Monday, April 27, 2015

Where Trust Lies

GIVEAWAY

OKE, JANETTE
LOGAN, LAUREL OKE
WHERE TRUST LIES

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 Review:

This is my first Janette Oke novel so I'm seriously behind the times as far as the Christian fiction legacy goes! I had to see what all the fuss was about so I scooped this book up at my public library -- a real coup since there's now a humongous waiting list for it. After reading it though, I'm a jumble of mixed feelings so I hope I can make sense to you.

First off, this is the second book in the Return to the Canadian West series. I haven't read Where Courage Calls so I feel like I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. It's not that Where Trust Lies doesn't read well as a standalone -- it does. I didn't ever feel lost in the plot but I missed an emotional connection with Beth and Jarrick, which I think I would have developed if I'd read the first book. I found myself feeling a bit detached as I progressed through this story.

 Another reason, I think, is the style of writing which is very reminiscent of a few decades ago. The story unfolds almost as a narrative, so instead of being plunged into the life (and heart) of the heroine it felt like I was an observer from the outside looking in -- if that makes any sense. Don't get me wrong, the writing is fluid and carries the plot seamlessly forward. I guess I just felt like I was trailing in its wake instead of braving the currents right next to Beth.

Where Trust Lies is a complicated study in the changing relationship of a daughter who has grown into womanhood. It captures that awkward conundrum of wanting to be your own person while still feeling an emotional pull to meet the expectations of your parents. Add in trying to figure out a burgeoning romance and Beth has a lot to think -- and pray -- about. There's a wonderful underlying message about trust in all its many facets. And a surprising mysterious twist towards the end. So, definitely worth the read, though it wasn't as emotional a read as I would have liked.

And worthy to note: CBC will be airing the TV series, When Calls the Heart, this summer. I believe it has been on the Hallmark Channel, but we haven't been able to view it in Canada. The TV series includes the characters from the book series so I'm looking forward to seeing how the actors bring Beth and Jarrick and everyone else to life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Where Trust Lies please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 3 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

24 comments:

  1. I would like to read this one. Thanks for the review and giveaway. momrain(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. I read many of Janette's books as a teenager, but haven't read a new one in many year! Will be interesting to compare what I remember of those earlier books to this newer one.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. We have Janette Oke's books in the church library but not this one written with her daughter.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. In my Fort Loudon, Pa home I have read many JANETTE OKE books and rnjoyed them immensely . I have not rea a new one for years though. I thought she had stopped writing. I would very much enjoy reading this one coauthored by her daughter.
    Deanne
    Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. I'm wondering if her daughter helped edit existing unpubbed ms? I'll have to check that out. Good luck, Deanne.

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  5. Thank you, Kav, once again for helping me add another book on my wish list. :)
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  6. Hi Kav. Thanks for this post and your review. I have read many of Janette Oke's books and I love them. In fact I have a few of them in my library. Please put my name in. Would so much love to win this one. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  7. Kav, I don't know what I'd do without the Hallmark Channel! I read the first book in this series and it was just so-so for me. Kind of slow and just didn't hold my interest. But I love everything about the Hallmark series. Season 2 started this weekend and I believe it will follow the plot of this book somewhat. I'm pretty sure you will enjoy it when CBC airs it.

    I also enjoy Masterpiece Theater and believe they occasionally show things that CBC has produced - like Still Life, a murder mystery by Louise Penny that was filmed in rural Quebec. Wonderful mystery series, by the way!

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    1. I am looking forward to seeing the series. I feel like it will come across more character driven -- and from multiple viewpoints. In the book I just felt that Beth was sitting on the sidelines in places just waiting for news from the menfolk. Very unheroine like in the 21st century -- even if it's set in a historical period. Which isn't mentioned, by the way. Have no idea of the timeline. Likely identified in the first book, but no mention of it in this one.

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  8. Love Janette Oke's book and would love to read "Where Trust Lies"!! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Janette Oke is a wonderful author so I would really love to read Where Trust Lies. I am like many readers..the Hallmark channel is one of my favorites so I look forward to some great viewing time. Thank you, Kav for the opportunity to be a winner!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. I so wish we had the Hallmark Channel up here, Melanie. Especially when I hear about great Christian fiction turned into movies or series. Good luck.

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  10. I always enjoy Janette Oke books. Thanks for the heads up about the Hallmark series!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I am sooooo looking forward to that series. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  11. Love Janette's stories. Have read so many of her books already. Would love to read this one too. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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  12. thanks for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel, kav

    Karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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