Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy) [Hardcover]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Series: Marta's Legacy | Publication Date: March 16, 2010

2011 Retailers Choice Award winner!
The first in an epic two-book saga by beloved author Francine Rivers, this sweeping story explores the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters over several generations. Near the turn of the 20th century, fiery Marta leaves Switzerland determined to find life on her own terms. Her journey takes her through Europe and finally lands her with children and husband in tow in the central valley of California. Marta’s experiences convince her that only the strong survive. Hildie, Marta’s oldest daughter, has a heart to serve others, and her calling as a nurse gives her independence, if not the respect of her mother. Amid the drama of WWII, Hildie marries and begins a family of her own. She wants her daughter never to doubt her love—but the challenges of life conspire against her vow. Each woman is forced to confront her faulty but well-meaning desire to help her daughter find her God-given place in the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Romance Hall of Famer Rivers (Redeeming Love) returns with her first full-length novel since 2003 with this two-generation saga of a mother and daughter, the first of two parts. Ambitious, strong-willed Marta Schneider leaves her home in rural Switzerland at the beginning of the 20th century. She's determined to flee her abusive father, loving but weak mother, and the constraints placed on women. Meeting interesting characters all along her journey, she works her way to Canada. There she buys a boardinghouse and meets her match in Niclas Waltert, a German engineer with a farmer's heart. Through Marta's sharp elbows and the sweat of Niclas's brow, the family eventually arrives at an increasingly comfortable life in California's Central Valley. The second half of the story, told from the point of view of constitutionally timid daughter Hildemara Rose, is less deeply imagined. So many events happen as history rapidly unrolls in the background that the narrative feels too much like an outline for a Lifetime TV offering about a couple buffeted by the winds of WWII. Writers like Rivers are why people buy Christian fiction: it's dramatic, engaging, and acknowledges the bedroom without going inside. This well-told tale will have readers eagerly awaiting the story's resolution. (Mar.)
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* Swiss-born Marta Schneider was her Papa’s least favored child, and his abuse pushes her to leave home and achieve great things, first in nearby Interlaken, later in England, then Canada, and finally in California, where she and her German husband, Niclas, settle down to raise their four children in the lull between the two world wars. Niclas is a godly and trusting man with a university degree who nonetheless has a powerful desire to work the soil. So it falls to shrewd and ambitious Marta to protect them all from greedy and unscrupulous folk who would take advantage. Romance Writers of America Hall of Famer Rivers’ eagerly anticipated, first full-length Christian novel since 2003 is an emotionally rich exploration based loosely on her own family history as it follows world events through the first half of the twentieth century. The first in a two-part saga about four women, Rivers’ novel will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction and sweeping family sagas with exotic settings. As her compelling characters seek to do what they feel their faith demands, Rivers sets their resonant struggles against dusty streets, windswept Canadian plains, and California vineyards in vivid scenes readers will not soon forget. --Lynne Welch

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1st Printing edition (March 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414318634
• ISBN-13: 978-1414318639
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (185 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the 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 Christian Booksellers Association'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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Francine Rivers has done it again!, March 24, 2010

By 

S. Seay - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy) (Hardcover)

I couldn't put this book down and am now anxiously awaiting the sequel. I have read and enjoyed all of her books so my expectations were high when I heard she had written another book. I was not disappointed. She is my favorite author, her characters are real, they are not perfect. You don't always like them but they are true to themselves. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, March 21, 2010

By 

Debit "Tiffany" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy) (Hardcover)

I believe that this book is one of Francine Rivers' best. As always, her characters are captivating, drawing the reader close. This book is in particular about family--how important it is and the repercussions of what poor decisions are.
I am definitely waiting for the sequel! :)

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot Wait For The Second Book!, March 21, 2010

By 

Heather M "I'm not a fancy shmancy reviewer. ... (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy) (Hardcover)

Not right. Not right. Not right. You want to know why not right? Because it ended. And now I have to wait for the second book. And I must know what happens! Hooked. Completely hooked on the story, the characters, wow. Francine Rivers is a wonderful story teller. Right from the first page, Marta just pulled at my heart. I was rooting for her, wanting her to fly, just as her mother told her to. Follow your dreams girl! You can do it. When she met Niclas her husband, I know it. I knew he'd be the one, even if she didn't know it that exact minute. And oh how she gave birth to Hildie. I was so worried for that little girl.

You know what Marta is trying to accomplish in the way she is raising Hildemara. I know why she's doing it, but you just want to shake her and say go about it a different way. There has to be a better way.

Following Hildemara through her journey as she finds herself, wanting to please her mom. Tore at my heartstrings.

Watching both women and the tests that their faith is put through. It just seems like these poor women go through one trial and tribulation after another. But they get through them, well, all of them except the last one and I don't know if they got through it or not. I need the next book.

I'm literally just all clenched up because I want the next book. I want to know what happens. I can't tell you what happened in Her Mother's Hope because I never ever give spoilers to the book because I want you to read them. What good is reading it if you know how it ends.

Let me tell you though, it ends and Francine Rivers leaves you craving more. Literally craving it. You want to know what happens with this mother and daughter. I even want to know what happens with her other 3 children. And what happens with Trip and Hildemara and their 2 children. I can't just keep hanging like this. I am now waiting anxiously for Her Daughter's Dream, which will be released in fall of 2010. Francine Rivers, when? When in the fall of 2010. I need it on my Amazon Wish List.

If you are like me and you like books that just go right to your heart, I highly recommend Her Mother's Hope. I couldn't put it down.

I have to give a big thank you to Francine Rivers, AME, and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book. I am eagerly (if you can't tell) anticipating the next release! Tyndale, I have found comes out with some of the most inspirational wonderful reads. Check out some more of the authors.