The Sacred Shore

Song of Acadia #2

by Janette Oke, Davis Bunn

A sweeping historical epicthe sequel to the bestselling The Meeting Placebrings together a group of banished French Acadians, a lonely British nobleman, and a couple on the verge of separation. Simultaneous.

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

268 pages, Hardcover

First published February 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

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

1773
Nova Scotia, formerly Acadia—Twenty years ago, Andrew Harrow resigned from the British Army, refusing to participate in the cruel forced relocation of the French Acadian settlers. Today, he’s a pastor (with a leatherworking business on the side, which he’s lousy at). He lives in Halifax with his wife, Catherine and their daughter, Anne.

Andrew’s estranged brother, Charles, has just sailed from England. Charles has no heirs and wants Anne to inherit his estate. But Anne is not quite who she seems to be…

Louisiana—Nicole Robichaud is not exactly who she appears to be, either. The twenty-year-old daughter of Henri and Louise Robichaud, she has just learned that her biological parents are English—the people she (rightly) blames for the discrimination that her family and the rest of the Acadians have endured for years. Unsettled and despairing, she decides to sail north in search of Andrew and Catherine Harrow.

No content advisory needed. The themes—identity, faith and despair, family, aging, and tragedy—are rather grown-up, but there is no violence, sex, or anything here that a kid over twelve years old couldn’t handle.

This is the best possible sequel to The Meeting Place—continuing, and expanding, on its themes. What makes a family? What makes a home? Where do you turn when the world is collapsing? How long can you cling to a strand of hope without going mad?

Nicole is an emotionally involving protagonist. She confronts her fears when she’s quailing inside. She strives to be noble but is acutely aware of her own selfishness. She wants to have a faith like her mom and dad but is skeptical and pessimistic by nature. I found her highly relatable and look forward to her further adventures.

Uncle Charles has a nice little redemption arc, although I think we needed flashbacks or something to flesh out his quarrel with Andrew.

I liked Anne and her husband, Cyril, but they were barely given any development. The Meeting Place had both Catherine and Louise as protagonists, but The Sacred Shore is really Nicole’s story. That said, there are three books left in the series, so I’m sure we’ll get to know these characters better.

This is a story driven by character and strange, Providential events. It lacks a crisis in plot like what happened at the end of the first book. But a new conflict is on the horizon: the American Revolution. I can’t wait to see how these characters deal with that.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“In This Intimate Historical Epic, the Heart-wrenching Dilemmas of The Meeting Place Come to Rest on...The Sacred Shore
Oceans and circumstances have forced families apart. For the banished French Acadians drifting in exile, the shore means safety--though it is a safety at a terrible price. For the lonely British nobleman, the shore holds a single chance to secure his legacy. For Andrew and Catherine Harrow, the shore marks a tragic separation.
An extraordinary set of journeys awaits them all, each as intricate and perilous as the coastline itself. New beginnings are connected to all that has come before. And the past penetrates into what is yet to come. The common thread is a yearning to discover their identities in their families, in their communities, and in their God.”


Series: Book #2 in the “Song of Acadia” series. {Read Book #1’s review Here!}


Spiritual Content- Many, many Prayers; Many talks about the Bible & reading it; Many, many Talks about God, trusting Him & His will; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & many Scriptures are quoted or mentioned; Very strong Faiths and growing Faiths; Mentions of church going; Pastors & Witnessing; Andrew is a minister; Nicole questions God’s existence (but later knows Him).


Negative Content- Curses are said but not written; Mentions of smoking; War (up to semi-detailed).


Sexual Content- A not-detailed kiss; Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a man who is so handsome that “lasses who would never have resisted his urgings”; A little bit of love & the emotions

-Nicole Robichand
-Charles Harrow
P.O.V. switches between them, Anne, Andrew, Catherine, Henri & Louise
Set in 1773
268 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
At first I was a bit taken back that this novel is set eighteen years after book #1, “The Hiding Place”, but once I got over that, I really enjoyed it! Not as much as the first book in the series, but I still was in awe of all the Spiritual Content and lack of Sexual Content!


Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, I haven't read this one as many times as the first. No, it isn't as good. But, yes, it still is pretty wonderful. I love all the spiritual lessons in this one. So chocked full with so many good things.

Eighteen years have passed since the last book. Anne and Nicole have grown up. Their parents have dreamed of a reunion, but they do not know if it will every come to pass. Andrew's brother, Charles Harrow, comes to visit and seeks a heir.

Some might call this story cliche and coincidental, but when you see the story as a whole, you realize that this story represents our lives. Nothing that happens in our life is by chance, and this is revealed in this book.

I would have liked to see a little bit of Anne and Cyril's courtship, and there isn't a lot of things happening in this book. It isn't an edge of a seat kind of book. It is gentle, holds many good lessons, and makes you want to read the next book. I can't wait to read the next one because it is one of my favorites in the series!

Some REALLY good quotes from this that I cannot help sharing:

"'It is only through God that I can choose the right path. Only through God that I can hold to peace. Only through God that I can see what is eternally right...'"

"'If the Lord our God can take something so common as this and give it such meaning, such a vital purpose, just stop and think what He must have in store for you, my son. What grand purposes. What glorious meanings.'"

"'Part of learning to count my blessings is accepting that many of them I would not have chosen if it had been left to me.'"

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Following in The Meeting Place's footsteps, The Sacred Shore is a sweet historical fiction piece deeply steeped in faith, but seemingly less substantial than its predecessor.

I must confess to not enjoying this one very much, mainly because the Christian aspect came across as too pronounced and inauthentic. Certain characters' conversions were unbelievable, lacking depth and true development, which in fact was a problem with the book in general. Where The Meeting Place had been spiritually rich in a charmingly subtle way, The Sacred Shore crossed the line of in-your-face-preachy that just ends up feeling very unnatural. This was a disappointment, given that The Meeting Place ends on a cliffhanger and I was very eager to resume the story to see what would happen.

I also wasn't a fan of the headstrong heroine Nicole, whose search for her true self and her parents felt too forced.

There were several beautiful passages in this book, and I'm still very much interested in the story as a whole, given how much I enjoyed the first book, so I'm hoping to pick up the next installment in the near future, while I still live in Nova Scotia and feel more of a connection with all the places mentioned.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book, it seemed too unrealistic on some of the events but I understand why the author chose to make the events of the two young women coincide so evenly. I will continue with the series to see how it pans out.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this one. It was extremely preachy and full of plotholes and poor character development. As if it weren't enough to have one character questioning their faith and "feeling empty" and adrift, they had to have two characters. On top of that, I found the character development suffered because of the forced soul searching. Charles went immediately from being wealthy, bitter, arrogant and entitled to being unsure of himself and his goals and feeling impoverished for no apparent reason other than meeting his brother. And Nicole supposedly was raised in this extremely Christian atmosphere and then decides to no longer believe in God just because she didn't get her way regarding her lovelife. I could have believed that of a bratty, immature 15 year old, but she's supposed to be 18 and a grown woman who is strong and self-assured.

Spoiler Alert!!!!!

Also, this story had several plot holes and very convenient storylines. Charles and Nicole just happen to meet up in Charleston and happen to both speak to the same preacher who also happened to teach Andrew years earlier and know of the baby swap story. And then Nicole just happens to walk into the same medical clinic that Anne happens to work at now. It was just too much. And regarding Charles and Nicole meeting and sharing a boat and him not knowing she was the one he was searching for...how did he leave Louisiana without Henri telling him that Nicole was traveling with his brother-in-law Guy and that her name was Nicole? He would have recognized that it was her when she said she was traveling with her UNCLE Monsieur GUY. Big plot hole here.

Poorly written book all around. If I didn't already own the rest of the series, I'd probably stop reading these. But at least they are quick reads and cost me less than $1 each.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts on the entire series.

With these novels, I joined the ranks of readers who know what it is to be in the midst of a series, waiting, even with bated breath, for the next book in the series to be published.

I appreciate the style and language that Bunn clearly brought into this co-written historical fiction saga with Oke. I remember being totally engrossed and on edge during a certain crucial stretch in The Meeting Place and was floored by the unembellished end to that nerve-racking rush: “And then it began to rain.” I grew attached to the characters over the course of the series, though I’ll admit I got a bit weary during the fifth novel, as while some of the characters were yet making more grand departures from one another, I lost the sense of what they were actually getting done, apart from moving around the globe.

I might’ve been missing and/or forgetting things, though, weary in general after doing so much waiting, and I don’t regret a minute I spent with this saga.

[Donna Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story of the two families torn apart. It comes together 18 years later. Both girls are now young women going through their different lives. Nicole has had to reject her love while Anne is about to be wed. Because of circumstances, Nicole begins the search for not only her birth parents but something much deeper. It is also a journey of different lives as they find themselves and God.
My favorite part of the story is when Nicole is told about here true heritage. She goes through the turmoil and emotions that are so raw you can feel it. When she naturally starts questioning God; this is something that is very real especially when taught in a Christian home.

[LadyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply a sweet book. I love the message that we cannot control some things but God gives us the freedom of choice that we can go through uncontroable circumstances with him. The choice is clear, everything else in the world will always leave one longing for more except the life that Jesus Christ offers. THe main character was able to discover this.
Near the end the book got very weepy (characters within the book were constantly crying) but i guess it was realistic given the situation.

[Krista Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating/Reviewing MO

This is the sequel to The Meeting Place. I liked The Meeting Place better than this book. But it was still very good. And it answers all the questions that were left at the end of The Meeting Place!

A good read charged with emotion!

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the historical references and the flavor of the era. but what are the chances for everything to come together in one neat package.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, and inspiring. Not a difficult read, but it kept my interest. A good choice for a pleasant, relaxing read.

[Tara Sypien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Janette Oke all the time as a teen and loved her. When I saw this available to listen to for free on Audible I jumped right in. Didn't realize this was the second book in a series. I was able to keep up with the story and overall enjoyed it! It did get a little preachy for my taste, I don't remember that so much in her other books. For that reason I probably won't continue in the series but I am off to Google right now to figure out more about the Acadian people.

[Melissa Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to continue on in my nostalgia and read the next in this series. I loved it! Seeing where the families are 18 years later, was so fun and exciting. I’ll be reading the next one!

[Peggy N · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sacred Shore is the second book in the Song of Acadia series by Janette Oke. This book follows the lives of two now 18 year-old young ladies exchanged in infancy by the expulsion of the Acadian people from Nova Scotia. Nicole has grown up in the home of Henri and Louise an Acadian clan leader and his devoutly Christian wife. She had moved with her family to Louisiana near what is now Opelousas, Louisiana. She never knew until recently that her birth parents were an English Officer and his wife. She had hated the English people all of her life for the trials that her family had faced. Her real name was Elspeth Harrow. She had always felt apart of the family she grew up in and now her life seemed in turmoil. She told her father that God did not exist. This saddened Henri and he prayed that she would find her way.

Meanwhile, in far away Nova Scotia lived Anne Harrow, who had know the story all of her life. How an English officer's wife and a young French girl had become close friends, and shared the word of God. How the English Lady, Catherine Harrow had taken the ill baby of Henri and Louise to Halifax to see an English doctor as the child was at deaths door. She had left her own baby with Henri and Louise for the few days they expected to be gone to see the doctor. While Catherine was away and Andrew her husband was off on official Army business, the provincial government of Nova Scotia had been at war for some time with the French. Because the Acadian people would not swear allegiance to the British and promise to take up arms against the French, the government decided to expel them from their lands and make it where the could not return. This expulsion took place while Catherine was returning from Halifax. Her baby was gone and they could not find out where and Antoinette (Anne's given name) was left in their care. Anne had known the story all of her life. Because her father had refused to take part in the expulsion he was asked to resign his commission or be court martialed. Anne grew up as a part of a minister's family as her father became a minister after the expulsion. He and Catherine stayed in Nova Scotia and wrote letters everywhere they could get information to try to find Elspeth, but to no avail.

The book begins with a looks at both of their lives and with the arrival of the Earl of Sussex, Andrew's brother Charles. Charles has no heirs and wants to take their daughter to England to become his heir. Charles is a greedy and self centered person who does not know God but as the book progresses and the story unfolds, his views on life, his brother and God all change.

We follow their lives as Anne and Nicole meet by chance and how that meeting effects their lives. There are four books in this series and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise and Catherine are grown, with grown daughters and each a family of her own. Though their friendship and love for one another must be at a distance, and though the years and time have not been without it's dangers, their faith has not weakened. But with the difficulties surrounding their mysterious childhood, their daughters “Anne” and “Nicole” are searching for a like faith in their parents God, for answers, and for healing and wholeness once more. A story of two families, woven together by faith, love, and two very noble young women.

“Always remember, my beloved one, you can never be where God is not. There is no place you can outdistance Him. No dark corner where you can hide where He is not already there waiting there for your arrival. No deep recess of your heart or soul that He does not know of. No secret that He does not share. And He does have power. To change, to keep, to do the impossible. I pray you discover Him for yourself, for without Him, nothing of importance is possible. We can only fumble and stumble in the darkness. But with Him there is light, even in the harshest of times.”

Though this sequeal story did not pick up exactly where I had expected it to – with the girls bringing up their little ones and Louise and her husband Henri on their journey to a new “home” I still found it a very enjoyable read. The one thing I could have wished changed was that it did not follow enough with both Anne AND Nicole. Plus, the story added Andrew's brother, Charles, from England and followed a great deal of his story, which tended to drag and lag a bit at times. But it did add an interesting twist to the plotline and helped add to the beautiful moving story of faith and salvation, and learning to lean and trust in God during the storms of life.

“There before [Charles], dancing about on the waves still rising as high as their remaining two masts, he saw the answer. The message was clear. There would be more storms in his life, more times when human power and earthly possessions were stripped away. The challenge was not how to avoid them, for they would come. Oh yes. They would come. The question was, how would he use them? What would he learn? When the fury passed and he was in control once more, what lesson would he take from the encounter?”

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can a book be so bittersweet?!

Nicole & Anne. Elspeth & Antoinette. Eighteen years have passed since Catherine and Louise have seen each other and their daughters. Nicole has grown up hating the English. She has no idea she is an Englisher's daughter until she turns 18. Her faith in God is tenuous at best and she speaks next to no English.

In contrast, Anne has always known her true parentage. Catherine taught her French, in the hopes that one day, she might meet her birth parents and be able to talk to them. Anne's faith is not in question.

Two girls who, like their mothers, are so different, yet have so much in common.

The Sacred Shore chronicles Nicole's journey home to Acadia in search of her birth parents. It also follows Charles Harrow's quest in search of his long-lost niece. But really, their adventures are more than what they seek. Neither has much (if any, in Charles' case) faith to speak of, yet they finally stop running from God during the course of their travels. Both find a peace from the restlessness they've felt; they find it in God.

It was nice that Nicole & Anne finally got to meet; they are sisters in all but blood. (Maybe cousins, since their mothers might as well be sisters). It was good that Catherine and Louise finally were reunited with their daughters after so many years (although Louise & Anne's reunion is just inferred). What was so hard to swallow was that it took EIGHTEEN YEARS!!! And, Nicole is going off to England to be Charles' heir. Not what I as the reader would like.

I gave it four stars because I didn't find it quite as well written as the first (while still being well done) and because the story was not what I hoped. Maybe that's a petty reason to mark it down, but I honestly didn't enjoy it as much for that reason. Hopefully, as I read the rest of the series, things will improve! :)

[Allan67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is my standard blurb for a book that I've read to my wife: 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.

This is the second book in this series. It is not necessary to read the first book before reading this one, but we highly recommend it. This book almost brings closure to the events set in motion in the first book, but not quite. We are looking forward to reading the third book in the series.

Diana liked the book, I insist on her rating the books that I read to her, the books are for her enjoyment. If she doesn't like a book, then I look for something else to read to her. Anyway, when I asked how many stars, she said four, thus we will read book 3.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

18 years have passed since the Acadians were forced from what is now called Nova Scotia. Neither Louise nor Katherine know what has become of their own birth daughters, but they have raised their adopted daughters as their own. Elspeth is now Nicole and has never heard of her true parentage. Antoinette was raised as Ann and was told about her true identity. Andrews older brother Charles comes to the colonies hoping to find an heir. When he learns of the switch, he sets off to find Elspeth. I'm the meantime Nicole is restless and feeling at odds with her life especially after her parents reveal who she truly is. A chance comes for her to travel back to Acadia. As the characters search for each other, they also take a journey toward God.

[Kay Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first of Janette Oke's books that I have read. It has a very strong Christian background and it tells a tale of Acadians, French protestant settlers from the Nova Scotia area of Canada. The British drove the Acadians from their settlements. This story is set in the time when many Acadians have settled in the bayous of Louisiana. Before the great Acadian diaspora, a British mother offered to exchange her baby daughter for the very sick baby of an Acadian mother because a British baby would get much better medical care than an Acadian baby. Before the babies were reunited with their families, the Acadians were driven out. The families tried to contact each other, but letters didn't get through. This story is takes place when the girls are 18 or 19.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-reader Historic / Christian based story

This was one of the best books I've read. It's a follow up to Song of Acadia. It follows what happened in the last 18 years of the Harrow family & Robichaud families. The hardships, love of God. Also both trying to find each other since they swapped their baby daughters to get Antoinette Anne Robichaud help from an English doctor & Elsapeth Harrow. Read on to find out what as happened since the villagers of Minas were forced to leave Acadia, now Nova Scotia. Well worth your time, you won't want to put the book down

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so surprised by how much I am drawn into this series. What I do like about this author is that she quickly gets into the depth of the characters, the plot moves swiftly, and there is not a moment of boredom. She could very easily have made these into longer novels if she had expanded more on the setting and time period and history, but that's okay. I forgive her, because the story was so captivating.

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to like this series. I think this book is my favorite. It was the most exciting and interesting of them all. Each woman's life continues in this second book. One woman was forced to relocate with her family to Louisiana. I loved how the author incorporated facts into this book.
The mix up added each interest for me. Again, this is a Christian author and there is a lot of God talk.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent continuation of the Meeting place...Loved it. If you are wanting a book that will keep you drawn into a good storyline. This is a good choice. There is good load of soul searching with the characters...expect alot of tears...I mean alot!! If you are one to read in public and not afraid to show your emotions as well...you'll do fine with this one...if not read it on a good rainy-curl-up-on-the-couch-day.
I enjoyed both settings with this one!! :)

[Amy Riccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so surprised by how much I am drawn into this series. What I do like about this author is that she quickly gets into the depth of the characters, the plot moves swiftly, and there is not a moment of boredom. She could very easily have made these into longer novels if she had expanded more on the setting and time period and history, but that's okay. I forgive her, because the story was so captivating.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please don't pay attention to my 3-star rating. I'm sure this is a 5-star book. I'm simply not a true fan of religious fiction. Anyone who is will undoubtedly find this a worthy book. The imagery is wonderful in this book as well as its predecessor. There are quite a few lines worth highlighting, and it's uplifting. I read this for my Great Aunt, and it's not my normal reading fare. I base my rating on my personal presences only. It's an excellent book.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book had a better balance between religion and story than this in my opinion. The religious content was not offensive in any way — it just dominated the novel — leaving the story to wither. It was like reading a Bible with a fluffy story attached. I don't mean to be harsh. It was well-written. It just came on too strongly for my tastes.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was anxious to start this one in the series after the cliffhanger from the first. Larry says I don't read a book, I devour it. He was gone most of the afternoon so I had several hours to curl up with this good book. How exciting it would be to travel upon the seas in ships that were built back in this era. Pretty scary also. I'm ready for book 3 :)

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

The follow up to "The Meeting Place". It details the lives of the daughters that were exchanged by two mothers. It was only intended to be for a few days so one could receive medical treatment but events caused the families to be separated by 18 years. It was an interesting look at how we are shaped by our choices and how the most tragic situation can be for a far greater good.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in the Song of Acadia series. I didn't read the first one but was able to "catch up" easily. Interesting look at colonial life and also an interesting adoption theme. A lot of religious overtones.