The Scarlet Thread

Another wonderful book. Travel along with her ancestor over the Oregon Trail and lose yourself in the tale of the Scarlet Thread. Curl up with a blanket and hot drink and go on a journey.

This is a multi-layered book which focuses on two women searching for Christ in their lives. The main story centers on Sierra Madrid, a wife and mother of two children whose husband receives a job offer in a different city. She clings to her childhood home and early marriage memories instead of embracing what the future may hold. Through reading the journal of an ancestor crossing the Oregon trail, she learns to let go of her expectations and rely on faith. It's a tender and (at times) heart-wrenching look into the lives of a family and the choices they make. Francine Rivers' books are always thought-provoking, truthful and linger even after the book has long since been finished.

This is a modern day romance between Sierra and Alex inter-twined with the story of Sierra's ancestor, Mary Katherine, and her journey in a covered wagon heading first to Oregon and ending up in California. Sierra and Alex's marriage is put to the test when Alex accepts a new job in Los Angeles, forcing Sierra to leave behind her home and family in her beloved small town. She is thrust into a fast paced world where she does not want to belong. She strikes out in anger and disappointment. Her fears and insecurities chip away at her marriage to Alex until it reaches the breaking point. Sierra is left pondering her future, while finding solace in the journal of Mary Katherine, who generations before struggled with many of the same fears and issues. Mary Katherine's family is destroyed upon the death of her mother, her brother's betrayal and her father's inability to function after his wife's death. Mary Katherine throws caution to the wind and marries James. They struggle and work hard to create a life farming. When it is taken away, James packs up their belongings and children and they head west to Oregon, the promised land. Mary Katherine longs for home but follows her husband. What follows is a tale of hardship, love, and the will to survive. As Sierra's life reaches a turning point she turns to God, through His love she begins mending her life. Only God knows if it will include Alex. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone. We all struggle with fears when we are pushed outside our comfort zone. With God's help, we will find peace and understanding. Check and see what the results are from Sierra's test of fire...

This book reached out and grabbed me from the first page on! Francine Rivers' talented pen, once again surprises and amazes me with her insight into the very "Real" issues we all face everyday. The story of Sierra and Alex put me through such a range of emotions, but was able to line them all up according to God's word. It's a story with a stong message for anyone contemplating divorce. It challenges the reader to examine their own heart and not take the easy way out (divorce). This book delivers just the sort of "Tough Love" message we desparately need to hear in this day and age of "Fast Food" mentality. Bravo Francine!!!!

I read this book for the first time a few years ago, and need to come back to it every now and them to reread it. I have to say that in all the years since I read it, I've never quite managed to forgive Alex for making their family move. However, after that first decision was made, all of the characters had bad decisions that they made that they could have reconsidered. I think I liked it because it had real problems, and was realistic; no villains, no perfect saints, just ordinary human beings trying (and sometimes failing miserably) to get along and care about each other. It was also moving to see how truly aiming to live a better life (as Sierra did) could truly change circumstances even when they had gone so far awry. I also realized again that although others may make bad decisions, we are only responsible for our own, but we are thoroughly responsible for those. Someone we love may hurt us greatly, but we can still choose our reaction to them. I would definitely recommend this book.

Francine Rivers is nothing less than a master of her craft. I read 'The Scarlett Thread' in one day and loved every minute of it. Sierra and Alejandro are both very real, very loveable (or hateable as the case may be!) characters. After reading it for the first time, I bought it and have read it at least 5 times since. I strongly recomend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about real-life love, heartache, and day-to-day living in the midst of everything. Sierra, especially, captured my heart. The courage displayed through her character and the realness of emotion is absolutely incredible! I almost feel as though she is real. A must read!!!