Sold into prostitution in childhood, Angel is a bitter woman who trusts no man. But when God tells Michael Hosea to marry her, she learns to love---until fear overwhelms her and she returns to her former life. Can she be redeemed? A skillful retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea. 464 pages, softcover from Multnomah.

Can God’s Love Save Anyone?

Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel’s life to draw her into the Savior’s redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over a million copies and is among the top twenty on the ECPA fiction bestsellers list for four years running. A six-part study guide, suitable for individual use or group discussion, is included in this bestselling novel.

ALSO AVAILABLE: Now own this beloved classic in the keepsake hardcover edition!

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea.

A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.

A powerful retelling of the book of Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.


Story Behind the Book

“Writing Redeeming Love was a form of worship for me. Through it, I was able to thank God for loving me even when I was defiant, rebellious, contemptuous of what I thought being a Christian meant, and afraid to give my heart away. I had wanted to be my own god and have control of my life the way Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Now I know to be loved by Christ is the ultimate joy and fulfillment. Everything in Redeeming Love was a gift from the Lord: plot, characters, theme. None of it is mine to claim.”

From 1976 to 1985, Francine Rivers had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were awarded or nominated for numerous awards and prizes. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith. This retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea set during the time of the California Gold Rush is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association’s top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian bestsellers list for nearly a decade.

Since Redeeming Love, Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all bestsellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have also been awarded or nominated for numerous awards, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. In 1997, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Francine’s novels have been translated into over twenty different languages, and she enjoys bestseller status in many foreign countries including Germany, The Netherlands, and South Africa.

Francine and her husband, Rick, live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their four grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life. Visit Francine online at www.francinerivers.com.

"The truth that ran through that story [Redeeming Love] absolutely took me to my knees. And I was a changed person when I finished reading that book. "
- Amy Grant, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, quote sited from an interview with Ted Koeppel, ABC News

"A splendid piece of work exploring both physical love and a love of God...There is not one false note in this wonderful novel."
- Library Journal

"Simply put, Redeeming Love is the most powerful work of fiction you will ever read."
- Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart

"The timeless biblical themes...are beautifully portrayed and brought to life through her unforgettable characters."
- Stephen Arterburn, best-selling author of The Everyman Series and founder of New Life Ministries

"My heart and soul were profoundly shaken as I realized anew the lessons portrayed through the stories of Hosea and Gomer, Michael and Angel. This may be the single most moving book you will read this year - or in your lifetime."
- Angela Hunt, author of Magdalene


From the Hardcover edition.

Average Rating:

8 of 152 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Molly (Mason, OH), July 23, 2010

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It caught my attention and reached to my heart every page that I read. I would highly recommend it to any reader. Was sad I had to stop reading it.

Reviewed by Jennifer Vasil (Temple, GA), July 20, 2010

Of all the books I have read...this is by far the best! This book touched my heart like no other. I have passed this book on to many friends and they have all been touched by it. Be prepared for lots of tissue and lots of emotions. There were times I had to put the book down and get my emotions in tack. Well done to Francine Rivers!

Reviewed by Alicia (MD), July 14, 2010

Favorite book! This story brought me to tears... I wish it hadn't ended!! Thank you Francine for bringing God's love to life with the awesome story line and brilliant characters!

Reviewed by Lynda (California), July 08, 2010

I could not put this book down. Although the subject matter was hard to imagine, Ms. Rivers kept me riveted to each page until the very last. To see the love that Michael had for Angel, even though she could not understand why, brought me to tears. That's the kind of love that God has for each of His children. I read 6-8 books a month and this is the BEST book I've ever read, bar none! The Holy Spirit "woos" us to an understanding of what life in Christ means. I will let others know how effective this story is and pick up another book by Francine Rivers!

Reviewed by Brooke (Lafayette,LA), May 11, 2010

This is a wonderful book! By far, this is my favorite book. I highly recommend reading this book. It will bring you to a place where many people have never been. You will walk away knowing that God's unconditional love never fails. I believe this book to be a great read for an unbeliever as well.

Reviewed by Sommer (OH), May 04, 2010

Awesome book! Very hard to put down! No matter how many times we run from God, He always brings us back.

Reviewed by Renita Dukes (Georgia), May 03, 2010

This is the first book that I have read by Francine Rivers, but it is the best book that I have ever read. I laughed and I cried while reading it. I will continue to read books wriitten by Francine.

Reviewed by Andranae (Mendota, Il.), May 02, 2010

I absolutely loved this book! I literally read it in a total of hours! Could not put it down!!! I loved the whole concept of being so in love with a person that no matter what they've done in their past, you still love them with an unconditional and redeeming love! Just like God! Most beautiful writing and meaning! I appreciated it so much!

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