Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

I was first introduced to Francine Rivers when I picked up her Mark of the Lion series by chance. I haven't been able to buy that series yet, but in the mean time, I'm catching up on her novels and loving them! Unlike Mark of the Lion, which was set in Ancient Rome, Redeeming Love is set in the Wild West.

Redeeming Love is inspired by the book of Hosea, which through Hosea and his wife, illustrates God's love. If you don't know the story, Hosea was requested to marry his wife, who left him repeatedly to go and be a prostitute. Yet, he kept bringing her back and forgiving her because of his love for her. This love is like the love of God, which is so great that He loves us through out worst sins.

Likewise, Redeeming love starts Michael Hosea and Sarah/Angel. Angel (she's called that for most of the book, so let's go with that), was born to the mistress of a rich man. An unwanted baby, she believes that she caused the dissolution of her parents relationship. When her mother dies when she's eight, she's sold into prostitution to a paedophile. Now at eighteen, she's trapped working as a high-class prostitute at a brother in Pair-a-Dice. Michael is a farmer who listens to the Word of God. As he sees Angel walking past him one day, he's told that this is the girl for him. But Angel doesn't think so. Can love change her?

I really loved this book because of the storyline. To see how Angel and Michael's relationship got closer as time past, then how Angel had to learn to forgive herself, it was so touching. The book is clearly centered around Angel, who's a lost lamb. And apart from the two stars, there are a whole host of characters, some good, and some who are hypocrites.

Plus the ending, well, I really love it!

"Love the Lord your God, and love one another. Love one another as He loves. Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don't weaken. Stand against the darkness and love. That's the way back into Eden. That's the way back to life."

A note of caution, in the beginning of the novel, this is described as a "PG-13" novel due to sexual situations (Angel is/was a prostitute). Frankly, I didn't notice anything objectionable, and compared to most YA novels floating around, this is tame, but if you're uncomfortable with the subject, you might want to think twice before reading the book.

But otherwise, this is a fantastic novel that you have to read!