James Applegate

Listen for the Lark James Applegate

Listen for the Lark is a story of love, compassion, and survival in the American wilderness. This novel continues their writing of historical fiction based on their heritage and their connection to the Delaware Indians. Penelope Van Princis, a real life heroine, immigrated to New Amsterdam from the Netherlands in 1643, filled with the promises of the New World. Shipwrecked off the coast of New Jersey, she loses everything when Maqua Indians attack only hours after her arrival, leaving her physically and emotionally scarred. Having been left for dead, she survives with the Sanhican's help. While living among these compassionate Lenni Lenape, Penelope confronts her fears, accepts her husband's death, and begins creating a new life in a dangerous wilderness. Because of the attack, the fear of carrying a Maqua child haunts her pregnancy. Since she is constantly threatened, she questions God's love and doubts her purpose in the universe. Pursued by two very different men while still grieving for her murdered husband, Penelope walks a fine line while trying to protect her unborn child. Both men have lost their wives, but while Richard wants to build a life with Penelope, Hornwyck wants to possess and control her. As if she didn't have enough problems in her life, Penelope needs to protect three runaway slaves and a Jesuit priest who have joined her in the Sanhican community because living at Fort Amsterdam was too dangerous. Listen for the Lark is their imaginative story of Penelope Van Princis as she lives through the suspenseful drama of her first nine months in the New World. Penelope, a remarkable and courageous woman, set an example for the women of America who followed in her footsteps.