Book Review: Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

I received a complimentary copy of Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan in exchange for this honest review by participating in the Bethany House Publishers blogger review program.  I was not compensated for this review; all opinions are my own.

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Where Courage Calls is a companion story to Hallmark Channel's TV series When Calls The Heart.  It follows young Beth Thatcher, who, inspired by her Aunt Elizabeth, feels the call to leave her privileged life in Toronto to teach in the small, struggling mining town of Coal Valley in Western Canada.  When Beth arrives in Coal Valley, the culture shock almost causes her to question her ability to complete her one-year contract.  She finds a town still in the midst of a tragedy - the loss of almost all the men due to a mine collapse, an inadequate classroom - the old town tavern, but also a group of women and children in desperate need of God's love.

Throughout the pages of this novel, with the help of Molly, the boarding house owner where Beth lived and a woman of wisdom, Beth not only learns about the struggles of life, but she also learns more about herself as she is brought to prayer and a stronger trust and faith in God.  She finds she is a beacon of hope in this small town and must take each and every opportunity to share the love of God to the families of Coal Valley.  Interwoven softly and slowly is also a sweet love story between her and two mounties - one she has known all her life, and one she is introduced to during her time in Coal Valley.

Having not seen Hallmark Channel's TV series, I did not know what to expect with this novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading it though and look forward to the chance to not only see the TV series, but also read the books that inspired the series.  I enjoyed the development of the story lines of all the major characters, although minor characters and their story lines often seemed to come and go and almost seemed to be left incomplete at times.  

I really enjoyed seeing the growth of Beth as girl leaving her protected life into a woman of confidence - in both herself and more importantly, in God.  Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel as it is one filled with the struggles of life and relying on God to transform a hopeless community into one with Him as the focus.