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When they say you can not judge a book by it's cover, believe me you can not. This is a wonderful and well written book. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading. Add this to you wish list, and you will not be disappointed.
Normally I steer clear of these kinds of books--sappy, harlequin emotions and cardboard characters you will never find in real life. Michael seemed entirely too flawless to be believable, and Angel is an exasperatingly ditsy blond who runs away whenever she starts to feel love for Michael. It did turn out to have a good message and a happy ending, but I have never wanted to strangle certain "idiotic" characters as much as I did these (well, one in particular). Set during the California Gold Rush years, Angel has been a prostitute since she came of age and thinks is happy enough with her (miserable) life, but a man named Michael has been told by God to marry her and show her what true love is (a la Gomer and Michael of the old testament). Oh, and of course she is an absolute bombshell (poor, poor Michael). Despite the fact that I felt my IQ dropping as I read this book (yes, that's a bit harsh I suppose) I might recommend it to recently engaged couples as a sort of "conversation starter" as it does bring up some worthy questions about the nature of unconditional love (if they can get through it without gagging at the melodrama and maudlin turns of phrase, that is).
Michael truly works as an extension of God's love, constantly showing Angel how God loves her throughout the book. We just read this for our summer book club at our church and I was blown away by this book. The book is hard to read in the beginning - you have to get past the first 75 pages or so before it gets better. It is amazing. Francine Rivers creates a main character, Angel, that any person could relate to and a story that makes you cry and shout for joy, too. But don't give up. This is a book you will forever love and want to share with others.
This brings the biblical story of Hosea to life. To those who have suffered in relationships it shows God's compassion, mercy, and grace and how we in receiving this can also extend it to a hurting world even if they are hurting us. A book for all generations. Enjoy.
This book reminds you how amazing human beings can be and reinforces the belief in a very passionate and forgiving God.
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