Month: March 2020

If I’m honest, my love affair with literature has been hot and cold. Right now with our world in quarantine, it’s a blazing bonfire so you’re catching me at a good time for a little review and recommendations.

Since I’m fully aware that some of my readers are highly educated intellectual types, I won’t even attempt to masquerade as any kind of authority on this gargantuan topic. Best to avoid biting off more than I can chew, right? So this post will be narrow, but thorough, as I share with you my favourite author and why I enjoy her work.

Before we begin, it should be stated that I am a woman and I enjoy reading romantic stories. Truly shocking, I’m sure. However, my interests are particularly drawn to all things historical, and they have been since I was a teenager. I also majored in history in university which only grew my passion for the days of yore and yesteryear. I simply prefer stories set in the past, especially anything prior to the 1950s. The early 20th century and the Enlightenment era rank among my favourite time periods. However, I’m not too quick to turn my nose at the medieval and ancient worlds either. I love it all and I am Here. For. It!

In fact, I’ll go as far as to say that if the characters in the books I’m reading have access to technology beyond a rotary telephone or a black and white television, we’ve come too far. Send me back to the days of uncomfortable corsets and questionable hygiene practices, and I am putty in your hands. Ok, ok, kidding! I love my iPhone and curling iron as much as the next girl. But don’t make me read about a pair of love birds sending each other DMs or swiping right. Thank you, next.

*MAJOR DISCLAIMER: the titles AND COVER ART for the books I’m recommending are beyond cringe-worthy. so if there’s ever a time to NOT judge a book by its cover, this is that time!!
Both the titles and covers of these books make them look like the cheesiest of love stories. And although they do contain LOVE scenes, and there is cheese,

what draws me to these books is the heart of God for His people. As well as the strong female characters who overcome difficult challenges and do hard things. Things I know I haven’t the courage to do. They inspire me!

So without further ado, I’m happy to introduce my favourite author:

Francine Rivers!

The woman is brilliant in her writing style and meticulous story crafting surrounding the time periods within which she develops her characters and their experiences. She has written stories dating as far back as the prehistoric age, where we read her take on the story of Tamar from the Bible in Unveiled. Then fast-forwarding to time periods as current as today. Which means that, yes, because of my love for her, I indulged in her most recent novel set in present-day California, The Masterpiece, and it was amazing, okay? There, I said it.

So sue me. No, don’t sue me. That’s the opposite of the point I’m trying to make.

– M. Scott

Rivers’ most popular, and in my opinion, absolute BEST work is

Redeeming Love

As I’ve already said, the title is sappy, and the cover is sappy. So in my opinion neither of those communicate what’s at the heart of this story. It is raw and tragic and awful and absolutely brilliant.

It is a retelling of the Biblical love story between Gomer and the prophet Hosea, set against the romantic backdrop of the California Gold Rush.

Here’s a synopsis better written than I ever could:

California’s Gold Country in 1850 is a time when men sell their souls for a bag of gold and women sell 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.

– Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love

The most captivating thing to me about Redeeming Love isn’t the love story or the characters, it’s the Father’s heart. I’ve read it so many times, and I am always humbled anew by the relentless, overwhelming, never-giving-up, yet liberating love of God displayed in these pages.
I love the way Rivers writes such a defiant and rebellious character in Angel (who I can too often relate to). And yet she is SO loved by God SO completely. When I reflect on this, it humbles me so much to be loved by God despite all the unlovable qualities I possess. And I see that written so beautifully in this story about a girl who runs from God until she realizes He is all she needs. So relatable!

Here’s some background info on Francine Rivers and How Redeeming Love came about:

For decades, Rivers wrote fiction novels with much literary success until, in 1986, she came to faith in Jesus. Following her conversion, Rivers stopped writing for a few years. Finally, she came across the book of Hosea the prophet in the Bible. She saw her own life mirrored in the story and felt compelled to write again. Redeeming Love is her statement of faith. It also modernizes the story of Hosea, which in itself mirrors the story between God and His beloved creation. It’s like a story in a story in a story. And it’s SO worth the read!

Mark of the Lion

Another work by Francine Rivers is a trilogy titled The Mark of the Lion set in 1st century Rome. There are two protagonists in these 3 books whose flaws and weaknesses really resonate with me. And unfortunately, I relate too often to both.

• One woman, ruled by fear
• The other, ruled by a big fat mouth

While wealthy Roman citizens indulge their every whim, Jews and barbarians are bought and sold as slaves and gladiators in the bloodthirsty arena. Amid the depravity around her, a young Jewish slave girl becomes a light in the darkness. Even as she’s torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, Hadassah clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of a decadent empire.

– Francine Rivers, A Voice in the Wind
(first book of The Mark of the Lion series)

What Redeeming Love taught me about the heart of God for His people, The Mark of the Lion series taught me about what God could do through ordinary women with real struggles, trials, temptations, and fears.

Hadassah

Hadassah is a slave girl ruled by fear. Her story starts tragically when she loses her entire family and is forced into slavery. She is afraid of her own shadow. But in small, and brave steps of faith throughout the story, the Lord strengthens her and enables her to speak boldly and save many.
This fictional character, written during an unfortunately not so fictional time, inspires my faith and my resolve to be bold and courageous, even as I write these words to you now. Hadassah was often paralyzed by fear, allowing key opportunities to pass her by. But all was not lost, and she was still used by God for good. And I know I can be too, despite my own doubts and weaknesses!

Rizpah

Rizpah is a character we get acquainted with in the third book of this trilogy. She is a young widow who also tragically lost her child to illness before her story unfolds in the pages of the book. Rizpah’s blunt sarcasm and quick wit made me laugh so many times. But her speak-before-thinking incidents made me cringe far too many times as I heard my own voice in her verbal fumbles.
She says things she regrets. She is impulsive and irrational. And yet, the Lord still speaks to Rizpah AND speaks through her, using her to impact the people around her. I include myself among them since I learned a lot from Rizpah’s character, shortcomings, and unwavering faith. The Lord has used this fictional character to encourage, admonish, and comfort me in my own burden of a big mouth.

I have loved everything else I’ve read by Francine Rivers but for the sake of brevity, I won’t get into details on her other books here. Suffice it to say, I endorse them, and you should read them. Here are some of them:

• The Masterpiece
• The Atonement Child
• Bridge to Haven
• The Lineage of Grace
• The Sons of Encouragement

Well friends, this post was originally meant to highlight several of my favourite authors, but alas, there’s just too much to say. So kindly consider this part 1 of a series on my favourite books and authors. Mostly historical fiction, you’ve been warned! The rest of my recommended reads will be shared at a later time. Thanks for following along!

Have you read anything by Francine Rivers?
If so, what are your thoughts on her work? Do you have a favourite?
If you haven’t, has this review piqued your interest?
I would also love to hear your recommendations too! Doesn’t have to be historical fiction – lay it on me!

*Since bookstores and libraries are closed for the Covid-19 quarantine period, you can still order these titles through online retailers such Amazon.

(how am I typing words like that in real life…!)