Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Book Description:  A Story of Love That Won't Let Go - No Matter What!

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold 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 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 comes 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 no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go.

A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.

My Thoughts:  Redeeming Love is an "older" book (2005), an author and a read that I somehow missed all these years.  Oh! I've heard of Francine Rivers I've just never read any of her books.    

But now that I've remedied the situation let me tell you about Redeeming Love!

Wow! I suggest that you read the book of Hosea in the Bible first  before reading this story.  The book of Hosea will give the reader the "background" for Angel and Michael's lives.  Because this grand read is all about the love a "real" man has for his wife.

Poor Angel all she has felt is betrayal...sold into prostitution as a child she doesn't know what "real" love is.  Love that goes to the soul.   Always feeling used and cheated, Angel lives on hatred.  Actually hatred seems to be the only emotion poor Angel knows.

 Part of this read did make me tear up.  I could just imagine the love that Michael Hosea has for Angel.  But Angel doesn't know how to accept his love or his devotion.  

One powerful read!

There is also a six part reading group guide at the very back of the book. A scripture reference is given and then some questions.  I didn't have a reading group so I just jotted down my answers and thought about God's love for His wayward people.  Such a redeeming love!

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Paperback: 479 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; Paperback with Study Guide edition (May 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590525132
• ISBN-13: 978-1590525135
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches