I have never been a fan of Christian "fiction" and when reading Christian literature, I prefer true stories, theology, history, Scripture and commentaries. However, after 3 separate women at my church said I should read Francine Rivers (we were studying Hosea at the time), I bought Redeeming Love and by the time I finished it, I not only enjoyed the book, but found myself challenged as a Christian to think about issues in my own life. Compared to Mark of the Lion Collection, Redeeming Love was a more subtle book in regards to using Scripture. Redeeming Love is more of a compelling love story which un-apologetically presented God's presence and His love as one of the "characters," and left me wanting to read more of her work.

Then I read Mark of the Lion Collection on my Kindle.

Her characters are very well developed for a "romance novel" and she is able to imbue her main characters with passion and romance without getting "too graphic" for Christian readers. Her stories have twists and turns and she doesn't let the reader off the hook with lots of happy comfortable moments. In this collection, there is drama, sin and brutality, as well as Christian love. All which serve a purpose in the telling of her story. In fact, I was impressed with how well she was able to set the stage for the brutal, violent world in which Christianity was born and spread. It definitely blotted out the modernized attitude of a world that understands and accepts Christianity as one of the major world religions.

Mark of the Lion Collection focuses on and tells the compelling story of a new Faith entering a very dark and dangerous world. For that, she receives high praise as a writer and a believer. She shows pagans steeped in their own religion and barbarians consumed with mysticism and superstition. She also confronts the power of darkness without flinching. The most amazing quality in her work is her ability to honestly express doubt - doubts that anyone today might have about the reality and power of God through Christ. She is not afraid to ask the hard questions and confront the validity of the faith in Christ held by her redeemed characters. She also is not afraid to present a miracle working Christianity, whether one wishes to acknowledge the validity of it or not. In her last book she could be criticized for overusing the miraculous, but the message she is sending is that sharing Christ, and living a Godly life was not all that was needed to turn the world around. I agree with that premise even if her use of it might seem "over the top" or even a poetic device to intervene in the lives of her characters. However, the miraculous was the exception not the rule in her books and was balanced by the majority of her story showing a love and a faith that was willing to face anything and sacrifice anything to remain true to God without any expectation of divine intervention.

Ultimately, the story lines are interesting (gripping at times) and most importantly, Ms. Rivers creates characters you care about, and no matter your religious orientation, it makes for good writing and great entertainment. I'm now a fan and look forward to reading more of her novels.

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.8 (4698 ratings)
Price	$29.89
Category	Literature & Fiction

Mark of the Lion Series Boxed Set