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When Calls the Heart

(Canadian West #1)

Janette Oke

4.19 · Rating details · 23,707 ratings · 1,265 reviews

Nothing in her cultured East Coast upbringing prepared Elizabeth for a teaching position on the Canadian frontier. Yet, despite the constant hardships, she loves the children in her care. Determined to do the best job she can and fighting to survive the harsh land, Elizabeth is surprised to find her heart softening towards a certain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Pol ...more

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Paperback, 220 pages

Published February 1st 2005 by Bethany House Publishers (first published 1983)

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Apr 13, 2015 Celeste rated it liked it

Shelves: christian

I have a confession to make: I absolutely love When Calls the Heart. You know, the Hallmark show? The Christian historical romance that borders on cheesy where everything always turns out okay? Yeah, that’s the one. It’s one of my favorites. In this show, community is about celebrating together in the good times and supporting each other through the hard times. Faith in God is the norm, and that faith actually means something. And love always finds a way. The show idyllic and wholesome and just I have a confession to make: I absolutely love When Calls the Heart. You know, the Hallmark show? The Christian historical romance that borders on cheesy where everything always turns out okay? Yeah, that’s the one. It’s one of my favorites. In this show, community is about celebrating together in the good times and supporting each other through the hard times. Faith in God is the norm, and that faith actually means something. And love always finds a way. The show idyllic and wholesome and just makes me really happy every time I watch it. It’s my visual comfort food.

Last week, Chris and I very unexpectedly became foster parents for two little boys. A couple of days ago, they just as suddenly returned home to their mom. Our emotions during this time went haywire; we were terrified because we’ve never been parents and didn’t know what to do, we were thrilled with the boys themselves and fell in love with them despite our efforts not to get attached, and we were a weird mix of devastated (for us) and relieved (for them) when they went home so soon. When they left and our house felt just the slightest bit hollow, I needed to disappear into a book. But the books I’m reading currently, while they’re great books, they were darker than what I needed. So I decided to read the book that inspired my favorite feel-good show.

The book wasn’t perfect. It was stilted and felt a tad forced in places. It was different from the show that I’ve come to love, even though they shared a common name and framework. But it was exactly what I needed when I picked it up. It was short and sweet and full of love and hope and Jesus. Though Christian historical fiction is not one of my favorite genres, it’s what I tend to turn to whenever I’m going through a rough patch in my life. I love how unapologetic the characters are about their faith, and how that faith permeates their lives. I also love how faith is just an expected aspect of life in these bygone eras. And in the vast majority of the books in this genre, you go in knowing that everything is going to turn out okay, and that a happy ending is almost inevitable.

Janette Oke provided me with exactly what I needed here. It gave me some of the hope I needed when I wasn’t feeling all that hopeful. Even though I enjoy the show more than I did this book, I’ll probably continue with the series at some point.

For more of my reviews, as well as my own fiction and thoughts on life, check out my blog, Celestial Musings. ...more

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May 10, 2020 Tina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-romance, series, read-in-2020

This is the first book is the Canadian West series, and the Canadian TV series When Calls the Heart is base on this book series. I have been really wanting to read this book since I have fall in love with the TV series that is basic on this book. I have to say this book is very different from the TV show, but I love both of them. Parts of this book I love more then the TV show, and there is parts of the TV show that I love more then the book. Of course the main character of the book is Elizabeth ...more

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Apr 25, 2011 AlixJamie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book started out in a promising way, despite that fact that the plot was crystal clear and there were spatterings of formal language interspersed in and around the more casual setting, which made for an uneven read.
This is a typical Christian romance. The gorgeous heroine, the gorgeous hero, the cliche emotions and phrases, and the unoriginal conversations about God and faith. For a while, I thought I would like it, because Elizabeth had some spirit and she wasn't perfect. But as soon as s This book started out in a promising way, despite that fact that the plot was crystal clear and there were spatterings of formal language interspersed in and around the more casual setting, which made for an uneven read.
This is a typical Christian romance. The gorgeous heroine, the gorgeous hero, the cliche emotions and phrases, and the unoriginal conversations about God and faith. For a while, I thought I would like it, because Elizabeth had some spirit and she wasn't perfect. But as soon as she fell in love with that Wynn, pfft - end of the good stuff. From then on it was crying and pining and frustration and all those klutzy moments that are supposed to make you sigh at the romance.
I found it absolutely amazing that, even though Wynn is a Canadian Mountie and supposedly "married" to his job, he still finds the time to be EVERYWHERE Elizabeth is, even though she skips from Calgary to Pine Springs every other chapter. And he always shows up at the right moments too. When she's in trouble, Wynn is always there. To fix her stove, to carry her when she "sprains" her ankle, to drive her home from church, to buy her box lunch (which, I should add is one of the most overused settings in Christian romance. If you want to have romance, just stage a box lunch fundraiser and have the love-interest bid up a storm), and to kiss her so she doesn't faint.
Yes, you read that right, folks. Elizabeth runs into a bear on the way home from a student's house, she promptly faints and is rescued from a certain mauling by Wynn, who conveniently shows up to carry her out of danger (gag). Then, when he perceives that she looks rather pale, he kisses her to take her mind off the bear. She then misunderstands his apology for his sudden action and runs off in the direction OF THE BEAR. Makes sense, no?
And then, when they go sledding and she twists her ankle slightly, Elizabeth pretends that she can't walk only to have an excuse to rest her cheek against his broad, red-coated chest after he gently swoops her up. The next day she admits her deceit and realizes that when Wynn checked her ankle HE lied and said it was injured so that he would have an excuse to carry her. Nothing like a relationship built on mutual deceit, eh?
Then there were all those times when Elizabeth fell, tripped, or did some other clumsy thing (unintentionally, these times) so that Wynn was forced to catch her, steady her, or hold her. Cliche, I say.
It seemed to me that for a schoolteacher, who was impressed upon me as intelligent enough for her chosen career, should not be able to figure out the things that I knew for a fact as soon as they were mentioned. Honestly, Elizabeth was so slow. She sits there and puzzles things out until you want to shake her. Is it so hard to believe that a man who paid 10+ dollars for your lunch, puts up with all your klutziness, lies in order to carry you a few feet, solicitously kisses you so that you do not faint, and always turns up at every tense moment to rescue you, could possibly be in LOVE with you? Apparently Elizabeth, who can teach kids from kindergarten to high school, cannot grasp these obvious things that are staring her in the face. *sigh*
All in all, a quick, mindless read that did not make me laugh, cry or learn (three things the back of the book advised I should do), so I suppose it was mostly wasted time. I will, however, read the sequel to see if it can make me laugh, cry and rejoice, though I have small faith in its ability to do so.
...more

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Feb 17, 2017 Kellyn Roth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-fiction, books-for-teens, romance-general, books-for-adults, adventurous-books, historical-fiction

I’ve watched most of the Hallmark TV show of the same title (which is amazing, by the way), so I decided to give the book a try. Well, it was nothing like the TV show … but it was amazing. Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down. Elizabeth was a great character (though sometimes this country girl thought she was being silly, such as with the ‘wolves’) and I love Wynn. He wasn’t Jack (or Gil) … but he was still a great hero. I loved that last scene at the train depot. ❤

Originally posted on my ...more

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May 10, 2013 Ash rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-library

**These books aren't anywhere near as amazing and profound as SGW's Prairie Winds trilogy, but I love them anyway!**

Its been years since I've read these, but I have definitely read them a few times. These are easy, adorable quick reads. The first one...Its probably closer to 4.25 in my rating, but I round up. I know they get better as they progress, and that is all that matters. The 'good stuff' didn't really happen until about 3/4 of the way through the book.

I love this series. I grew up with O ...more

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Jun 17, 2022 Wanda Pedersen rated it it was ok

Shelves: go-west, canadian-eh, popsugar-2022, historical-fantasy, 2022-reading-list, public-library, june-2022, set-in-calgary, female-authors, read-in-2022

***2022 Summer Vacation in the West***

My first summer theme book, not a traditional western but a tale set in the Canadian west, when my current home, Calgary, was just getting its start. The cover proudly proclaims that it is a Hallmark Channel movie edition. It is certainly the kind of saccharine sweet story that Hallmark is known for.

Part of the reason I chose this novel was that the author was born the same year as my mother, who was a writer who often wrote historical romances like this ***2022 Summer Vacation in the West***

My first summer theme book, not a traditional western but a tale set in the Canadian west, when my current home, Calgary, was just getting its start. The cover proudly proclaims that it is a Hallmark Channel movie edition. It is certainly the kind of saccharine sweet story that Hallmark is known for.

Part of the reason I chose this novel was that the author was born the same year as my mother, who was a writer who often wrote historical romances like this one. Oke’s author photo looks exactly like what she is: a nice church lady. There are many Christian details, so if you are allergic to that I would encourage you to put this book down and find something else to read.

My parents both attended one room schools in rural Alberta and two of my aunts taught in them, so I knew many of the details of the classroom and the treatment of the teacher to be accurate. Elizabeth is a greenhorn in Alberta, having very little experience with starting fires, chopping wood, dealing with mice, or cooking for herself. Her wardrobe is too fancy, she lives in fear of coyotes, and faints when she sees a bear. Despite this (or maybe because of it) she is aware of being the focus of single male attention in the community.

First she must deal with a school superintendent who is so sure she will marry him that he neglects to even ask. Once Elizabeth sets him straight, he responds by posting her in the back of beyond (sorry, Lacombe, you're a nice town now). The good people of the area are so glad to finally have a teacher for their school that they are more than willing to take care of her. But of course, it is her half-brother's friend, Wynn, who snags her attention, a member of the North West Mounted Police. This is a romance, so they have to have some misunderstandings and miscommunication, but there's little doubt that the Mountie will get the woman.

It's a quick read, but the writing is a stilted and the course of events is obvious. The main characters are so goody-goody as to be pretty boring. I know my mother would have been eager to get published, as she was writing at the same time as Ms. Oke, but I don't think she would have been willing to use a religious publisher to accomplish her goal. It would have felt like cheating, I suspect. ...more

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Aug 29, 2013 Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, read-reviewed, cf-historical

About this book:

“Nothing in her cultured East Coast upbringing prepared Elizabeth for a teaching position on the Canadian frontier. Yet, despite the constant hardships, she loves the children in her care. Determined to do the best job she can and fighting to survive the harsh land, Elizabeth is surprised to find her heart softening towards a certain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”

Series: Book #1 of the “Canadian West” series. {There is a movie based on this book of the same name, ...more

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Mar 27, 2017 Haley S rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, reviewed, 2017-reading-resolution, romance, books-i-would-recommend, favorites

Have you ever loved a book SO much that you could read it over and over again and never get tired of it? Seriously? I am not joking? Because I know that that has happened to me. When Calls the Heart is my favorite book ever. That is why I reread this book to fulfill Reading Resolution #38 (Reread your favorite book). When by It Starts with a Book and I were creating this list, we both thought that rereading your favorite book would be a fun idea. At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure what ...more

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Jan 05, 2022 Shirley Chapel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, favorites, historical-romance

Elizabeth Thatcher,a young teacher from Toronto Ontario decides to take a teaching position in Alberta. The year is 1910 and she will travel by train to Alberta. She will be staying with her older step brother and his family who live in Calgary Alberta. Elizabeth is introduced to Mr Harris who is Calgarys's school superintendent . For some reason he procrastinates when it comes to assigning Elizabeth a teaching position. He seems more interested in dating her then giving her a teaching position. ...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-fiction, tbr-pile-challenges, 2015, historical-fiction

I can see why this series is much loved by many readers. It is a shorter read, and while nothing is unpredictable, the setting and characters hold a lot of charm. I was surprised (happy) to see that it was written in first-person because that is not done very often inspirational fiction. The plot flowed well, and I appreciated the look into such a secluded and wild place. I've always found the life of teachers during this time period fascinating, and Elizabeth was a kindred spirit of sorts, with ...more

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Aug 17, 2015 Hannah rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-outread_aubrey, ebooks-2015, libraries-2015, western-theme, new-authors-2015, cals-library, veterans-and-uniforms

I'd never been very attracted by Oke's books just because I wasn't drawn by the synopses. But a Goodreads friend (Beth) gave a good review while I was in the midst of a Westerns challenge, so I decided to try it out, and was not disappointed. It's the tale of a young woman who goes out to Alaska to teach school, and through turn of circumstances ends up in a remote location as the community's first teacher. She learns to face mice and coyotes with fortitude...well, maybe the coyotes; mice doubtf ...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Staci rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016

Such a sweet story set in the Canadian frontier.

Main character Elizabeth Thatcher is a teacher from the east that ventures to the wild frontier to live with her brother and his family and be a teacher there. Her experiences in travel and getting established as a teacher are entertaining and touching. Her experience wasn't what she planned, but in the end her heart was overjoyed with gladness.

This novel was a great introduction to Janette Oke. I look forward to continuing the series. ...more

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Oct 31, 2020 Rebekah Morris rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I needed a fun, light, but interesting story and this book fit the bill.
I enjoyed each one of the characters, the fact that any “drama" felt real and not overly done. I laughed and smiled several times and enjoyed the fact that the Christian aspects of the book were a part of the story not just tacked on.
Altogether I enjoyed this and picked up the second book as soon as I had finished this one.

There is some romance in the book, but nothing that made me cringe.
...more

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Feb 22, 2009 Sandy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, romance, historical-fiction, religious-themes

I had to read this book for our week on Christian fiction for my grown-up books class. And the reason why I didn't like this book wasn't because it was Christian fiction, as I had expected. I actually thought that the spiritual/religious part was pretty tastefull and not overly preachy. Cheesy at parts, but tolerable. Not that I have a problem with religion or anything (I don't at all), but I just don't like being preached to and feeling like fictional characters are morally superior to me becau ...more

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Apr 23, 2014 Lana Jackson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I read this after enjoying the Hallmark Channel series "When Calls The Heart." This book is the original that inspired the Hallmark Channel movie by the same name. The movie incorporated a few changes that made the story better. The series (books and T.V. show) has a different location and some of the characters are different.

Eastern born Elizabeth travels West to teach in a wilderness school in Canada. She finds difficulties in the surroundings, but adapts quickly and forms strong bonds to the ...more

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Jan 26, 2018 Maria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, must-reread, highly-recommend, favourite-book-couple, christian, best-romance, historical

Wow! What a fantastic novel!!
I absolutely LOVED every aspect of it; from the characters to the beautiful setting.
I was privileged to accompany Elizabeth into the West and see how much she grew in character. I loved her steady spirit and kind nature.
I absolutely LOVED Wynn! He was very sweet and swoon-worthy. He has a quiet strength and a commanding presence that is very charming, and his interactions with Elizabeth and other people made him even more dashing.
I loved the small town of Pine Spr ...more

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Feb 24, 2016 Melanie Kilsby rated it really liked it

4.95 Stars!
To me, this book is a classic!

Pure and simple.

Yes, compared to modern day writing, the plot is a little less riveting. But the love story is all the same endearing. However, her clear craft of writing, to me, is a staple on any shelf and hones the likeliness of Jane Austen. Therefore, lending to me, the "Jane Austen" status for Christian Lit. Yes, it's that good!
A lovely story with a strong female character now embarking out on her own and trying to battle life on the "West" with her ...more

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Dec 05, 2016 Ashley Perham rated it liked it

Definitely exceeded my expectations! (It's a good 3 stars) It's kind of a bunch of vignettes, and I enjoy that style. However, I didn't really like Elizabeth's moping around about Wynn, even thought I really liked him. I get that stuff like that happens, but I don't really enjoy reading about it. Idk, it just wasn't a stand out book to me, although I did enjoy it. I'll probably get around to reading the others in the series at some point. ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Tarissa rated it it was amazing

What a refreshing read! This is quality historical fiction, and it even surprised me how much I enjoyed the story.

I'm in love with the basic plot, that Elizabeth (who comes from a fine, cultured family) is heading out West for adventure, to teach. She's feeling restless at home, and why not expand one's borders -- and help others at the same time? She has a good heart, that girl. And her heart may discover more than she expects it to on this journey...

There are some touching scenes in the book ...more

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Apr 06, 2017 Lu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-e-book-kindle, owned-e-book, inspirational-romance, great-stories, series-great, good-stories

I got interested in reading this book series after watching a sugar coated romantic series in Hallmark that was inspired on them. The books ended up being so much more than the series. A great story, heartfelt romance and valuable life lessons. I was kind of in a hard moment and these books inspired me.

Another thing that is nice is that it tells the story all the way through, and it's so nice to witness it all till their babies are happily married. ...more

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Jan 12, 2018 Mimi 'Pans' Herondale rated it did not like it

I wish I had never read this book.

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Mar 17, 2018 Elizabeth Dragina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-more-than-once, memorable, chill

Ayea this has got to be the sweetest romance of all time.

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Apr 19, 2014 Micaiah rated it really liked it

When Calls the Heart
By: Janette Oke
Rating: 4 stars
Ages: 13 and up (for mild romance)

I adore the Hallmark Channel series, When Calls the Heart. Who wouldn't? It is wonderful. It was inspired (loosely) on the first book in the Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart. I have heard great things about Janette Oke, so I decided to give her Canadian West a try. Here are my thoughts:

When Calls the Heart was intriguing and humorous. I started the book and really enjoyed the beginning, when Elizabeth f ...more

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Mar 04, 2019 Andrea Cox rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-2020-100-wonders-spell-outs, 2019-2020-tlc-strange-state-facts, 2018-2020-obstacle-course, weather, 2018-2020-wonderful-world-of-disney, 2019-2020-ccc-19x19, 2019-total-for-the-year, babies-and-children, school, cover-love

I enjoyed this adorable story with its focus on teaching and family and faith.

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Dec 03, 2018 Liz F. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf, romance

I bought this series from a local used book store and finally read it! Before, I have read the Love Comes Softly series and Season of the Heart series...
I've also watched the TV show When Calls the Heart. (my friends begged to, so I finally did. XD)
I'd probably recommend that you stick to the books before movies rule... the book and the TV show are just so different. Elizabeth has completely different motives for traveling west, the town is very different, she teaches in a schoolhouse... there a ...more

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Dec 01, 2019 Anna rated it really liked it

Clean christian romance, men and women making their path in harsh and hard Canadian land. I liked this author's style, it was my first book and i'll be looking for more of her story. The heroine seemed spoiled and childish sometimes. Sometimes books looked like diary... I dont usually like them. ...more

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Nov 07, 2017 steph rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2017, library-la-county, e-book, fiction-christian

Thanks to the power of Netflix, I binged watched this show in the last week and a half. I knew the show was loosely based on a book, so I decided to try it out. This book was okay. I liked Elizabeth being assertive and independent and I liked how much she cared about her students. Wynn was alright too, but I didn't believe that he and Elizabeth were truly in love because they only interacted a handful of times and during most of those interactions Elizabeth (mistakenly) believed he was a married ...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Melanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle

I've heard good things about this series, so I expected it to be a good read -- and it was! I liked the characters, setting, and story. It was interesting and held my attention. :) ...more

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Mar 17, 2022 Ellie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2nd-best-favorites

this was a great christian romance. i don't think tropes were a thing everyone talked about back when this was written but i'll list the ones i think i found.
slow-burn romance
misunderstanding trope
There wasn't much romance till end but that was ok, because of my man Wynn!! Wynn was such a nice man and the kiss was quite fast but it was great.
The writing style is different from the writing style now. How? Well, things happen a little too quickly. Events happen in just one paragraph and there's a ...more

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Apr 30, 2022 Rosy Marr rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, wild-west, fiction, romance, sweet-stories

I loved this book!!! ❤️

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Play Book Tag: When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke rounded up to 3 stars	1	7	Sep 05, 2021 12:54PM
Welcome!	1	5	May 31, 2018 12:44PM
ACPL Online Book ...: When Calls the Heart-April	4	6	Apr 21, 2016 11:56AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: When Calls the Heart (Canadian West #1) by Janette Oke - Starting April 4th 2015	11	13	Apr 07, 2015 02:42AM
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	4	Dec 18, 2014 09:57AM

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About Janette Oke

Janette Oke

2,710 followers

Janette Oke writes with a profound simplicity of what she knows best—real life, honest love, and lasting values. With over 23 million in sales, her historical novels portray the lives of early North American settlers from many walks of life and geographical settings. She also writes engaging children's stories and inspiring gift books that warm the heart.

Janette was born during the depression year Janette Oke writes with a profound simplicity of what she knows best—real life, honest love, and lasting values. With over 23 million in sales, her historical novels portray the lives of early North American settlers from many walks of life and geographical settings. She also writes engaging children's stories and inspiring gift books that warm the heart.

Janette was born during the depression years to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife, and she remembers her childhood as full of love and laughter and family love. After graduating from Mountain View Bible College in Canada where she met her husband, Edward, they pastored churches in Canada and the U.S., and they raised their family of four children, including twin boys, in both countries. Edward eventually became president of Mountain View Bible College and recently established a coalition of colleges that became Rocky Mountain Bible College.

During her earliest years, Janette sensed the desire to write. Though she yearned to be a published novelist, she devoted herself to being a wife and mother because, she says, "there is no higher honor—that is my number-one priority." She began serious writing when her children were entering their teens.

Her first novel, a prairie love story titled Love Comes Softly, was published by Bethany House in 1979. This book was followed by more than 75 others. She reaches both religious and general markets, telling stories that transcend time and place. Her readers of all ages and walks of life can identify with the everyday events and emotions of her characters. Janette believes everyone goes through tough times—the key is to be prepared with a strong faith as the foundation from which decisions are made and difficult experiences are faced. That perspective is subtly woven throughout her novels.

After Love Comes Softly was published, Oke found her readers asking for more. That book led to a series of eight others in her Love Comes Softly series. She has written multiple fiction series, including The Canadian West, Seasons of the Heart and Women of the West. Her most recent releases include a beautiful children's picture book, I Wonder...Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb and The Song of Acadia series, co-written with T. Davis Bunn.

Janette Oke's warm writing style has won the hearts of millions of readers. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion Award, The Christy Award of Excellence, the 1992 President's Award for her significant contribution to the category of Christian fiction from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and in 1999 the Life Impact Award from the Christian Booksellers Association International. Beloved worldwide, her books have been translated into fourteen languages.

In recent years, Janette and her siblings lovingly restored their parents' prairie farm home, and it now serves as a gift shop and museum of prairie life. Please see below for a special invitation to the Oke Writing Museum and The Steeves' Historical House. She and her husband live nearby in Alberta, Canada, where they are active in their local church. Visits from their families, including their grandchildren, are their delight.
—[http://www.janetteoke.com/ME2/Sites/d...] ...more

Other books in the series

Canadian West (6 books)

Books by Janette Oke

Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly, #1)

Love's Enduring Promise (Love Comes Softly, #2)

Love's Long Journey (Love Comes Softly, #3)

Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly, #4)

Love's Unending Legacy (Love Comes Softly, #5)

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Quotes from When Calls the Heart

“The sunset was a splendid display. I wondered if it was showing off for my benefit or if it was often that spectacular. Rarely had I seen such a gorgeous scene; the riotous colors flamed out over the sky in shades that I had no words to describe. Birds sang their last songs of the day before tucking in for the night, and still the darkness hung back. Now, I thought, I understand the word "twilight." It was created for just this time - in this land.” — 8 likes

“But I refused to mope about for the evening. My little ritual with teacup, familiar chair, and a favorite Dickens story went a long way toward improving my outlook.” — 3 likes

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