Unveiled: Tamar by Francine Rivers

Book 1 in the 5-book biblical historical fiction series by the New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love and A Voice in the Wind.

Betrayed by the men who controlled her future, she fought for her right to believe in a loving God.

Meet Tamar, one of the five women in the lineage of Christ. She risked her life and her reputation to be the woman she was called to be. Her story serves as an example of how God uses our circumstances and our steps toward Him, however faltering, to fulfill His plan.

Unveiled is book one in the popular Lineage of Grace series about five unlikely women who changed eternity.

Audiobook, 4 hours, 12 minutes

Published November 10, 2002

 by Oasis Audio

4/5 hours

I am a big fan of Francine Rivers' fictional books, her Mark of the Lion Series is one of my favourites.  Unveiled is the 1st in her Lineage of Grace Series and continues with 4 other women from the Old and ending in the NewTestament.

This like the rest of the books in this series are not big.  The print copy is smaller and comes in just over 200 pages.  I opted for the audiobook for my bookclub read mainly because the print copy was hard to find.

Tamar comes from the book of Genesis and tells the life the daughter-in-law of Judah.  Though the Bible doesn't go into great detail about her life I loved how Francine Rivers brought her to life with authentic feelings of the customs/traditions and life for a women in that time period.  What was expected and how sometimes one has to take matters into ones our hands.

I will continue with this series with book 5 tell Mary's story.

My audiobook copy from obtained via my Scribd subscription.

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to the California frontier in this sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle's newspaper--and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada's most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say--and publish--whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she's right.

Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh's same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead--and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada's problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias's restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.

Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it's a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.

Audiobook, 15 hours, 19 minutes

Published February 8, 2022

 by Recorded Books Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was one of my highly anticipated book of 2022. Francine Rivers has written some of my favourite books, The Masterpiece, Redeeming Love and her Mark of the Lions Series. So maybe my expectations were is a tad to high. That being said, after I finished reading I discovered that the author has made it known she wrote something lighter this time around.

The Lady’s Mine follows the arrival of Kathryn to any unknown area and basically to fend for herself. It’s a time when women are suppose to cater to the men, to be at their beck and call and forgo their own desirers, but such is not the case for Kathryn.

I liked her determination, her strength and the way she stands up for herself. She is smart and doesn’t bow down to those against her, no matter the danger.I also loves how she stood up for others, those being taken advantage of or just with no one to lend a hand.

The story was lighter than what I am used to, so that took a bit of adjustment. This book took me to the era of saloons, mines and printing presses. There was mystery, intrigue and of course, romance.

Not my favourite Rivers book but still entertaining. I went with the audiobook, narrated by Kate Forbes, who did a great job.

This audiobook was obtained through my subscription to Scribd, if you would like to try it for free for a month let me know and I can send you link.

Audio Review: The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this unexpected and redemptive love story, a probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want―money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist―an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship―and both their lives―forever.

Audiobook, 15 hours, 54 minutes

Published February 6th 2018

by Tyndale House Publisher

 *****

While I am not a big fan of romance novels there are some authors on my ‘auto read’ list no matter the genre. Francine Rivers is one such author, her Mark of the Lion Series is an all time favourite. Some of her other books that I’ve read many years ago (The Scarlet Thread, The Atonement Child and Redeeming Love) are ones that have never left me.

There are some books that work great in audio format and others not so much. The Masterpiece works great in audio, with 2 different readers (one male, one female - because who wants to listen to a female reading a male role?). It’s not a short book coming in at 15 plus hours so there was plenty of time for the author to develop the characters, get to know them and learn what makes them tick.

I loved the story, realistic and raw, heartbreaking and a true picture of those hurting. Both Roman and Grace have ghosts that haunt and secrets they keep to themselves.

The Masterpiece is a story of unfailing love, redemption, and healing. Mesmerizing in its telling that I’m not even sure it would have had the same impact if I read the book verse listening to the audio.

Francine Rivers is an author I have great respect for.  She crosses genres effortlessly, from historical fiction, to contemporary, dual time periods and romance without skipping a beat. Yes her books are faith based, and she doesn't hold back but tells it like it is.

Audiobook obtained via Scribd (and yea one day this book with grace my bookshelves with my other Francine River books).