Love's Enduring Promise

By Janette Oke

Clark and Marty, the pioneer couple initially thrown together after the deaths of their first mates, now preside over a growing number of youngsters in their prairie home. You will laugh and cry with them as they face the joys and trials of life on a homesteader’s farm. Will they find a suitable teacher for the long-awaited new school? Is the “very learned” Eastern preacher going to be able to communicate with the simpler people of the West? How can they comfort the neighbors whose long-awaited only child brings such sorrow to their home? How do Clark and Marty guide their lovely daughter, now grown to womanhood, in her choice of a partner?

I find myself really enjoying this series. They are comforting and simple. I like reading about the pioneer family, and look forward to the next book which continues the story with Missy. While the first book is more about Marty and Clark exclusively, this book goes a little more into the lives of the people in the small community. There is a cohesion about it that is endearing and you find yourself rolling your eyes at some neighbors, and thoroughly loving others. The best part about this book is the quiet faith that is written into their lives. I’ve read Christian fiction that was so overtly religious and in your face that it felt false. This has a simple day-to-day faith that really appeals to me personally as a Christian, but it also has plenty to offer non-Christians as well, which is why it works so well. It’s just about life in this pioneer town and how they deal with the good and the bad that they face each day. Great series about life, love, religion, family, and everything in-between.

I give it a 3.75 out of 5

And yes, it is also a movie.