Disclosure: Affiliate link included.
Follow The Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb was published in 2020. This is a work of historical fiction, and set in the time of the summer of 1566. One of the main characters is Tudder who captained a ship fighting in the Dutch Revolution.
The battles between the Protestants and Catholics is not the theme of the story, but is definitely a sub-theme running through the book. This group of characters were Protestants who followed Luther’s teachings of the Reformation. Their faith in God becomes more and more obvious as the book progresses.
The main character, Lady Anna Emory, is the daughter of a powerful Catholic. Her father is unloving and abusive. Anna is a fearful and painfully shy young lady. Just as her sister, she escaped her father’s grasp. They had both been promised to older Catholic men, who fit into their father’s plan.
The book’s chapters alternate between Anna’s voice and Tudder’s. The book contains many of the phrases and terms that would have been common in 1566. The language is beautiful and not a fluffy, easy read. Although the book is a Young Adult choice, I enjoyed reading it (even if I did guess the plot’s direction).
It’s a story of redemption, love, and grace. It is a romance book, but totally wholesome and fine for a young person to read. It’s not overtly religious, but makes it clear how the characters turned to God for the needs in their lives. It also demonstrated how a group of believers can support each other when they are in a time of political sensitivity.
I highly recommend the book, and am now an admirer of the author.
@2020, copyright Lisa Ehrman
Sounds like a good read.