Sword of Peace

What is the secret of the hidden meetings, which must be held in the woods at night? Anna, a spinster at twenty, has lost her family in Germany to persecution. She moved to Amsterdam to escape the violence of the Reformation, but now in November 1531, Charles V is on a quest to rid his empire of this ‘nest of heretics’ in the Netherlands. Citizens must report disloyal activity or suffer the same fate as the traitors. Anna can hardly betray sweet Maeyken, her only friend in Amsterdam. Still, the last thing Anna will do is listen to the Anabaptists, let alone join the traitorous sect! In the upheaval, how can she tell who is a True Soldier of Christ? The Spanish soldiers who hunt human beings, or the hunted ones who soldier on despite persecution? Adriaen, a recent widower and a leader of the new faith, is unlikely to survive the purging of heretics. Anna rejects her growing love for him, realizing his life might soon be over. And how could he forgive her for what she has done to his family? The red-headed teacher, Jan, lures Anna away to adventure and danger, a step she soon regrets, and guilt follows her wherever she goes. Can her sins be forgiven? And can she accept a faith that promises only persecution, in exchange for a crown in Heaven? This sweeping historical novel vividly portrays the turbulent times of the Reformation, when the seeds were planted for the faith of the present-day Amish and Mennonites. This thrilling story is perfect for fans of exciting, lesser-known history, which entertains as well as educates.