Friday, March 5, 2010

Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Alabaster, 1997
Originally published 1991
464 pages

Summary: A retelling of the Book of Hosea. Angel was sold into prostitution and has little hope of another life. Michael Hosea is a godly man who can't believe God wants him to marry Angel. But he obeys and she has to grapple with his unconditional love and the truth of God...

Why I Read: My Bible study had looked at a few passages from Hosea and some friends had raved about this book so I wanted to check it out too. I was a little uncertain about the setting (1850s California) because I tend to prefer Regency romance novels.

Thoughts: This was such a powerful book. I cried basically from halfway through the book to the end (in a good way!) My favorite scene (not a spoiler if you know the Bible book) is when Michael goes and fights for Angel which of course makes me imagine God fighting for me against all of my sin. I may not be a prostitute in the accepted sense but I sometimes worship TV and other things and ignore God. It is also a good lesson in forgiveness. As I was reading, I was thinking mean things about the character Paul (because he's a BIG jerk) and at first I didn't want to forgive him but then I realized that's SO stupid and completely against this book and THE book (that would be the Bible)

Overall: 5/5 I loved this book! I used to read secular romance novels but lately they have not held much appeal. I would definitely recommend this to new Christians who like the romance genre. I would not give it to non-Christians as I think they would find it overwhelming.

Cover: This is the cover my copy from the library had and I think it looks very eighties; I much prefer the red dress cover that it has now.

Recommendations: Has anyone read any other Francine Rivers? What would you recommend? Or any other retellings of Biblical stories?

3 comments:

  1. The Mark of the Lion series was my first introduction to Francine Rivers and I actually started reading them when I was a pre-teen. (just told my mom that recently and was surprised she didn't have a heart attack over it. LOL)

    You really should read "and the Shofar blew" by Ms Rivers. I promise you that if you thought Redeeming Love was powerful, you will be brought to your knees reading Shofar. I could not put it down when I read it in college. Come to think of it, I really need to dig it out of my boxes of books and re-read it. I need the kick in the butt that it will surely give me a second time.

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  2. I read Redeeming Love and loved it as well. I haven't read any of her other books though, but I should.

    Hope you have a good week of reading!

    Lynne's Book Reviews

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  3. Thanks for the suggestion Hannah-I will put "And the Shofar Blew" at the top of my list!

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