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A Prairie Legacy #2
A Searching Heart
In this best selling novel, Virginia must learn the priorities that God has in mind for her as she makes plans for college. Prairie Legacy book 2.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1998
94 people are currently reading
1408 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
345 books3,407 followersJanette 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
April 13, 2020
A lovely continuation of the Prairie Legacy series!
It was a pleasure to read about Virginia growing up.
This book was yet again slow paced, but strangely that almost added to the beauty of the story. Virginia has grown so much from the first book, and even through her conflicts, both internal and external, the way she matured through those circumstances was lovely to see.
With messages of growing up, dealing with change, lost loves and new opportunities, this novel is another good faith-filled novel by Janette Oke.
It was a pleasure to read about Virginia growing up.
This book was yet again slow paced, but strangely that almost added to the beauty of the story. Virginia has grown so much from the first book, and even through her conflicts, both internal and external, the way she matured through those circumstances was lovely to see.
With messages of growing up, dealing with change, lost loves and new opportunities, this novel is another good faith-filled novel by Janette Oke.
March 1, 2021
I thought it was interesting that Janette Oke brought characters from a different series (Women of the West #4) into this story.
May 14, 2021
I always forget how much I enjoy this series, a spin-off, or maybe more an extension of the Love Comes Softly series that I so loved, chronicling the earlier years of the older Davis clan generation.
What I liked about A Searching Heart:
The writing - To be sure, it isn't fine literature. What it is is comforting, like a warm hug, in addition to requiring very little brain power. But that doesn't mean it's not well-constructed. The story and the characters are well-developed, and the plot moves along at an engaging pace.
Virginia's challenges - Most, if not all of us, have gone through first heartbreak, through the uncertainty of moving away from childhood and into being an adult, through changes of both the exciting and the unwanted varieties. I found all of it relatable and thought-provoking in a reflective way.
What I didn't care for:
Lack of explanation in a few areas - Without elaborating to the point of any spoilers, I would have liked some additional hints or explanations regarding the events involving Clara and Jenny. I also often found myself wondering what year we're actually in at this point. The passage of time is marked by changing seasons, but I like to have some sense of "when" I am in history. There just isn't enough indication from the setting details that are given.
I am never sorry when I drop into the lives of the Davis extended family. We're spanning four generations now, and it feels cozy and familiar. I love the gentle way their stories are told. They do not shy from hardship and challenges, despite the Hallmark-like feel; there is honesty as well. References to Christian faith and values are prevalent but not saccharine, and I appreciate the way they are woven in. There are two books remaining in this series and I look forward to them with a quiet eagerness.
What I liked about A Searching Heart:
The writing - To be sure, it isn't fine literature. What it is is comforting, like a warm hug, in addition to requiring very little brain power. But that doesn't mean it's not well-constructed. The story and the characters are well-developed, and the plot moves along at an engaging pace.
Virginia's challenges - Most, if not all of us, have gone through first heartbreak, through the uncertainty of moving away from childhood and into being an adult, through changes of both the exciting and the unwanted varieties. I found all of it relatable and thought-provoking in a reflective way.
What I didn't care for:
Lack of explanation in a few areas - Without elaborating to the point of any spoilers, I would have liked some additional hints or explanations regarding the events involving Clara and Jenny. I also often found myself wondering what year we're actually in at this point. The passage of time is marked by changing seasons, but I like to have some sense of "when" I am in history. There just isn't enough indication from the setting details that are given.
I am never sorry when I drop into the lives of the Davis extended family. We're spanning four generations now, and it feels cozy and familiar. I love the gentle way their stories are told. They do not shy from hardship and challenges, despite the Hallmark-like feel; there is honesty as well. References to Christian faith and values are prevalent but not saccharine, and I appreciate the way they are woven in. There are two books remaining in this series and I look forward to them with a quiet eagerness.
March 20, 2016
More great historical fiction from Janette Oke. Can't wait to see where the story arc goes from here!
July 31, 2008
Mike and I read this book togrther. The thing about Oke as an author is that she writes about everyday occurances. There are not huge climactic happenings in her books.
This particular one is the continuing saga of Virginia Simpson and how she comes to terms with entering into adulthood. Many of the inner conflicts she faces are realistic. I enjoyed reading the book.
My only complaint is that Oke does not truly capture (at least in my case) the feelings of a single adult facing the possibility of never marrying. Oke lets Virginia decide that she is determindly happy that she will be single. It did not ever seem that she backslid in that feeling.
I don't know many women who are determined to be that happy in the single life. But there may be some.
All in all the book is enjoyable and well worth the read.
This particular one is the continuing saga of Virginia Simpson and how she comes to terms with entering into adulthood. Many of the inner conflicts she faces are realistic. I enjoyed reading the book.
My only complaint is that Oke does not truly capture (at least in my case) the feelings of a single adult facing the possibility of never marrying. Oke lets Virginia decide that she is determindly happy that she will be single. It did not ever seem that she backslid in that feeling.
I don't know many women who are determined to be that happy in the single life. But there may be some.
All in all the book is enjoyable and well worth the read.
July 25, 2018
Virginia is nearing adulthood. Her sister Clara is expecting a child, and Virginia and her family are going to visit their brother Rodney. When they get back, Virginia finds Jamison waiting for her. He visits sometimes, but on his last visit, he seems more distant to Virginia. Then he tells her that he wants to end their relationship, to be friends but nothing more. Virginia is heartbroken. Then she gets news that her friend Jenny has been hurt in an accident. She prays for her, but when she gets out of the hospital, she seems to be drifting further and further away from God. Then she meets a young man named Jonathan. She had thought she would love nobody else after Jamison, but she was pretty sure she was falling for him.
This book is awesome! I love Janette Oke's books so much!
This book is awesome! I love Janette Oke's books so much!
March 18, 2010
This is the second book in Janette Oke's Prairie Legacy series and it was just as sweet and wholesome as the first. It continues the story of Virginia through her remaining high-school year and graduation. In this book her plans for the future are disrupted by unexpected events and she must come to terms with her current situation. This book has a touch more romance than the previous one and the author keeps the reader guessing as to which boy Virginia will finally end up with. I am looking forward to reading books 3 and 4 in the series.
September 3, 2011
I cried in the beginning byt smiled in the end. Even though this book is fictions its a great story showing how God shuts one door and opens another!
January 16, 2013
Confusing...... 1st I thought that she was going to be w Jamison then I was really sure she was going to be with Pastor Black then of course Jonathan.
January 20, 2016
I'm really enjoying this series! Now unto the next book. . .
November 2, 2021
This book was very good. I loved all of the emotions that this book caused. Can't wait for the next part of Virginia and Jonathon's story.
February 28, 2022
This book really touched me... and a book that makes you laugh or cry is definitely worth a read! One of Janette Oke s best books.
April 23, 2023
Enjoyed, par typical for Janette Oke, but I admit I wasn't that excited when Damaris' family from A Woman Named Damaris was brought in; I didn't like that book at all, so it kind of spoiled the latter half of the book for me...
November 12, 2019
4.5 stars
February 14, 2022
I love how Janette is one of the few Christian authors who writes characters in their late teens/early 20s.
Tropes: not really any, this is a story of the character's life
Content: kissing
Tropes: not really any, this is a story of the character's life
Content: kissing
January 2, 2024
Mult mai buna că primul volum. A avut ce povesti în sfârșit!
Sunt sigura că povestea continua cu Jenny...
Sunt sigura că povestea continua cu Jenny...
May 25, 2024
This is book 2 in the series, and I found it more enjoyable than the first. Virginia has a lot of growing up to do, and that comes in the form of some hardships.
We get to see the characters from book 1 and watch them grow and develop. And we're also introduced to some new characters that I look forward to getting to know better in book 3.
Virginia's plans of college and marriage don't work out as she planned. But just like in real life, God's plans aren't always our plans. And just when Virginia has settled on a new plan, things change again.
We get to see the characters from book 1 and watch them grow and develop. And we're also introduced to some new characters that I look forward to getting to know better in book 3.
Virginia's plans of college and marriage don't work out as she planned. But just like in real life, God's plans aren't always our plans. And just when Virginia has settled on a new plan, things change again.
October 10, 2014
While I liked this book okay I didn't think it was amazing literature. It is filled with a lot of faith and religion. I love all the references to praying for people, situations, and for greater faith. One thing to note about these books is they are no action filled, suspenseful, fast-paced novels. They are basically a story about a person's life. As long as I remember that they aren't going to read like a fast-paced YA novel, I can completely enjoy them.
Virginia does go through a number of growing experiences and her character deepens. She learns a lot about faith, trust, hard work, and friendship. She gains appreciation for family and her faith.
I still don't like Jenny. She's selfish, egotistical, spoiled, and is on a sure path for a rough life is she keeps going like she is. Seriously, I can't like her. I still don't understand why Virginia remains her friend. I'm quite certain I'd have cut her off.
I was pretty mad at Jameson. But Virginia rose above the circumstance admirably. She was certainly a better person after everything.
I like Mrs. Withers. She's a cute old lady. My heart ached for Mr. Woods and for Clara's difficulties.
Virginia does go through a number of growing experiences and her character deepens. She learns a lot about faith, trust, hard work, and friendship. She gains appreciation for family and her faith.
I still don't like Jenny. She's selfish, egotistical, spoiled, and is on a sure path for a rough life is she keeps going like she is. Seriously, I can't like her. I still don't understand why Virginia remains her friend. I'm quite certain I'd have cut her off.
I was pretty mad at Jameson. But Virginia rose above the circumstance admirably. She was certainly a better person after everything.
I like Mrs. Withers. She's a cute old lady. My heart ached for Mr. Woods and for Clara's difficulties.
October 18, 2017
A Searching Heart is the second book in the Prairie Legacy series by Janette Oke.
This book was okay. I didn't like it nearly as much as the first one in the series, though. Now that Virginia is older, she feels a lot like all of Janette Oke's other heroines, and this book feels a lot like Janette Oke's other books. They all have (pretty much) the same setting, they all go at the same pace.
So, although it was an okay book, it bored me a little bit. I did appreciate the motor accident with Jenny and I thought the story about how her father came to Christ first was sweet. I think Jenny is also a great example of how, even if you pray and witness to a person for years, and even if they are in a life-threatening situation, you have to wait on God's timing and for Him to work in their hearts.
I thought Francine was a little OOC and weird, judging from the previous book.
I thought the ending felt a little rushed. I didn't feel like we, the readers, had quite enough time to get to know Jonathan. I'm sure we will in the next book, but still. There were, what, two chapters with him?
Overall, the book was mediocre. I will be reading the next one in the series, but I didn't love this like I loved the first book. 3 stars out of 5.
This book was okay. I didn't like it nearly as much as the first one in the series, though. Now that Virginia is older, she feels a lot like all of Janette Oke's other heroines, and this book feels a lot like Janette Oke's other books. They all have (pretty much) the same setting, they all go at the same pace.
So, although it was an okay book, it bored me a little bit. I did appreciate the motor accident with Jenny and I thought the story about how her father came to Christ first was sweet. I think Jenny is also a great example of how, even if you pray and witness to a person for years, and even if they are in a life-threatening situation, you have to wait on God's timing and for Him to work in their hearts.
I thought Francine was a little OOC and weird, judging from the previous book.
I thought the ending felt a little rushed. I didn't feel like we, the readers, had quite enough time to get to know Jonathan. I'm sure we will in the next book, but still. There were, what, two chapters with him?
Overall, the book was mediocre. I will be reading the next one in the series, but I didn't love this like I loved the first book. 3 stars out of 5.
August 24, 2016
I had read the first book of the series (The Tender Years) so I bought this one as well, I could not wait for it to come. And when it finally did I ripped open the packaging and read the whole book that day!
I was hoping Janette One would continue to write about Virginia's best friend Jenny and she did, I was really hoping Jenny would have become a Christian, but I was so glad to read that because of the ---- her father decided to follow Jesus.
Then there was Jamison. I had a feeling that would happen but it still surprised me.
After Mr. Adamson died, and the new neighbor arrived and Virginia helped the older woman, that was a really sweet ending. And how she used the characters from 1 of her other books (A woman named Damaris) was really cool.
I can't wait to read the 3rd book of the series!
I was hoping Janette One would continue to write about Virginia's best friend Jenny and she did, I was really hoping Jenny would have become a Christian, but I was so glad to read that because of the ---- her father decided to follow Jesus.
Then there was Jamison. I had a feeling that would happen but it still surprised me.
After Mr. Adamson died, and the new neighbor arrived and Virginia helped the older woman, that was a really sweet ending. And how she used the characters from 1 of her other books (A woman named Damaris) was really cool.
I can't wait to read the 3rd book of the series!
August 29, 2023
My favorite quotes from this book:
"God knows best. We can trust Him with our lives as well as our eternal souls. He does not take something from us without filling that spot with something just as good--and because it's from Him, even much better."
"We often feel we are all alone when going through adversity," he reminded the audience. "We are not. God has promised to be there with us. He does not make promises lightly, nor does He disregard them once they have been made."
"Always on duty, the sun, she mused distractedly. Moving from one needy area to another. Shining the light. Warming the earth. Supplying crops. Sustaining life.
God is like that, Virginia concluded. He's always on duty. Moving from one need to another. Always there for everyone. He'll get us through this. He has a way."
Such a great book! I'd highly recommend it. :)
"God knows best. We can trust Him with our lives as well as our eternal souls. He does not take something from us without filling that spot with something just as good--and because it's from Him, even much better."
"We often feel we are all alone when going through adversity," he reminded the audience. "We are not. God has promised to be there with us. He does not make promises lightly, nor does He disregard them once they have been made."
"Always on duty, the sun, she mused distractedly. Moving from one needy area to another. Shining the light. Warming the earth. Supplying crops. Sustaining life.
God is like that, Virginia concluded. He's always on duty. Moving from one need to another. Always there for everyone. He'll get us through this. He has a way."
Such a great book! I'd highly recommend it. :)
May 4, 2009
Virginia now getting ready to graduate is faced with the worries of going away to college. She and Jamison have continued their relationship and write while he is away at school but perhaps college is changing him. Clara who becomes ill with pregnancy presents a strain at home that delays Virginia's decision to go to college. When Mr. Adamson dies a new elderly neighbour moves in and after a while her grandson Jonathan comes into the picture and Virginia's life. Jenny still a friend has gone off to college but is as wayward as ever though a terrible car accident for Jenny brings Jenn's father (Mr. Woods) a change in his life and an acceptance of God.
September 11, 2011
Virginia Simpson longs for adventure . . . and she gets it. With her friends off at college, she longs to go to college, too. But some events in her life seem to tell her otherwise. With her sister having a baby, she decides to wait a while. And then, when her sweetheart, Jamison, visits from college and some sad news comes about another friend, things seem to be all gone awry. But God knows what’s best for her, and there is something wonderful around the corner.
Join Virginia on her journey. You won’t be sorry you did.
(Review written earlier, about when I read it.)
Join Virginia on her journey. You won’t be sorry you did.
(Review written earlier, about when I read it.)
March 11, 2011
This was an amazing book!!! I could relate to it, and it helped me to understand ways of improving as a Christian. It showed me ways that I could be selfless and think more of others. It also helped me to realize that sometimes you have to overcome your emotions to accomplish things. God will help if we only trust him!!!
April 28, 2012
Delightful... I love how Janette weaves together into this book Damaris, from one of her earlier books :). As Virginia says so wonderfully in this book...'as we Trust God with our eternal souls, so we can trust HIM with our daily lives. God knows Best!!
September 7, 2016
Just as good as the first!
Wow! I had a difficult time putting this book down long enough to get anything else done...lol!
What an amazing author. I've read so many of her books...and if you'll excuse me...I'm on to the next!
Wow! I had a difficult time putting this book down long enough to get anything else done...lol!
What an amazing author. I've read so many of her books...and if you'll excuse me...I'm on to the next!
September 4, 2021
Oh my, what a beautiful story, the writing is sublime, I want to read more of this Author’s books. Her backlist is quite extensive. I will be keeping hold of this one, so I have it for re-reads in the future… 📚
December 31, 2022
Oh. My. Goodness. What an AMAZING story! The plot follows young adult, Virginia through many heart-breaking circumstances. It is a beautiful story about how God works in all things. I highly recommend this to teen girls, especially Christian teens.
June 22, 2010
quick read. The character Virginia resonates (with me) well, though I found myself almost envious of her faith. She's very much like her grandfather in that regard.
July 27, 2011
One of the better Oke novels. God isn't pasted into her books, as God is in much Christian fiction. Oke's is an appealing, organic Christianity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews