The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

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The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

270 pages

This book was very hard to get into at first. In fact, I started it, put it down, and only picked it up again a week later because my mom said it started slow but was great. It is set in the Appalachian Mountains, so it has a deep accent to it. Cadi is a young girl with a heavy heart, who blames herself for her sister's death. Not a far fetched idea, since it would appear that both of her parents also blame her. In her family's grief, she is basically on her own. With the heavy burden of guilt on her, she seeks out the Sin Eater. The Sin Eater is the man who comes down the mountain after a person dies in order to 'eat' their sin so that they may face the Lord at the gates of Heaven. Once you get past the mountain talk, and the character who comes to the people to tell them the gospel speaking in King James, this is a beautiful story, one filled with hope, forgiveness, and love. I flat out cried at the end, thinking of the sacrfice Jesus made for us so that we may not go to our death bed with the heavy burden of guilt.

and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers

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and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers

448 pages

Paul and Eunice Hudson are called by God to pastor a small dwindling church. Samuel is an older Elder within the chuch who is blessed to have Paul and Eunice come into their small town church. Stephen is a man fresh out of rehab with a need to stay on the right track with God. All seems to be doing well, until it appears that the work being down within the church is more for the glory of Paul than the glory of God.

(from jacket cover)

He seemed like the perfect pastor to lead Cernterville Christian Church. She seemed like the perfect pastor's wife.

When Paul Hudson eagerly accepted the call to pastor the struggle church, he had no idea what to expect. He only hoped he could please the Lord with his plans and hard work. Together, Paul, his wife Eunice, and their son Tim packed up and moved halfway across the country to do the Lord's work.

It didn't take long for Paul to turn Centerville Christian Church around. Attendance was up, way up. People came to hear the charismatic Paul Hudson preach. The choir added members, ad the children's program was at an all time high. A building program was in the works. Everything was going so well. If only his wife could see it his way. Still, he tried no to let her quiet presence disturb him.

As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

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As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

482 pages
Third book in the Mark of the Lion trilogy.

The story continues, this time following Atretes and Rizpah, along with his son. Their lives become endangered when people learn of his son and Christian Rizpah. When the information hits people in high places, they must flee, and they head back to Germania. Incredible story. These books really moved me, to the point where I was lost on what to read next.

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

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An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

Sequel to Voice in the Wind

453 pages

Loved this book even more than the first one. Steeped in fascinating historical fiction, and the message comes at a time in a time in my life I really needed it. As always, don't want to say to much about the sequel because with the Mark of the Lion books, it would give away too much about the first if you were want to read it.

Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

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Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

522 pages.

Amazing story. Although the main character is Hadassah, a young Christian woman whose life is spared for reasons unknown to anyone, even the man who had set out to kill her, there are several very strong characters in this historical fiction novel. She is sold to a wealthy shipping family, and becomes the personal slave to a selfish girl only interested in money and the gladiator fights. Her brother, Marcus, is only interested in money, power, and women, and how to use them all. Atretes is the German soldier captured in battle, turned gladiator, who must battle to earn his freedom. Hadassah touches each in her gentle, Godly ways, even though she is frightened for her life to admit to being a Christian. This is the first book in the Mark of the Lion series.