Rating: 
Summary: The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers
Review: I found this book enthralling. The characters were so real, I could feel myself getting emotionally wrapped up in their lives and struggles. This author managed to weave two women's lives together via a journal, each woman from different times, yet each fighting for a belief in God. The quilt hanging on Sierra's wall and the journal kept by her ancestor brought the two women together as their lives seemed to spiral out of control. And, then they found God and inner peace and Sierra found the ability to look within herself and see that she wasn't perfect and that sin is sin, no matter the deed. It's all the same. And, Francine is not afraid to write about the truth in her novels; I've read many. I'm an inspirational author myself, Kelly R. Stevens, and I've penned eight novels, three of which are available at Amazon.com or American Bookstands. And, I struggle to accomplish the same things in my novels, the truth, good or bad, and real life struggles that hit us all. You can read my take on Christianity and writing at the site of my book, Song of the Cimarron. Francine Rivers is inspiring as an inspirational author and I'm honored to call myself a "Sister Author" with Francine for Christ. Keep up the good work, Francine. I'll be reading more as I highly recommend this talented author!
Rating: 
Summary: good book
Review: With the exception of the Atonement Child, I really like Francine Rivers books, including the Scarlet Thread. This is the story of the marriage, and its disintegration, of Sierra and Alex Madrid. It tells of their troublesome beginning, resulting joy and then marital stress as Alex decides to move the family without consulting Sierra. The move brings more issues they fight over, bringing them in a downward spiral of anger and resentment until they finally get a divorce.
However, it is during this, the end of Sierra's rope, that she comes to know God and begins to make changes, starting with herself. In this way she is able to attain forgiveness, towards many people, not just her ex-husband, and finally regain peace. This begins to have a positive affect on those around her.This was a really good book but quite intense. I almost wished I hadn't read it until after I was already married b/c it did make me very nervous about marriage. But the real message of the story is not about betrayal but about forgiveness and hope. There are so many lessons that can be pulled from this book, like most of Rivers books. Learning to cooperate, to lean on God, to love everyone and to recognize that everyone is suffering in some way so you should try to help as many as you can. I recommend this book unless you're already commitment-phobic in which case you might want to hold off for a while. :)
Rating:
Summary: Worth the read, but slightly flawed
Review: The Scarlet Thread takes difficult issues for the Christian community (divorce and adultery) and shows the personal side of it. Sierra's transformation from a dependent wife to an independent woman, all while trying to hold on to her faith, gives inspiration to those faced with a world falling apart. I enjoyed the story within the story, and often wished for more from the frontier. The ending was disappointing in the sense that everything seemed to be reconciled in a very quick few pages. I felt Rivers could have taken out some of the middle of the book, which was slow at times, and put more into the ending. Overall, a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book- but it didn't have the right ending!
Review: I love Francine River's writing style, she is a great author! I would recommend this book, but, personally, I would have written a different ending. But, this story is realistic and the characters have a fantastic depth to them. Sierra was a lovable character, and her husband made me want to wring his cheating neck! Also, Mary Kathryn was a nice addition to this book, but I found myself looking forward to going back to Sierra's side of the story. A fantastic read, my compliments to Ms. Rivers for being able to write such good Christian fiction!
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Summary: Surprised...
Review: A friend from work brought me this book while I was in the hospital. I was home for about 8 weeks. I picked this book up and read the first page. I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the story. I read the book in a few days. I also like the comparison between the current character and the character in the 1800s. This is only my 2nd Christian Fiction Book. I really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to others. I think most people can relate to the characters in the book (one way or another). I went to the book store and bought another book by Francine Rivers...it was just as good.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!
Review: This book is more than wonderful!!! I wish i could rate it more than 5 stars. I sell xtian books to friends and colleagues, and Atonement Child was the first Francine Rivers' book i ever read, and i have been hooked since then. The book did more than minister to me, but as an engaged lady, it opened my eyes to the reality of marriage - forgiveness and love. After reading any of this woman's books, i just wonder how she has allowed herself to be used as an instrument by God - what more can one ask for? God bless you
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Summary: Sucked me right in...
Review: Wow is really all I can say after staying up ALL night to finish the last 300 pages of this book. ;-) At first, the book upset me and I had no idea why she was writing about this and how she would make it better in a way that would be Christian in my mind. At one point, I wanted to yell at all the adult characters in the book. I told myself that I kept reading it just so that I would know why. Well, I will be reading this book again in a few months because I like it so well. It wasn't about the sin of one, but the sins of many. It opened my eyes to how easy at times it is to sin and showed me many of the justifications that I use when I am angry. I had my "Ah Ha" God moment a few months ago and this book made me so happy that I turned back toward God. I cried for 30 minutes after finishing the book from sheer joy. I cannot remember that ever happening to me. Is this a book for everyone? I don't think so. If you see yourself too much in these characters, you may not be ready to appreciate the mirro being held up to your soul. I praise God that I had the oppertunity to read this book. It drives hard lessons home without being preachy. I would highly reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: She keeps me coming back
Review: This is my fourth book by Francine Rivers and as usual, it was not what I expected. I really enjoyed this story, though I thought that the journal entries would be more intertwined with the action in the present, I really enjoyed them. I did feel that the husband got off a little easy and perhaps didn't grow as much as he could have, but it was true to his personality. For him, he'd gone a long way. I would have liked to know more about some of the ladies and the club and what happened to them and if they were impacted by the main character's growing faith. All in all, it was an engaging read and kept me thinking long afterwards. That is what I love about Mrs. Rivers' books--that they draw me to pray and think.
Rating: 
Summary: No depth to characters
Review: This was one of the worst books I have ever read. There is no depth to any of the characters, it's predictable and unrealistic, it is so preachy. If you want to read the Bible but are bored by it - maybe you read this book as a modern 'storyline' but there must be better books than this out there.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: It is a book full of everyday lessons. I couldn't put it down. It gives a good lesson on what bitterness and anger can do to a marriage and how we should forgive even the hardest things. I like her style of writting. I have read several of her books and haven't found one yet that I don't like and I'm pretty picky about what I read.
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