Customer Reviews

Redeeming Love

5 star:		(865)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(34)

 

 

The first day I bought this book, I sat on my desk and told myself I'd just read a chapter before I go to bed. That was 9pm. No matter how hard I tried, I could not put the book down. I found myself teary eyed, reading the ending, at 5am the next morning. Intending to read just the first few pages, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting (with one bathroom break!).

Everytime Angel would run away from Michael's love, I would say, "you stupid, ungrateful woman!" But as I was reading, God reminded me of all the times when I myself would backslide from my faith, thinking that I could make it on my own without Him - and of how unconditional His love is (like Michael's) when I come to my senses and ask for His forgiveness. After I finished the novel, I couldn't help but thank God for His forgiving, faithful, redeeming love.

I definitely recommend this book. But don't read it like I did - Don't read it in one sitting until 5am when you need to be at work at 7am.!!

What a joy to be able to share my thoughts about this book with whomever may read this. This is the first book Francine Rivers wrote after coming into her relationship with Christ. Because of that, it has a rawness and a fresh fascination with the incredible love of God. The characters are real and believable, especially Angel, whose life experiences have left her bitter and angry, certain that there is no hope for redemption or love. The story that unfolds is so much more than the "sappy" romance-novel cover depicts (I wish the publisher would redesign it). Even for me, a Christian for 15 years, it was deeply moving and humbling to read of how unshakeable God's love is, and also His discipline. I have reccomended this book to so many people, all of whom have had similar responses to mine, and I would suggest it as a way to show God's amazing love to anyone you may know who doesn't know Him. Praise God for servants who are gifted in such unique ways as Mrs. Rivers - may she continue to glorify Him with her stories!

I seriously can't believe I just read a romance novel. I should have known. This book was recommended to me by a devote Christian/romance novel addict friend. I really don't like romance novels. But, oh, this is a wonderful book. Rivers, while delving into some romantic stuff, provides description, but not so much that you want to puke. Over all, this is a beautiful book about forgiveness, finding oneself, and the wrongs of judging others. I think Rivers was so scared of being corny that she didn't dare try to put in a lot of emotion, but there is still a fair amount of emotion. The story revolves around Angel, a prostitute who has taught herself not to feel, having been used by men all her life. Then she meets Michael Hosea, who insists she marries him. She soon finds herself warming up and falling in love with Michael, but the low opinion she has for herself keeps getting in the way. The message happens to be more powerful than the actual story, though at times the plot is very absorbing, especially at a particular climax near the end. This is an amazing retelling of the Book of Hosea, and I've learned to never judge anyone. Tacky and unpolished at parts, poetic at others, "Redeeming Love" is worth a read, even if you don't like romances.

I have read very widely, and rarely if ever, has a fiction book held my attention and deep emotions as this book did. Francine Rivers shows the life of children sold into prostitution and the traps they seem to stay in forever. She shows what real married love looks like and the contrasts between good and bad, sweet and bitter, happiness and sadness, truth and lies, all are a major part of this very, very excellent Christian fiction book! It should be required reading in all high schools, private or public and I will recommend this books to all the homeschooling groups I can find. Congratulations Francine, you have done to my heart, mind and emotions what few if any authors have managed to do!

I just want to echo all the other reviews about this incredible book. I was totally captivated by this story and couldn't put it down. Sleep didn't seem near as important as finding out what was going on with Michael and Angel. I can get choked up when reading, but never before have I sobbed. Congratulations, Francine for being the first author to bring me to some serious tears. Even though I was emotionally exhausted at times....I didn't want the book to end. This book truly touched DEEP parts of my heart. I haven't been able to shake this lifechanging book. In fact, like many others, I went out to a local Christian Book Store and bought copies and started giving them away. I was loaned the book to read and immediately after finishing the book I went and bought it (for myself and others). I strongly suggest this book to any/everyone. Don't let this feminine looking cover fool you guys...it'll touch you too. If you want to read another one of her books that is also wonderful, try "The Atonement Child." [By the way, did anyone else notice the subtle Corinthians scriptures in the purple bands on the cover?] If you haven't read it yet.....What are you waiting for?

Ok, I know you read the reviews, and it's always " oh this is a great book," or " you just have to read it," " its the best book in the whole wide world" and you think, "yep, heard that line said before..." well, I don't want you to think that I'm just writing this review and coming up with those lines. BUT I'm serious, this is the best book I have ever read. I have a read a ton of books in my day, and Francine Rivers is by far the best author I have come across. I also recommend the Mark of the Lion series by her. Those were excellent also. Francine Rivers has wonderfuly portrayed the book of Hosea through this story. It shows God's unconditional love for us, no matter what we've done in the past. He loves for who we are. Its wonderful, isn't it? I highly recommend these books and I hope all of you who read them enjoy them as much as I did.

I have read this book four times now.

This was the first book of Francine Rivers' I had ever read. In fact, this was the first Christian book I had ever read. I do not like to think that I am the type to easily cry, especially during movies and books and such. But I wept throughout this read.

This is a nonfiction story based on the Biblical book of Hosea. Hosea was one of the Lord's prophets in the Old Testament. The Lord told Hosea to marry a prostitute, a woman named Gomer. God told Hosea to do this because Hosea's love for and marriage to Gomer would serve as a symbol of God's love for His bride, His people Israel. Gomer left Hosea multiple times; she even bore other men's children. But every time she left, Hosea went after her. Hosea's love and pursuit for Gomer still serve as a symbol of God's love for us today.

'Redeeming Love' takes place in the 1800's during California's gold rush. The Gomer character is a prostitute named Angel, and the Biblical Hosea character is a farmer named Michael Hosea. Angel is a hard woman with a heart of stone. She doesn't need any help; doesn't want any help. Hosea rescues her, but she doesn't want to be rescued. She tries to return to her old life. She tries repeatedly. Hosea goes after her. Again and again. But how does one go about softening another's heart? Only God can do that.

It is interesting how love breaks down all barriers. Even those we do not know exist within us.

I had no expectations when I initially borrowed this book from a friend. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have read this book and learn its' lessons. This book is now a lifelong favorite and should be an addition to your permanent library.

In her blog and on her website, Francine Rivers states that 'Redeeming Love' was her first Christian novel and a labor of love. If you enjoy this book, I recommend her 'Mark of the Lion' trilogy which begins with the book, 'A Voice In The Wind.'

Enjoy this read, and I hope it encourages you in a wonderful way.

Redeeming Love was recommended to me by a lover of Romance Novels..... a genre I NEVER read. However, I thought I'd give it a chance. I'm so glad I did. Ms Rivers makes the book of Hosea come alive in terms we cannot miss. God's love, as shown through the character of Michael, is so beyond our comprehension, that it's only through allegory that we can understand it. This book has touched my heart and my soul. Quite a few of my friends had recommended The Scarlet Thread, but I hadn't read it. Now I'll have to read that one too! Thank you Francine Rivers.

W-O-W!!! This book is just amazing. A retelling of the story of Hosea in an 1850s California setting. I felt so deeply for Michael all throughout, and I had such a hard time even putting the book down! (I even got scared by the waiter at a drive-in restaurant today, because I got so engrossed!) I just hope that I can have that much faith in God, and follow His will no matter what, even when it hurts or seems wrong to the worldly point of view.

I absolutely loved this book. Angel can't believe that Michael Hosea really loves her. Even though he knows she was a prostitute, he still loves her. It's inconceivable to her that anyone could love her without having ulterior motives.

Michael lovingly and tenderly persists in showing Angel that his love is unconditional and that there are no strings attached.

This isn't just a wonderful love story. It shows each of us how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Yes, we are sinful. We're not perfect. Yet He persists in loving us.

My favorite authors are Francine Rivers, Lorie Wick, and Robin Jones Gunn. They have worked hard to take Christian fiction to new heights.