Several years ago, I was given The Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers as a gift from a friend. I adored these books and was so excited to receive Redeeming Love as a gift this Christmas from another friend. It was just as spectacular! It's also currently on Barnes and Noble's "Books Everyone Should Read" table. I concur--this is a book everyone should read. Friend and family, watch out! You might be getting this for your birthday or Christmas!
Redeeming Love is the story of Sarah (aka Angel, Mara, Amanda, Mandy, Tirzah), set first in New England 1835 and moving to California 1950. It spans most of her life and includes a lovely little epilogue at the end for those of us who are curious how the story really turns out. Sarah is the daughter of a married man, Alex Stafford, and her mother, Mae, who is his mistress. She learns early that men will disappoint you, that you can trust no one in the world, and you must do what you must do to survive. Through a sad chain of events, she ends up working in a brothel, and is quite successful there. She's beautiful and men adore her. One day, Michael Hosea spots her in town while she is on one of her long walks with her caretaker. From the moment he sees her, he knows he will marry her and love her forever. It is here that their story begins. It is a back and forth story for the entire length of the novel--does Angel love Michael and can she be his wife, or should she leave him to let him live his love with another woman, who is more deserving of this great man? It is also a struggle, Michael's struggle to get Angel to see her worth, her value, and that she is deserving of love, no matter what her past may be.
For those of you more alert than I, you can also see the parallel between Michael and Angel and God and Man. (Thank you Meghan for pointing this out to me). Once this became clear, I also noticed how Angel was sinning in Pair-A-Dice (Paradise) in California, and was removed from that place by her savior, Michael. Michael Hosea is a beautifully spiritual man and from his unconditional love and the love of a family the two meet up with towards the middle of the novel, eventually Angel sees her value and her worth and does an amazing thing with her life. (You will have to read all 468 pages to uncover that mystery!)
If you choose to read this book, I strongly encourage you to read the note from the author before beginning. It is a touching story that explains why this book was written and I think it makes the story all that more beautiful. Even those of you out there who might not believe that God loves us all unconditionally and that he forgives our mistakes, I think you still might think that Angel's story is compelling and beautiful.
It is a long book, but don't let that discourage you from reading it. I am a better person for reading this story. It reminded me that I married a man like Michael--one who loves me for who I am, despite my past, who loves me through my mistakes and who will be waiting on the other side of them every time, and who saved me long ago from a life that I no longer wanted to be a part of. Rob...you are my savior. I am so grateful for you.
Read this one. It's worth your time and will make you better for having read it.
Enjoy!
:) Dodie
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