Books Her Mother’s Hope: Marta’s Legacy Series Book 1 (A Gripping Historical Christian Fiction Family Saga from the 1900s to the 1950s) by Francine Rivers (Author

"Her Mother’s Hope" by Francine Rivers is the first book in the Marta’s Legacy series, a gripping historical Christian fiction family saga spanning from the early 1900s to the 1950s. The story follows Marta Schneider, a determined young woman growing up in Switzerland under an abusive father and a loving, faithful mother. Despite her hardships, Marta dreams of a better life and sets out on a journey across Europe and eventually to Canada and California, where she faces new challenges, pursues her dream of owning a boarding house, and marries.

The novel also explores Marta’s complex relationship with her eldest daughter, Hildemara (Hildie), who struggles to earn her mother’s approval despite her own efforts to find her place in the world. As Hildie grows up during the turmoil of two World Wars, she grapples with her faith, family dynamics, and personal identity. Marta’s tough love, shaped by her past, both protects and alienates her daughter, leading to misunderstandings and emotional distance.