willingly.
Finally, there was absolutely no mention of the way that Luther went off the rails in his later years, and became not only an anti-Semite, but as oppressive as the system that had been thrown off.
Perhaps the author was simply unaware of this, but Luther seemed altogether rather too heroic and perfect, as well as the ideas he represented. It’s like as long as the lead character represents the ‘true gospel’ social equality and ‘freedom’ or Protestantism against the supposedly evil ‘system’ or ‘institutional religion’, then they and everything they stand for is all sweetness and light. Sadly, that’s not always the case in real life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Blogging for Books for the purposes of leaving a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
June 20, 2023
Ugh. Found this book at a thrift store and thought I'd give it a chance. Normally I despise sappy romance with the claim of being "christian", but thought since this was about Luther and the Reformation I'd give it a chance. It couldn't be that bad, right?? Wrong.
The physical desire side of the romance was emphasized WAY too heavily. I don't need an in-depth explanation of every detail of how Katharina and Luther feel when they see each other and desire each other. It just felt gross.... They're supposed to be pursuing God, and yet the focus of this book was squarely on romance with a few interesting historical details and offhanded prayers thrown in for good measure. The progression of their relationship wasn't God centered or God honoring. I get that desires play a big role in relationships, but they're still only a piece of the puzzle (and should be kept in check until marriage). It read like the few other "christian" romance novels I've had the distinct displeasure of reading. Take out references to God and the Reformation figures and it could easily pass as a cheap romance by an unbeliever. Not to mention that many of the lines were just plain cheesy and unrealistic. We don't need to hear about all the heavy breathing anytime they stand anywhere near each other. No thank you.
Christian authors can do better. Go to God's Word, not emotions.
The physical desire side of the romance was emphasized WAY too heavily. I don't need an in-depth explanation of every detail of how Katharina and Luther feel when they see each other and desire each other. It just felt gross.... They're supposed to be pursuing God, and yet the focus of this book was squarely on romance with a few interesting historical details and offhanded prayers thrown in for good measure. The progression of their relationship wasn't God centered or God honoring. I get that desires play a big role in relationships, but they're still only a piece of the puzzle (and should be kept in check until marriage). It read like the few other "christian" romance novels I've had the distinct displeasure of reading. Take out references to God and the Reformation figures and it could easily pass as a cheap romance by an unbeliever. Not to mention that many of the lines were just plain cheesy and unrealistic. We don't need to hear about all the heavy breathing anytime they stand anywhere near each other. No thank you.
Christian authors can do better. Go to God's Word, not emotions.
September 4, 2015
Katharina von Bora, a runaway nun, finds shelter with Martin Luther a munk, who helps her to find homes to work for and live in. Martin Luther helps her to rebuild her life after the only one she's ever known as a nun, and much to the discouragement of others, promotes nuns leaving their solitary lives to get married and start families of their own. As time progresses this is made obvious as he grows fond of Katharina, and she of him. The marry, and work together as a team to begin the protestant reformation to further the name of Christ, providing a prime example of marriage and working together for the Lord.
I've always had a deep fascination with Martin Luther, and his story! Being a Reformed Presbyterian, Martin Luther is a huge part of my church history, and I always enjoy any opportunity to learn more about him and his life!
Prior to reading this book, I honestly didn't know much about Katharina von Bora Luther. I'd heard about her, and knew of her as the Reformer Martin Luther's wife; but aside from that I didn't know much else. I was so excited to read this book, and found that Katharina and Martin Luther's love story was so fascinating and interesting!
Jody Hedlund has always been one of my favorite historical fiction authors because of all the research she puts into each novel. I always feel like I not only enjoy a great, exciting story, but also learn the equivalent of a history lesson in a non-boring setting! I certainly wasn't disappointed with this novel of hers, and was so excited to get to learn the Luther's story! I'd definitely recommend this novel to all fans of historical fiction, as well as those interested in the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Luther & Katharina from Blogging for Books, for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own unbiased honest opinions.
I've always had a deep fascination with Martin Luther, and his story! Being a Reformed Presbyterian, Martin Luther is a huge part of my church history, and I always enjoy any opportunity to learn more about him and his life!
Prior to reading this book, I honestly didn't know much about Katharina von Bora Luther. I'd heard about her, and knew of her as the Reformer Martin Luther's wife; but aside from that I didn't know much else. I was so excited to read this book, and found that Katharina and Martin Luther's love story was so fascinating and interesting!
Jody Hedlund has always been one of my favorite historical fiction authors because of all the research she puts into each novel. I always feel like I not only enjoy a great, exciting story, but also learn the equivalent of a history lesson in a non-boring setting! I certainly wasn't disappointed with this novel of hers, and was so excited to get to learn the Luther's story! I'd definitely recommend this novel to all fans of historical fiction, as well as those interested in the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Luther & Katharina from Blogging for Books, for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own unbiased honest opinions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews