Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko
Book Description:
To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.
To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven. Zeke and his son, Joshua–Abra’s closest friend–watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding her birth etched scars deep in her heart, scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking bad boy who proclaims his love and lures her to Tinseltown.
Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naive Abra quickly learns what’s expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. But fame comes at an awful price. She has burned every bridge to get exactly what she thought she wanted. Now, all she wants is a way back home.
In this riveting and highly anticipated tale of temptation, grace, and unconditional love, “New York Times” best-selling author Francine Rivers delivers big-canvas storytelling at its very best.
My Review:
Another great read by Francine Rivers. This book shows the grittier side of redemption, without being too graphic in detail for mature readers. It is not a book for young readers though, unless to be served as a warning of where rebellion and longing for glamour can take you. Some readers may miss the point in the picture that is painted, if they just see a picture.
Many reviewers I felt, totally missed the point of this book, much like I have seen others do with Francine’s other books. I think they often forget that I don’t believe Francine wishes to win “most popular author”, but would like to reach people’s hearts.
One very key point to this book, is the differences in our legal system now, than in the ’50’s, The lack of reaction from the parents was very hard to handle for me, but as the granddaughter of someone adopted in that time period, I understood it a bit more.
Francine weaves a tale much like the Prodigal Son, with parents praying for their daughter to be returned to them, and she not believing worthy or that anyone even cares.
I was touched by the story and found it much along the lines of Redeeming Love where it will speak to the hearts of those intended for and some will reject the message because of legalism or perhaps a lack of needing the message. I am thankful there are those that don’t need it.
Again, the love that God has for us when we were lost, living in the pigs pen, and come home again, is shown throughly through this whole story.
