Rating: 
Summary: Delectible!
Review: I enjoyed every moment of this one and the 5th one. Can't wait for out library to get the middle 3. Made me want to name my next child Tamar.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing insight into Tamar!!
Review: I had never understood this Bible story until I read this novella. Ms. Rivers takes you into Tamar's lifestyle & put into context, her actions make perfect sense & I understand why God chose her to carry on Christ's lineage. What a character Judah was also! It is such an amazing story that I never understood, & now I want everyone to understand it!
Rating:
Summary: The Woman of Hope
Review: I have always been fascinated and intrigued by the women in the Bible. Their stories are like "snapshots;" word pictures which tell just enough of their stories to give them a place in the biblical narrative. Ms. Francine Rivers is creating a series of novellas focusing on 5 diverse and remarkable women in the bible who have the biblical distinction to be the only women included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16). To paraphase Ms Rivers in her introduction, these are not perfect women, but these are women who submitted themselves to be used by God. In her first book "Unveiled," we meet Tamar, the woman of hope (Genesis 38:1-30). And hope is what substains her in the face of a forced marriage at 14 to a man who has an evil reputation. Hope also allows her to live in a house with a contentious mother-in-law, an abusive husband, bickering brothers with terrible tempers and a father-in-law who is indifferent to her pain because of his own demons. The evilness of her husband, who has been raised as an idol-worshipping Canaanite, becomes so great that while making a hideous vow to his father about the future of children born to him and Tamar, he is struck down dead. Custom decrees that the second son Onan marries Tamar. However he refuses to have a child who according to law will inherit the portion of the elder brother, so he spills his seed on the ground instead of impregnating her. Because of his willful disobedience he also dies. Judah, who knows in his heart that the deaths of his sons are a judgement from God and in the midst of his grief and fear for his last son sends Tamar back to her father's house -- a stigma of shame (for she has no children). But her father-in-law who does not want to lose his last son makes a promise to her that when his son is deemed old enought, he will have her come back. He has no intentions however of doing this and Tamar who has become curious about the God of her father-in-law Judah, who is Hebrew, eventually makes plans of her own to bear children for the house of Judah. While we may not comprehend why Tamar took so much abuse and why she was so determine to bear children for this family, we also have to remember the time and place this occurred. Married women who had children - sons in particular, had status. They would bring joy in her youth and be her comfort in her old age. And she lived in the culture of the Middle East, where even today in some areas, women lives are not valued and a father or husband can kill a wife or daughter and not be punished. This is a wonderful book to read. Ms. Rivers also includes a bible study. The best way to read this book --read the bible story first, then once you read the story (the snapshot), your understanding and appreciation of what Ms. Rivers has accomplished in bringing the characters to life will be greater. I guarantee.
Rating:
Summary: The Woman of Hope
Review: I have always been fascinated and intrigued by the women in the Bible. Their stories are like "snapshots;" word pictures which tell just enough of their stories to give them a place in the biblical narrative. Ms. Francine Rivers is creating a series of novellas focusing on 5 diverse and remarkable women in the bible who have the biblical distinction to be the only women included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16). To paraphase Ms Rivers in her introduction, these are not perfect women, but these are women who submitted themselves to be used by God. In her first book "Unveiled," we meet Tamar, the woman of hope (Genesis 38:1-30). And hope is what substains her in the face of a forced marriage at 14 to a man who has an evil reputation. Hope also allows her to live in a house with a contentious mother-in-law, an abusive husband, bickering brothers with terrible tempers and a father-in-law who is indifferent to her pain because of his own demons. The evilness of her husband, who has been raised as an idol-worshipping Canaanite, becomes so great that while making a hideous vow to his father about the future of children born to him and Tamar, he is struck down dead. Custom decrees that the second son Onan marries Tamar. However he refuses to have a child who according to law will inherit the portion of the elder brother, so he spills his seed on the ground instead of impregnating her. Because of his willful disobedience he also dies. Judah, who knows in his heart that the deaths of his sons are a judgement from God and in the midst of his grief and fear for his last son sends Tamar back to her father's house -- a stigma of shame (for she has no children). But her father-in-law who does not want to lose his last son makes a promise to her that when his son is deemed old enought, he will have her come back. He has no intentions however of doing this and Tamar who has become curious about the God of her father-in-law Judah, who is Hebrew, eventually makes plans of her own to bear children for the house of Judah. While we may not comprehend why Tamar took so much abuse and why she was so determine to bear children for this family, we also have to remember the time and place this occurred. Married women who had children - sons in particular, had status. They would bring joy in her youth and be her comfort in her old age. And she lived in the culture of the Middle East, where even today in some areas, women lives are not valued and a father or husband can kill a wife or daughter and not be punished. This is a wonderful book to read. Ms. Rivers also includes a bible study. The best way to read this book --read the bible story first, then once you read the story (the snapshot), your understanding and appreciation of what Ms. Rivers has accomplished in bringing the characters to life will be greater. I guarantee.
Rating: 
Summary: Unveiled
Review: I have been a long time fan of Francine Rivers and I have to say that I have not been disappointed yet. Her work really goes to the heart of the reader and brings a new view on God every time. I especially appreciate Unveiled. I just finished it and I have to say that I never have seen Tamar in this light. I really the fact that Rivers has put a study guide in the back of it this time. I share all my Rivers' books with my sister-in-law to help her have a deep walk with God. The study guide and the look at Tamar is excellent. Way to go, Francine!
Rating:
Summary: This series of books is UNequaled!!
Review: I have now completed the entire lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers after originally being intrigued by an Amazon.com customer review and online book preview. Each book was excellent. The bible studies at the conclusion of each book challenge the reader to study related scripture in conjunction with the fictional account based upon God's word. Tamar's story (Unveiled) was my favorite. The author researched the mores of our ancient Jewish ancestors to formulate an opinion as to why Tamar prostitued herself and why in spite of this sinful act, God still chose her offspring to bear the lineage of Christ. An historic example of of God's grace and forgiveness.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Interpretation
Review: I have read every single one of Francine Rivers books, and UNVEILED is right up there in the ranks with her spectacular repertoire. Slightly shorter than most of her novels, this story is a new interpretation of a Biblical epic I have been familiar with for years, but now look at in a new light. After her fascinating accounts of the heroine, Tamar (book of Genesis, she includes a six part bible study that has brought me to tears on several occasions with her profound insight and soul searching questions that make you rethink your philosophies. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did, and I also encourage you to read Rivers' other selections, for they are ALL fantastic works of genious.
Rating: 
Summary: Unveiled
Review: I have read most of Francine Rivers books, all of which I loved and recommend to my family and friends. I just finished reading "Unveiled" it's not what I expected. I'm hoping her next book will be better.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational Reading!
Review: I started reading Francine Rivers' books in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1996. Since then, I have read every book she has written. My sister shared the first book with me, and from then on I was hooked on reading Francine's books. This book, "Unveiled", was written so well that Tamar seemed alive today. It was hard for me to comprehend her loyalty to her husbands' family. However, her faithfulness and willingness to trust and obey in a God she didn't even know was most impressive to me. I took this book on a weekend trip and wanted to spend more time in the hotel reading than socializing. It was easy reading and hard to put down--as all of Francine Rivers' books are. More importantly, all of the books cause me to think about my Christian walk and to try to grow closer to the Lord. This book caused a thirst for the scripture on Tamar. I was disappointed to find out that there is only a small passage on Tamar in the Bible. It's amazing how creative Francine Rivers is! Every woman should read this book. I am waiting anxiously for the next.
Rating:
Summary: Another Treasure!
Review: I usually don't pick up "little" books but because this was by Francine Rivers I did and I certainly was not disappointed. I would read the book awhile and then read the scriptural account and then the book again, back and forth. The book was very good, right on the scripture and yet tells much of how the people may have felt. I will have a better remembrance of Tamar and Judah now and certainly look forward to the other four books coming. Thank you again Francine, all of your books are my favorites.
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