Book Review- The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers

One of my favorite authors is Francine Rivers. I discovered her about twelve years ago, when her book, The Scarlet Thread, was a featured book in the book club to which I belonged. I ordered the book, but wasn't able to start on it for a couple weeks. When we took the kids on vacation, I took it along to read while we drove at night and the kids slept.
I decided to start 'just the first chapter' as we left the house, and was never able to put it down after that.
For those not familiar with the story of Rahab in the Old Testament: Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. When Israelite spies came to Jericho, she hid them in her home, to save them from the authorities. Even though she was not an Israelite, and was a prostitute, she recognized that the God the Israelites served was the true God.
The spies left under her guidance; they told her to hang a scarlet cord from her window and they promised her when the Israelites took Jericho, she and everyone who was in her household would be saved.
Rahab's story is a story of faith and redemption- and Francine Rivers uses those themes to tell the story of Sierra Madrid and her ancestor, Mary Kathryn McMurray. Both women are strong, stubborn women, who feel they know best for their families; but as their lives unfold they realize that they've tried to 'help' God to do the things that need doing.
I like this story because it reminds me that God is in charge, and that I don't need to help him do what needs to be done; I just need to be obedient...
I enjoy reading this story again and again, because it's a story of romance and love, with a lot of adventure thrown in.
It was published in '96, so you may have to look a bit for it, but trust me, it's worth it.
Some other great books by Francine Rivers are The Mark of the Lion (series of three books set in early Christian times), The Atonement Child, Leota's Garden and The Shofar Blew. She also has a series titled Sons of Encouragement, which tells the story of different men in the Bible.
Try any one of these books, and I'm sure you'll love them. Mrs. Rivers is a great author and I know you'll enjoy getting to know her and the people she writes about.