20. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke
Synopsis:
Marty and Clem set out for the pioneer West full of hopes and dreams. They would stake a claim of their own on the new frontier, and build a home for themselves and their family.
But just after they'd arrived and Clem had chosen the perfect setting for their new home, an accident took his life...leaving Marty alone and pregnant. Then, on the day of his funeral, Clark Davis came along...and asked Marty to marry him!
Marty was infuriated -- but with no money, no shelter, and a baby on the way, what choice did she have? Besides, Clark said he only wanted her to be a mama to his baby girl, Missie. If Marty was still unhappy come spring, he would pay for her ticket back East.
Determined not to be a burden to Clark, and intending only to earn her keep. Marty threw herself into her new role of "Mama." But she had never been anyone's mama before, and she didn't even know how to keep a house! If only she could do right by this lonely man and his daughter just long enough to earn her train fare back home...
Now, Marty must learn wholeness and love through patience and faith.
But just after they'd arrived and Clem had chosen the perfect setting for their new home, an accident took his life...leaving Marty alone and pregnant. Then, on the day of his funeral, Clark Davis came along...and asked Marty to marry him!
Marty was infuriated -- but with no money, no shelter, and a baby on the way, what choice did she have? Besides, Clark said he only wanted her to be a mama to his baby girl, Missie. If Marty was still unhappy come spring, he would pay for her ticket back East.
Determined not to be a burden to Clark, and intending only to earn her keep. Marty threw herself into her new role of "Mama." But she had never been anyone's mama before, and she didn't even know how to keep a house! If only she could do right by this lonely man and his daughter just long enough to earn her train fare back home...
Now, Marty must learn wholeness and love through patience and faith.
My Review:
This story takes you back to the pioneer days. When Marty's husband dies in an accident right after making it out west, Clark just happens to show up on the day of his funeral. And to her surprise, Clark asked her to marry him and be a mother to his daughter. Marty had no other option but to accept his offer. It was agreed that it would be for a trial period and if she still wasn't happy after a few months, then Clark would pay her way back east. Things got off to a rough start, as Marty was inexperienced in housework, like cooking, and didn't know how to take care of a baby/child. She learned all that she could as she worked toward her goal of doing enough to earn her way back home. It took some time, but as the days and weeks went on, Clark and Marty grew accustomed to each other and their ways, as well as Missie getting to know Marty as a mother. During this whole time, Marty was still grieving the loss of her husband, but was also starting to get used to letting another man into her life and by the end of the story, they have a romance brewing. Both also grow in their faith, especially Marty, who exhibited a transformation throughout the course of the book. They come to the realization that they both needed each other in their lives.
Love Comes Softly was a good hearted story of romance and what it was like, especially for women, in the pioneer times. Marty was a strong female character who, despite her grief and struggles, strived to be the best at what she was given. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone and that showed when she married Clark. She didn't settle for nothing less than trying and being the best, as I've already stated.
Although I have read a couple of Janette Oke's books before, this one did move slow at times. The only main issue with Love Comes Softly was the dialogue between Clark and Marty. Both spoke with strong accents, which was hard in the beginning to understand a little bit, but became easier once I became accustomed to their accents.
Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!
~Meg~
Love Comes Softly was a good hearted story of romance and what it was like, especially for women, in the pioneer times. Marty was a strong female character who, despite her grief and struggles, strived to be the best at what she was given. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone and that showed when she married Clark. She didn't settle for nothing less than trying and being the best, as I've already stated.
Although I have read a couple of Janette Oke's books before, this one did move slow at times. The only main issue with Love Comes Softly was the dialogue between Clark and Marty. Both spoke with strong accents, which was hard in the beginning to understand a little bit, but became easier once I became accustomed to their accents.
Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!
~Meg~