Editorial Review

In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Read more

Reviews (370)

simply the best
This book is simply one of the best books I have ever read!!Echoing the reviews of so many others for this book, I could not put it down and read it through the night.Francine Rivers has been blessed with the ability to create characters we can connect to immediately and cry with throughout the book.She includes topics that so many are embarrased by or ashamed of; she not only makes them interesting but she teaches compassion through them.I would not recommend this book to the young due to the sexual implications but those same implications are part of the hook that connects you with the characters so I would recommend it to everyone else.

audiobook
I had listened to this book on audiotape a few years ago, and it touched
Eye opening
A wonderful book, it brought me to tears numerous times. I highly recomend it to anyone in search of a good book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. Popular American Fiction    4. Religious - General    5. Romance - General    6. Romance: Modern    7. FICTION / GENERAL / ROMANCE    8. Fiction / Romance / General   

Editorial Review

Find out for yourself why virtually everyone you know has this book, described as an "adventure in pursuit of a spiritual mystery", on their coffee table.In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda'sThe Teachings of Don Juan. ... Read more

Reviews (837)

Get Ready for a Thought Changing Experience
I first read the Celestine Prophecy in 1996 and since then it has and always will hold a special place in my heart as the awakening of my spiritual journey that changed my life. When I began to read it I felt like bells and whistles were going off in my head, my heart rate quickened, and I knew without a doubt that the insights were real. I knew I had to explore them - there had to be a better way to live than having the same dramas repeating over and over again in my life. The Celestine Prophecy was the foundation that helped me to move into being someone who now lives in honesty, integrity, with self-awareness, and self-love.

Barely readable
I finally got around to reading this "Da Vinci Code" of the 90s at the suggestion of a coworker, prior to a trip to Peru I recently took.I had to force myself to finish it despite my initial inclination to toss it after the first 20 pages made me alternately laugh and groan at the lackluster writing, hoping that it would recover and turn out to be worthy of the best-selling status it once enjoyed.
help, i'm drowning!
my husband's has been trying to get me to read this book for the past 5 years. finally, i've finished it! (it just wasn't the right time). i think it's a good book--totally relative to life. somewhat of a self-help book. particularly if you're someone that finds yourself in the same situations over and over and needs some help getting out of a rut. it sugguests an alternative perspective and approach to conflict. although it's written like a fiction, it gives insight to determining what YOUR problem is and how to deal with the people that come in and out of your life...good luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Visionary & Metaphysical    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (175)

The Mark of the Lion
This series is by far the best I have ever read. Every time I re-read them they bring me to tears- they are that good. The first two in the series are the best but they are all wonderful. Read them, you won't be disappointed!!!!

The Best Christian Fiction Yet!
This series, particularly the first book, has been life-changing and is the best written Christian fiction I've ever read! It is terrific historical fiction, and while I think women are Francine Rivers' main audience, even my husband read this series and recommends it to his male friends. The reading is not difficult, but it's a powerful story! Be warned - there is a description of the seige of Jerusalem at the beginning where a few of my friends have stopped reading, but do read on! The story continues to build, until the end where I was telling myself "O my gosh!!" over and over for hours when I finished. (Don't read the end ahead of time!) I also strongly suggest that you avoid reading the introduction for the second book that is in some later versions of the first novel! Enjoy!

Good enough to steal
I teach at a jail; I purchase many books for my students there.If a book is particularly good, someone steals it.The better it is, the faster it gets stolen.This whole set went missing as soon asword got out that it had to do with early Christianity, The Coliseum, soldiers, man-eating lions, etc.Truly it is a great series, and I hope it is still circulating in one of the jail pods.I like the lessons the books teach, plus they're exciting to read.(All of Francine Rivers' Christian-based books are well-done.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General    4. Religious - Romance/Historical    5. Christianity   

Reviews (63)

Could have been a lot better
The book is separated into 7 chapters, covering a pretty impressive variety of Halloween lore, beleifs and activities.
Halloween Traditions, Divinations, Recipes, Crafts and More
"Harvest moon, velvet sky, pumpkins glowing, children laughing, costumes, candy, snapping breezes...scary stories, Indian corn, haunted houses, smiling scarecrows, blowing leaves...apples, parties, spindly spiders, dancing bats, grinning ghosts, sparkling stars...hayrides, dances, screeching cats, big bonfires...just where did this autumn gaiety begin?" - Silver RavenWolf
My Favorite Holiday
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. In here the history of the holiday Halloween is explored as well as the second half is interesting recipes for Halloween goodies. Halloween is actually a neopagan holiday but a lot don't celebrate it because it scares them. Well it doesn't scare me. Finally a book that is a non-condemning tome about the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Divination    4. Halloween    5. History    6. Holidays (non religious)    7. Holidays - General    8. Magic    9. Manners And Customs    10. New Age    11. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    12. Witchcraft    13. Witchcraft & Wicca    14. Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft & Wicca    15. Customs    16. Occultism & quasi-religious beliefs    17. The Americas   

Reviews (110)

Awesome!!!!
Once you read this book, you will want to read everything Francine Rivers has written!
Quality writing - Great plots - Excelllent character development
Francine Rivers is a top notch writer.I NEVER read Christian fiction before my college daughter bought me Antoinment Child and REdeeming Love (my favorite book of ALL time!).This year she bough me the Mark of the Lion series.WOW! Francince Rivers is what a Christian writer should be, this is not cloying romantic sappy unrealistic stuff, this is totally believable historical fiction.The society around her character is realistic and you can see/feel/smell/hear this period in Roman history.Ms Rivers does not shy away from topics murder, deciet, abortion, homosexuality etc. she deals with it in a real manner and through her characters she shows us how to relate with people caught up in those circumstances with love and compassion, how refresthing and how like Jesus!
Wow ! Amazing Book! Amazing Author!
I recently bought the Mark of The Lion series by Francine Rivers. This book A Voice in the Wind is the first in the series. I just finished reading it yesterday and started book 2 today. Wow I have heard Francine Rivers was a great author and that's the truth!!! What a beautifully written book! It touched me so deeply. You can't help but become totally immersed in the storyline and all the characters.I continued to think about it long after I finished the book.The faith,love and dedication of Hadassah the Christian slave girl is such an inspiration to me. It's an inspiration to Christians everywhere! Once you have read this book you will want to read everything that Francine Rivers has written! I know that Im a great fan and I wish to thank the author! What a great gift she has that she shares with all who read her books. Don't think twice. Buy this series of books. Book 2 continues this beautiful story and I'm already glued to my seat I can't put it down! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Historical Fiction    2. Church history    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. History    6. Love stories    7. Primitive and early church, ca    8. Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600    9. Religious - General    10. Religious - Historical    11. Rome    12. Women slaves    13. American English    14. Christianity    15. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

Her name meant "date palm," and like her namesake, Tamar hoped to survive the harsh environment she was placed in: to bend but not to break. Rubbed with scented oil and arrayed in wedding finery, 14-year-old Tamar is thrust into a world of abuse, betrayal, and disillusionment when she is given in marriage to an evil, idol-worshiping man. In the face of her suffering, she must make choices: Will she let her new husband, Er, destroy her innocence and corrupt her? Will she leave the religion of the Canaanites and embrace the God of the Hebrews despite the life of misery she is cast into? Or will she fall into despair and become as wicked as her husband and his brothers?Read more

Reviews (45)

Gets Weak Near the End
Warning: This review contains some spoilers if you don't already know Tamar's story. Rivers proves her strong writing ability in this book about Tamar, a woman victimized by the men in her life and who, in my opinion, is one of the strongest women in the Bible. At the tender age of fourteen, she is sent from her family to marry Judah's oldest son, who soon proves his selfish and wicked nature when he refuses to give her his seed and thus enable her to bear children (as a woman of the times, Tamar's one hope in life is to bear children for her father-in-law's household). After the sudden death of Judah's oldest son, Tamar is married to the second one, only to find that he is equally cruel and selfish. Before long, her second husband dies as well, and Judah, blaming her for both their deaths, furiously casts her out of his house with the vague promise that he will send for her in the future so she can marry his third and youngest son. After returning to her father's house in shame, Tamar spends the next few miserable years waiting for Judah to keep his promise and bring her back. When she is finally convinced that he will never accept her back to his house, desperation drives her to take the only option left to her: seducing Judah himself. She does this by disguising herself as a prostitute. Rivers' portrayal of Tamar's plight is wonderfully engaging and suspenseful. Tamar proves to be a woman of indomitable strength and hope who refuses to be kept down and Rivers has us rooting for her every step of the way. So why the absent fifth star? In spite of Tamar's strength, she crumbles at the end of the story. A few months after her succesful seduction, when she finds that she is, indeed, pregnant with Judah's child, word gets to Judah himself and, not knowing the child is his, he decides to rid himself of her once and for all by executing her for fornication. When she is brought to him to be executed, she secretly reveals to him that she deceived him by seduction and that he is the father of her child. When this happens, Tamar, for some unknown reason, goes from being a fierce wildcat to a sniveling mass by weeping and begging his forgiveness for her deception. Um, WHY? Judah let both his sons abuse her, let his wife practically spit on her, cast her out of the house in shame, then was about to kill her in one of the most horrible ways possible just to be rid of her! And she apologized to HIM?! Yes, he apologized to her, but only after she bowed at his feet and actually wept, "Forgive me, my lord." What the heck?! He was not her lord and he should have been groveling at her feet, not the other way around! She did was she was driven to and didn't even humiliate him like he deserved by making her deception public. I much prefer Liz Curtis Higg's version of Tamar, a bold woman who triumphantly laughed in Judah's face instead of weeping at his feet when he threatened her with death. I also can't understand why Tamar kept staunchly referring to Judah's household as her home; why would she do this when not a SINGLE member of his household or family was remotely decent to her? Other than this distasteful weakness of the heroine, the book's good.

Hope From Dark Places
A gripping story by one of my favorite story-tellers! This book grabs you and doesn't let go. Life is depressing, unfair, dark, and without hope --- and then it gets worse. Out of that, and by making some difficult choices, a young woman emerges into wisdom.

Awesome!!!
Tamar's story taught me a lot about being abandoned and abused.It also taught me about letting God be my protector and not myself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible.    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Genesis    6. History of Biblical events    7. O.T    8. O.T.    9. Popular American Fiction    10. Religion    11. Religious - Biblical    12. Religious - General    13. Tamar,    14. Women in the Bible    15. daughter-in-law of Judah    16. Modern fiction    17. Tamar   

Reviews (65)

Was Redfield on Drugs?
Te Celestine Prophecy is the only book I've ever read more than once. I love it. I started the Tenth Insight immediately after finishing the Celestine Prophecy for the second time and I couldnt beleive this was written by the same author. Did something happen to Redfield between writing these 2 books? Most of the first book is very believable and enlightening, but the second is a complete whirlwind of nuttiness and mostly, in my opinion, totally over the top. I found myself skipping page upon page of rambling. Very weird, and a little disappointing really!

Not as good as the first book, but still important
The Tenth Insight is not as good a read as The Celestine Prophesy and doesn't even seem to be written by the same person most of the time. It is full of important informatin and learning, however, so bear with it. The third book is great, too.

The Tenth Insight
I enjoyed this book. If you liked the Celestine Prophecy, you will like this one also. Both are fast paced, full of action, and interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Short Stories (single author)    5. Fiction / Short Stories (single author)   

Reviews (40)

An Echo in the Darkness
In Francine Rivers second book of the Mark of the Lion Series she leads you on a journey with Marcus through Jerusalem as he searches for God.Julia, Marcus' sister, also goes through a personal journey of her own as she sows what she reapt in the first book.It gives the reader a historic look at the Roman Empire without overloading you on facts.This book was a fabulous book ending the story of Julia, Marcus, & Hadassah.

Exquisite
Rivers produced another book replete with interesting characters, a compelling plot, and rich, vivid imagery.This is a story of love between people and the Lord who loves them, but that sentence does very little to describe the story.Highly recommended.

As Good as the First!
It is a rare find when a sequel is as good as the original, but Francine Rivers has succeeded admirably with her second installment of this trilogy in AN ECHO IN THE DARK.After reading the first one, I knew I had to read on, but never expected this book to be as good. I don't read a lot of fiction, but have a strong feeling there will be many books by this superb writer in my future.
Read more

Subjects:  1. American Historical Fiction    2. Christian fiction    3. Church history    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. History    7. Primitive and early church, ca    8. Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600    9. Religious - General    10. Religious - Historical    11. Rome    12. Women slaves    13. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

No translator could do greater justice to the gorgeous simplicity of Rumi's poetry than Coleman Barks has done here. These exquisite renderings of the 13th-century Persian mystic's words into American free verse capture all the "inner searching, the delicacy, and simple groundedness" that characterize Rumi's poetry while remaining faithful to the images, tone, and spiritual message of the originals. Barks's introductions to each of the 27 sections (described as "playful palimpsests spread over Rumi's imagination," and "meant to confuse scholars who would divide Rumi's poetry into the accepted categories") are themselves wonderful achievements of a poetic imagination; searching explanations of unfamiliar concepts and funny stories provide colorful background and frame the selections as no dry historical exegesis could. Read more

Reviews (55)

Not really a "translation" as such
I have to say I agree with some of the other reviews here, that this collection of poetry by "Rumi" is in reality modern American poetry by someone drawing only very loosely on Rumi's work. It is rather a stretch to call it a translation! If one were cynical, one might think the large number of books from this "translator" indicates merely a money-making exercise.
An excellent compilation
I enjoyed Essential Rumi and thought that it was an excellent compilation gathered by Coleman Barks.There is a phrasing and verse that Barks understands and imparts on his readers making this old poetry new in each take.He makes the message of Rumi accessible to the 21st century in a beautiful way and I especially liked the variety of subjects addressed in this volume.

Some illumination
As a Persian I felt I can write some illuminating remarks here. I came to this verse from Mowlanaa Rumi in this book: "Let the beauty of what you do be what you love" and I looked a lot for the original poetry. It seems to be sth like this originally:
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1207-1273    2. Ancient, Classical & Medieval    3. Inspirational & Religious    4. Islam - Sufism    5. Jalal al-Din Rumi,    6. Jalåal al-Dåin Råumåi,    7. Maulana,    8. Poetry    9. Religion    10. Sufi poetry, Persian    11. Translations into English    12. Islam    13. Persian (Farsi)    14. Poetry / Inspirational & Religious    15. Works by individual poets: classical, early & medieval   

Editorial Review

Writing in the trademark style that has won her countless fans, award-winningauthor Francine Rivers explores the courageous life of Ruth, a biblicalancestor of Jesus, in Read more

Reviews (24)

An Interpritation of the Life of Ruth
This is Francine Rivers' telling of the story of Ruth, and she tells it in her usual amazing fashion. Readers will easily grasp the fullness of Ruth's faith and devotion to God, her mother in law, Naomi, and eventually her husband, Boaz. Follow the journey of how this Moabite woman returned with Naomi to Bethlehem, how she vowed to never leave her side, supported her through her toil in the fields, and would eventually become a part of our Lord's lineage.
Excellent Book!
I have read all but two of the Lineage of Grace series, and as usual Francine rivers does an excellent job of bring to life the characters in the Bible. Not only that, she allows the reader to understand some of the possible issues that were being faced by each of the women in the Series so that you can identify with their issues even in a modern context.
Unshaken
I was actually very disappointed in this book. Familiar as I am with the story of Ruth, I was hoping for fresh insight and perspective. There's a lot of potential for allegory and characters with depth in the story of Ruth, but this is exactly where this book fell flat. It felt shallow; I never really understood Naomi's pain, even though the book spent considerable time explaining and rambling about it; Ruth was irritating rather than inspiring in her faith, which I suppose I thought was shallow because she never experienced the sort of internal and daily conversion, take-up-your-cross struggle that every person of faith is so familiar with. For her, especially as a former pagan, this should have been evident and a powerful theme. The book also deals extensively with Ruth's having to overcome rejection in a strange land, underscoring prejudice and gossip, which unfortunately are ideas that go nowhere.
Read more

Subjects:  1. (Biblical figure)    2. Bible    3. Bible.    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. History of Biblical events    7. O.T    8. O.T.    9. Religious - Biblical    10. Religious - General    11. Religious - Historical    12. Ruth    13. Women in the Bible    14. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

Silver RavenWolf is one of the most widely recognized names in circles of witchcraft, and with good reason; she has written some of the best guides to contemporary Witchcraft available. Read more

Reviews (376)

Surprisingly Good!!!To Coin A Phrase, Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover!!!
I have the original version of this book, the one with the picture of the Broomstick Babe on the cover.I wasn't willing to pay full price for this book because of the picture, so bought it at my local Half-Price Books for a few dollars.Because of the picture, as well as Ms. RavenWolf's reputation, I really didn't expect much.
Okay...So are we Wiccan or Catholic?
Wow! I just read a few reviews on here for this book and lets just say that I am ashamed to call myself apart of the Wiccan Religion right now! I have never been so humiliated before! People think this book is bad...its not real witchcraft...shes "fluffy"...Gardnarian Tradion is the ONLY way...you SHOULD read THESE authors and no others...is this sounding familiar? Unfortunatly, YES! People get so wound up in these so called "Witch Wars" that Wicca, once a religion that promoted "PERSONAL FREEDOM" to suit YOUR practice to YOUR needs is being transformed into a dogmatic "ONE WAY RELIGION". I was raised Catholic, hated the dogma and constant fear, To Ride a Silver Broomstick was my first book on The Craft given to me by my Wiccan girlfriend in High School. Silver showed me the way!
I definately reccomend this book!
Silver delves into so many things I love. I guess my only regret is the lack of pre-outlined ritauls. I read this after TeenWitch and I think that that's her "fluffiest" book. This is so good and it rounded it out very nicely. I use both books when doing rituals, spells, and meditations, and even did the TeenSeeker ritual outlined in TeenWitch. Buy this book, and you will forever understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    3. Comparative Religion    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Magic    6. Neopaganism    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. New Age / Parapsychology    10. Witchcraft    11. Witchcraft & Wicca    12. Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft & Wicca    13. Magic & alchemy    14. Mind, Body, Spirit    15. Wicca   

Reviews (22)

Nice Read
Book was a nice read. It was relatively short, and so ended quickly (unfortunately).But, because of the length, I have time to read the others in the series now.
One of Francine Rivers' Best!
Judged by other people, turned away by her own family, a woman makes redeeming choices in spite of everything. Realistic, sad, but at the same time hopeful and encouraging --- that regardless of what life may bring, our own choices can lift us out of the pit. No wonder Rahab's story has been handed down through the generations; Rivers brings it to life here with her usual skill and grace.

A Woman Who Was Unashamed to Openly Love God
Francine Rivers does an excellent job creating a novel around Rahab, one who is mentioned only briefly in the bible.After reading this book one can see what the typical customs and practices were and how Rahab could have gotten into the position of being the town's prostitute. It also portrays the hard-heartedness of the people of Jericho and God's judgement upon them.
Read more

Subjects:  1. (Biblical figure)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Religious    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Rahab    6. Religious - Biblical    7. Religious - General    8. Modern fiction   

Reviews (22)

Beautiful Homage
This beautiful volume is a must-have for anyone who loves Rumi, and a fantastic introduction for those who are new to the poetry.It is not a scholarly work, although the light commentary is nicely done. Rather, the work is a lovely mélange of Rumi's poems as translated by Coleman Barks, complemented by the stunning illustrations of Michael Green.It's experiential rather than academic. A tool, not a lecture.
Poetry, Inspiration, and a fascinating perspective
I take something new everytime I read this work, the illustrations are delightful, and provoking.A creative entrepreneur will love it.

Amazing illustrations!
The combination of fantastic illustrations and poems of Rumi goes right through your bones. This book is a must-have for someone who has never read Rumi before, and a no-excuse of not having for someone who loves Rumi's work. Buy! Enjoy! Dream... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1207-1273    2. Ancient, Classical & Medieval    3. Indo-Iranian Literature    4. Inspirational & Religious    5. Jalal al-Din Rumi,    6. Jalåal al-Dåin Råumåi,    7. Maulana,    8. Middle Eastern    9. New Age    10. Poetry    11. Spirituality - General    12. Translations into English    13. Indic, East Indo-European & Dravidian Languages    14. Jalal al-Din Rumi    15. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    16. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (19)

Mary- A Very Blessed Woman

A Fresh Look at Mary
This is the final book a series of novellas looking at the women mentioned in Jesus' genealogy.This book tells the story of Mary, Jesus' mother.
Mary mother of Jesus!
This was a very good book and a fast reading.I never was really much into religion and to me Jesus had seem more friendly then Mary, I don't know why?Maybe it's because when I was young I saw a movie about Jesus and Mary seem to severe but in this book Mary seem like any other women and now I see her more friendly and she's the one who bring me back to believe more in God.After reading this book I became more interested also about the old and new bible.I sure understand her to feel upset and sad when Jesus said, "Who is my mother, who are my brothers?"You can very well feel Mary pain and confusion about all that.She said often, "God I am sorry to think he his my son, he his yours."I was thinking, no Mary you got every right to feel bad and upset.The book keep saying the same things, I would had put less stars but I think it deserve a 4 because it was a fast reading, you know more about Mary and she bring back my faith in god.Mary is like any other human and to me now she seem more real! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Biblical figure)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Religious    4. Literary    5. Rahab    6. Religious - Biblical    7. Tamar,    8. Women in the Bible    9. daughter-in-law of Judah    10. Bathsheba    11. Mary    12. Modern fiction    13. Ruth    14. Tamar   

Reviews (71)

Excellent story; excellent execution
This was my first Francine Rivers novel.It is set in the 1850s, so for me personally, I had to work through that to get into the story.It was well worth it, indeed.Not only does Rivers provide characters with depth and a captivating storyline, she executes it well.Her accent phrasing is good, and there are no spelling or punctuation hurdles common in so much of today's literature to distract the flow.I will pick up more of her books, now.

Warning:Start this one early in the day
I have not enjoyed all of Mrs. Rivers' books, but this is exceptional.This is a wonderful story of Appalachia (and in the 1850's their dialect was very similar to that used in the King James Bible).This also clearly exposes a false belief that persists even to this day; that we must somehow make ourselves better before we can approach God and ask for salvation.God's grace is eloquently painted, and basic doctrine is clear and understandable on even a very basic level.Her writing style is captivating.I have bought several copies as gifts for friends and family and intend to continue this habit, even though one friend complained that she was awake an entire night in order to finish the book. Start this first thing in the morning!

Sin Eater? Read and find out for yourself / You'll be glad you did
I had no idea what I was getting into reading this book. I was told how good it was and read the cover and still didn't know if it was for me. It's great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General    4. Religious - Historical    5. Modern fiction   

Reviews (101)

A Good Christian Issue
I really loved and enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there were a few things I didn't like. For example, the arrogant "Christians" who only wanted what was best for the "appearance of society" instead of what was best for Dynah and that baby. This is a really great book, but it does give you the subtle message that Christians are suppose to be arrogant. I loved the part about the abortion facts, and I'm glad Dynah made the decision she did about the baby. However, I did not like the fact that Dynah asked Joe to marry her (How Christian is that?) just so she wouldn't be a single parent. I think it's more Christian to be a single parent than it is to ask a man to marry you. (And anyway, since he was so concerned about Dynah, he probably would have ended up asking her to marry him.) I'm an old-fashioned Christian.

not my favorite, but worthy of reading
i love francine rivers. each of her books touch me in a special, sneaky way. after reading other reviews, i am compelled to say that i think the sensitivity of the issue kept people from giving a fair evaluation of her writing: if nothing else, ms. rivers is one of the most skillful writers i have ever read. her characters are anything but simple--the complexities are just more subtle than in less-talented writing. you have to think about them a bit more, and wonder about them. i didn't think ethan came out as a horrible human being at all--rivers has too much understanding of the human soul to portray him that way, and i sensed pain beneath his hardened (and annoying) attitude.
cause all things will work for His good
Have you ever read a book that when you weren't reading it consumed your thoughts - well maybe not "consumed" but you wished you could be reading it. That's the atonement child, and every other book I've read by Francine Rivers.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crimes against    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Religious    4. Rape victims    5. Religious - General    6. Single mothers    7. Women    8. Modern fiction   

Reviews (77)

Great Reading
This book kept my attention so much.I fell in love with the characters and the Lord as I kept reading.

Another Great One
Francine Rivers continues to amaze me.... "Redeeming Love" is by far her best one, but "Scarlet Thread" defintely doesn't disappoint. I'm currently reading "And the Shofar Blew" and as always, i'm glued to the book.

Not as good as The Last Sin Eater or Voice in the Wind.
The first book that I read by this author was Voice in the Wind. I read the whole series.I also really enjoyed The Last Sin Eater.But I didn't find this book to be as good as those, mostly because I couldn't connect with the main character (Sierra). She was so selfish it was hard to see her being the devoted mother that she was portrayed as.Then she finds God (as all main characters do in Francine Rivers books so I am not giving anything away here) and does a complete 180 becoming this unbelievably selfless person that I still couldn't relate to.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Diaries    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. General    6. Oregon National Historic Trail    7. Popular American Fiction    8. Religious - General    9. Women pioneers    10. Christianity