Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

About the Book
She was a nun of noble birth. He, a heretic, a reformer…an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire.
In the 16th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther.
His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.
Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.
But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support and love.
Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.

My Thoughts
Growing up in a Christian homeschool family I've heard a lot about Martin Luther, but I really hadn't seen him in this way before. For some unknown reason I've always pictured him in my head looking like Friar Tuck from Disney's 1952 live action The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. (If you don't know what I'm talking about look it up-you'll laugh!) So taking that image and trying to have him as the lead in a romance novel took a bit of adjusting but once I did this book was fantastic! I have loved every Jody Hedlund book though, so that wasn't really a surprise! I love how she takes history and makes you see it in a whole new light!
For all of my knowledge about Luther I hadn't paid much attention to Katharina so it was cool to get to know where she had come from and the circumstances that brought them together. Both Luther and Katharina were passionate about God enough to risk their lives and each other to share His love with the world. It was truly inspiring. Theirs was not a typical romance but it was special all the same. I loved all their bantering with each other and how you could tell that underneath it all the really cared about one another.
All in all this was a great look at a part of the life of one of Christianity's greatest leaders. Some minor things were changed for the story but the author kept as true to the real story as she could!

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.
As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.
She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.