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Lineage of Grace #1- 5
A Lineage of Grace
In this compilation of the five books in the best-selling Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers, we meet the five women whom God chose—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each was faced with extraordinary—even scandalous—challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.
537 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
4221 people are currently reading
15500 people want to read
About the author
Francine Rivers
59 books21k followersNew York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
www.francinerivers.com
www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,292 reviews
February 21, 2012
I am a big fan of historical fiction, and historical fiction that stirs my affection for the Lord is even better. I really enjoyed these five stories. In each book I was struck by how awesome God is -- that he would use such broken, unremarkable people in such amazing ways. A prostitute, a foreigner, an adulteress, a peasant -- all used by God, ultimately leading to the birth of the son of the God of the Universe.
The stories themselves are also enjoyable and quick reading. I am familiar with each woman as they are written about in scripture, but have never been able to relate to them as actual people as much as I have through Rivers' stories. They were real women who experienced grief, uncertainty, significant times of waiting and suffering. Women who experienced deep shame and deep love, and who were beautifully redeemed by God's grace -- again and again.
A good read.
The stories themselves are also enjoyable and quick reading. I am familiar with each woman as they are written about in scripture, but have never been able to relate to them as actual people as much as I have through Rivers' stories. They were real women who experienced grief, uncertainty, significant times of waiting and suffering. Women who experienced deep shame and deep love, and who were beautifully redeemed by God's grace -- again and again.
A good read.
March 11, 2011
Overall, this book was a terrific read, and it was difficult for me to put it down, because it was easy, intriguing and engaging. I appreciated the addition of the Bible study incorporated at the end of each novella, even though I did not engage myself in them. I was more interested in reading the book rather than lengthen the time by engaging in the Bible study at this time.
Particularly, I am looking for leadership principles and this gave five women, each of historic and Biblical validity and focused on their circumstance, how they responded, and what they learned. The greatest learning I received in general from all five women was that while their circumstances we extenuating, they always did the RIGHT thing no matter the cost or outcome. It was easy for me to give them the answer as I read, but that was because I knew the outcome; however, if I were to put myself in their position would I have responded similarly - without confidence of a 'happy ending'?
Walking away from the book, I feel encouraged, strengthened and challenged myself to consider my life and how I am using in accordance with God's plan and purpose for my life? Am I seeking after Him? Do I really trust Him and His purpose? Have I really given my life to Him, and abandoned all others?
Great book - good read! Looking forward to more of Francine Rivers.
Particularly, I am looking for leadership principles and this gave five women, each of historic and Biblical validity and focused on their circumstance, how they responded, and what they learned. The greatest learning I received in general from all five women was that while their circumstances we extenuating, they always did the RIGHT thing no matter the cost or outcome. It was easy for me to give them the answer as I read, but that was because I knew the outcome; however, if I were to put myself in their position would I have responded similarly - without confidence of a 'happy ending'?
Walking away from the book, I feel encouraged, strengthened and challenged myself to consider my life and how I am using in accordance with God's plan and purpose for my life? Am I seeking after Him? Do I really trust Him and His purpose? Have I really given my life to Him, and abandoned all others?
Great book - good read! Looking forward to more of Francine Rivers.
August 5, 2022
Francine Rivers is considered to be a frontrunner in Christian fiction and many may be familiar with her Redeeming Love which showcased her background in historical romance while connecting the story of Hosea from the Bible into the gold rush of California in the 1850’s. My favorite trilogy was the Mark of the Lion set in Jerusalem in 70 AD - in which we follow the persecution of a Christian slave girl during a time when Rome was in control. I read these about 10 years ago and loved them. This summer, my Sunday school ladies group decided to read A Lineage of Grace as our summer Bible study which compiles 5 novellas into one. Each one focuses on a different woman from the Bible - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary - who played a part of the lineage of Christ. I thought the concept sounded wonderful, to be able to dive deeper into the lives of these biblical women.
However, as my reading of these novellas began, I could tell that I was not going to enjoy these as much. I am very familiar with each of these stories from the Bible and wondered how Rivers would approach her retelling of their stories. What I found was repetitive writing, overdramatizing, and a modern romancey vibe at times that I didn’t find realistic. The biblical stories were present but the interpretations by the author could, in my opinion, hinder one’s understanding of the original accounts. These being fictionalized accounts of Bible stories, the dialogues were created by the author as well as many circumstances that “may have” happened the way they were portrayed. I find this very tricky to do to without fear of adding to the Bible. I could see that a reading of Bathsheba’s novella could cloud the biblical story with some of the liberties taken. In this account, Bathsheba is portrayed as the sexual aggressor and having a desire to marry David from her childhood. I didn’t really buy into much of the speculation taken in these stories at the end of the day.
However, as my reading of these novellas began, I could tell that I was not going to enjoy these as much. I am very familiar with each of these stories from the Bible and wondered how Rivers would approach her retelling of their stories. What I found was repetitive writing, overdramatizing, and a modern romancey vibe at times that I didn’t find realistic. The biblical stories were present but the interpretations by the author could, in my opinion, hinder one’s understanding of the original accounts. These being fictionalized accounts of Bible stories, the dialogues were created by the author as well as many circumstances that “may have” happened the way they were portrayed. I find this very tricky to do to without fear of adding to the Bible. I could see that a reading of Bathsheba’s novella could cloud the biblical story with some of the liberties taken. In this account, Bathsheba is portrayed as the sexual aggressor and having a desire to marry David from her childhood. I didn’t really buy into much of the speculation taken in these stories at the end of the day.
July 4, 2019
A magnificent book. Francine Rivers has told the story of five biblical women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. Rivers has fleshed out of their stories to guessimate their feelings, hopes, fears and eventual understanding of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Unputdownable.
January 21, 2012
This book is a mixture of 5 different women's stories from the Bible. I think the biggest obstacle for any writer tackling the Bible is turning it into somewhat of a fiction story while still keeping the original message in tact. I loved the first two stories immensely (Tamar and Rahab). Not a lot of information is in the Old Testament about the two women and the way Francine wove in historical information and their faith really inspired me. Ruth was decent, but by Bathsheba, I was losing interest. Mary was ok as well. I did get some out of that story that I wasn't expecting to. As a whole, I would recommend just reading Tamar and Rahab.
May 18, 2022
Unveiled- the story of Tamar and Judah was told in a different way, but was immersed in historical context and Biblical truth. 5 stars
Unashamed- the story of Rahab and Salmon (the spy who goes to Canaan). This story was suspenseful and founded on hope and faith. I loved the intensity and Rahab's character. 5 stars
Unshaken- the story of Ruth and Boaz (as well as Naomi). The only book based off of an entire book in the Bible instead of a chapter or passages. This story is well-known and I enjoyed it, but their were some authorial preferences I didn't care for. 4.5 stars
Unspoken- the story of Bathsheba and King David. Famous for being an adulterer and never anything outside of that this story shows Bathsheba's devotion to God and how she raised her children after her own sin and shame. 5 stars
Unafraid- the story of Mary and Joseph- the mother and step-father of Jesus Christ. A gripping tale full of emotion and hope. It was heartbreaking and hopeful. I walked away from it with a deeper love of Jesus. 5 stars (my favorite of the collection)
I plan on doing an actual review of this novel and its comprehensive collection. Until then, here are my brief thoughts. Review to come.
Unashamed- the story of Rahab and Salmon (the spy who goes to Canaan). This story was suspenseful and founded on hope and faith. I loved the intensity and Rahab's character. 5 stars
Unshaken- the story of Ruth and Boaz (as well as Naomi). The only book based off of an entire book in the Bible instead of a chapter or passages. This story is well-known and I enjoyed it, but their were some authorial preferences I didn't care for. 4.5 stars
Unspoken- the story of Bathsheba and King David. Famous for being an adulterer and never anything outside of that this story shows Bathsheba's devotion to God and how she raised her children after her own sin and shame. 5 stars
Unafraid- the story of Mary and Joseph- the mother and step-father of Jesus Christ. A gripping tale full of emotion and hope. It was heartbreaking and hopeful. I walked away from it with a deeper love of Jesus. 5 stars (my favorite of the collection)
I plan on doing an actual review of this novel and its comprehensive collection. Until then, here are my brief thoughts. Review to come.
July 26, 2011
These 5 woman in the linage of Christ are simply amazing ladies! Francine Rivers tells their stories in such a heart warming way. You laugh, cry, get angry and truly feel for each of them. I have read their stories several times over the years in the Bible account but never really felt that I understood them like I do now! Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. It's no wonder they are listed in the blood line of Christ. Francine follows the Biblical account but has researched the historical aspects to what life would have been like in each story! Excellant!!!
July 16, 2024
"You are about to read five novellas on the women in the lineage of Jesus Christ."
Francine Rivers and I just can't seem to get along.
No, I don't know her in real life. I just mean we don't get along when it comes to me being a reader of her books. I read Redeeming Love a couple of years ago and that was enough for me to not pursue anymore of her books any time soon. (If ever, honestly.)
So, fast-forward to 2024, A Lineage of Grace comes along. It was a gift, and an incredibly thoughtful one, may I add. I wasn't even aware of this book's existence until now. So, after I heard the premise of it, I was intrigued. I was curious.
I was hopeful.
I had hopes it would be nothing like Redeeming Love. I realize now that was too much to hope for, given the author, but it was still a hope I clung to. Little by little, that hope began to shrivel up until it was on life-support in the midst of Ruth's story (Book 3: Unshaken). When it came to the fourth book, Bathsheba's story, it yanked that life-support cord out and smothered any little remaining hope to death. In fact, as soon as that hope died, I dnf'd the story and went on to the next one.
Anyway, I am much too tired to go in-depth with every short story and give each its own review. Therefore, I have settled with the bare minimum of words to express my thoughts and feelings while the reaction gifs are to capture the mood that I felt for the story.
BOOK ONE — UNVEILED
“A lie told often enough will eventually be accepted as truth.”
Rating: ★★ (1.5 stars)
A very melodramatic retelling of Tamar.
BOOK TWO — UNASHAMED
“Hope is a good thing.”
Rating: ★★ (2 stars)
Out of the five, the retelling of Rahab's was the tamest. Compared to its companions, it was not as melodramatic; however, it suffered a great deal from the telling instead of showing. A shame, really, since it could have been something great if Rivers had just done the opposite.
BOOK THREE — UNSHAKEN
“Grief is deeper when the sun goes down and memories rise up with the moon and stars.”
Rating: ★ (1 star)
Out of all the soap opera tropes available to her, Rivers went with Naomi being the "old-flame-turned-mother-in-law" route. Personally, I don't like that. I do not like that trope at all.
BOOK FOUR — UNSPOKEN
“Some dreams can only bring heartbreak.”
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (ALL THE NEGATIVE STARS)
DNF: page 343.
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
BOOK FIVE — UNAFRAID
“Each day has trouble of its own.”
Rating: ★★ (1.5 stars, I guess?)
Honestly, I don't know how I should feel about Rivers's story of Mary. Like I said before, whatever little hope I had left was extinguished once I started Bathsheba's story, so...
Conclusion
Overall, even though I don't care for Rivers's historical fiction retellings, the book did make me think about what these five women had to go through. It made me think about what obstacles they must have faced, what their life was like (or wasn't like when comparing to Rivers's ideas), so I'll give the author credit for bringing attention to them.
I still do not recommend, though. There must be better books out there that are worth the time, and this is not one of those books.
Francine Rivers and I just can't seem to get along.
No, I don't know her in real life. I just mean we don't get along when it comes to me being a reader of her books. I read Redeeming Love a couple of years ago and that was enough for me to not pursue anymore of her books any time soon. (If ever, honestly.)
So, fast-forward to 2024, A Lineage of Grace comes along. It was a gift, and an incredibly thoughtful one, may I add. I wasn't even aware of this book's existence until now. So, after I heard the premise of it, I was intrigued. I was curious.
I was hopeful.
I had hopes it would be nothing like Redeeming Love. I realize now that was too much to hope for, given the author, but it was still a hope I clung to. Little by little, that hope began to shrivel up until it was on life-support in the midst of Ruth's story (Book 3: Unshaken). When it came to the fourth book, Bathsheba's story, it yanked that life-support cord out and smothered any little remaining hope to death. In fact, as soon as that hope died, I dnf'd the story and went on to the next one.
Anyway, I am much too tired to go in-depth with every short story and give each its own review. Therefore, I have settled with the bare minimum of words to express my thoughts and feelings while the reaction gifs are to capture the mood that I felt for the story.
BOOK ONE — UNVEILED
“A lie told often enough will eventually be accepted as truth.”
Rating: ★★ (1.5 stars)
A very melodramatic retelling of Tamar.
BOOK TWO — UNASHAMED
“Hope is a good thing.”
Rating: ★★ (2 stars)
Out of the five, the retelling of Rahab's was the tamest. Compared to its companions, it was not as melodramatic; however, it suffered a great deal from the telling instead of showing. A shame, really, since it could have been something great if Rivers had just done the opposite.
BOOK THREE — UNSHAKEN
“Grief is deeper when the sun goes down and memories rise up with the moon and stars.”
Rating: ★ (1 star)
Out of all the soap opera tropes available to her, Rivers went with Naomi being the "old-flame-turned-mother-in-law" route. Personally, I don't like that. I do not like that trope at all.
BOOK FOUR — UNSPOKEN
“Some dreams can only bring heartbreak.”
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (ALL THE NEGATIVE STARS)
DNF: page 343.
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
BOOK FIVE — UNAFRAID
“Each day has trouble of its own.”
Rating: ★★ (1.5 stars, I guess?)
Honestly, I don't know how I should feel about Rivers's story of Mary. Like I said before, whatever little hope I had left was extinguished once I started Bathsheba's story, so...
Conclusion
Overall, even though I don't care for Rivers's historical fiction retellings, the book did make me think about what these five women had to go through. It made me think about what obstacles they must have faced, what their life was like (or wasn't like when comparing to Rivers's ideas), so I'll give the author credit for bringing attention to them.
I still do not recommend, though. There must be better books out there that are worth the time, and this is not one of those books.
December 28, 2012
A Lineage of Grace profiles the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary with imaginative and fictional stories created by the author. Sometimes the accounts seem overly romanticized and probably more true to modern western thinking than historic Jewish culture. It is helpful, though, to remember that these biblical women were real people. It’s also a good reminder that God uses the humble, lowly, sinful ones among us to be part of His overarching plan of redemption.
February 8, 2023
What a powerful fictionalized look at the lives of 5 Biblical women. While all were thought-provoking, I especially enjoyed the stories of Tamar and Mary. I appreciate that Rivers included a study at the end of each novella, leading the reader to the Bible text on which the novella is based. The studies allow the reader to get a clear understanding of what aspects of the story are Biblical, and to learn how each story applies to our lives today.
February 18, 2013
This is all five stories via five women and how they find the grace of the Lord including the lineage of Jesus Christ. I believe this is the first time I read this author and loving it so far!
Unveiled: Tamar's story of being unloved but not forgotten. It was believed that she had a curse on her husbands, or the first two line of Hebrew men since it was there custom on both sides (Canaanite and Hebrew Jew) to marry next male child in line if your first husband dies. She had to dress and become a harlot to get what was rightfully hers; to carry the seed of her husband. It showed disobedience can be life-threatening, but she held on to the promise regardless of the lie Judah told her in the fear of losing his youngest son after the first two died. She made it happen under life-threatening circumstances because when a woman is accused of adultery, this leads to her very death by family members (and others). I've always liked this Bible story but she crafted and weaved a well-needed and written story. 4.75 stars.
Unashamed: Rahab's story of believing a god that demonstrated its power: One and True God. She risked her life by helping two Israelites who were spies to see how they can take what was rightfully there's--seize it at all costs. I love the message of the "scarlet cord" which is the scarlet curtain hanging to signify to pass her home and all those inside like the lamb's blood across the doorposts in Egypt during the worst plague. 3 stars.
Unshaken: Ruth's story and her change of heart after losing her husband. She was encouraged to go back to her mother's land and have a fresh start to remarry since she was young. Her sister-in-law, lost her husband a year prior and stayed around until all their husband's died and Naomi would go back to her homeland. She left to go back to her former homeland and gods, but Ruth was determined and adamant about going with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi warned her about their customs and religion which they were forbidden to worship any other god, Ruth agreed that she'd worship her god; also forewarned about the four deaths of stoning, burning, strangling, and slaying with a sword but this didn't easily scare Ruth off. She continued to follow. Overall, most single Christians always refer to this story; finding their Boaz. "A good wife is more precious than rubies." This story was heart-felt and could imagine being in Ruth's shoes; the writer not only written a great story but evokes emotion and seeing Ruth through your own eyes. 4 stars.
Unspoken: Bathsheba's story starts off with an eight year old Bathsheba having a crush and dream of marrying David someday. At the time of his visit, she sat on her grandfather's lap and admired David like the others, but she believed and knew someday she would be his wife regardless of his three wives already, also fighting a war against King Saul and his armies at the time. (For me, this opening was hard for me to believe she was only a child dreaming of marrying the soon-to-be king.) Later, she does marry Uriah and get into the part where David watched her on the roof bathing, to summoning her to his palace to make love to her. The author carefully wrote these parts and only certain parts gripped at my heart but oddly felt no pity for Bathsheba for committing adultery even though her husband was away at war most of the time and didn't want to lay down with her when he had the chance. You do learn a valuable lesson in this story that deals with not only adultery, but murder and losing their son after all this scandal. "When you grow up, you will understand the wisdom of worshiping God and not man." 2.75/3 stars.
Unafraid: Mary was touched by the Holy Spirit and heard the angel speak to her that she would be with child. She also was attacked by a chorus of dark voices that tried to discouraged her. This was a plus to the story since it would seem that the enemy would speak the opposite to her while the angel was telling her that she would be with child, Jesus. This story shared that she had other children after Jesus, at least several, and how she took the death of her son. Ultimately, she learned that she couldn't view him as her son any longer after his death and sacrifice on the cross, that he was her Savior and Lord. 3 stars.
Out of every one of these women in the lineage of grace series, each woman carried the promise seed and saw the importance of worshiping the one and true God.
Oddly, my least favorite book was Unspoken (Bathsheba's story) which I thought would have been the one of best stories of the series. For some reason, these was something missing and didn't seem consistent to me as far as what I've learned about this woman as a biblical figure.
However, I loved the first story with Tamar entitled Unveiled(which I gotten even more clarity than I already knew about her story from the movie Joseph, and read on it in the past with one of the books that tells the stories of the women in the Bible.) The other favorite was Ruth's story, Unshaken, which I shared briefly on my DYRP Midnight Hour program recently on unconditional (agape) love. Rahab's story, got more insight since I rarely read or heard this one taught before but was a mediocre read.
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
Unveiled: Tamar's story of being unloved but not forgotten. It was believed that she had a curse on her husbands, or the first two line of Hebrew men since it was there custom on both sides (Canaanite and Hebrew Jew) to marry next male child in line if your first husband dies. She had to dress and become a harlot to get what was rightfully hers; to carry the seed of her husband. It showed disobedience can be life-threatening, but she held on to the promise regardless of the lie Judah told her in the fear of losing his youngest son after the first two died. She made it happen under life-threatening circumstances because when a woman is accused of adultery, this leads to her very death by family members (and others). I've always liked this Bible story but she crafted and weaved a well-needed and written story. 4.75 stars.
Unashamed: Rahab's story of believing a god that demonstrated its power: One and True God. She risked her life by helping two Israelites who were spies to see how they can take what was rightfully there's--seize it at all costs. I love the message of the "scarlet cord" which is the scarlet curtain hanging to signify to pass her home and all those inside like the lamb's blood across the doorposts in Egypt during the worst plague. 3 stars.
Unshaken: Ruth's story and her change of heart after losing her husband. She was encouraged to go back to her mother's land and have a fresh start to remarry since she was young. Her sister-in-law, lost her husband a year prior and stayed around until all their husband's died and Naomi would go back to her homeland. She left to go back to her former homeland and gods, but Ruth was determined and adamant about going with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi warned her about their customs and religion which they were forbidden to worship any other god, Ruth agreed that she'd worship her god; also forewarned about the four deaths of stoning, burning, strangling, and slaying with a sword but this didn't easily scare Ruth off. She continued to follow. Overall, most single Christians always refer to this story; finding their Boaz. "A good wife is more precious than rubies." This story was heart-felt and could imagine being in Ruth's shoes; the writer not only written a great story but evokes emotion and seeing Ruth through your own eyes. 4 stars.
Unspoken: Bathsheba's story starts off with an eight year old Bathsheba having a crush and dream of marrying David someday. At the time of his visit, she sat on her grandfather's lap and admired David like the others, but she believed and knew someday she would be his wife regardless of his three wives already, also fighting a war against King Saul and his armies at the time. (For me, this opening was hard for me to believe she was only a child dreaming of marrying the soon-to-be king.) Later, she does marry Uriah and get into the part where David watched her on the roof bathing, to summoning her to his palace to make love to her. The author carefully wrote these parts and only certain parts gripped at my heart but oddly felt no pity for Bathsheba for committing adultery even though her husband was away at war most of the time and didn't want to lay down with her when he had the chance. You do learn a valuable lesson in this story that deals with not only adultery, but murder and losing their son after all this scandal. "When you grow up, you will understand the wisdom of worshiping God and not man." 2.75/3 stars.
Unafraid: Mary was touched by the Holy Spirit and heard the angel speak to her that she would be with child. She also was attacked by a chorus of dark voices that tried to discouraged her. This was a plus to the story since it would seem that the enemy would speak the opposite to her while the angel was telling her that she would be with child, Jesus. This story shared that she had other children after Jesus, at least several, and how she took the death of her son. Ultimately, she learned that she couldn't view him as her son any longer after his death and sacrifice on the cross, that he was her Savior and Lord. 3 stars.
Out of every one of these women in the lineage of grace series, each woman carried the promise seed and saw the importance of worshiping the one and true God.
Oddly, my least favorite book was Unspoken (Bathsheba's story) which I thought would have been the one of best stories of the series. For some reason, these was something missing and didn't seem consistent to me as far as what I've learned about this woman as a biblical figure.
However, I loved the first story with Tamar entitled Unveiled(which I gotten even more clarity than I already knew about her story from the movie Joseph, and read on it in the past with one of the books that tells the stories of the women in the Bible.) The other favorite was Ruth's story, Unshaken, which I shared briefly on my DYRP Midnight Hour program recently on unconditional (agape) love. Rahab's story, got more insight since I rarely read or heard this one taught before but was a mediocre read.
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
May 13, 2021
I’m speechless. This book invites you in to the stories of women in the Bible & how God used them. It drew me into the heart of God & renewed a desire to know Him & His Word better!
August 17, 2025
How could I give anything less than 5 stars to this book?
Every novella / story in this book hooked my interest from the start, encouraged me in my faith, and deepened my appreciation for these women of the bible.
Francine Rivers did, in my opinion, a fantastic job at staying true to the time's context while keeping Tamar, Rahab, Bathseba, Ruth and Mary unique and relatable in their own ways.
I'm so glad having learned more from their stories, and I love how it ended with the story of Jesus' mother, and ultimately, with Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Beautiful.
Every novella / story in this book hooked my interest from the start, encouraged me in my faith, and deepened my appreciation for these women of the bible.
Francine Rivers did, in my opinion, a fantastic job at staying true to the time's context while keeping Tamar, Rahab, Bathseba, Ruth and Mary unique and relatable in their own ways.
I'm so glad having learned more from their stories, and I love how it ended with the story of Jesus' mother, and ultimately, with Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Beautiful.
March 22, 2021
From 2000-2001, Francine Rivers and Tyndale House published five novellas based on the five women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus. This Lineage of Grace story takes on the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary to shed some light on these important women and their stories. Unfortunately, Rivers fails to do the hard work of creating believable cultural contexts, often importing modern-day assumptions, particularly modern-day romance, on these ancient Near Eastern people.
The purpose of the series appears to have been to connect women to the stories of Scripture. Redeeming Love drew upon Rivers’ skill as a secular romance novelist while superimposing the biblical story of Hosea onto contemporary times. The hope was to reverse that in a sense and bring an element of contemporary romance to a biblical storyline, with the goal of women being able to see themselves in Scripture. While that’s a noble goal, Rivers often brings too much of the modern-day into her retellings—while yet retaining a firm sense of patriarchal culture—which does a disservice to the women and to the story.
Rivers also goes to great lengths to connect her story to biblical context, if not biblical culture. That means that great swaths of the story exist only to set up the actual storyline. For instance, in Tamar’s story, Rivers feels the need to begin with the story of Joseph to provide some nuance for Judah’s character. But since it’s told didactically as a summary of Scripture and not as fictionalized story, it comes across as unnecessary and doesn’t add to the text.
I feel like Rivers’ intention was for this to be used as a women’s Bible study, for it to jumpstart conversations, for it to be a piece of discussion—about patriarchy, about marriage, about romance, about the role of women, and more. While those intentions were good, the stories simply do not hold up. They seem poorly-researched, hastily-written, and, sometimes ideologically dangerous.
For instance, In Rivers’ imagination of the Bathsheba narrative, Bathsheba is the daughter of one of David’s mighty men, fighting with him before he was king. Bathsheba has known of David since her childhood and always been smitten by him. Rivers portrays an eight-year-old Bathsheba openly wishing that she could be David’s wife and hoping that David will notice her. It uncomfortably and grossly portrays Bathsheba as the sexual aggressor, even when everything in the biblical narrative paints her as a victim. This is not consensual adultery. This is not the end of an unrequited love. This is rape. And to call it anything else gaslights those who have been sexually abused and justifies sexual abusers. This is dangerous theology and for it to come from the pen of a woman revered in Christian fiction circles and widely read, even outside the Christian community, is categorically abhorrent.
In other stories, the storytelling is just anemic. In the Rahab story, there’s too much telling and not enough showing. Rivers spends too long on explaining the story of Israel in a non-story context. The interactions with Joshua are stilted and stiff. The references to the forty years of wilderness wandering come across as almost parodical. There’s very little depth to the characters and, for all the conversations about Rahab’s virtue, her faith is portrayed as both selfish and sanctimonious.
Overall, the series has a “Bible study” mentality about it, but still feels okay with going on wild speculative tangents. That unpredictability in storytelling gives the series a stilted, formal feel that makes it a painful read.
The purpose of the series appears to have been to connect women to the stories of Scripture. Redeeming Love drew upon Rivers’ skill as a secular romance novelist while superimposing the biblical story of Hosea onto contemporary times. The hope was to reverse that in a sense and bring an element of contemporary romance to a biblical storyline, with the goal of women being able to see themselves in Scripture. While that’s a noble goal, Rivers often brings too much of the modern-day into her retellings—while yet retaining a firm sense of patriarchal culture—which does a disservice to the women and to the story.
Rivers also goes to great lengths to connect her story to biblical context, if not biblical culture. That means that great swaths of the story exist only to set up the actual storyline. For instance, in Tamar’s story, Rivers feels the need to begin with the story of Joseph to provide some nuance for Judah’s character. But since it’s told didactically as a summary of Scripture and not as fictionalized story, it comes across as unnecessary and doesn’t add to the text.
I feel like Rivers’ intention was for this to be used as a women’s Bible study, for it to jumpstart conversations, for it to be a piece of discussion—about patriarchy, about marriage, about romance, about the role of women, and more. While those intentions were good, the stories simply do not hold up. They seem poorly-researched, hastily-written, and, sometimes ideologically dangerous.
For instance, In Rivers’ imagination of the Bathsheba narrative, Bathsheba is the daughter of one of David’s mighty men, fighting with him before he was king. Bathsheba has known of David since her childhood and always been smitten by him. Rivers portrays an eight-year-old Bathsheba openly wishing that she could be David’s wife and hoping that David will notice her. It uncomfortably and grossly portrays Bathsheba as the sexual aggressor, even when everything in the biblical narrative paints her as a victim. This is not consensual adultery. This is not the end of an unrequited love. This is rape. And to call it anything else gaslights those who have been sexually abused and justifies sexual abusers. This is dangerous theology and for it to come from the pen of a woman revered in Christian fiction circles and widely read, even outside the Christian community, is categorically abhorrent.
In other stories, the storytelling is just anemic. In the Rahab story, there’s too much telling and not enough showing. Rivers spends too long on explaining the story of Israel in a non-story context. The interactions with Joshua are stilted and stiff. The references to the forty years of wilderness wandering come across as almost parodical. There’s very little depth to the characters and, for all the conversations about Rahab’s virtue, her faith is portrayed as both selfish and sanctimonious.
Overall, the series has a “Bible study” mentality about it, but still feels okay with going on wild speculative tangents. That unpredictability in storytelling gives the series a stilted, formal feel that makes it a painful read.
April 18, 2022
I'd give this 3.5 stars overall because there were some stories I liked and some that I didn't like. I enjoyed reading some of these retellings of the stories of these 5 women, and it did give me a better understanding of the hurts and struggles they went through. However, I did feel that Rivers took things a little too far sometimes. She took a lot of creative liberty with the story and added a LOT of content. (Like, she made Boaz a former lover of Naomi and Bathsheba have a crush on David since age 8! Like, where did that come from?) I mean, I get it. With retellings, you sometimes don't have a lot of material to work with and have to read between the lines or add some filler. But can't you at least try to stay within the borders of reason? Like, sometimes I felt like the additions were just tacked on to try to "spice things up'' but never actually did anything to enhance or deepen the story itself.
Some of the stories I enjoyed more than others, and other stories I just could not get into and didn't like very much. But you can read my individual reviews for each of the books for a more in-depth look into them. That is, if you want to. No pressure! 😄 (Note: The Tamar one isn't an actual full review because I didn't have time to write one.)
Unveiled: Tamar - 4 Stars
Unashamed: Rahab - 4 Stars
Unshaken: Ruth - 4 Stars
Unspoken: Bathsheba - 2 Stars
Unafraid: Mary - 4 Stars
I appreciated the little Bible Study notes included at the end of each story. They allow the reader to do a more in-depth study of the real story on their own, which I think is important.
Overall, this book was pretty good. I had some disappointments, and I had some revelations. I think there are good lessons we can learn from each of these stories, though, if we have an open heart.
Like: never marry or fall for a king who already has at least 6 other wives (that are named, that is; it's quite possible he had many more who just weren't named in the Bible) and goodness knows how many concubines.
Or maybe: always have a good collection of stalks of flax on your roof to hide unexpected spies of an army that's about to destroy your city.
Or: don't be afraid to pick wheat in some stranger's field.
Okay, okay, I'm kidding. (Well, that first one might still be applicable…) But yeah, there were some good lessons in these 5 books.
Anywho, I'd say some of the stories in this book were well worth the read. The only one I didn't really feel lived up to the rest was Bathsheba's story. That one was disappointing.
P.S. I love the cover of this hardcover edition. It's simple, but nice. The gold tree in juxtaposition to the purple backing just makes it look so elegant and royal. 😊
Some of the stories I enjoyed more than others, and other stories I just could not get into and didn't like very much. But you can read my individual reviews for each of the books for a more in-depth look into them. That is, if you want to. No pressure! 😄 (Note: The Tamar one isn't an actual full review because I didn't have time to write one.)
Unveiled: Tamar - 4 Stars
Unashamed: Rahab - 4 Stars
Unshaken: Ruth - 4 Stars
Unspoken: Bathsheba - 2 Stars
Unafraid: Mary - 4 Stars
I appreciated the little Bible Study notes included at the end of each story. They allow the reader to do a more in-depth study of the real story on their own, which I think is important.
Overall, this book was pretty good. I had some disappointments, and I had some revelations. I think there are good lessons we can learn from each of these stories, though, if we have an open heart.
Like: never marry or fall for a king who already has at least 6 other wives (that are named, that is; it's quite possible he had many more who just weren't named in the Bible) and goodness knows how many concubines.
Or maybe: always have a good collection of stalks of flax on your roof to hide unexpected spies of an army that's about to destroy your city.
Or: don't be afraid to pick wheat in some stranger's field.
Okay, okay, I'm kidding. (Well, that first one might still be applicable…) But yeah, there were some good lessons in these 5 books.
Anywho, I'd say some of the stories in this book were well worth the read. The only one I didn't really feel lived up to the rest was Bathsheba's story. That one was disappointing.
P.S. I love the cover of this hardcover edition. It's simple, but nice. The gold tree in juxtaposition to the purple backing just makes it look so elegant and royal. 😊
February 3, 2023
This was a wonderful book about different women in the Bible and their perspectives. Note they are short stories and not a full book. It was interesting, however, once the stories had escalated, they finished really quickly. All round though, a nice book to read.
September 23, 2018
We follow 5 empowering females that changed the biblical world and it was beautiful.
It was more of a retelling with a fictional aspect but she alwaysdoes an amazing job.
It was more of a retelling with a fictional aspect but she alwaysdoes an amazing job.
May 14, 2021
Don’t ask me why it took me over a year to finish this book, I think it’s because I never wanted it to end! This book tells the stories of the 5 women in the lineage of Jesus and draws you in to want to know their stories in depth. Just so good.
February 21, 2025
I absolutely loved all 5 of these novellas. They are each amazing in the way that they each have different truths that are repeated over and over that all ultimately point back to God! Unveiled (Tamar) reminded me that God uses those who are faithful. Unashamed (Rahab) convicted me of putting my trust in worldly things other than God. Unshaken (Ruth) helped show me what it meant to truly follow Jesus and trust Him with what my future holds. Unspoken (Bathsheba) surprised me with an unspoken truth that our sin will have consequences even when God redeems it and still uses us in His plan. And Unafraid (Mary) brought me back to the truth that we are unworthy, but the Lord still uses us as His vessels.
So go, pick it up, and read it. But first I gotta warn you… A Lineage of Grace is not the Bible and you need to keep that at the front of your mind if even for a second you raise this book higher than it ought you’ve ruined it. So don’t. Go read it but while you’re reading keep your Bible next to you and compare the two. Spend time reading the same stories in the Bible so you have no doubt about what happened because while this book is about Biblical characters and it doesn’t ever contradict the Bible it has fictional parts. And if you remember that it isn’t the Bible, I believe the Lord will use this book to work in you and to strengthen your walk with Him like He did with me.
So go, pick it up, and read it. But first I gotta warn you… A Lineage of Grace is not the Bible and you need to keep that at the front of your mind if even for a second you raise this book higher than it ought you’ve ruined it. So don’t. Go read it but while you’re reading keep your Bible next to you and compare the two. Spend time reading the same stories in the Bible so you have no doubt about what happened because while this book is about Biblical characters and it doesn’t ever contradict the Bible it has fictional parts. And if you remember that it isn’t the Bible, I believe the Lord will use this book to work in you and to strengthen your walk with Him like He did with me.
October 17, 2016
Beautifully written and easy to comprehend, this book gives the stories of five prominent women of the bible and their struggles. Rivers does an excellent job of putting biblical allegory in laymen's terms and even includes studies at the end of each story. I highly recommend this book. The only reason it didn't receive 5 stars is because the study questions were not as thought provoking as they could have been. I suppose I was looking for a study that was a little more atypical, however, the questions still cover the topics adequately.
May 21, 2025
It took me a while to warm up to it. I appreciated that she stayed true to the Biblical account and the details added in were not wacky.
David and Bathsheba was AMAZING. By far, the best out of the five. I learned so much history from that one story.
Definitely thought-provoking. I liked seeing these women from a different angle.
Sometimes the characters of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary came across as too innocent. Were Tamar and Rahab really so pure? Always sweet and thinking like good Christian church girls should?
Would recommend for women interested in Biblical fiction
David and Bathsheba was AMAZING. By far, the best out of the five. I learned so much history from that one story.
Definitely thought-provoking. I liked seeing these women from a different angle.
Sometimes the characters of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary came across as too innocent. Were Tamar and Rahab really so pure? Always sweet and thinking like good Christian church girls should?
Would recommend for women interested in Biblical fiction
May 15, 2019
Encontré fascinante la manera en que la autora explicó por medio tramas y diálogos ficticios, los riesgos grandiosos que estas mujeres tomaron, la manera en que sus vidas se balanceaban en un hilo fino y al mismo tiempo parecían caminar su historia como en una calzada, con coraje y firmeza como si fuese una carretera construida para ellas mientras el lector está consciente que es en nada segura. Cualquier otra en las mismas circunstancias estaría destinada a morir en el intento.
May 31, 2023
Some of the stories were really helpful in understanding the depth and seriousness of the stories of these women. But parts were not as biblically true as I wished. Example; the story of Ruth there are certain details that were not aligned with the details given in the Bible and I just couldn’t really get past that. The story of Rahab and Mary was fantastic and even brought me to tears a points
April 27, 2025
Educational, emotional and so eye opening! LOVED!
May 24, 2021
i really enjoyed reading this little novella collection.☺️
there were only a couple things I wasn't fond of, but for the most part i believe they stayed true to the Biblical plots. i also really liked the Bible study sections at the end of each book... i want to go back some time and work on those because the few questions i read through seem like they point to God’s hand in the lives of the characters.
i appreciated how Rivers stayed close to the plot, and for some cases it provided more context to the Bible stories themselves. i’m cautious of Biblical fiction that revolves around Bible characters, just because i feel like too much creative liberty with the stories can be disrespectful. the only part that i felt a little uneasy with the direction of the plot was during Mary’s story and how Rivers wrote in Satan. i’m a little on the fence with how i feel about it because it just feels a little too “spiritual” for my personal tastes.
however, as works of fiction, i do believe they respect the original stories well enough for me to recommend.😊🤗
**i wrote this review on my phone so please excuse any typos.🙈
there were only a couple things I wasn't fond of, but for the most part i believe they stayed true to the Biblical plots. i also really liked the Bible study sections at the end of each book... i want to go back some time and work on those because the few questions i read through seem like they point to God’s hand in the lives of the characters.
i appreciated how Rivers stayed close to the plot, and for some cases it provided more context to the Bible stories themselves. i’m cautious of Biblical fiction that revolves around Bible characters, just because i feel like too much creative liberty with the stories can be disrespectful. the only part that i felt a little uneasy with the direction of the plot was during Mary’s story and how Rivers wrote in Satan. i’m a little on the fence with how i feel about it because it just feels a little too “spiritual” for my personal tastes.
however, as works of fiction, i do believe they respect the original stories well enough for me to recommend.😊🤗
**i wrote this review on my phone so please excuse any typos.🙈
August 25, 2024
Rada čítam historické romány. A ani rodokmeň milosti ma nesklamal. Kniha je rozdelená na päť častí. Skladá sa z príbehov piatich žien zo Starého Zákona (Tamary, Rachab, Rut, Betsabe a Márie).
Táto kniha mi dala veľa podnetov na rozmýšľanie. Kam sa ľudstvo a ženské pokolenie dostalo za viac ako dvetisíc rokov! I keď prevažne sa jedná o fikciu, autorka veľmi vierohodne opísala životy žien vo vtedajšej spoločnosti.
Ženy, ktoré nedostali šancu na vzdelanie. Ženy, ktorých úlohou v spoločnosti bolo nájsť si manžela (ideálne o 40 rokov staršieho), starať sa o jeho dom a porodiť mu synov (aspoň tucet). Ženy, ktoré opustila vlastná rodina, lebo ich manžel odvrhol, keď sa mu zachcelom Ženy, ktoré rodina zapredala ako spoločníčky panovníkom a potom ich zavrhli ako oni, tak aj celá spoločnosť. Ženy, ktoré museli veľakrát zapredať svoje telo, len aby prežili. Ženy, ktoré i napriek vtedajsej spoločnosti použili vlastný dôvtip, krásu, vieru a šikovnosť a prežili.
Dobre sa to čítalo, ale nie, nechcela by som byť ženou z obdobia Starého Zákona.
Táto kniha mi dala veľa podnetov na rozmýšľanie. Kam sa ľudstvo a ženské pokolenie dostalo za viac ako dvetisíc rokov! I keď prevažne sa jedná o fikciu, autorka veľmi vierohodne opísala životy žien vo vtedajšej spoločnosti.
Ženy, ktoré nedostali šancu na vzdelanie. Ženy, ktorých úlohou v spoločnosti bolo nájsť si manžela (ideálne o 40 rokov staršieho), starať sa o jeho dom a porodiť mu synov (aspoň tucet). Ženy, ktoré opustila vlastná rodina, lebo ich manžel odvrhol, keď sa mu zachcelom Ženy, ktoré rodina zapredala ako spoločníčky panovníkom a potom ich zavrhli ako oni, tak aj celá spoločnosť. Ženy, ktoré museli veľakrát zapredať svoje telo, len aby prežili. Ženy, ktoré i napriek vtedajsej spoločnosti použili vlastný dôvtip, krásu, vieru a šikovnosť a prežili.
Dobre sa to čítalo, ale nie, nechcela by som byť ženou z obdobia Starého Zákona.
November 15, 2021
The stories of 5 of the most famous women in the Bible and from the lineage of Jesus! Written in easy to understand detail!! This book concept is so cool to me! Francine Rivers is such a great writer with an exceptional way of telling stories from the Bible and from history in general in a relatable, emotional, and effortless fashion while still holding true to the integrity and accuracy of said stories. This was a great way for me to be able to really see the stories of the Bible that I’ve read before come to life in a new way! The emphasis on these women as being image bearers and part of Gods redemptive plan is so encouraging to read as a woman!
Took me forever to finish this one but it was a great read!!
Took me forever to finish this one but it was a great read!!
October 1, 2020
I got this book for my birthday- and adored it! Francine Rivers went through stories of different women throughout the lineage of David and Jesus in the bible and dramatized their stories. We heard the artist's interpretation of the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and, of course, Mary. While I think that some things were a little off from my personal interpretations, I still loved this book. I especially appreciated the questions and verses provided in a study guide format after each chapter.
Fun read!
Fun read!
July 23, 2025
This was a REALLY GOOD Book!! My mentor and I read through it and it was encouraging to understand that now matter what your past, your situations, or you position is in your life and the people around you, God always provides and shows mercy, goodness, and safety to those who trust in Him! Amen! My only disclaimer is that the story of Bathsheba and David was kinda interesting and weird, mostly King David… but it is biblical fiction, sooo…
October 10, 2025
A friend gave this book to me and I’ve finally finished it 9 months later ^3^
I took this book with a huge grain of salt because we truly can’t know what the characters thought or felt, but I believe it was a good approximation of their emotions. And thus, I could feel inspired by their faith, be awed by their struggles and hurt with them. Being immersed in the past timeline with the contextualized culture and setting helps one see what grace means. For example, feminism back then looks like oppression today.
I learned a great many more biblical facts but it felt like storytelling and had no idea I was absorbing it all :)
I took this book with a huge grain of salt because we truly can’t know what the characters thought or felt, but I believe it was a good approximation of their emotions. And thus, I could feel inspired by their faith, be awed by their struggles and hurt with them. Being immersed in the past timeline with the contextualized culture and setting helps one see what grace means. For example, feminism back then looks like oppression today.
I learned a great many more biblical facts but it felt like storytelling and had no idea I was absorbing it all :)
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