Like Gold Refined

A Prairie Legacy #4

by Janette Oke

Virginia and Jonathan open their home to a young girl, only to face losing her when her troubled mother reappears. Prairie Legacy book 4.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian Romance

253 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a brilliant novel!
Rereading this whole series has been an unexpected joy. I related in so many ways to Virginia. Growing up, dealing with change etc.
This final instalment of the Prairie Legacy series deeply touched my heart and challenged my own faith. The struggles that Virginia went through in this novel were different to those of the former novels, but the lessons she learnt were so precious nonetheless.
She really did mature under fire, like gold, and it has been so beautiful to see her complete journey. A journey of letting go, forgiving and ultimately loving.
I laughed and cried along with Virginia as she faced trials and hardships.
I honestly resented Jenny for so much of the book. How could she be so cruel? Why did she have to continue to make trouble for Virginia? How could Virginia continue to love her? But as I read on and finally finished the novel, I realised that it was patience, love and faith that ultimately brought her home.
Though not as good as her Love Comes Softly series (in my opinion), it was still a delight to read.
A beautiful story of love, friendship and family.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My current season of life has found me rereading cozy books. As I read this one, I continually thought "you are what you read". So many of the character's situations and thoughts drew me back to past and current times in my own life. It forced me to wonder... how many moments, decisions made, have been based upon a character's thoughts and/or choices that I consciously did not even realize I was trying to emulate. Feed your children books. Well written books, mediocre ly written books, picture books, hero books, mystery books, old books, new books... books that have the potential to inspire and influence. You never know what remarkably, ordinary choice they just might make, subconsciously, because of a book. But beware, their lives may never be the same because of it.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching conclusion to a fabulous series.

[Katie Phiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ending to my favorite series. I mourn that I should say goodbye to my beloved Love Comes Softly characters as I’ve truly loved reading all their adventures sharing their joys and burdens.
It’s been a series that’s inspired my own faith and helped remind me to always turn to God in the good and bad times. He’s always there, always listening and always always ALWAYS loving us so deeply.

Jenny’s final letter to Virginia brought tears to my eyes.
“You were right. He does forgive.
…
I’ll see you in Heaven.
Jenny”

What a heartbreaking but beautiful reminder of how life can be cut short but God is always with us even until the end and that one day we will all see our beloved family and friends again.

God has surely used Janette Okes books as a wonderful tool to bring people to God and inspire those who already believe.


How great is it to be loved so deeply and faithfully by Him?

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the four books in this series, this was by far the most exciting and riveting. So much comes to a head in this book and I couldn't put it down (or stop listening, rather, as I checked out the audio book).

I have to say, I love Jonathon and Slate. Seriously awesome guys. Period. Actually, they're almost too perfect they're so good. But there does appear in Jonathon what might be viewed as a slight flaw in his complete lack of regard or care for, even hostility toward, Jenny. Not that I'm saying she doesn't deserve it or that Virginia should have kept ties with her. I just mean it's the only Jonathon has ever said negatively about anyone.

Jenny. Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. I said with the third book that I wouldn't care if she doesn't appear in this one. Well, she's a really big part of this one, actually. And basically none of what happens makes me like her any more. Even her deathbed admittance that she "wasn't always a good friend" to Virginia wasn't good enough in my eyes. I don't recall a single moment she was ever good to Virginia. She was lucky Virginia cared so much because most people would have refused to remain in contact with her. She basically swoops in and tries to ruin their lives. No gratitude. No acknowledgement of all Virginia and her family have done for her. I think by the end I was supposed to feel some sympathy or change of regard for her, but I guess I'm not as Christian as Virginia because I just had a hard time with that. Her complete selfishness to insist--even going so far as taking the matter to court--that Mindy return to live with her, when she knows she is dying of cancer and will likely not live long and will need a great deal of care, is egotistical to the core. I was proud of Jonathon for sticking up for his rights--and Mindy's--when Virginia was apparently unable to do so. She never had learned to stick up for herself where Jenny was concerned and that was disappointing. When the court awarded Virginia and Jonathon custody of Mindy I was not surprised. I kept wondering why the court was even considering giving guardianship back to Jenny when she had failed to show that she was capable of taking care of herself in the past; she had completely, unequivocally given Mindy up and said she didn't want her back; and was battling a terminal illness which would take her any time. And then the appeal! What? And her poor treatment to Virginia to the bitter end of her miserable life, right up until she decides, on her dying breath, to repent and ask forgiveness? Unspeakable. I couldn't even express how mad she made me.

Mindy is mature beyond her years. And the faith expressed in her character was quite beautiful. What she decides to go live with Jenny, all on her own without any prompting or coaxing from anyone, just because she so desperately wanted to share her faith with her birth mother, I was astounded. I didn't expect that at all. And she was strong to the end. What a brave little girl.

Content: Clean. No swearing. Mention of smoking and cancer.

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of Janette Oke's standalone novels when I was a teenager. They were clean and pure, perfect for the developing mind of a young Christian woman. I haven't read one in years, but because my job allows me countless hours of audio book listening a week, I decided to give her work a try once again. I probably shouldn't have started with the 4th book in a series, but oh well.

What I discovered is that Janette Oke is as magnificent as people declare her. For a reader who wants prairie fiction that keeps the mind focuses solely on faith in God and who that faith affects everyday life, this book is for you. The heroine comes up against quite a few setbacks in her life, things she didn't expect, things that frighten her because she could end up the loser in a massive battle. But her faith remains strong throughout. God walks with her through her trials and she preserves her faith in him.

Janette Oke is a masterful storyteller. What more can be said. I loved the audiobook for Like Gold Refined and would easily recommend it to anyone, no matter the age. For people wanting a really pure Christian read, this one is for you.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th and last book in the Prairie Legacy Series. Virginia is now a mother of 4 children and dealing with normal family life on the horse farm. A large part of the book deals with the custody battle Virginia and her husband have with Mindy's biological mother, Jenny.

I was disappointed that the storyline with Jenny didn't take a different direction in the end. I hoped that she would have a happy ending, and although it wasn't completely unhappy, it wasn't what I hoped for. I was also disappointed with other aspects of the story, like the very small role Pastor Black played and the unbelievable plot twist that had 10 year old Mindy becoming the sole care giver for her dying, horrible mother. Ridiculous! It was a nice book, but definitely not the conclusion to the series I looked forward to.

[RJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved this book along with most of Janette Oakes but I had a hard time believing a judge would bother to hear the case of a dying woman who can't take care of herself, and wanting to take her child back from the only family she has ever known. I found the supposed 'friendship' between Jenny and Virginia was always the same, Jenny taking be Virginia gritting her teeth and trying to ignore her anger. There was never any real affection, and it was hard to believe that Virginia could even feel the slightest bit of obligation towards her

[Jesseca Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. This has got to be one of the best books I have read. I'm really appreciating the fact that Janette Oke's books always have a strong spiritual point that adds so much to the story and challenges the reader. This book was no exception.
There were so many emotions running through this book! I can't remember the last time a fictional book has challenged me quite so much. I'll definitely be re-reading it again and again! :)

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many feelings about closing this book for the final time. I've spent decades with this extended family, spanning a dozen books over two series, traveling the time alongside four generations. So many celebrations and struggles and opportunities for growing faith. These characters have become dear and familiar to me.

What I liked about Like Gold Refined:
This book held such a believable struggle - I have long felt that Ms Oke was adept at creating situations that felt real and character responses that were easy to identify with. This one was no exception. The emotions Virginia experienced were not sugarcoated or handled perfectly. It isn't uncommon for Christian fiction to be overly sweet to the point that it almost feels judgmental, and often nothing like human responses to real life. I did not feel that way once from start to finish.
So many emotions - Multiple times, I found myself teary. And for so many reasons. I have enjoyed each book from the two series that joined to form the story of this family, some more than others, but this series ended on a book struck me as deeply as the very first one did that roped me in.

What I didn't care for:
That it ended? - To be fair, I'm not sure I was ever going to be ready to say goodbye to the extended Davis family.

What left me conflicted:
A bit of a theological conflict for me - At one point as Virginia struggled, she "heard" God talking to her. The Bible tells us that God only speaks to us through His Word after the coming of the promised Messiah. I would have felt better about that scene if Virginia has instead reached for her Bible after her anguished appeals in prayer rather than "feeling Him speaking to her." Everything she "heard" were promises and reassurances found in God's Word, but I would have felt better about it if she would have found it there, or even had just remembered that she'd read it there many times and was calling it to mind.

Worth noting:
This is absolutely Christian fiction. Faith and prayer and repentance and salvation are strong themes throughout this book and series. It isn't preachy but it is prevalent.

I cannot believe that I won't see more days and years unfold with Clark and Marty's clan, though I am equal parts relieved that I won't see our matriarch and patriarch pass on and sad not to know who Virginia's fourth baby will be and whether or not her family will grow behind the five children she loves. But I certainly don't regret investing in their stories over these last many years. They have warmed my heart and instructed me in faith, and I have loved being part of their lives, fictional though they were. After all this time, they will forever feel like old friends.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the series!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! A wonderful conclusion to Virginia's story. It was full of ups and downs. It took me on an emotional journey. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Megan Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. This book makes me love Jonathon even more. He is such a great character. The ending was beautiful! It did make me a little sad because it left off for the reader to decide what happens next. But I also really enjoy imagining my own ending. Amazing!!!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my daughter! She so enjoyed this read. I loved the trusting in God theme that is so strong in this book. My daughter was adopted at four so she really connected with Mindy in this book.

[Allie Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It was sad towards the end. But I enjoyed it

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as a teenager, and then again in college! My Mom has passed these down to me, and I am so thankful!

[Abigail Lavelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start with my I love Janette Oke's storytelling. She manages to make the tales of a simple life so enthralling... and this book riled me up. Despite this, I really enjoyed the Prairie Legacy series.

Virginia is passive to her own detriment... her lack of defense for herself and family comes to stab her in the back. She is so subdued that it is infuriating. The only time she is willing to initiate effort for any cause is at the threat of her grandparents leaving their farm due to their old age... but she didn't resist having her daughter (by adoption) of 6 years being taken away?? Excuse me, what?? The cool down period has passed. I'm not even a mother, and I would've have had a conniption. Its one thing that Jenny hurt Virginia with no remorse, time and time again. However, Virginia allowing this to happen to her family is immoral. A good Christian is allowed to protect their family- even obligated to! Johnathan set this example. He was a great parent and father. I do not believe that Virginia's character flaw was that she did not "trust in the Lord enough. She was ALWAYS very faithful and enduring. She repeatedly prayed, establishing her commitment. She just could've fought more for her 10 year-old daughter.

Children should not be responsible for their mentally unstable parents. Its just not something a child should be punished for; let alone feel responsible for their salvation! This series really missed the mark on differentiating between ministering to God's children and making oneself the architect of their salvation. Mindy was mature and selfless... I am glad she followed her convictions even if I didn't agree. It was painful reading what she endured. I believe she was the most refined character, not Virginia.

Jenny. She is the worst. I agree that forgiveness is absolutely essential even if challenging and refining. Christ forgives us all. Yet, to waltz in on her dying breath and say ~Okay, God is real and I repent. Now I'm going to heaven~ should not be assumed a "win". God judges all of us at the end of our lives, we just can't make that call. Being saved is not just a grand declaration one time, when you have no more agency to follow through. Her new faith should've have given hope, not assurance.

These were just a few theological/message issues that just didn't sit right with me.

[Meagan Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️s because I did have trouble putting it down due to wanting to know what happened to the family. Definitely NOT the cheesiest Christian novel I’ve read.

⭐️ did not enjoy, hard to finish OR DNG, 10/10 do not recommend
⭐️⭐️ OK, did not enjoy, did not hate…could have put down and walked away at any point
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked it! I had fun reading it, probably cheesy at times BUT who doesn’t like some cheese. Something about it was intriguing enough to keep me reading. Good times had. Would recommend to certain readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved it! Put me in my feels. Transported me. Would recommend to anyone. Wasn’t necessarily life changing. Probably had trouble putting it down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I wanted more of it! A new favorite. 10/10 recommend. Had to be pryed from my hands so I would get some sleep before going to work the next day. It changed my life/I learned something new about myself or the world.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. It was an emotional telling of two lives, Virginia and Jenny and how our choices effect our lives. I liked how Marty and Clark were in the story so much. They helped to tell the story from their experience of life. I kept finding myself wondering what year it was. I had a hard time placing the story in a decade. It was the early 1900’s or even the 1950’s. But since there was no mention to world events (wars and the great depression) I had a hard time placing the story in time. I also found at times I wished I knew where they were, what city was “the city” in the story? What state did they live in? Where was “out west” where family members lived. I know these facts were left off to make the story fit an illusion, but I missed having a reference point.

[Joyfully Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why hadn't she seen it before? She had been failing to trust God. God had not changed. Only their circumstances."

"Some of life's lessons are not easy. It helps to know that God has a plan-for our good and His glory-and if we are obedient we can walk the way, however long or short, rocky or flower-strewn, confident that He is with us."

Alas, the series has ended. I've loved every Love Comes Softly book, and every Prarie Legacy Series book. (The continuing series of Love Comes Softly.) I'd definitely recommend it to others. :)

[Claire Lindorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel sorry for any female lover-of-fiction who hasn't discovered Janette Oke books!

t's a bit sad to have read the 12th and final book in the Clark and Marty series. It had been years since I read them and I just loved them so much once again, especially the last 4 telling the story of Virginia and Jenny. The characterisation of Jenny was so good! What a tear jerker when the story reached its culmination.
I always remembered the Love Comes Softly series to be wonderful, but I hadn't expected to love and enjoy the Prairie Legacy so much!
What a great storyteller Oke is.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny's daughter Mindy is now living with Virginia and Jonathan. That brings the number of children to four. But then one day, Jenny comes to their door, very ill, and insists that they give Mindy back to her. Virginia and her family have grown very fond of Mindy, and she with them. What are they going to do?
This book is totally awesome! I loved it and could hardly put it down once I started to read it!

[Joni Stadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

How hard it is to end this journey through generations! A dozen books, and still I wish there were more. I've never experienced reading books that made me feel like a part of what I was reading like this before. Thank you, Janette! This last one brought me to tears, another first for me from a book. And that's okay. I've found that my own spiritual life has been warmed back up. Now my task is to fuel it. I wish I had neighbors like Clark and Marty, but I guess I do, in my mind. Thank you,again.

[Beth Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been so therapeutic to read this wholesome series. I enjoyed every moment. I have been so invested in the saga of Virginia and Jenny and this one moved me to tears more than once. I’m at a place in my life where these simple gospel-centered prairie books are more precious than any shiny NYT bestseller. This was a beautiful story with wonderful spiritual truths. I’m better for having read it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite of this series by Janette Oke. It made me cry/smile/laugh. The thing that Virginia's children came out with!!! I thought it was a fitting end to this series. I would have liked a better ending for Jenny though tbh, but in a way, it was the best ending - you'll have to read to find out what I mean!!! I loved the faith aspect of these books too. I will def try to read more books by this Author. I managed to borrow this from the library.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final story in the series --- Mindy is settled in with Virginia and family, and Jenny returns, we all know why she is back. I can't imagine any mother (ok she wasn't much of a mother) doing what she did to her child. Marty and her husband move in with Belinda and family - well, everything gets settled and thus ends the story. Loved the series and all the books by Janette Oke.

[Barbara Williford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of this series continues the life of Virginia as her family continues to grow and she deals with changes within her family and her world. Her faith is tested more than it ever has when her daughter Mindy is sent back to her real mom (and friend) Jenny. But what will happen when this child is sent back to this angry, bitter mom who resents the world and even more, resents God?

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ending to an amazing series. Every book in Prairie Legacy series (a sequel to the Love Comes Softly series) has something new to offer but still has that same familiar feeling from the first books. This last book is a beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption. Thank you for writing such a clean and inspiring series that I would definitely recommend to anyone!

[Sharon White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will there be anymore books in this series? I enjoyed reading it and would love to read more!

I loved the whole series and I won't to read more! It was such a inspiration to me! Good read!

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hard life on a farm takes a toll on this faithful family. Grandparents who are aging, a wayward sister who wants her child returned after years, and the regular problems of life. The narrator has little inflection, so it was not too exciting to listen true, but the message is beautiful.