Redeeming Love

I just finished reading Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, this is the third novel I have read written by her. Her writing style is absolutely incredible. I get sucked into every book I've read. I'm reading the 4th one now, look for a review of that one over the next couple days! (Mind you her novels are all AT LEAST 400 pages, if not more. And I bought Redeeming Love last Friday, started it Monday, and finished it Saturday morning. I bought the Atonement Child yesterday, and will probably finish it today or tomorrow.

The novel is about a woman sold into prostitution as a child. And a man comes into her life, a christian man, being told by God he needs to deliver her from her past, and show her God, and help her to find her life outside of the brothel she was raised in. It's set in the mid 1800's. And its just an incredible novel.

Here's an excerpt from the novel, and an awesome idea. One I will definately be doing in the near future!

"This is my God box," she said. "When problems prey on my mind, I write them down, fold them up, and put them through the slot. Once they're inside this box, they're God's problems, and not mine."
Angel laughed. Susanna sat solemnly looking at her, and Angel's mirth died. "you are joking, aren't you?"
"No I'm quite serious." She rested her hand on the box. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but it works. I'm a fixer, Angel. A worrier. I've never been able to just let things go. I want to play God, if you will." She smiled in self-mockery. "Everytime I do, things go awry." She pated the box. "So I have this."
"A simple brown hatbox," Angel said dryly.
"Yes, a plain, ordinary hatbox, but it reminds me to put my faith in God and not in myself. The bonus comes when I see my prayers answered." Her mouth twitched. "I can see you think I'm out of my mind. Shall I show you?" She took the top off. Inside were dozens of small papers. Neatly folded. She sifted through them and took one at random, opening it.
"Cherry needs a home," she read. The note was dated. "I like to know how long it takes God to answer." She laughed at herself. "Since this prayer's been answered, I won't put the note back in the box." She folded it and put it on the bedspread beside her and took out another note.
"God, give me patience with Papa. If he brings another prospective husband to the house, I may join a convent. And you know I would make a very bad nun." Angel laughed with her. "I'd better leave that one in the box." She took out another. She was silent for a moment before she read, " Please make Faith's nightmares go away. Protect her from the evil one." folded it and put it back in the box. "Do you see what I mean?"
"I think so." Angel said. "What if God says no?"
The possibility didn't distress her. "Then he's got something else in mind. Something better than what you would think up for yourself." She frowned and looked down at the full box. "Angel, its not always easy to accept." She closed her eyes and let her breath out slowly. " I had everything planned out for myself at one time. As soon as I met Steven I knew exactly what I wanted and what I was going to do. He was handsome and vibrant. He was studying to be a minister, and he was full of such fire and zeal." She smiled. "We were going to go west and spread the gospel to the Indians." She shook her head, her eyes filling up with pain.

The book is truly incredible. I could go on and type so many parts of the book that affected me, but you should read it for yourself!