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Angel has had one hellava hard knock life and trusts no one- she is Miss Independent (how many of us can relate to that- I know I can). This book was absolutely amazing and you should definitely check it out. Michael is the dreamy rugged farmer who has saved himself for her. When Angel finally does open herself to Michael's love, she feels totally unworthy of such a stud.
But, after a serious injury, Michael takes her in and loves her unconditionally, just the way God loves us, flaws and all. She fails to realize that all she has to do is grow in his love (which is just the way God wants us to grow in Him). Romance fiction, whether it be Christian or secular, always has the same story. And, unlike a lot of Christian romance (including some of Rivers' other works- the Atonement child), the plot doesn't stop so Rivers can preach at you. Yawn. This is an amazing romance that breaks all the conventions and mirrors God's love for us without whacking you over the head with preachiness.
Virginal girl falls in love with jaded womanizer and teaches him how to love again. This book flips that convention on its head with Angel, the bastard daughter of a prostitute that becomes a prostitute herself when her mom dies. The story doesn't end there though. Instead, it is beautifully woven in. Don't let the 45 page prologue stop you. The only difference between Christian and secular is whether or not the sex happens in your face or as an implied epilogue.
Unlike the snore-inducing conflict of the average romance novel ("I saw her/him flirting with you."), the conflict here is deep (though I won't give it away).
I'm so glad I did. I was so glad to see that Paul didn't continue in his hatred for Sarah and played a huge role in bringing Sarah and Michael back together. Having never read the book of Hosea, I went into Redeeming Love without any idea of where the story was going to lead. I was amazed at the way Francine Rivers captured the emotional issues that a woman would face who has suffered through such horrifying experiences. I've been reading Christian Fiction for over 25 years and I don't know why I've never picked this book up before.
Everyday after that I couldnt wait to get the kids into bed so I could pick the book back up. I cant wait to read every book that Francine Rivers has written. I was captivated by the story right from the start. The love this man had for his Father, the faith, the forgiveness, the patience.
As I neared the end of the book I was so sad, I didnt want it to end and read as slow as I could to prolong the story. Angel was emotionally broken, beaten down, scarred, cynical, bitter, and resentful but God (thru Michael) loved her still. Im not even sure what led me to purchase this book, as I had never even walked into the fictional section of the Christian bookstore. She repeatedly tried to "steer her own ship" and each time she failed her heavenly Father and faithful husband were waiting for her with unconditional love. Like many others here, the first night I told myself I was just gonna read a chapter or two and go to bed. This was my first Christian Romance Novel and I have to say it has set the bar HIGH.
But one day I found myself looking around, picked up this book and started the reading the back. I was up till 3am, reading in bed next to my sleeping husband with a book light. I would even tell my husband each day what "happened" in the book, we would discuss the characters like we knew them. This story reminds me that no matter what you have done in your lifetime, God loves you regardless and is always waiting for you to surrender to Him. Since there are 677 reviews before mine, the purpose of this review is more to just thank the author than anything else. I have a love for the 1800's and thought it sounded kinda cool.
Words just cant really describe how much I loved this story, its been over a month since I finished it and I still find myself daydreaming of Michael and Angel.
It is about the triumph of the human spirit and the lengths that God will go to to save any one of us--even when we are unaware of His care for us. This book is very well written and a wonderful story of the power of God's love and ability to save us, no matter how grave the circumstances. The beginning of the book is sad, but realistic and necessary to understand how God is able to reach Sarah and make her aware of His love despite her hard beginnings.
Another thing I do not understand is why people call this book "graphic". And, yes, Angel did disrobe several times throughout the book. If you're expecting a truly realistic storyline this probably isn't going to cut the mustard for you either. When my grandmother gave me "Redeeming Love" as a Christmas present I was skeptical, but vowed to read it so as not to hurt her feelings. Throughout the book, God puts people in Angel's/Sarah's life to minister to her. Many times throughout the book Michael prays for God's strength and rejects Angel's manipulative sexual advances. These people either never read the book or their standards of decency are far superior to my own. I was a bit perturbed that what took place between Paul and Angel was glossed over as some dirty encounter that was Angel's fault when, quite frankly, it almost came across as if Paul raped Angel.
As fallible human beings we can only take so much. No, this book is not perfect. How many women have been sold into sex trafficking and held close to their faith and were later miraculously delivered out of that nightmare. I had recently come back to the Lord and it was such a kind gesture for my grandmother, knowing about my re-dedication to Christ as well as my love for reading, to give me this book. I don't want to read raw sex scenes in a book, but I found nothing between the covers of this book that made me cringe, wince or blush. **This review may contain some mild SPOILERS**For those who say this book is poorly written I'm curious as to what they are used to reading.
Christian women are just as capable of being raped and abused as non-christian women and vice versa. Another issue that comes up in reviews is how Angel is either "always naked" or that the intimacy scenes are "graphic". While I won't dismiss God's ability to use an author of fiction to present the Gospel to readers, I rely on my prayer time and studies of the Scriptures to bring me closer to Him. The book mentions unwed motherhood, infertility, abortion, child prostitution, rape and other types of abuse; however, these are dark aspects of life that even believers have experienced. Everyone told me I should read it, so I did, and was horribly disappointed. How many women have had abortions and experienced the redeeming love of Christ.
It's an illustration of Christ's redeeming love for us. For what it's worth, I don't take issue with a woman removing her clothes in the presence of her husband. With that said, reading a work of fiction that doesn't run completely contrary to the things of God is refreshing. If anyone is expecting "Redeeming Love" to be existential and stuffy then they should save themselves the money and not buy it in the first place. I found neither to be true. I read the first nine chapters in one night. Yes, there are is some pretty heavy subject matter in this book. At no point does Michael ever take advantage of the situation, even though Angel was by all accounts his spouse and he could have taken her at any time she took her clothes off in his presence.
Furthermore, I can't say this book "saved" me or brought me closer to Christ. Angel didn't know how to conduct herself any differently and, in the beginning of their relationship, Angel tried to use her body as leverage against Michael. Yes, there was intimacy, but it was implied. "Atlas Shrugged" is considered one of the greatest novels of all-time and I think it's the most vile (in terms of writing style and content) book ever written that was later dubbed a "classic". Angel doesn't always take heed or appreciate their help, and she oftentimes finds herself in trouble when she does not. At the very least he took liberties with her that were so beyond acceptable that it was quite disturbing it wasn't presented as a type of sexual violation. I find it to be poorly written (largely due to publishers' unrealistic deadlines), trite and boring most of the time.
There were a few times I was left scratching my head. I began reading it Christmas night and couldn't put it down. Most men do not possess the patience to continually take back an adulterous, rebellious woman - and rightfully so. The point was not to shock or hurt readers, but to more clearly illustrate how God can take even a young, rebellious, cold-hearted prostitute and place people in her life to draw her closer to Him. She was a prostitute.
It's a Christian-based romance novel that is meant to be allegorical, not literal. First off, I want to preface this review by confessing I don't much care for contemporary literature. The good news is that this book is not meant to be realistic. There was nothing perverted or explicit about it.
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