About the Book:
California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go. A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Over 1 million copies sold!
My Review:
I am not a big romance junky and don’t
normally enjoy books like this, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised
when I read this book. It was not
overdone in romantic details, but more implied (sometimes lacking in real
emotion though) which made the book in my opinion. I loved the theme of forgiveness,
not being judgmental and seeking yourself and worth within God. I am pretty
familiar with the story of Hosea and how that marriage represented Israel’s betrayal
of God so it was hard to not think of that story when reading this book. I
think the author did a wonderful job of modernizing that story in a different light
without coming across as judgmental. Her
characters are well developed and relatable which draws you into the story. The
way she brings Michael and Angel together shows the real conflict of letting go
of your past and embracing and accepting someone else’s past for the sake of
love.
This story reminded me so much of
Gods unfailing love, grace and forgiveness. It was easy to get frustrated with
the Angel character, but how many times have I been the same way? How wonderful
it is that I know I have a Savior and Redeemer always willing to welcome me
back into His arms and forgive me time and again.
Author Biography:
"New York Times" best-selling author Francine
Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she
graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976
to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her
books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a
religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life,
when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance
novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote
"Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam
Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this
retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the
California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of
Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the CBA's top-selling
titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a
decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous
novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win
both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels
have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award,
the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of
Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for
inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of
America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20
different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign
countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and
her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their
three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren.
Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that
through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is
doing in her life.
Author website
Disclaimer: "I received this book for free from
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."
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