1. Where Courage Calls, Return to the Canadian West #1
    Janette Oke, Laurel Oke Logan
    Bethany House / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$11.49 Retail Price$15.99 Save 28% ($4.50)
    4.3 out of 5 stars for Where Courage Calls, Return to the Canadian West #1. View reviews of this product. 29 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW212312
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  1. Moonpie
    PRYOR
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    INSPIRING AND ENTERTAINING!
    September 9, 2014
    Moonpie
    PRYOR
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Beth Thatcher was a beautiful young woman who had grown up in an extremely wealthy family. She had been very sheltered all her life from the world. All the pomp and splendor of high society did not interest her. Her parents wanted her to marry well and take her place as among the elite. Beth had other plans; she wanted to do a great work for God. She loved Him with all her heart.

    Being young and believing there was nothing she could not do, she jumped at the chance to serve as a teacher in a very remote region in Western Canada. Her mother is very against her going as Beth has always been sickly. Her father supported her desire and understood.

    She was understandably nervous about this venture, but nothing prepared her for what she found when she arrived. Coal Valley was the direct opposite of her home in Toronto. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing. The houses were battered and sparsely furnished. It never came to her mind that these things would be missing. The town was mostly widows due to a terrible accident at the mine. These poor women had given of the little they had a paid to have Beth come as their childrens teacher for a year. So much rode on her succeeding: proving to her family and those back home that she was capable, carrying out the mission God had sent her on, and not letting the women down that had sacrificially brought her there. While her confidence was shaken, she was determined to keep her commitment no matter what.

    She moved into Mollys boarding house, where she paid for her room and meals. Molly was a loving, wise, and simple woman that treated Beth as a daughter. Beth relied on her in many ways. Both were women of great faith. I loved Mollys wisdom and scripture applications to life. I learned from her too!

    There was no school house or supplies! The children and their families broke her heart with the poverty they lived in. This was no straight forward teaching job! She began organizing ways to meet the childrens needs both physical and spiritual. While at first some of her efforts were met with misgiving and opposition, gradually she began to make a difference in the lives of everyone in the town.

    Beth faced many problems involving things she never dealt with nor even knew existed. She may cry and feel like a failure but she never quit and always looked to God for the answers. She also faced the challenge of unexpected romance as she had had no interest in marrying. This involved two handsome Mounties vying for her affection. One was a family friend from her childhood that she always found annoying and the other she met through Molly. She surprised herself by developing feelings for both of them.

    The story was incredibly entertaining and well written. I was inspired by Beths dedication and faith. There were so many surprises that I found the book to be a real page turner. You always know it will be a good book if it is by Janet Oke!

    I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.



  2. GeeDix
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    It Takes Courage...
    May 28, 2015
    GeeDix
    Quality: 0
    Value: 0
    Meets Expectations: 0
    I believe this is one of the first books I read of Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan's and it was a cozy warm feeling book to me. It was hard to put down even to do a chore that must be done.

    Beth takes a teaching position in Coal Valley. It is far from where she calls home. She learns right away she is overdressed for Coal Valley and things aren't as luxurious as they were at home. She comes to love Coal Valley and the people become her family. The school year ends and she returns home. But is she really home?

    I am sitting here ready to read the next one in the Return to the Canadian West Series, "Where Trust Lies"
  3. Joan
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Loved this book
    November 1, 2014
    Joan
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I always enjoy this author. This book was not exception-very good story, I think-love the fact that Beth was pretty well grounded in her faith and not as spoiled as some would be in her circumstances. As always, Ms Oke does not disappoint.
  4. barbjan10
    Arlington, TX
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    COURAGE CALLED & LEFT A GREAT MESSAGE!
    March 15, 2014
    barbjan10
    Arlington, TX
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    While anticipating the honor of writing a review for Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan's novel When Courage Calls, I pondered if my words could give proper merit to such creative teamwork from these two superb authors. As a long time reader of Janette Oke — often relating her skilled gift to Laura Ingalls Wilder, I perceive the same in Laurel Oke Logan. I am sincerely humbled to be reviewing this work of perfection

    Beth Thatcher touched me deeply — she had the true heart of a missionary, with a spirit of kindness within a soul full of God's Holy Word. All those wonderful characteristics plus courage to venture into the unknown enabled her to face challenges with belief that she could be the impetus to change things through her deep faith in God. Beth made a daring decision to accept a position as the school teacher in remote Coal Valley, an indigent mining area in Western Canada. Beth finds herself in a bit of culture shock without the conveniences of home and wealth she had been privileged to know in Toronto. One of my favorite characters, Molly, the boarding house owner where Beth lived, was delightful and quite appropriately written into this beautiful story. Oh, but then there is Frank.... and the children.....and the unlikely school room...and the Italian miners — there is no end to the unique quaintness versus durability of the people of Coal Valley. When Beth played her violin and enthralled the community to envision the miracle of Christmas.... my heart felt the glory. When you read this story and find out why Beth's violin played a part in a huge surprise, you will soon realize there are many surprises in store to keep the pages turning.

    Edward Montclair and Beth were lifelong friends, however Beth considered him an annoyance and was not intending to gratify their mothers' presumptuous plans that the two would one day marry. Beth's exhaustive train ride from Toronto to Coal Valley had some unpleasant and unpredicted surprises; in a bizarre way concerning Edward. Beth envisioned no dreams of romance then or after arriving in Coal Valley. However, this is a love story in my estimation about how God's love can turn hopeless situations to promising. It is no surprise that the authors created the characters of this story to breathe and come alive on the page. Sensational writing includes the vindictive and evil side that plagues the community with mystery. When the hint of romance comes into the story with Royal Canadian Mountie Jarrick (Jack) Thornton, my own heart palpitated a bit and wondered if Beth would have secret thoughts about this warm and charming Christian believer.

    Before I forget myself and deluge too much — you can find out from the back cover an excellent synopsis of this solid story, as well as peruse many fine written reviews as to why you should acquire this book and read what's between the covers for yourself. Interestingly, I learned When Courage Calls is a special companion story to Hallmark Channel's "When Calls the Heart" TV series. You know you are getting the best when you see it on Hallmark. Where have I heard something like that said before? Unfortunately, I have not seen or read the prior episodes of this series on the Canadian West. Through further information, I found this series of seven books was republished in 2005 with updated covers. These novels will be added to my library as time permits.

    It is my hope that the Ms. Janette Oke and Ms. Laurel Oke Logan will write another novel in this series continuing the story of Beth and answer all my questions about what happens next. My curiosity is as real as my admiration for the authors. Thank you ladies, for blessing your readers through Beth's story. I feel blessed having the pleasure of reading it.

    Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
  5. Lilikin
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Captivating and inspiring
    February 5, 2014
    Lilikin
    Age: Under 18
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan will captivate readers minds and most of all their hearts. A beautiful book of giving hope and love to those in need, seeking and following God's plan for your life, fulfilling your purpose, and inspiring characters that make a difference. This book is filled with that and so much more.

    I was so excited when I saw this book on Netgalley, and realized it was a companion novel the the Hallmark series When Calls the Heart! That series show is my favorite, so I knew as soon as I saw it, that I just had to read it.

    The book did not disappoint! I loved how it was different enough from the movie and show to be interesting, but close enough to be connected.

    Beth Thatcher was an amazing character, she quickly became one of my favorites. I loved how she was so determined to make a difference, even when the circumstances and situations around her were tougher than she had expected. I also liked that she always wanted to do God's will for her and follow his plan. I was so proud of her when she stood up for what she believed in, even when others thought she couldn't.

    There were so many wonderful characters in this book. Frank and Molly, the children Beth taught, the mothers, the Italian miners. They all played a huge role, and were each inspiring In their own way.

    I promise there is something for everyone in this book! Not only inspiration, hope, and love through tough circumstances, but also mystery and relatable characters and problems. You will smile, laugh, possibly cry (I did) hope with these characters, and so much more! These authors definitely have a talent for writing books and characters that are both interesting and inspiring!

    I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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