Seekers (Herr)

Historical Fiction Series From a Fascinating Era Caught in the sweeping changes connected with the European Reformation and Renaissance, sixteenth-century Holland under the reluctant leadership of William of Orange rebelled against the strong control of Spain's King Philip. The war that ensued to squelch the rebellion and exterminate religious heresy at any cost sets the background for Ethel Herr's compelling series, THE SEEKERS. In The Dove and the Rose, two young people are wrenched apart by the struggles of their parents. Pieter-Lucas is banished from his home for refusing to abide by his father's commitment to the Beggars, an extreme wing of Calvinism. Aletta Engelshofen is not allowed by her father to see Pieter for fear of any association with the Beggars. While they meet in secret, Aletta promises her love to Pieter and that she will wait for him until the trouble passes. Swirling tides of emerging religious, political, cultural, and personal independence clash in this excellent first book in THE SEEKERS.

Powerful Historical Fiction From the European Reformation In The Maiden's Sword, Pieter-Lucas and Aletta struggle to find their way in a world at war. Pieter-Lucas believes his calling is to save lives, not destroy them, but must decide whether he will support the war effort as a secret messenger for William of Orange,. Aletta must decide whether she will administer herbal aid to wounded soldiers, risking her life in doing so. And together they must decide about their own upcoming marriage in the face of so much danger, and whether they will identify themselves with the Anabaptists through believers' baptism. Through the three battles of the opening campaign of the Dutch Revolt, the superior power of God's Word to change lives is contrasted with that of the physical sword.

Compelling Historical Fiction from the 16th-Century Reformation In this third story, the Dutch revolt against the occupation and religious oppression of Spain moves into full engagement. Pieter-Lucas van den Garde continues to run messages for Willem of Orange. In the midst of the uncertainties of war, his wife Aletta gives birth to their second child. Then Aletta discovers that the baby girl has a deformity. Concerned for the safety of his family, Pieter takes them to the fortified city of Leyden, where he had once dreamed of studying art under its master artists. In Leyden, the only painter Pieter-Lucas finds is Joris, an innkeeper who for fear of persecution will not admit to being a painter of that his true identity is Jewish. But Joris' son's gift as an artist exposes them to danger, and his wife's discovery of a true Christian faith is very disturbing to him. When the Spaniards lay siege to Leyden, all their lives are in danger and intertwined, and Pieter-Lucas' arrest as a spy pushed Aletta's fears to the overwhelming point. In the blackest night, will faith prove to be a citadel stronger than the sword.