Book Review- "When Comes the Spring" by Janette Oke

I don't really care for women's romantic fiction, but I am a big fan of writer Janette Oke. Ms. Oke's novels are chaste compared to most women's modern fiction, but she is extremely skillful at portraying the intimacy between a husband and wife even without the graphic descriptions of sex.

In Ms. Oke's novel "When Comes the Spring", young schoolteacher Elizabeth marries Wynn- a Canadian "Mountie" and they move to a  northern Canadian territory.

Most of the residents of the couple's new home are natives and Elizabeth has trouble adjusting to a different language and culture.There are also the inevitable conflicts that arise in a new marriage.

Ms. Oke's faith in God is part of her writing, but she doesn't sugar coat anything. There are hardships and not always easy answers, but there is an assurance that with love and a little faith, things can get better.

Book Review- "Once Upon a Summer" by Janette Oke.

Sometime in the early 1900s, young Josh lives in a blended family consisting of his Grandfather, Uncle Charlie, Aunt "Lou", and his newly arrived Great Grandfather.

Josh loves the way things are and is upset to learn that his Grandfather and his Uncle are trying to match up his Aunt Lou with a good husband. (This custom may seem a little odd by modern standards, but it was fairly common in earlier days.)

Josh sets out to sabotage every suitor that comes to call on his Aunt Lou, but he  is not entirely successful.

I have enjoyed every Janette Oke novel that I have read. Her stories remind me of good times with my own family.

Book Review-" Heart of the Wilderness" by Janette Oke

Janette Oke  is known for her "Love Comes Softly" series of novels, but she has other works including "Heart of the Wilderness." The story begins with young Kendra being orphaned when her parents are killed in an accident. Kendra goes to live with her Grandfather "Papa Mac" who makes his living as a trapper in the Canadian wilderness.

Kendra is also raised by Papa Mac's native friend Nonie. Janette Oke is a fine writer and in the context of the story she skillfully explores weighty themes such as mythology, prejudice, death, and the ways of nature and man. There is also a little romance thrown in.

All of the characters in the novel resemble real people  complete with  weaknesses and strengths. Heart of the Wilderness is well worth reading.

Book Review- "Love Comes Softly" by Janette Oke

"Love Comes Softly" by Janette Oke begins with young pioneers Martha "Marty" and her husband Clem traveling west in a covered wagon sometime in the late 1800s. When Clem is killed in an accident,  a pregnant Marty finds herself stranded in the midwest with no way to get back home.

Widower Clark comes to the rescue with a proposition. If Marty will consent to a platonic marriage with him and take care of his daughter Missie, then Clark would pay for Marty's trip home in the spring.

A modern reader might wonder why it would be necessary for Marty and Clark to be married in order for Marty and Clark to live in the same house. Today, a man and woman living together is more or less accepted by society, but a 100 years ago it was a much different story.

At first, Marty deeply resents the arrangement while she grieves for her dead husband, but slowly she comes to appreciate Clark as a kind and gentle man and a hard worker.

From the title, "Love Comes Softly" it is not hard for the reader to guess the ending. Still, I very much enjoyed the story of two people overcoming grief and falling in love.