Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie

by Laurel Oke Logan

Written by her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan, this book offers intimate glimpses into the life and heritage of author Janette Oke. An ordinary woman with extraordinary gifts, Janette grew up on the Canadian prairie to eventually become the wife of a pastor and educator, the mother of four grown children, a grandmother who delights in her grandchildren--and one of the best known and love Christian novelists of our time. You'll discover how the strength of family connections and spiritual values have shaped her life and permeate her novels from the first, Love Comes Softly, to her most recent.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Biography Memoir, Inspirational

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1993

About the author

Laurel Oke Logan is the daughter of Janette Oke, awarding-winning author of Christian fiction, whose bestselling books have sold over eleven million copies, and Dr. Edward Oke. Laurel grew up in a small town on the Canadian prairie with three brothers who kept life exciting and eventful.

She married during her college days and soon after began writing her first novel, Gillian. She and her husband, Marvin, are the parents of four children and Laurel has been able to resume writing on a part-time basis while she homeschools her children.

Laurel Oke Logan has joined with her mother, in the writing of Janette's life story.

Laurel continued her education at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, and Purdue University. She has taught writing seminars to high school students, as well as assisting Janette Oke with her writing projects. She and her husband and children make their home in Indiana.

Reviews

[Christian Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like coming home. The title is apt as you can tell that this book is not just an ode to Janette Oke's life, but also an ode to the Canadian prairies where it's easy to picture scenes of growing up in such places. Though it's an older biography and doesn't contain more recent stories around the explosion of Janette's books being portrayed on Hallmark television, I actually like that it delves more into her heart for ministry and her purpose in writing. Understanding how her past has shaped her gives greater meaning to how God has been using her to be a “paper missionary,” resulting in a remarkable legacy outside of her popularity in entertainment.

Getting to sit in on many incredible family stories speaks to the resilience of such a faithful woman, making this book an inspiration for anyone who has read her stories. Being familiar with many of the settings and institutions mentioned in this biography, I appreciated it all the more as I could envision the various locations as they popped up over the course of her travels and moves. Reading about her devotion to God, along with how she and her husband were able to minister to so many people, myself included when I was a student, this book is a quiet recollection of God's enduring promises to His children. Anyone who is a fan of Janette Oke will appreciate learning more about the author and her love of the Lord.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

[Katy Mészáros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story about the woman who wrote many of my favorite books. I was especially moved by the portion in which she shares her motivation for writing and her surrender to the Lord for His purpose in her writing. I recommend this book to any fans of her books or even to aspiring writers.

[Bobbie Sue Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow going at first but overall very satisfying and enjoyable.

[Gabrielle Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and fun book about one of my favorite Authors’, Janette Oke’s life. Janette Oke is about sharing her faith and living it out, writing, and most of all family. I felt a twinge of envy just reading all the family adventures and how they all grew up together. It must have been a wonderful life to have but yet not without pain and loss. She shows how she goes through life and follows God and asks for guidance from Him all her days. If you’re looking for more information about this beloved author, this is the best book I’ve read. (A reason I love biographies ;) highly recommend this and know I’ll need to get the paperback copy of it sometime.

PS: it’s free to read on kindle unlimited

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family History of A Beloved Author

I loved reading the family history of a most beloved author. The book truly gives a detailed look at Janette Oke, the child, daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her writing is a small part of her story. It is easy to see how her upbringing inspired her stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this biography written by Janette's daughter.

[Tiffany L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janette Oke is the reason I became a diligent reader! My Grandma gave me a set of the "Love Comes Softly" series and I was hooked! It was something very special between us and I still have them. I have re-read them several times.

I truly enjoyed this book about my favorite author!

[Laurie Verwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long appreciated reading Janette Oke's books. After now, reading the story of her life, as told by her daughter(with many helpful sources), it's easy to understand all the ideas of storytelling Janette had! Such a heartwarming rendition of a loving daughter, who became a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Faithful to her Lord, a strong believer in the power of prayer, obedient to her callings in life, and open to traveling and working wherever the Lord called her and her husband to go. I appreciate the research Janette put into the weaving of her storytelling and how the characters and storylines are very believable and relatable. Best of all, is how she acknowledged God as the provider of it all, and gives Him the glory all throughout her life, in the good and hard times. What a legacy for her family she is!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was strangely gripping but the last couple of chapters dragged knocking it down from four to three stars.

[Katie Phiri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big fan of Janette and was looking forward to this read but I just didn’t find it that interesting. Perhaps not the kind of memoir I thought it would be but I’m glad I gave it a chance but I struggled to get through it

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read about the life of the author whose books started my reading journey. Had it not been for her books, I probably never would have willingly picked up another book in my life. I enjoyed reading about her own upbringing, marriage, and motherhood/grandmotherhood experiences. What a simple, but interesting and God honoring life she has lived. I admire Janette Oke even more now that I’ve read her daughter’s account of her life. Five stars, but read Oke’s books before you read her biography. I think the biography will mean more if you do.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A VERY INTERESTING BIOGRAPHY BY THE DAUGHTER OF JANETTE OKE TAKING US THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY TREE AND ALL THE WAY FROM CHILDHOOD TO SENIOR ADULT LIFE OF THE FAMOUS CHRISTIAN AUTHOR. THE PERSERVERANCE, THE LOVE OF FAMILY, THE HARDSHIP AND TRAGEDY REGARDING LOSS OF LIFE, AND THE DAILY STRUGGLES TO LIVE OUR HER FAITH WHILE RAISING A FAMILY AND SUPPORTING HER HUSBAND IN MINISTRY. AMAZING THAT IT TOOK YEARS FOR THE FIRST BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED, BUT WELL WORTH THE WAIT FOR THE MILLIONS THAT HAVE READ THAT WORK AND THE MANY OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

[Pam A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me alot of my mothers life, with minor differences.

Autobiography of the life and times of author Janette Oke and her successive generations and some about her ancestors. Primarily how faith directed and changed her life .... and choices. Very clear picture of the human being, not just focus on career development. And how writing became one of her life ministries and help start up a publishing house.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

i found the book quite interesting as far as finding out who Janette Oke really is. I have really enjoyed her books years ago so it was neat to find out her daughter is herself a writer. her one and only daughter. just like mine. her story made me appreciate my grandchild and upcoming one. a little envious of her big related family which I have too just so far away

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read her personal story, I now understand how Janette Oke could write such heartfelt stories. She was able to share stories she'd experienced and with the help of God in a ministry of writing.

[Zanda Vipule · Rating 4 out of 5]

With outstanding books written in Christian fiction, was wondering what is the person behind. More factual as would have preferred some inside stories more and maybe correlations with the books written, while enjoyed the part of her dedication to writing and leaving the result in the hands of God.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Oke's books, but this biography - written by her daughter - fell flat. Too much family history, not enough interesting stories.

[Sarah Brocious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janette Oke...one of my all time favorite authors. :)

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved hearing about Janette Oke's story.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and amusing story about Janette Oke growing up and becoming a writer.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this bio right after reading 4 of her books. It gave me insights into Janette Oke's life and her writing.

[Dana Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read about one of my favorite authors.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Romance Author

This book was written by a loving daughter, Telling the life of her mother the Author Jannette Oak. It was inspirational and enjoyable.

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because she is my husband’s great aunt and I know a lot of her extended family and it was fun to read about these people, many I’ve known my whole life. I’ve never read a biography where I’ve known so many people and places talked about. I live just across the highway from the tea house, so that was different experience.
I didn’t think the book flowed as smoothly as it could have - some of the stories felt a bit like they’d been shoved in, but overall I enjoyed the book

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the background of Janette Oke. It is interesting to read how her upbringing and life helped shape her faith in God and affected her writing. The book itself was written very simply to tell the facts, not in a way that was exciting to grab the reader's attention. Unless you are interested in Janette Oke, you probably would not be sucked into reading this.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trailblazer

I never knew, even after reading most of her books, that Janette Oke opened the Christian fiction market to the Christian world but also so many others who came to a closer faith in God because of her. I loved the reference to Laura Ingalls Wilder going out the back door of the farmhouse they found.

[Shirley Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God uses best what He can use completely ~~ no matter what the building material is."

I love reading about the history of one of my all-time favorite writers/authors and how she began her writing career. Laurel, Janette's daughter, does a great job in writing this book and sharing the life of their family with us. 💞

[Allan67 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.

A biography by Janette Oke's daughter. While interesting in places, it was dry in other places.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book! Janette Oke is my all time favorite author. I remember saving up my allowance so that I could buy her next book. It was interesting to read about her family and her faith in God. I especially liked the pictures!!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but it honestly was a bit dry.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never read any of her books before this and will not read any more after. boring to me