Mark of the Lion Series Gift Collection: Complete 3-Book Set (A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure as the Dawn) Christian Historical Fiction Novels Set in 1st Century Rome

I have never been a fan of Christian "fiction" and when reading Christian literature, I prefer true stories, theology, history, Scripture and commentaries. However, after 3 separate women at my church said I should read Francine Rivers (we were studying Hosea at the time), I bought Redeeming Love and by the time I finished it, I not only enjoyed the book, but found myself challenged as a Christian to think about issues in my own life. Compared to Mark of the Lion Collection, Redeeming Love was a more subtle book in regards to using Scripture. Redeeming Love is more of a compelling love story which un-apologetically presented God's presence and His love as one of the "characters," and left me wanting to read more of her work. Then I read Mark of the Lion Collection on my Kindle. Her characters are very well developed for a "romance novel" and she is able to imbue her main characters with passion and romance without getting "too graphic" for Christian readers. Her stories have twists and turns and she doesn't let the reader off the hook with lots of happy comfortable moments. In this collection, there is drama, sin and brutality, as well as Christian love. All which serve a purpose in the telling of her story. In fact, I was impressed with how well she was able to set the stage for the brutal, violent world in which Christianity was born and spread. It definitely blotted out the modernized attitude of a world that understands and accepts Christianity as one of the major world religions. Mark of the Lion Collection focuses on and tells the compelling story of a new Faith entering a very dark and dangerous world. For that, she receives high praise as a writer and a believer. She shows pagans steeped in their own religion and barbarians consumed with mysticism and superstition. She also confronts the power of darkness without flinching. The most amazing quality in her work is her ability to honestly express doubt - doubts that anyone today might have about the reality and power of God through Christ. She is not afraid to ask the hard questions and confront the validity of the faith in Christ held by her redeemed characters. She also is not afraid to present a miracle working Christianity, whether one wishes to acknowledge the validity of it or not. In her last book she could be criticized for overusing the miraculous, but the message she is sending is that sharing Christ, and living a Godly life was not all that was needed to turn the world around. I agree with that premise even if her use of it might seem "over the top" or even a poetic device to intervene in the lives of her characters. However, the miraculous was the exception not the rule in her books and was balanced by the majority of her story showing a love and a faith that was willing to face anything and sacrifice anything to remain true to God without any expectation of divine intervention. Ultimately, the story lines are interesting (gripping at times) and most importantly, Ms. Rivers creates characters you care about, and no matter your religious orientation, it makes for good writing and great entertainment. I'm now a fan and look forward to reading more of her novels.

One of my top five favorite book series! I was up until 3 am often, even after telling myself to put the book down. Worth owning and sharing.

I’m so obsessed with this book series!! I could not put it down. The character built up in storyline was executed perfectly. This really helped me to know what it was like after Jesus‘s crucifixion. The cultural contacts of Rome, Israel, Ephesus, and other locations help me to understand more of what it was like back in the days. I loved how John, God‘s disciple, was included and the story of the shipwreck. Very accurate typical biblical context in writing. I highly recommend this book series changed my life.

I do not like books of romance and the like. However, this is so much more. This series is one of the best I have read. Francine Rivers has a way of pulling you into a story and rooting for characters. I've even purchased it as a gift for my ex-wife. It is the one thing that we agree on :) lol!

I have told so many about this trilogy- it’s still my favorite read after 4 times reading it. I get something new out of them every time. Highly recommend!!!

Second time reading this series; I couldn’t put the books down! I want to re read them again, maybe in a few months. I love this author and her novels!

This is by far the best fiction I have ever read! It is so well written... from the Characters, Historical setting, facts, scripture.... I could go on and on about how amazing each of these books are! You start with the first one and you are gripped! It is a story that will hopefully leave an impression on you and characters that you will not forget... And even more so... it inspired me. Francine Rivers is a very gifted author... I recommend all of her books but this series most especially! Update: I read this series years ago but it is still a favorite! I LOVED the first two books in this series especially but the third one is very good too. The history is so rich and she has captured the essence of the Roman Empire and culture during that time. But even more amazing is the story she weaves and the characters! I still think this series is incredible and it sets the bar high for others. I recommended it to someone and it took them a few chapters to get into it (when the characters converge) but then they were gripped and loved it! The first book in the series is A Voice in the Wind, Book 2 - An Echo in the Darkness, Book 3 - As Sure as the Dawn. I WILL WARN YOU, IF YOU DO NOT PURCHASE THIS AS A SET, THEN HAVE BOOK TWO ON HAND!!! YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY WANT TO PICK IT UP!!! I sadly didn't have it and finished book one at 10:30 at night and it was torture waiting till the next day to get book 2!

This is a 3-volume series with intertwined characters who make mistakes, aren’t perfect, but with Divine help from Christ, they come to faith and survival. It’s tragic it many parts but overall an uplifting series. The books follow a group of somewhat loosely connected characters, from a Jewish slave girl, a Germanic warrior turned gladiator, a spoiled rich girl and her decadent brother, a grieving widow, a conniving witch, and some heroes of the early church. Francine Rivers brings to life the setting of the first-century Roman Empire, the destruction of Jerusalem, and Germanic warriors. Richly detailed and with obvious research, the series is lengthy but never boring. My only complaint would be the epilogues; I would like to have been show rather than told. And in the second book, the main characters are apart for most of it. I would’ve loved to see them more together. But it worked out, and the final installment was a beautiful love story any romance reader would enjoy, whether or not they’re believers. The author doesn’t shy away from tough questions, like adultery, prostitution, violence, decadent sin, and more. But there’s always hope and redemption for many. Definitely recommend this series. I read it in a few days, though each book is lengthy alone. You’ll be drawn in from the start.

Thank you! Order received. I actually wanted to return it, because one of the three parts was given to me. But I'm happy with the purchase. ❤️

Books are in the best of condition. This series is the best Christian novel series I have ever read. So much to learn too. I love it. Thank you Amazon

Ich habe mir den 1. Teil geliehen und bin total begeistert! Francine rivers schreibt ein gutes und verständliches Englisch und bringt die biblische Thematik (background) sehr gut rüber ohne dass man es merkt oder sich 'belehrt' oder gelangweilt fühlt. Tyndale House ist ein hervorragender Verlag für theologische Fachliteratur und es hat mich sehr gefreut dass es nun auch Belletristik gibt! Die Lieferung erfolgte (nach Zusage für Montag) am Freitag in 1A Zustand und ich bin nun schon gespannt auf Teil 2&3 😍💓 Nachtrag : habe nun alle verschlungen! WOW! fantastic! Hadassah zeigt wie man stark bleibt! Ebenso wie Rizpah in Teil 3 - sehr erbaulich! I 'inhaled' the books. The 1st I borrowed but I knew that I would really would like to have them by my own. So now I've got them in a very good condition and I love the characters of Hadassah and Rizpah. They show how to be strong and they are very encouraging!

Love the Mark of the Lion. Read it twice and look forward to reading it again. It’s a beautiful period piece that I sat on thinking about it way after reading the last page. For those who are dwindling in faith Francine’s work never fails to empower that dimming light. Must read!

I love Mark of the lion, its close to the heart even though the story is centered a few years after Christs crucifiction.