I'm reading my first book by this author 'Redeeming Love' and while I"m liking it , it's disturbing to think about an 8 yr old little girl being raped and forced into prostitution. I'm wondering if all her books are this 'distressing'. I'm continuing because I'm sure she'll have a HEA in spite of what she went through but the process is really heartbreaking. Anyways, do all of her stories touch with issues such as child rape or does she have some 'lighter' stuff?

actually of of her books are really edgy and intense.  they deal with intense issues like that., stuff that will make you uncomfortable. her writing is really good, one of my favorite authors ever. but if you're looking for lighter stuff you might want to try someone else.

ok thanks! I'm really 'into 'the story though it's making me uncomfortable..weird huh?! I usually read lighter fluffier stuff but like something though provoking once in a while but now I'm having trouble getting it out of my head that this world is full of sickos who actually do this stuff to kids. She writes like you'rre reading an actual biography of a real live person.

Which others of hers would you recommend? or if you' relike me and have an author you really like the answer is easy 'all of them'! :-) Not sure I could read something like this several in a row but she's done a good job with this book so far..I'm about halfway through..just read an intense romantic t hriller that ws more 'thriller' with a crazed psycho so was gonna read something 'light and fluffy' next but I have this one from the library and it was due Thursday or Friday so I want to finish and drop it off so the person who's requested it is able to check it out. but boy is it intense!

Francine Rivers is definately not known for light reading material.  Her Mark of the Lion series is my absolute favorite of all time, but steer clear anyone who's looking for a light, relaxing read. 

i guess her lightest stuff would probably be her Sons of Encourgemnt series or the Lineage of Grace. They are 5 book novellas series. The first dealing with 5 men in the bible - Aaron, caleb, Jonathan, Amos and Silas. The 2nd deals with the 5 women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus- Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, Rahab and Mary. I think out of all of them Ruth is the tamest.

I read this a month or so ago and so far it's my favorite read of the year but I agree, that part was distrubing but sadly, not very uncommon back in those days I'm sure. I enjoyed it because it took place not far from where I live but I still can't quite figure out exactly where. :)

I just recieved the audio of Redeeming Love.   I had no idea it was going to be so edgy but glad I read this thread.  I don't mine, but at least it won't catch me by surprise.  I am driving to Tucson next week and think it will make for a good listen while driving.

Well I just finished the book and all I can say is WOW! and I was just thinking 'edgy' is how I feel now. I'm at work and was reading between running samples and stuff and I snapped some people's heads off for interrupting me! There were places in this one I wanted to cry and scream..felt like I was right there in the story and feeling for the woman and for the child she never got to be. What upsets me is I know now that this kind of stuff had to have happened and still does in some places and even to children here probably.Glad Iread it and glad I finished it! This was 'one of those books'..I had almost the same reaction when I read 'The Color Purple'..real eye opener. I usually read lighter reads but have been trying to add more serious reading here and there and this definitely ranks up there with'serious' for me and this is a book I will NEVER forget.

ETA: I'm eyeballing Leota's Garden and put it on 'my list' at the library but haven't requested it yet. If it's this intense I don't think I can handle it right now LOL but it sounds pretty good.

Leota's Garden is very good. I don't remember it being as intense as some of her other books. My personal favorite of Ms River's is probably always going to be "The Last Sin Eater". Another intense River's book is "The Atonement Child"-- good but tough to read because the subject is so very painful. I have enjoyed her Mark of the Lion series and I have just read "Tamar" from the Lineage of Grace series. I enjoyed that book very, very much and can hardly wait to read the rest of that series. I pretty much automatically snap up any book of hers that I find because her books have never failed me yet. You almost never find a book by her at our local UBSs because they get grabbed off the shelf as soon as the clerks place them there.

another vote for the mark of the lion series.  Make sure you have at least the first 2 before you start, though, because you won't want to wait for the next one to come after to finish book 1.  I cry every time I read Book 2.... and it's one of only a couple books that have actually made me cry (the other is Uncle Tom's Cabin).

Hi All, I loved this book too. I have a few of hers on my TBR pile and know they are on the wish list of a few.  A Great book you will remember!!

I don't think Leota's Garden is intense.  It's about a family mother-daughter specifically whose relationship has been nearly non-existent until the granddaughter goes to live with the grandmother.  It's good, but not one of her "better" ones.  If I remember right abortion is mentioned, but not in detail.

You might like to read her "The Scarlet Thread", may not be as intense but still powerful.  Love all her writing. 

I'll try out some of those Christa..I've read some Janette Oke several years ago but stopped because people kept dying that I didn't want to die! I loved Redeeming Love but I didn't expect it to effect me the way it did nor how I couldn't put it down in spite of how disturbing it was!

I agree with "button". The Scarlet Thread was the first book I read by Francine Rivers and is still my favorite. 

I've read a few of her books. Redeeming Love made me cry a little. It's awful to know that that kind of thing really happens. It's good to be aware though and not turn a blind eye to it. Of River's books I've also read Leota's Garden which was ok and The Scarlet Thread which was really good. I have The Last Sin Eater and And The Shofar Blew waiting on my shelf to be read. I can't wait.

Redeeming Love is my all-time favorite book, period.  :o)  But next on the list for favorite Francine Rivers book would be Leota's Garden.  Made me laugh and cry!  The Mark of the Lion series is very good, too, but you might want to wait a while before delving into something that deep after just reading Redeeming Love if you thought it was heavy.

Happy reading to ya!!  Glad you found one of Christian fiction's greatest authors!

I did listen to Redeeming Love on my drive to Tucson.   It was so intense that I had to turn if off now and then and give my mind and heart a rest.   However - I did love the book!   I'll be ordering more of her books when I get back home.

I don't think I could have listened to that while drving Cozette! It was an awesome read though! I think Leota's Garden will be next on my list of her books but gotta rest up and recuperate!

It sounds like you enjoyed Redeeming Love - keep trying Francine Rivers books.  Redeeming Love is actually the book that got me interested in reading fiction again!

One thing that makes Francine Rivers such a neat author is that each of her books/series are so different.  I have read Leota's Garden, The Atonement Child, Redeeming Love, The Last Sin Eater, The Scarlet Thread, the Mark of the Lion series...all were good reads, some better than others, but all very interesting and so different.  That is what make her great - you can count on quality, but each book is also different from the others in style and voice...

My husband finally picked up the Mark of the Lion series and really enjoys them, too.

Her books often deal with how different people look at God/Christ and different stumbling blocks that people have toward a relationship with God.  Many of her books have given me good perspective on myself or people in my life.

Keep on reading!

I read Redeeming Love and it's my favorite of hers. Leota's Garden is not an intense read at all. Actually, I found it a bit boring at times. My least favorite of hers, actually. I hope to read the Mark of the Lion series soon. Its on my shelf waiting to be read.

Another of my favorites of hers is "And the Shofar Blew". Very good and relative to today's times.