THE SCARLET THREAD by Francine Rivers

Francine Rivers, The Scarlet Thread (Tyndale, 1996, 2012).

Available in hardback, paperback, Kindle, Nook, CD and cassette audio book

Christian Fiction

Recommended by Barbara Penrod Andrey

This book follows the story of two women from two periods of time, Sierra Madrid and Mary Kathryn McMurray. Sierra is a contemporary character. Mary Kathryn traveled along the Oregon Trail ending up in California. Both women went through many trials. Both women also found joy when they gave their lives over to Christ. 

I highly recommend this book to any one in a relationship. It makes you reflect on how you treat your significant other. It also causes you to reflect on your life in general. I absolutely love this book.  

You can listen to an interview with Francine Rivers at Interview with Francine Rivers.

 

HER MOTHER’S HOPE and HER DAUGHTER’S DREAM by Francine Rivers

Francine Rivers, Her Mother’s Hope (Tyndale, 2011).

Francine Rivers, Her Daughter’s Dream (Tyndale, 2011).

Both available in hardback, paperback, Nook, Kindle and Audible.

Christian Fiction

Recommended by Barbara Penrod Andrey

Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers comprise a two-book series, called “Marta’s Legacy.”

If family dynamics interest you I highly recommend reading these books. They mostly focus on mother-daughter relationships spanning four generations.  

These books show how a misunderstanding can cause a huge rift in a family. They also show the importance of open communication. The women of these books have the struggles all mothers share. They do everything they can for their children out of love even if their children don't see it. 

After years of her mother and grandmother barely speaking to each other, May Flower Dawn finally brings them together so everyone can learn to get along before her baby comes. 

Her mother, Carolyn, continues the journey of fixing relationships by going to Switzerland. She visits places her Oma lived when she was a child. She finds exactly what her mother needs to prove her mother's love.