Math teacher Emily Sweeney enjoys reading and re-reading “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. 

“I read it 10 years ago, but it’s one I read over and over again,” Sweeney said. “It kind of of takes me to a different place, when I start to read it I can really imagine what’s happening.” 

“Redeeming Love” is inspired by the Book of Hosea from the Bible. A film adaption was announced in 2020 with D.J. Caruso as director.

“The book is about God’s redeeming love for sinners,” Sweeney said. “It goes through the story of a woman who does things wrong, but the man she loves always comes back to her.”

“Redeeming Love” follows Angel, who was sold off into a life of prostitution at a very young age. Since then she only expects pain from those around her. Throughout the book readers follow the story of her battling her internal hatred towards herself and others, especially the men around her.

Francine Rivers was born on May 12, 1974, as the daughter of a nurse and a police officer. Her mother-in-law sent her many romance novels which inspired her to start writing with her first manuscript being published in 1976.  For three years Rivers found herself in a writing block until she decided to tadapt her novels to a more Christian theme. 

“Redeeming Love” is an entertaining, lively book about a girl in the 1850s trying her best to overcome her internal and romantic troubles.