Book Review and Bonus Interview: Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

About the book:

From the beloved, best-selling author of Redeeming Love comes a powerful epic that spans continents and generations in an unforgettable story about family and faith, dreams and disappointments, and ultimately the resilience and tenacity of love.

Best-selling author Francine Rivers pens a sweeping and lyrical two-book saga that explores the depths of grace and forgiveness in one of life’s fiercest bonds—the love between mother and daughter.
Near the turn of the twentieth century, fiery Marta Schneider is torn between her father’s declaration that she’ll never be more than a servant and her mother’s encouragement to chase her dreams. Determined to fulfill her mother’s hope, Marta leaves home for a better life. Young and alone, she earns her way with a series of housekeeping and cooking jobs that bring her ever closer to her dream of owning an inn.

Heartbreaking news from home strengthens Marta’s resolve as she moves to England and eventually to Canada. There, she meets handsome Niclas Waltert, a man just as committed as she to forging a better life in a new place. But nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she must make for marriage and motherhood as she travels first to the Canadian wilderness and finally to the dusty Central Valley of California to raise her family.

Marta’s hope is to give her children a better life, but experience has taught her that only the strong survive. Her tough love is often misunderstood, especially by her oldest daughter, Hildemara Rose, who craves her mother’s acceptance. Amid the drama of World War II, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. But unexpected and tragic events force mother and daughter to face their own shortcomings and the ever-widening chasm that threatens to separate them forever.



My thoughts:

Finally, the wait is over! Francine Rivers has a new, full-length, fabulous novel, and it has been worth every day I've had to wait for it! And no joke...I read it in 24 hours. It was that good!

Francine creates some of the most memorable characters in her books, and out of all the Christian fiction authors I read, her characters and their stories stay with me more than anyone else's. In Her Mother's Hope, it felt like I was reading about real people because they faced genuine problems, and sometimes, didn't always handle them the way that they should have. Marta, for instance, truly despised her father, and at first, didn't believe her mother when she said that she (Marta) and her father were more alike than she realized. As Marta grew older, it became more evident that she had indeed picked up a few of her father's traits, and not all of them were good. Unfortunately, some of these bad traits molded her into the type of mother that she did not want to be, especially to her second child, Hildemara.

Another thing I love about this book (as well as what's to come in book 2) is that they're going to cover entire lifetimes, and not just a few months or years, or one point in history. The book began in early 1900, and ended with the Japan bombings of World War 2. Books that cover so much history like this one does just adds so much to an overall reading experience, in my opinion. Like I said earlier...it only took me 24 hours to read this one. I don't mind reading another 24 more of the rest of this story!

As much of a fan as I am of her first book, Redeeming Love, I have to say that this one comes a very close second, if not a tie, for my favorite Francine Rivers novel. But oh, how I wish that I didn't have to wait 6 months before I can complete this saga! By far, this is my favorite book of 2010!

5 Stars!!

Bonus info straight from the author!!

Tell us about your current work.
I have just completed the second in a set of two books about mother-daughter relationship over four generations. This was intended to be one long novel dealing with the different ways generations have lived out their faith – but became so long it needed to be divided. Her Mother’s Hope will be released March 16, 2010. Her Daughter’s Dream will follow in September. There are numerous family and personal details woven into both books and I plan to share those things on my blog.

Which is your favorite book of those you’ve written?
My favorite book is Redeeming Love. It was my first as a born-again Christian, my statement of faith, and the most exciting year I’ve spent writing anything. I felt God’s presence throughout the months of work, as though He were telling me His story through thousands of Scriptures as well as explaining the inner heart-ache and quest of each “my” characters.

Which book was the hardest to write and why?

The Atonement Child was the most personal and difficult to write because I had to face my own abortion experience. Added to the considerable research I did, and women who shared their experiences with me, I went through an intensive post-traumatic stress Bible study for post-abortive women at our local pregnancy counseling center. Reliving all aspects of my abortion decision and experience was excruciating – but healing. After twenty-six years of being imprisoned by guilt and shame, I was free through the power and love of God. Though the book was the most heart-wrenching to write, it also proved to be the most life changing. I’ve received countless letters from other post-abortive women and have learned my experience is not unique. Our nation is filled with wounded men and women. The character of Hannah is based on my story, Doug is based on Rick’s, and Evie is based on my mother’s.

**PLEASE NOTE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided to the me as a blog tour host by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

**Click here to purchase a copy of Her Mother's Hope.