Where Trust Lies

Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? I have finished the second book in the Return to the Canadian West series by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.  I reviewed the first book called Where Courage Calls here.

About the book:
She loves her friends and students in the West, but family obligations have called her home. Where does she truly belong?

After a year of teaching in the Canadian West, Beth Thatcher returns home to her family. She barely has time to settle in before her mother announces plans for a family holiday--a luxurious steamship tour along the eastern coast of Canada and the United States. Hoping to reconnect with her mother and her sisters, Beth agrees to join them, but she quickly realizes that things have changed since she went away, and renewing their close bond is going to be more challenging than she expected.

There's one special thing to look forward to--letters and telephone calls from Jarrick, the Mountie who has stolen her heart. The distance between them is almost too much to bear. But can she give her heart to Jarrick when it will mean saying good-bye to her family once again--and possibly forever? And will she still want to live in the western wilds after the steamship tour opens up a world of people and places she never imagined?

Then comes a great test of Beth's faith. Someone in her family has trusted the wrong person, and suddenly everything Beth knows and loves is toppled. Torn between her family and her dreams, will Beth finally discover where her heart truly belongs?

A companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series!

My thoughts:
I found this book to be much different from the first in the series because now Beth is at home with her family.  She ends up taking a cruise with her mother and sisters.  She is glad for the time to be with them but also misses her time in Coal Valley and wonders if she will be asked to return there to teach again.  

I found the sisters to be very different from one another. They had an interesting relationship in how they interacted with one another, their mother, and others on the ship. 

Beth tries to maintain a relationship with Jarrick who she met in the previous book.  They write letters and talk by phone when they are able, but Beth isn't sure how long this will last.

I enjoyed this book overall. At some points I felt it moved slowly though.  I am not familiar with the areas mentioned so I found it hard to stay focused at certain points.  Some mention is made to Coal Valley and the people there; it is clear Beth wants to return and experiences a totally different life there than on the ship with her family.  

You can read more here. This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  

Where Courage Calls

I remember years ago when my Meemaw would pass along to me books she had read. Some of those were in a series by Janette Oke. I enjoyed those books and was glad to read and review this new book by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.

About the book:

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?

A special companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series.

My thoughts: 

I really enjoyed Beth's story. I admired her determination in leaving behind her family and her life where she basically wants for nothing to go to the unknown in the mining village of Coal Valley. She works had to form relationships with the people there and to make a difference for the children both educationally and spiritually.   She faces  many challenges along the way that might have scared away another teacher; however, Beth remains committed to her task which is very admirable. 

One character I liked besides Beth was Molly. She runs the place where Beth resides and really takes Beth under her wing as a motherly figure. This is something Beth needs and longs for as she is away from her own family. Molly offers advice to Beth on more than one occasion that I appreciated for my own life.

I thought the setting of this book was interesting as well. Living in the mining village is totally different from Beth's normal surroundings.  Also, I think the cover is such a serene image and makes me want to visit.

I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to you. 

This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!