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  Francine Rivers

  I just put down "Redeeming Love" after getting about 1/3 of the way through it. The story line just didn't hold me - not enough action. Just seemed like a romance novel with God thrown in - good and evil with no depth. Now I am trying to decide whether to remove all her books from my TBR list. Any advice? Did I just start with a bad choice, or does this represent her writing style?

  Pepi started this discussion 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  PattyL 

  Ya know, now that I think about it I kind of felt that way too, but I kept on going. It is definitely worth reading the whole thing. I know sometimes it is hard to keep trudging along if it is not holding your interest, but this one will be worth it in the end. This is one of those books that people rave about. I had several friends refer this book to me and I finally read it and was not disappointed. Try again Pepi. I think you will be glad that you did.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  LeeLee 

  Knowing that it was a parable of Hosea, and Hosea is a parable of God's love for us even while we are quite unlovable, kept me going. This is the only type of "love story" I can swallow. I really enjoyed it because it spoke deeply to me.
  
  We all have different takes on books though, but I wouldn't give up on Francine Rivers, her books vary quite a lot. Try either The Sin Eater or Leota's Garden, then, if you still don't care for them, they just might not be your style.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    Pepi 

    Thanks LeeLee and Patty. I'll give her another try.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  MissDaisyAnne 

  Wow, Francine Rivers is a deep writer, she does not just write to put characters together and to tell a story. There is always a deeper story in her books and sometimes more than one story, please keep reading, let the story unfold and you will be blessed.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  emhill 

  I'm not a huge fan of Francine River's and I've never read "Redeeming Love", but I absolutely love "The Last Sineater." I would try that one, before I gave up. I also enjoy "The Scarlet Thread" every so often. Hope this helps :-)

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    Pepi 

    Great. I am convinced that I should try her again. I will put The Last Sineater on my TBR list.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Omotola 

  Yes, I agree with some people here. The Last Sin-Eater is a must read of Francine Rivers' books. I love Francine Rivers and it is the best of her books that I have read so far.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  deactivated member 

  Redeeming Love was one of the first books that I ever read by Francine Rivers, and to this day, it is still my favorite book. I have tried reading The Last Sin Eater, but I had a hard time getting into it. (I do plan to try reading it again.) Something else that you might eventually want to try is her Mark of the Lion series. The first one of these is hard to get into (you have to at least read 5 or 6 chapters before you give up), but if you want an awesome storyline and books that will keep you on your toes, these are the books for you!!
  
  Don't give up on her yet!!! :o)

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    Hisgraceaboundstome 

    Redeeming Love was the second book i read from Rivers, the first one being A Lineage of Grace, after reading the first one, i went in search of her books and found Redeeming Love. it ministered so much to me, i cried. keep reading....it will be worth it

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    sharonstone 

    I have read most all of Francine Rivers' books, but I think her Mark of the Lion series is unforgetable. It is hard to read in the beginning because there is a lot of violence, but it is historical. If you can get through that, you will not be able to stop reading. There are three books in the series, and my niece advised me to have the next book before I finish the one I am reading. She was right!

    posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

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    Jessica K 

    Yikes Christy, I think you are my lost twin or something! Redeeming Love was also the first Francine Rivers book I read - I love it! I have tried reading The Last Sin Eater, but I just couldn't get into it enough to finish it. I should give it another try (maybe once I get my current "stack" of books gone!).
    I haven't read the Mark of the Lion books yet, but my sister has, and she really liked them. I will try those soon as well.
    I agree with everyone else though Pepi, I wouldn't give up on her yet! (You should also read The Atonement Child by F.R. - it is excellent!)

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  Mtnmoovr 

  I'll just reiterate what everyone else has already said. Don't give up on "Redeeming Love". This was the first Francine Rivers book I read and it quickly became my all time favorite book. I almost didn't read it because I just don't like historical fiction very much but this story just captivated me.
  
  I'm now reading her Mark of the Lion series. This is another one that starts out slow but because I was warned that the beginning was rough, I continued. And I have been marked blessed by yet another Francine Rivers book. I almost think I liked Voice in the Wind better than Redeeming Love. So , so good!!! I'm now reading the 2nd book in this book in this series and it is just as incredible.
  
  I've had "As The Shofar Blew" on my shelf for years and haven't touched it. Has anyone read this one? Is it as good as the books I've started with?

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    artsyfaithchic 

    I read "As the Shofar Blew" and it was very powerful. It has been a long time since I read it but I remember giving it to several people to read and everyone had the same reaction- a sense of the presence and conviction of the Holy Spirit. I would recommend that you blow the dust off of it and give it a try. I liked the Mark of the Lion series too.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  DESOLA 

  reedeming love may initially seem boring bcos it is a biblical allusion,more like you know the end of the story and it is all so familiar,but i think it is a good book.it made the story of hosea more graphical,more like Hosea's story is the story of the girl next door.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    Nora 

    I have to say that the beginning of Redeeming Love caught me by surprise. I had to put the book down for a few days because of what happens to the little girl in the beginning. This story was very close to my heart and I could hardly stand to read some of it because it was just too painful.
    It is the most powerful story of how much God loves us and what He is willing to go through for us to get that He loves us no matter what we have done.He is even willing for us to walk away. Say "Hey it's been fun but I'm out of here". He still keeps loving us.
    It is also a powerful story of a woman so hurt, beaten and hardened by lifes trials beyond her control. I too have been very hurt and saw what the Lord has done to draw me to Himself and soften my own heart. That was the powerful ;part of the book for me.
    If you haven't checked out the Women of the Bible series she has written - you should check it out. Another writer that writes with a powerful message like Francine Rivers is "Linda Nicholas" her best book is called "At the Scent of Water" it is a modern day Job story. Very powerful.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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    Pepi 

    This is what is so wonderful about Shefari. Readers advising readers. Now I am really turned on to reading some of her works and I understand that I must get through the beginning chapters which can be slow. I get it!

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Marty G 

  As a guy, I was challenged to read Redeeming Love b/c I refused to read "chick-lit" books. Judging this book by the cover (I know, I know), I wouldn't touch it.
  However, I did take the challenge and now I'm willing to read just about anything - although some really make me want to run out and do 'macho-guy stuff' after...
  
  Please keep reading.
  
  AND - Mark of the Lion is excellent. Books 1 & 2 are great together. Book 3 was very good, but it almost seemed like a spin-off of the first two.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Karen Z 

  Wow, "Redeeming Love" is one of my favorite novels, if not the favorite! I thought it had a lot of action in it. Anyhow, I thought it was very interesting and I even use a prayer box system that I got from this book. I also liked "Leota's Garden."

  posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

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  Libby S 

  I love Francine's book "Lolita's Garden", and "Atonement Child", and "The last Sin eater". The Mark of the Lion series(i think that was the name of it) was too racy for me. I talked to an author friend of mine about that and he said that the series was her first when she went from the romance genre to Christian romance.

  posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

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    LeeLee 

    Libby - That is interesting, because I had the same feeling about The Mark of the Lion series. It felt too romance and racy for me as well. Her other books seem to have more depth, but I confess, I only read one in the "Lion" series.

    posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member (edited)

    The Roman world was a racy place and it is hard to water that down and keep it truthful. I compare the Mark of the Lion (a little) to the movie Shawshank Redemption. Great story but you have to wade through a lot of the world's ugliness and sin to see the redemption emerge. It is real and raw and even if us Christians don't like it - it is a part of the world we live in. Writers have to work with this. Don't read about Tamar, Rahab, or Bathsheba (in scripture or in River's lineage of grace series) if you don't like racy. Try not to go outside too much either or get involved with people - lot of racyness there too. Just look at what Paul had to put up with in Corinth - church members sleeping with their mother in laws. Lot of racy stuff going on - to ignore it you'd have to write with a blindfold on.

    posted 6 months ago. ( reply )

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    LeeLee 

    samwoman - I know it's hard to tell from such short postings, and it is hard for me to articulate. I am not objecting to truth, I think if you look at my shelves you will find that I am not hiding from the world or reality. However, I did not find these particular books to my taste because in my opinion, they resembled romance novels. Romance novels are not a genre I enjoy, your mileage may vary. As I and Libby clearly stated, we love her other novels, none of which deal lightly with the world and its problems.

    posted 6 months ago. ( reply )

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  Pepi 

  I am about 1/2 way through the audio of the Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion series #1). I had a hard time with the violence in the first section, but am really enjoying it now. Looking forward to getting in the car!

  posted 6 months ago. ( reply )

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  Pepi 

  I am loving the Mark of the Lion series. Finished the first one (Voice in the Wind) and went right to the library to get the second one. What a surprise the opening chapter gave me! I can't remember ever ever reading a series book back to back. With my friends on Shelfari's help, I am a hooked Rivers fan!

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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    deactivated member 

    Pepi, once your through with the Mark of the Lion series, try out the Lineage of Grace books. There are five total, and you don't have to read them in order because they don't build upon each other or anything. Each book is based on women from the Bible (Tamar, Bathsheba, Ruth, Rahab, and Mary). The book on Tamar is the first one, I believe, and it was my favorite of them all, but they're all wonderful. Glad to hear that you're a true blue Francine Rivers fan now!! :o)

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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    Pepi 

    Thanks Christy. I will put Lineage on my list. I have The Last SinEater on my bedside table. Highly recommended here and a good friend said it is one of the best books she has ever read....so I have lots of great books to look forward to.

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  pansysj 

  Hi, I really have liked the Francine Rivers I've read! Someone mentioned that they didn't like the Sin Eater. That's on film now if you want to watch it. We thought it was a good movie. It's little different, but the message is there.
  Sharon

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  Laura D 

  I really liked Redeeming Love, but not everyone has the same tastes. I found the book to be very powerful. I've read the Last Sin Eater and found it interesting and the Scarlet Thread was very good as well. I hope you give Francine another chance.

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  Pepi 

  I just finished 'The Last Sin Eater'. I put it in the same group as 'Redeeming Love'. About a 3.5. Rivers' Voice in the Wind series set in ancient Rome are so much better. Those have me addicted! I am going to keep reading her books though. Each has a powerful message.

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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    Barbara c (edited)

    Hi Pepi, I started reading Francine Rivers books years ago with Mark of the lion series so she hooked me right away. That one was my favorite! I think all of her books are worth reading but some are better than others and I do think it matters where you are in your life as if they minister to you. I liked Redeeming Love but EVERYBODY i worked with thought it was so wonderful!!! I like some of her other works better. I liked "And the Shofar Blew", very different from Mark of the Lion, but ah so true of today. I also really liked Linda Nichols " A Scent of water" and also Jamie Langston Turner "Wildflowers in my Heart". I have read all Turner books and really like her too.

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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    LeeLee 

    Pepi - Sounds to me as if you would really like the Lineage of Grace series. One of my other favorites was Leota's Garden, but I think I would put it in the group with your 3.5 rating. Funny, isn't it? I would give that rating to The Mark of the Lion series, and TLSE, RL and LG would get a 5 from me! I suppose it is all in how it hits each person. :)

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  Roz 

  It took me several tries to get started but when I finally did, it was worth the journey. I have had this experience with several of Francine River's books but for the most part have not ever been disappointed by the time I reach the end. Most of the people I have suggested it to have finished and really liked it. Journey on.

  posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

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  Beth N 

  I found the "Linage of Grace" interesting, but I was really put off "Redeeming Love" and didn't read past the first chapter
  I'm not planning on reading any of her other books.

  posted 4 months ago. ( reply )

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  Pepi 

  I'm back to recharge this thread. I started it by saying I was unsure whether I liked Francine Rivers. Now I am an addict! I am reading her novellas about women of the Bible and the other series on men of the OT. They are wonderful. So far I have read about Aaron, Rahab and Ruth. They get a 5 of 5. I highly recommend these short stories that are set solidly in scripture. They come to life for you!

  posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

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    Elizabeth 

    Thank you for your advice on the "Redeeming Love", I'll pick up again when out @the bookstore or library. I like bible stories,my all time favorite is Ruth. Have you read Going Home by Tommy Tenny, It is a moder story Ruth, I have to be honest I checked out at the library and read and put it down and pick it back up. Its good book I haven't finished it yet. But you want check it out and let me know whenever you get the chance. God Bless and Happy Reading.

    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

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  Elizabeth 

  I kinda felt the same way about "Redeeming Love" I got only two a ch 1 I can't remember but I put it back on bookshelf at the store. i am going try again and see. It has been awhile so I am going to give it a shot.

  posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

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    Pepi 

    I ended up liking Redeeming Love, but it has been my least favorite work of hers. Many on this board disagree and rate it their favorite. So you might want to finish it - or try other works. Her writing educates and feeds me spiritually.

    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

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