Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

It has been a short, or long depending on your perspective, 3 years since Francine Rivers' last book.  Bridgeto Haven didn't take as long to release as the two-book set she wrote before this, that time we had to wait 8 years.  Thank goodness she doesn't always make us wait that long.

In the golden age of Tinsel town you find Abra. She is now known as Lena Scott, someone her agent created to make her a star.  She hates her life, she is sick of being told what to do, what to eat and how to act.  She is ready to call it quits. Not to head home, as no one there cares what has happened to her, but to find a different life.

Now I don't want you thinking this is a story of the poor little starlet that is sick of the fame and fortune, but it is very much the story of a young women who has had a very different life that has lead her to the place that she found herself in.  It is the story of how we sometimes misunderstand why people do what they do.  It is the story of how God and his love never leave us even when we believe we are completely unlovable and never will be able to be forgiven for what we have done.

There is something about Francine's stories that make me disappear into them.  The way she writes her characters and the settings she puts them in them make me feel like I am living right along side them.  I have known a few other authors who do this also and they rank in my favorites also.  It is a gift when a writer lets us walk along side their characters and find ourselves mixed up in their lives. 

Of course now that I have read Bridge to Haven it is another long, or short I hope, wait for Francine's next book.

Happy Reading,

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

There are not many fiction books that can say that stay in print for over 20 years, but Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers can brag that it is one of the few. I loved, loved, loved this book.  I recommend to any and all to read it, especially women. 

I am almost sure that I don’t have to tell you what the story line is about, but I will remind you that it is based on the book of Hosea in the Bible.  It is the story of God’s pursuit of us and how we return over and over again to our old life. 

I cannot say it enough. If you have not read this book, go find a copy in any one of the three covers that it has been released in and read it.  Just don’t start it on a day you have something important to do, you might not be willing to lay the book down and leave it behind until you are completely finished.

Happy Reading.

P.S.  I was asked to read and post a review of this book by Waterbrook/Multinomah

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

This is an anniversary that we don't celebrate in the Fiction dept. very often.  The shelf life of a fiction book is very short and right now it is the shortest it has ever been.  I see book #1 of series go out of print within months of the last book of the series being printed.  Ebooks have changed that a bit and older books are once again available for reading, good or bad. 

For an fiction book to still be in print from 20 years ago is very rare.  For it to be a book that isn't even considered a classic is even rarer, but Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is celebrating its 20th straight year in print. 

 

If you have not ever read this book, you need to.  In fact if you go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/redeeminglove/ you can share your story about the first time you read it and maybe you will win a trip to San Fransico. 

I don't have much of a story to tell about the first time I read it, but I will say I didn't really plan on reading it because the orginal cover looked too much like a Harlequin romance and as most of you know that is not my favorite genre.  Thankfully there was a fellow employee who finally talked me into reading it.  Her exact words were, "Don't let the cover fool you."  Boy was she right.  That cover did not fit the book.  My favorite cover is still the one from a couple of years ago, it was the brown cover that looked more historical.  That is the cover that is on the book I have on my shelf, but don't loan out.  In fact if anyone wants to borrow it I go buy one instead. 

This book is a heart story.  It speaks to your heart and echoes the words that God whispers to us everyday of our lives.  "You are loved."  I have heard many many interesting stories about this book, it is one of the privileges of working in a bookstore.  They are each so very beautiful and wonderful.  I thank each one of you that have shared your stories. 

I remember one more than any others.  There was a lady who came into the fiction dept. several times a month.  She loved reading and really only wanted to read the best.  I had been trying to get her to read Redeeming Love several times and for some reason couldn't talk her into it.  I even tried my old trick of if you read it and don't like it bring it back and I will not only buy it back but also buy you another book for free (I have never had to buy anyone a different book).  She kept saying no, finally I brought in a copy I had at home and told her that this was my copy along with the spaghetti stains from where I stood at the stove stirring supper while reading. 

That was the trick and she took it home with her that night.  Like so many others she read it in one night and was back in the store the next morning.  With tears in her eyes she shared about the abuse in her past, which she had not shared with anyone else yet (she has since received counseling).  WOW, that just blew me away.  But that is the kind of book it is. 

If you haven't read it please do, if you have read it make sure you share it with someone and then you can both talk and share afterwards. 

Happy Reading

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

After having to wait 8 very long years since Francine Rivers' last novel, she graced us with two this year. Her Mother's Hope released in March, and is now being followed by Her Daughter's Dream. In this second book we continue the story of Marta, Hildie and Hildie's daughter Carolyn. If you haven't read the first book yet you may want to read that first before reading this review as I may give you too much of a good thing and reveal something about that story you don't want to know.

This book picks up right where the first left off. Marta is trying to help Hildie and her family while Hildie is battling Tuberbulosis a second time. No one is sure she will recover and she just wants to go home to die or recover, whichever comes first. Marta moves in and takes over Hildie's house and family. The relationship between Hildie and her daughter, Carolyn, is forever changed. Hildie is sure she has lost her daughter to her mother forever.

Carolyn grows up believing her mother doesn't love her. She figures the only one who loves her and wants her around is her Oma. She loves being with her and when she moves in next door Carolyn is sure that she is now safe.

Ok enough of the storyline, you can read about that yourself. Her Daughter's Dream takes you on a wonderful journey of forgiveness but also friendship and understanding family. Even when we are related to each other doesn't always mean we understand each other. I for one will be the first to say I don't always understand my family and I grew up with them. :-)
I have to say that not only is this a good story, it is a neat story of America's history. It starts in book one with the WWI and continues on through out our history to modern day. Stories include WWII, Vietnam, Woodstock and the peace movement and through to 9/11. It was fun to relive some of what I remember and learn how some of that affected families that I don't remember.
I hope you can just savor this book by Francine as it might be the last one you get to read for awhile. :-)
Happy Reading

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,Usually I keep you up to date on what I am reading by updating my "what's Chris reading..." column.  Well I just wanted to let you know that I am reading Francine Rivers second book in the Marta's Legecy series.  Her Daughter's Dream is so very very good.  I can safely say that if you liked book one Her Mother's Hope then you are sooo going to love this one. 

You are welcome to contact me at the store and I can put your name and phone number on one and we will call you when it releases in Sept.  I don't want to give to much away yet, but it is not just the Marta/Hildamare story.  It goes on the next generation also.  It is a story of Marta's family  but also a wonderful look at American history.

Happy Reading

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

Her Mother's Hope is Francine Rivers' first full length novel in 7 years. It was well worth the wait. I would rather she wrote one every couple of years, but then again they wouldn't be this good.

We first meet Marta in her native land of Switzerland and follow her journey throughout Europe and Canada and finally into depression-era California. It is not an easy journey, but it one that she is very determined to survive and make her children stronger for it. She has a father who is down right cruel to her. He spoils his son and Marta's younger sister, while expecting Marta to work and hold her own in the world. She leaves to go to a school to learn to be a maid for hotels, etc... She excels and grows her dream that someday she will own her own boarding house.

Marta is so confused by her mother telling her to fly and Marta feels pushed out of the nest. Why does she have to leave and the other two get to stay? This is something that she carries with her for her entire life. It is part of what makes her who she is. It makes her stronger, but it also makes her harsher with her children, especially Hildemara.

I really loved this book. I found myself cheering on Marta while in almost the same breath I wanted to yell at her. I did really struggle with her at certain points of the story because of her personality. It wasn't always the most pleasant. But this book itself was so good. I will warn you that is part one of a two book series. I know some of you prefer to wait for the entire series to be out, well you won't have long to wait. Book number two is due out in Oct.

If you are still wondering, this is the type of book that you take two or so days to completely immerse yourself in and then when you are finished, rejoin the rest of the world again. Yes it is that kind of book.

Happy Reading

Francine Rivers

Dear Readers,

I know I don't recommend books that release more than a month after my post, but I have got to tell you about Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers. I finished my copy over the weekend and loved it. It took me a few pages to warm up to the main character Marta, but it was one of those books I didn't want to stop reading.

It is a story of a mother's love and how sometimes what we do in love can be seen as the opposite. Hildiemara believes her mother does not love her. This is the story of the two of them and how their relationship isn't the easiest one.

Her Mother's Hope releases March 16th. It is available at our store for special order or even a pre-pay for that special reader in your life.

Her Daughter's Dream (title so far) releases in Oct. of 2010 and I already can't wait to get my hands on a copy. :-)

Happy Reading