Where Courage Calls

18652829
Where Courage Calls
Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan
Bethany House

Though I've been cutting back on my reading of historical fiction, when I saw this new book by Janette Oke and her daughter, I knew I had to get it: I mean, it's been years since Janette Oke has released a book. I practically had an obligation to read it.

A sort-of continuation of the When Calls the Heart series and a companion to the new Hallmark Channel movie/ TV series, this book is about Elizabeth Thatcher's niece, also named, well, Elizabeth Thatcher.

Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected... 
Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way. 
But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men--both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once. 
Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

Though I enjoyed the first book, the When Calls the Heart series was always my least favorite set of books by Janette Oke, and though I really, really wanted to like Where Courage Calls, it failed to completely suck me in. Part of this might be because most of the book was about Beth's teaching, and that really didn't interest me a whole lot. I found the romance aspect lacking, too- she just didn't seem to spend a whole lot with either of the guys. That part of the book was almost like an afterthought- actually, several of the plot points mentioned in the synopsis (her sister's visit and the "two men" in her life) weren't really major points in the book at all.  It did pick up my interest more in the last half of the book, and I'm sure that Janette Oke fans will want to pick up this novel, Where courage Calls is definitely not my favorite by the author. Not because it was bad, but because it simply wasn't....amazing.

Rating: 6 1/2

Comments

  1. RissiFebruary 3, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    Thanks for the honest review, Hayden. Given much Janette Oke's shaped my inspirational reading, like you, I'll likely read this one too. Just don't have the time right now. I am enjoyed the series though despite the differences from the original novels.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BekahFebruary 21, 2014 at 11:10 PM

    I just read this book, too! And I LOL'd when you said you practically had an obligation to read it...that's how I felt. :) I love your blog, by the way!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In This Moment

Image
  In This Moment Gabrielle Meyer Bethany House Publishers Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever. In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she's asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths. While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious Brit...
Read more

The Seamstress of Acadie

Image
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands. As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past ...
Read more

Before Midnight

Image
this is the cover of the book I had, but I thought this cover was really pretty! Before Midnight Cameron Dokey Simon and Shuster I’ve heard of this series for a long time now, but I hadn’t gotten a chance to read any of the books until just recently. I really did enjoy this retelling of Cinderella, although there were things about it I didn’t care for. However, it was one of those books whose flaws you don’t notice until you’re done reading and sit back and reflect on the story. One thing I did like about this book was the way it was written, and that it really drew me right in. The twists on the story of Cinderella were interesting, and a few were unexpected. Another thing I liked was that the main character was called Cendrillon , the original French version of the name Cinderella , and that her nickname was Rilla. However, the romance wasn’t really as great; it felt like almost an afterthought. The Prince was barely in it, and their relationship wasn’t given ...
Read more