Review of Where Hope Prevails

Title:  Where Hope Prevails

Author: Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

Series: Return to the Canadian West Book 3

Pages: 320

Genre: Christian Historical fiction Christian Historical romance

Rating: 5 stars

Where Hope Prevails is the conclusion novel to the Return to the Canadian West. Beth Thatcher comes back to Coal Valley her decision made, she just waiting for a certain Mountie to ask a question.   What she hasn't counted on is a second teacher in Coal Valley. A teach who views teaching than Beth herself has.  Beth struggles to determine how to respond to it.  All the while a certain Mountie is questioning a career change because he thinks it’s what Beth wants, neither he nor Beth have the courage to voice their concerns.    

Both Beth and her suitor have to learn to let go and trust God. Give their concerns to him, and once they do everything else falls into place.   This book wrapped up the series beautifully and cemented my love of Canadian Mounties, it’s that red serge jacket.  That was started years ago with a TV show called Due South.  This book series had me starting When Calls the Heart the Hallmark TV show, don't spoil anything for me. I just now started season 2 and Netflix only goes up to season 4. (I don't have cable.)  Though I've been cautious about Hallmarks' adaptations of Janette Oke's books after the Love comes softly movie fiasco in which after the third movie the movies were completely different. But since these books came after the movie and spin off TV show I was willing to give it a try.    

Review of Where Trust Lies

Title:  Where Trust Lies

Author: Janette Oke Laurel Oke Logan

Series: Return to the Canadian West Book 2

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Where Trust Lies is the second book in the Return to the Canadian West series. For me it kind of fell into the second book slump. While it was still a good read, the fact that it focused on Beth being with her family back east.  I missed her interactions with the town and her students.  As well as the blossoming romance with her suitor back in Coal Valley.  This book has Beth questioning where she belongs.   

Her mother in helps that Beth will change her mind about going back to Coal Valley arranges for a family cruise from Eastern Canada down to the United States as a way to show her what's she would be given up if she went back.  It also seemed to me that her family, her mother especially doesn't approve of Beth's suitor.  But even on the cruise she has one thing to look forward to letters and phone calls from a Mountie who has stolen her heart. 

That aside Where Trust Lies did make a good bride novel in the series between the first and third book. Though it did have me reading quickly to get to the third and final book.  This is a series that you do indeed need to read in order.