Jim McFarlane

The author, an amateur genealogist and a great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of Penelope, wraps 370 pages of fiction around 2 pages of history to create a tale of adventure in colonial America.

The back cover says:
In 1640s Amsterdam, the richest city in Europe, near-penniless Penelope Kent dreams of voyaging to America to search for her merchant-father who disappeared on a secretive get-rich-quick scheme. To voyage requires a husband or guardian. Matthew, her betrothed, dreams of finding a new home in America for his congregation of English Separatists like the Pilgrims did a generation ago. But the elders of Matthew's congregation accuse Penelope of immoral behavior that threatens to expel Penelope from the congregation, from Matthew's life, and from her dream. She can't wait to escape Amsterdam but never imagines the dangers that await her in the New World.… (altro)