Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers - A Must Read!

Wow, this September is truly a month for new releases in Christian Fiction. Yesterday I released a list of 34 titles by ACFW and today I am honored to present the latest book by multi-published author, Francine Rivers.

Francine's books are autobuys for thousands of readers, but I'm sure every time a new book is published under her prolific pen, she captures new fans.

HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM is the second book in a two-book series that is a generational saga of four women. Although it is part of a series, you do not have to have read Book One, HER MOTHER'S HOPE, in order to enjoy this one. In fact, I did not read the first book and enough backstory from the first book was included that I never felt I had missed out on something.

The book begins in the 1950s when Carolyn Arundel's mom, Hildemara, is quarantined to her room with tuberculosis (TB), and during that time Carolyn forms a special bond with her oma (grandmother) Marta. Over the years,  tension builds between Carolyn's mom and grandmother and, feeling she was to blame, Carolyn escapes to college during the hippie years at Berkeley University. She is soon caught up in the anti-war movement, drugs and the embracement of free love, only to suffer the consequences of such a lifestyle. Pregnant with her daughter, May Flower Dawn, she returns home to her family and picks up the pieces of her life.

Without giving away too much, I must say that this sweeping saga that begins in the 1950s and ends in current times, kept me riveted during the twists and turns of the lives of these women. If you grew up in the 60s and 70s you will remember a lot of the days of Woodstock, Janis Joplin and the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War. But even if you are too young to remember those events you will gain much in learning about how life was back then for those just coming of age.

You can view a beautiful trailer about this book at this site.

Published by Tyndale House and on the shelves this month, this book is a keeper!

Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market and her books were awarded or nominated for numerous awards and prizes. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books, and then re-released by Multnomah Publishers in the mid- 1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea set during the time of the California Gold Rush is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association’s top-selling titles and it has held a spot on the Christian bestseller list for nearly a decade.

Since Redeeming Love, Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes – all bestsellers-- and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous awards including the Rita Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third Rita award for Inspirational Fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers’ of America Hall of Fame. Francine’s novels have been translated into over twenty different languages and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries including Germany, The Netherlands, and South Africa.

Francine and her husband Rick live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their five grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Although an Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided without cost to me by Tyndale House Publishers, I have been free to write my opinion of this book as I see it.