A Home in the Wilderness

By Amanda M. Cetas

Description:

“The children were screaming, as I picked them up in both arms and ran towards the doorway. I thrust them outside just as the burning roof collapsed on top of me.”


It is June 10, 1663 and Etienne runs through a field, startling a flock of grouse into the air. Amid a frenzy of feathers and squawking, he heads toward a double wedding in town. He has no idea that the ceremony will be interrupted with the news of an Esopus attack on the Dutch settlement up north. The consequences will turn his world upside down, threatening his family, community, and Lenape friends. He must choose – protect his new friends or defend his community. Both choices demand great sacrifice and risk the lives of those he loves.


“The author’s historical research is admirably rigorous in her meticulous presentation of the inflammatory hostility that existed between settlers and Native peoples in the mid-17th century.” – Kirkus Reviews

Book Takeaway:

"Compelling, respectful novel of 17th century Native Americans and Dutch settlers." - BookLife Reviews

Awards:

Why the author wrote this book:

I wrote this book partially to show how historical events impact ordinary people and how ordinary people can impact history. I also wanted to demonstrate the complexity of interactions between various groups of people during the early colonial period from differing perspectives. This book does portray some violence in the context of warfare, but there are no overt descriptions or gratuitous violence.