Mini Review: I'm a big fan of the TV show When Hope Calls (and of course, When Calls the Heart!) on Hallmark, so the moment I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it! I'm happy I did! It's really different from the TV show, but still a very good book, that I would definitely recommend!

Unyielding Hope was written by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. It is book one in the When Hope Calls series.

Summary: Lillian Walsh has endured more family tragedies than most. So when she discovers her sister is alive, she is determined to find her.

What she finds though, is quite a bit more family than she ever bargained for.

Can Lillian let go of the past, learn to trust God, and move forward in her new life?

My Thoughts: This story drew me in, and didn’t let go. I was absolutely fascinated (and saddened) by the stories of the children in this book as I know they are representative of things that happened to real children in history past.

The characters were well-written, and the plot so interesting, I couldn’t help but be engrossed in the story.

I really enjoyed it, and would read it again. Only one word of warning though. THIS BOOK IS A CLIFFHANGER! Aarrgghhh! I am glad I didn’t read it in May when it came out, because I don’t think the next one comes out until June of 2021. Yikes.

It really is a wonderful book though (despite the cliffhanger ending.) I highly recommend it, and am looking forward to the next one (rather anxiously!)

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This is such a sweet story. I love both the main characters. They are strong, loving, understanding, and kind. Even though one might not have had the best childhood growing up, she still manages to look to a better future and help other along the way. This is also a spinoff series to one of my favorite series When Calls the Heart. I love how this book had some of those characters in it too. If you are looking for heart warming book this is one for you. Happy reading my friends.

Wait.  What?!?!  This ends with a cliffhanger?!?!

This lovely, heartwarming story about two reunited sisters caring for orphans in rural Western Canada in the early 1900s in ends on a cliffhanger?!?!

Yep.  It sure does.

Loved this refreshing, wonderful story!  The gentle storytelling, the hopeful prayers, the determination of Lillian and Grace, the sweet children, the beauty of trusting in God's provision - loved it all!!

Five Stars!!  I absolutely recommend this book!  Seriously, when does book two release?  I'll try to be patient!  I can't wait for the series to continue!

Unyielding Hope is available now - visit Baker Book House or Christian Book to purchase your copy today!

While I did receive a complimentary electronic copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley, I purchased my own paperback, which is the version that was read for this review.  Had I finished the NetGalley copy, a positive review would not have been required.  All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Unyielding Hope
by Janette Oke; Laurel Oke Logan
Bethany House 
Bethany House Publishers
 Christian 
Pub Date 05 May 2020 




I am reviewing a copy of Unyielding Hope through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:




Lillian Walsh lost both of her parents and a younger sister as a young girl.  Lillian is now in her twenties and must find her way in the world after her adoptive Mother died and her adoptive Father is planning a long trip to Wales.  When a Lawyer appears at her door to let her know she has inherited a small estate from her birth parents--and that the sister she had long believed dead is likely alive, she’s stunned.





After Lillian discovers that her sister Grace is living in a nearby city, she rushes in order it have a reunion because she’s afraid that the years of separation will make it harder to reconnect.





After the two sisters meet, Grace is not at all what Lillian expected.  Grace has big dreams despite difficult circumstances.




Will Lillian be able to aside her own plans, to join Grace in adventure that will change them both?



I give Unyielding Hope five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

A heart-touching book, based in fact, by two excellent authors.  “Unyielding Hope” is an excellent title for this book.  You’ll fall in love with these characters and their story. I did not know much about this particular time in history, and I think the authors did a great job of telling their story.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

I have always loved Janette Oke's books in the past, my favorite series being When Calls the Heart (the book not the movie!). So when I had the opportunity to read this book, I lept at the chance.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the slow start. Several times I put the book down only to forget about it, before finally committing myself to finishing it. Let's just say, despite the slow start I found the story well written and enjoyable.

Outside of the slow story, having a cliff hanger at the end of the book merely means that I will be creating my own story, and less likely to finish this one. Especially since the next publication wouldn't be until next year. Because of that, this story looses a star.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.. All opinions are my own.

Exciting to read the start of the new series, When Hope Calls, by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. I thought it was a pretty good read. I give it four and a half stars.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for a gifted digital copy of Unyeilding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. 

Unyielding Home is book 1 in the When Hope Calls series. Yes, this is the same series as the Hallmark Channel tv series. If you've seen the tv series should you read the book?  Absolutely yes.  They are not exact duplicates. I enjoyed the tv series and loved this book. 

Lillian and Grace are sisters that have been separated for most of their lives, since the death of their parents. Lillian is adopted by a wonderful and loving couple. She is told her sister died shortly after her parents. Grace grew up in orphanages and was never adopted. She finds her passion and calling in helping orphans like herself. When Lillian finds Grace she has taken in some of the children from the children's home. Together they take the children to Lillian's father's home and create a temporary family until the children can be adopted. 

I enjoyed the preface by the authors describing home children. Home children are orphans who came to Canada from England.  Some were adopted into families but unfortunately many were also treated more like indentured servants. Sadly many were abused. The children in Grace's care were home children. 

I like that the characters are strong in their own ways but they are not perfect. They make mistakes. There are struggles with faith. This is an uplifting and positive book about faith, family and unconditional love. 

Janette Oke is a longtime favorite author of mine. I  adore her Love Comes Softly and When Calls the Heart the series. There is an enjoyable crossover in this series with When Calls the Heart. Hope Valley and some of my favorite residents make an appearance in this book. 

This is a beautiful beginning to a new series by Janette Oke and her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan. I am so excited to continue this series. 

Christian
June 5, 2020

A story of Home Children who were sent from England to Canada. Lillian has lost her mother and is about to travel overseas with her adopted father when she is made aware of her birth parents' estate in the US and that her sister had actually survived. She stays behind determined to find her sister. Even though others had already tried to find her sister, Lillian's insight makes it possible. When she finds Grace, she learns that she has been caring for outcasts from an orphanage and then becomes involved herself.  A very interesting story of love in a family of a different kind. It brings to life what was possible in the lives of children who were taken away, with no control, from their country and given away, often with no follow up.
It takes special people to be foster her parents. I am acquainted with a young woman who has such a heart for children. I have the utmost respect for her and her family, and the difficulties they have been though. And that's without changing countries. This book has beautiful and special characters to get to know. God's lessons and wisdom unfold. I can't wait until the next book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #UnyieldingHope #NetGalley

I have to admit, I did not finish this book. I have been such a huge fan of Janette Oke since I was a little girl. Hers were some of the first chapter books I ever read. I have read nearly every book she has ever written, including the ones with her daughter, Laurel. 

I loved her Return to the Canadian West series. The Hallmark Channel show When Calls the Heart is loosely based on that series. (Although the books are better!)

I was excited to see her new book Unyielding Hope. I was even more excited to see that it's a When Calls the Heart novel. 

But as I read, it just fell flat. I kept waiting for the story to really dig in. Then I realized I was a quarter of the way through the book, and still not engaged at all. 

I looked up the book's description and saw that it is a "companion novel" to another Hallmark Channel series, When Hope Calls. Maybe it's meant to set up the backstory for that storyline? It just felt like the story was going nowhere.

Unyielding Hope is a story about two sisters whose parents died in the Canadian west when they were small children. One of the girls was adopted.

She thought her sister had died. But her sister was actually in an orphanage. Many years later the sisters are reunited, but each is different than the other expected. 

There is also another story that is happening simultaneously about an orphan boy. I'm not sure how the two connect, because I gave up before I got that far. 

I was so disappointed in this book. It didn't even feel like something Janette had written.

While I don't necessarily recommend this book, I do recommend pretty much anything else Janette Oke has written.

As expected by loyal Janette Oke fans and Hearties alike, this book is bound to be another hit in the long list of her Inspirational Historical Fiction books set on the Canadian prairie. This mother-daughter writing team has joined together  to bring us a series about two long reunited sisters who begin a Children’s Home to care for orphans in their house. The plot describes both the trials and blessings involved in this undertaking. The authors have done such a good job making the characters seem so realistic and deeply personal to the reader. Also, references to God and His guiding hand in their lives are frequently present. Overall, it is a refreshing and touching read whose epilogue leaves you pining for a quick release of book 2. Those readers who have watched the Hallmark television series of When Hope Calls will notice that the storylines differ significantly in the book version, yet should not be disappointed in the least. I highly recommend this and all books written by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan as enjoyable, educational, and inspirational reading material for all ages.

I have loved Janette Oke as an author since I was young, but it has been years since I have read any of her books. This one, though new was like a long lost friend. I missed the wilds of Canada and her good Christian message. It was a blessing in this world. I am hoping this book is a part of a series as I was left with so many questions, but the main conflicts were resolved enough that for the most part I was satisfied. 

I love the relationships, I love the premise. There was so much I didn't know about the treatment of orphans in this time and place. I love the overall message of healing.

This was a good story, but it moved really slow. It took me over a month to finish it, because I never really felt the urge to find out what was going to happen. This is the second book that I’ve read recently regarding children brought over to Canada from England. It’s heartbreaking to read about the things that happened to several of these children. The epilogue set things up for the sequel, but I don’t think I’ll read that one, based on how long it took me to finish this one.

Welcome back Janette Oke, and Laurel! As someone who grew up on the Love Comes Softly series, and so many of Janette's other books, I was excited to learn about this new one, and knew I had to read it!
This book is based on true stories in history, about the Home Children, whom I had never heard of before. I love to read stories based on real history.
For any of you who enjoyed reading Janette One's stories before, or who enjoy historical fiction based on true stories, this is a very enjoyable and informative book!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. Thank you so much! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Unyielding Hope
by Janette Oke; Laurel Oke Logan
Bethany House
 You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 05 May 2020   |   Archive Date 05 Jun 2020

Thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House for the ARC of this book.  I have patrons who will really like this book and the "barely"descirbed romance.  Some of our patrons find other romance books too steamy so this book and authors provide me an opportunity to give them more of what they want. 
Great book!  Tear-Jerker.

What an incredible story of two young women, sisters, orphaned and separated as children, living in frontier towns of Canada, finding each other again in adulthood.

Lillian is still learning to live without her mother, and struggling to find God's love and peace in her life, but she is given a gift... the gift of the sister she thought she lost many years ago. Grace , a vibrant soul, comes in to Lillian's life, with a whole slew of children in tow -- orphaned children that wants to send to good homes. The work that these two will do together in their new sistership and new life getting to know each other again, is equally inspiring and amazing.

What I love about the historical details in this book is that I'm learning about new things from the Okes. I learned about Home Children, who were sent away from other over-crowded countries, to Canada. These children were adopted into homes there, usually farms. For some, perhaps this move was the best thing that could have happened to them, for others, it left them scarred.

This story is greatly intriguing, illustrates God's graciousness to us, and honestly... I'm really anticipating what happens next to Lillian and Grace! Can't wait for book #2 of the When Hope Calls book series.

A clean read. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

* NOTE: To fans of the TV show, When Hope Calls, please note that this book series actually follows a different plotline. While some of the basics of the story may be similar, many of the events and supporting characters are quite different.

I love Janette  Oke and was excited to see she has a new book out. Her When Calls the Heart books are a favorite of mine. I also love the TV series based off the books on the Hallmark channel. This book is also a series on the Hallmark channel, When Hope Calls. If you love historical Christian fiction, than this book will be a great read for you. The story of the sisters is very heartwarming and a great read for a time like this. 

I was blessed to receive an e copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

#Unyielding Hope# by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan is  an historical fiction  book. takes place during the   Janette  has  written over 70 books.  She received the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction. Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren.  She lives in Canada. This outstanding book takes place in the  1800's. in the Industrial Revolution.    During that time period  there were many orphans . Many people died of diseases  . The  children were left on the street as orphans.  These orphans  were sent to  Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and some parts of Africa to be adopted.  These children were not  often treated well. They  were often abused.  The author writes   this outstanding book to ask us   are " We able to meet the challenges  in our generation and be Jesus'  hands and feet?, "   The  characters are well described .  The  setting is Canada.   The reader will  feel like they are   truly  experiencing   the difficult days of  life  during the  1800's .   I  walked away from the book   thinking about the characters and reliving the  beauty of this book.  I commend the  author for this excellent book and reminding us not  to  allow this to happen  again.   The themes  are forgiveness,  unyielding hope , steadfast love,  Jesus hands and feet for  the weak .  Thank you to  the publisher and netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.   The opinions are my own .  I will share my review with Amazon, facebook netgalley , Goodreads, Bookhub, my blog,  with the church staff.  ,

Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan takes us to Brookfield, Alberta, Canada where Lillian Walsh lives with her father.  Lillian deeply misses her adoptive mother who recently passed away.  They are preparing to depart for Wales where Mr. Walsh will be giving a series of lectures as well as visiting his family.  Mr. Dorn, a lawyer, arrives to inform Lillian that she has inheritance from her birth parents and that her baby sister, Grace is still alive.  Lillian is shocked because she had been told that Grace died with her parents.   Lillian postpones leaving and works with the law firm to locate Grace.  The sisters have a tearful reunion that touches those in attendance.  Grace is a joyful woman of deep faith and hope.  Grace has begun an undertaking that will change the course of Lillian’s life.  Unyielding Hope is the debut novel in When Hope Calls series.  I always look forward to a novel by Janette Oke (I have been reading them since I was a teen).  I know I will be getting a well-written Christian novel featuring a likeable female protagonist.  I got myself comfortable and began reading this engaging historical novel that quickly transported me back in time.  I was not disappointed with Unyielding Hope.  Two sisters separated at a young age who rediscover each other.  They take on children who are without parents or a home.  They create a special family for these orphans.  I like how the sisters treated these poor kids.  They did not view them as a burden or extra help.  The sisters gave them love, structure and a safe home.  The authors deal with the topic of Home Children.  A program where hundreds of children from England were transported to various countries that included New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (the author’s preface explains the program).  We get a realistic picture of what life was like for these children.  Some were fortunate and found good homes, but many of these kids were treated like farm hands and servants.  They would be discarded like a newspaper in a recycling bin.  I loved the kids in this tale.  There were a variety of ages and personalities.  It is just terrible what they had been through in their young lives.  I found it delightful how Harrison would introduce himself to people.  There is a hint of romance in this story which I believe it will be explored further in the next book. I am glad that it was not the prevalent theme in the book.  There are good Biblical messages in the story.  Grace was a woman with a strong faith.  I like how she expressed it and showed by example. Hope is the dominant theme throughout the story.  Unyielding Hope is a touching story that will linger with you long after you finish it.