Her Daughter's Dream Blog Tour with Francine Rivers

Many of you have been long-awaiting, with me, the next book in the Francine Rivers compelling series--Marta's Legacy. We all read Her Mother's Hope and if you're like me, you couldn't wait to read what would come of Hildemara and Marta.

Francine Rivers does not disappoint in Her Daughter's Dream as she continues this "rich and deeply moving story about the silent sorrows that can tear a family apart and the grace and forgiveness that can heal even the deepest wounds" (Tyndale House Publishers).

It is with great joy and honor that I share in the Her Daughter's Dream Blog Tour with Francine Rivers.

Book Description

Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers (Tyndale House Publishers, September 2010)

In the dramatic conclusion to the New York Times best seller Her Mother’s Hope, Francine Rivers delivers a rich and deeply moving story about the silent sorrows that can tear a family apart and the grace and forgiveness that can heal even the deepest wounds.

Growing up isn’t easy for little Carolyn Arundel. With her mother, Hildemara, quarantined to her room with tuberculosis, Carolyn forms a special bond with her oma Marta, who moves in to care for the household. But as tensions between Hildie and Marta escalate, Carolyn believes she is to blame. When Hildie returns to work and Marta leaves, Carolyn and her brother grow up as latchkey kids in a world gripped by the fear of the Cold War.

College offers Carolyn the chance to find herself, but a family tragedy shatters her newfound independence. Rather than return home, she cuts all ties and disappears into the heady counterculture of San Francisco. When she reemerges two years later, more lost than ever, she reluctantly turns to her family to help rebuild a life for her and her own daughter, May Flower Dawn.

Just like Carolyn, May Flower Dawn develops a closer bond with her grandmother, Hildie, than with her mother, causing yet another rift between generations. But as Dawn struggles to avoid the mistakes of those who went before her, she vows that somehow she will be a bridge between the women in her family rather than the wall that separates them forever.

Spanning from the 1950s to present day, Her Daughter’s Dream is the emotional final chapter of an unforgettable family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter—and the very nature of unconditional love.

How has exploring the relationship between your mother and grandmother helped you understand yourself?

This is a question I would love readers to ask themselves at the end of Her Mother’s Hope. I realized early in the story that I have many of my grandmother and mother’s character traits, both good and bad. They both had tempers. So do I. They both had low self-esteem. I’m always striving to “measure up”. They both chose spouses who respected them. So did I. Both women had strong faith and servants’ hearts, something they encouraged in me. My mother extended grace to others -- a trait I want to cultivate to the end of my days. By holding onto her anger, Grandma lacked the peace and joy she could have had in her last years. I tend to relive past hurts. Writing about Marta made me decide to let go, forgive and move on. For whatever reason, Grandma couldn’t and missed out on so much joy in her last years. Sometimes people deeply hurt as children take offense where none was intended. Holding a grudge causes suffering, especially for the one who won’t let go. Jesus said to forgive one another as He has forgiven us. Forgiveness frees us, even if the other person refuses to join in the process of reconciliation. As I examine my own life, I see how much I’ve been forgiven. How can I not extend God’s grace to others? The best way to experience the fullness of God’s presence in my life is to surrender it to Him. And in that surrender, we are made more complete and joy-filled.

Mother-daughter relationships are often complicated and fraught with emotional land mines. What was your approach to exploring the complexity of those relationships in a fictional setting?

Questions, lots of questions! Every time I told someone I was working on a book about mother-daughter relationships, people wanted to share their family stories. As I wrote Her Mother’s Hope, I wanted readers to see through each woman’s eyes, and understand how the past shaped each in the way she responded to her mother. Hildemara doesn’t believe her mother loves her, but it is out of Marta’s pain and loss that tough-love techniques were forged. Marta wants to strengthen her daughter for whatever lies ahead. Sometimes what we view as rejection can actually be an act of sacrificial love. We seldom know the experiences that shaped our mothers, the deep hurts, traumatic events, broken relationships. I hope women who read this book will want to share those things with one another.

Writing a novel is not for the faint of heart. What was the most difficult part of writing this family saga? What came the most naturally to you?

The most difficult part of writing any novel is getting out of my own way. I have to get rid of preconceived notions about themes and characters and plot. The first draft of this novel came in at over 1000 pages and was too biographical. I wanted the story to shift back and forth from present to past, trying to show what happened to create the rifts and valleys between Hildemara, Carolyn and May Flower Dawn. I was too cautious, too afraid to harm to my grandmother and mother’s memory.

A wonderful editor wrote me an insightful letter in which she listed what she wanted to know about each the characters. Her letter got my creative juices flowing. She helped me look at the story in a new way. I set the first manuscript aside and started over. I found it better to move from one generation to the next in a linear story. This time the characters followed my grandmother and mother’s timeline, but took on a life of their own. They became unique individuals rather than the shadow of real people.

After readers finish this series what do you want them to remember? What questions and feelings do you want it to provoke on a spiritual and emotional level?

I hope and pray readers who have had difficult relationships with their mothers or daughters will let go of the pain and anger and allow God to work in their lives. God can work all things together for good for those who trust and love Him. Following Jesus’ example changes the way we see people. It changes the way we relate to one another. Even when the chasm is too deep to cross, we can decide to forgive. Some people wear grievances like a dirty coat. With God’s strength, we can strip it off and be free. When people finish reading Her Daughter’s Dream, I hope they will want to extend God’s grace and forgiveness. I hope they will tear down their walls and use their life experiences to begin building a bridge.

Where may we connect with you further or to purchase a copy of HER DAUGHTER'S DREAM?

I would love for you to visit my web site at www.FrancinceRivers.com, browse through the various events and other resources available, as well as sign up for my mailing list. You may also join me on my Facebook page, please click here.

Book Trailer for Her Daughter's Dream:

READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS NOW

To participate in Her Daughter's Dream book give-aways, please visit:

CSS Blog (please see blog posts for details)

CSS Virtual Blog Tour (please see EVENTS pages for details)

PLEASE NOTE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided to the me as a blog tour host by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services for more information about blog tour management services.

Empty Nest? Full heart!

It is the cycle of life.....children are born, they grow up, if you are really lucky, they go away to college.

This is the plan.

This is the goal you work towards for 18 years.

Why then, upon successfully delivering your last child to college does your heart ache with a relentless crushing pain? It is a physical pain; a pain that causes you to want to throw up.

I've planned for this, I've prepared for this since our 2nd child left home 10 years ago. I should be a pro at this....been there done that...and survived. And yet, as we walked out of our youngest son's dorm room today, I had to will my feet to keep moving. I wasn't just leaving my youngest son at his newly decorated and fully supplied dorm room, I was walking towards...a not yet prepared for phase of my life.

I am a Mom. It's who I am. It....is...over.

Oh, I have a million other passionate causes and lists of things I can do. It's not about having nothing to do. It's about a forced retirment from a role that I never imagined could fill my heart to overflowing. It is walking away from the joy that was MY child.

I grew up in a rage filled alcoholic home; a home filled with daily crisis and chaos. A home where being loved meant....pain and terror. By the time I was a teenager, I was certain--having children was not for me. In fact, when I met my husband in college, one of the first things I told him was I was never having children. I couldn't bear the thought of repeating the soulessness of what I knew as parenting.

But God knew better! And six years into our marriage we had our first child, our Katie. The moment I saw her, the pain of my past began to heal. Perhaps I could love this little angel without causing pain. My confidence grew with each priceless moment--as I stared at her little body, I knew, THIS is what love was meant to be.

Our second child was born 23 months later and my heart expanded two-fold! Being a Mom was so rewarding, I couldn't get enough of it! I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my husband and I were building a family of love. Where I was once reluctant, I had become sold--hook-line and sinker....THIS is what love was meant to be.

It took ten long years before our Sam was born; named Samuel--for I was a mid-life woman who had prayed for years for another baby. "Samuel:" God heard. God had heard and blessed us with this wonderful little bundle of YAY-GOD!!!!

Yes, God heard...he heard before I even knew what to ask. He gifted me the role of "Mommy" to show me our Abba's kind of love. This is what love was meant to be.

It is a cherished role that I struggle to give up.

As I write, it has occurred to me that even those many years ago (yes, back when the dinasaurs roamed the earth!), I was entering a phase of life...a transition....much like the transition I am facing tonight. Maybe because I was moving on from something so horrendous, the struggle wasn't so difficult.

As I face this transition in the coming days, months and years....the "what" I am leaving behind is such a tremendous loss, it tempts to stop me in my tracks. But really, what good would that do? For I have learned that although our children grow into adults, we are still their Moms and their Dads. We can still influence their lives. They still need our love...and us! So it is important that I move forward with grace and confidence. I want each of my children to see their Mom be a woman of great strength and joy. A woman who defines herself not just by a fleeting role...but one who defines herself as the daughter of our God....who blesses each phase of our lives.

So as I sit on the threshold of this landmark transition, I will 'set the timer' and feel my loss. Loss that is great...but not without hope. For this mid-life-mama has lived long enough to know without a shadow of a doubt that "each day of our life is ordained for [us] and written in His book" (Psalm 139:16). Whatever this transition brings, I can know, I can KNOW...He has purposed this for me...just as He purposed my role of "Mommy" just for me. Like Sara, I can attest, "God Hears!"

This struggle will continue as all transitions cause unrest and unease. My "nest' may be empty, but my spirit is full as I realize that God always provides the way.....God hears!

GOD WINS!

Bible Text: 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12


One of my favorite memories from my Church Youth Group years (we were CA's: Christ Ambassa dors) is a drama we played out in the bowels of my small Church building.

To get a better understanding of what the Disciples must have been going through after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as they continued to live out His message in spite of persecution, our Youth Pastor announced that we would be meeting undercover for the next CA meeting. When I arrived at the Youth Group room that night, the room was darkened—no lights on and the blinds drawn. There was only one sign that directed the group to our secret meeting place. As I followed the Maranatha signs posted on the walls inconspicuously; I began to feel a real sense of danger walking (sometimes stumbling) through the subterranean and very musty basement of our Church.

After following a twisting and winding path, I finally arrived in a room behind the furnace room, lit only by a few candles. We had the most powerful worship service in that dusty room!

This dramatic reenactment left a powerful imprint on my faith. Throughout the oh-so-many years since being a CA, I am reminded whenever facing a life-battle, that there is also a very real spiritual battle taking place in the heavens. Our passage today describes the spiritual battle that will be ongoing until….until….until our LORD returns.

And yet, in this epistle, Paul cautions believers to not be “easily unsettled or alarmed” (v 2) by doomsday predictions. Paul assures believers that “[God] is holding [the Man of Lawlessness] back, so that he will be revealed at the proper time” (v 6). God’s power is simultaneously at work in our lives and in the heavens, for “[even though] the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; [God] will continue to [hold back] till he is taken out of the way” (v 7). God wins!

Reflection
What battles or persecutions are you facing today? Has your faith been delegated to the basement? As you read this passage today—find the hope that is present. While we live in a world that is deeply affected by the “secret power of the Man of Lawlessness” (v 7), we do not have to live without hope. God is at work in your life AND in the heavens….until…until...until our Lord returns—so trust His power. Do not be deceived by the lies of the enemy—God wins!

This devotional was written by Diane Viere/originally published in LifeLine Devotional 5/3/10