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Song of Acadia #5
The Beloved Land
Book 5 of Song of Acadia. In their own incomparable style, Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn paint a portrait both lavish and poignant of the colorful, chaotic world of the American Revolution, where danger is rife and political views run deep. And once drawn into that world, readers will be reluctant to reemerge until the last triumphant chapter has drawn to a close. Learning of their beloved father's precariously ill health, Anne and Nicole make separate plans to visit him in Georgetown, in spite of the dangerous instability of the times. Nicole travels from Massachussetts with her fiancé, while Anne and her husband must brave an arduous transatlantic crossing from England. But the hazards of travel are not to be compared to the events or struggles with which each of these "sisters of the heart" must ultimately come to terms.
286 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
99 people are currently reading
1410 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
347 books3,441 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 95 reviews
May 12, 2016
The conclusion of the Acadia series was a bit of a disappointment. Too many pieces and too many stories and too much running around with too many miraculous coincidences. I've enjoyed Oke's books and the reliance on God, but this concluding book took it too far and it became difficult to believe. If the twist in this book was anticipated since the beginning of the series, hints should have been placed throughout the series, not just thrown into the last book. Despite this, overall I enjoyed the series. It was interesting to learn more of Acadia/Nova Scotia and to also see the American Revolutionary War from the perspective of the loyal Canadians.
May 28, 2016
This book took me a month to finish because I kept listening to it in pieces. It was really interesting, but I wish I read all the books before first. Also, the only reason I started listening to it was because I have a tape player in my car and I just happened to come across this tape.
March 13, 2025
This was a stratifying ending. I'm glad I decided to binge this series.
This was a sweet series that had a wonderful historic backdrop. I loved it!
This was a sweet series that had a wonderful historic backdrop. I loved it!
April 2, 2016
This is a satisfying end to the Acadian series. Following all the main characters from the previous books, you get an insight into each of their lives and you are left with your imagination for their future.
Thomas and Anne return to Georgetown to visit ailing Andrew, while Nicole and Gordon are married and seeking peace in the war torn American colonies. John Price tells Catherine of a secret from the past, and through Charles Harrow's search they receive surprising news.
Although I enjoyed this one a lot, I didn't think it was quite as powerful as the others. The surprise is a surprise, but I wasn't happy with it. I think it takes away the effect of what happened in the past. It just felt a little awkward. But the last five pages were so sweet and heartfelt.
I was so happy that Thomas and Anne's relationship was shown more in this book. I can't decide between them or Gordon and Nicole. Both couples are so different, but I like the difference in their characters. It is sad to say goodbye to them.
I recommend this whole series heartily to early teens and up (although 16+ may appreciate it more). The romance is perfectly clean and real. There is very little kissing, but there is depth in each marriage which I greatly appreciate. This is a favorite series of mine and I'm so glad I read it again!
Thomas and Anne return to Georgetown to visit ailing Andrew, while Nicole and Gordon are married and seeking peace in the war torn American colonies. John Price tells Catherine of a secret from the past, and through Charles Harrow's search they receive surprising news.
Although I enjoyed this one a lot, I didn't think it was quite as powerful as the others. The surprise is a surprise, but I wasn't happy with it. I think it takes away the effect of what happened in the past. It just felt a little awkward. But the last five pages were so sweet and heartfelt.
I was so happy that Thomas and Anne's relationship was shown more in this book. I can't decide between them or Gordon and Nicole. Both couples are so different, but I like the difference in their characters. It is sad to say goodbye to them.
I recommend this whole series heartily to early teens and up (although 16+ may appreciate it more). The romance is perfectly clean and real. There is very little kissing, but there is depth in each marriage which I greatly appreciate. This is a favorite series of mine and I'm so glad I read it again!
June 24, 2014
Wonderful
Wonderful
I absolutely loved this series. It covers all of your emotions and reminds you over and over that God never leaves us. Everyone should read this series.
Wonderful
I absolutely loved this series. It covers all of your emotions and reminds you over and over that God never leaves us. Everyone should read this series.
July 30, 2014
My wife had listened to this on audio book and said it was a good book that dealt with Nova Scotia, where my relatives came from.
I found it a bit slow at first as it wasn't in Nova Scotia but England and Boston. Then about half way through there was a thunderstorm of events taking place and everyone was tying together. At times I didn't know how everyone was related and had a hard time keeping track of them. I don't know if that was purposeful. Anne and Thomas and Gordon and Nicole were confusing because their lives were similar with similar ages and the author in alternating chapters kept switching around to different people. I tried to follow.
The end was grand to tie in English people, Americans, and Acadians in New Orleans and near the Bay of Fundy and thus was quite a trick and very satisfying. It helped us see how these divergent peoples and backgrounds could live together. Another example of that was Thomas' decision with the Acadian and British farmers who quarreled over the farm that the Acadian had been expelled from years earlier.
At the very end was, of course, when the Acadian woman found she was related to her British friend and was now "kin."
I found it a bit slow at first as it wasn't in Nova Scotia but England and Boston. Then about half way through there was a thunderstorm of events taking place and everyone was tying together. At times I didn't know how everyone was related and had a hard time keeping track of them. I don't know if that was purposeful. Anne and Thomas and Gordon and Nicole were confusing because their lives were similar with similar ages and the author in alternating chapters kept switching around to different people. I tried to follow.
The end was grand to tie in English people, Americans, and Acadians in New Orleans and near the Bay of Fundy and thus was quite a trick and very satisfying. It helped us see how these divergent peoples and backgrounds could live together. Another example of that was Thomas' decision with the Acadian and British farmers who quarreled over the farm that the Acadian had been expelled from years earlier.
At the very end was, of course, when the Acadian woman found she was related to her British friend and was now "kin."
August 15, 2014
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.
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.
April 28, 2008
Just finished the whole series. Not the best writing ever and the stories got tedious sometimes, but interesting story premise.
March 22, 2009
There is no hold-your-attention storyplot throughout this novel. Anne, born French but raised by an English family and Nicole, born English but raised by a French family, both struggle to find peace with their roots. Nicole's fiance, Gordon Goodwind, deflects from the British navy during the Revolution and supports the American colonists. Anne's husband, Thomas Crowley, mediates a Georgetown, Nova Scotia land dispute between an English homesteader and an original French family descendant. I did enjoy the dialogue / resolution in this mediation process. Having read several of Janette Oke's earlier books that she authored, I enjoyed them over this co-authored book #5 of the Song of Acadia series.
February 8, 2022
*Edited for clarity*
Things that bothered/confused me:
- I'm still really confused as to why Gordon choose the American's side? Charles clearly states that he is favourable to their cause because he thinks the British aren't treating them right, but Gordon never states his intentions clearly. In the 3rd book, he says that he is inclined to their cause because of his brothers in America, but then decides that since the British took "his" ship, were going to hang him as a traitor, press-ganged his me, and were going to flog his men for insubordination (something which every sailor would have been really accustomed to!
(Note that Gordon has only been a captain for two years. He basically is insignificant to the merchant navy and the British-he's barely on the ladder.)
- I see why it would be horrifying to modern ears, but as Gordon said himself about things the Americans did to the British, it was the fortunes of war. And while I feel that it would be accurate for Gordon to dislike those things, to have every character upset and horrified by it seems a little overdone to me.
- I admit that I was expecting the book to be a little more favourable to the British, as Oke is Canadian. Whereas every British character except Gordon, Charles, Judith, Andrew, Catherine, John Price, and Gordon's sailors are portrayed as money loving and mean. It just doesn't seem historically balanced to me, or fair.
NOTE: I suppose it's just me, but I was wanting a fresh view of the revolution, instead of the American one. Not that I mind their view, but I like seeing both sides, and can never find a book that talks about the revolution in fair and balanced terms, though all the books I have read about the revolution are written by Americans who would naturally think that their side was the best (which is human nature). And I don't think everything the British ever did in history was correct, but I was really hoping for a more neutral and fair view that talked of, for example, how awfully the Americans treated the Loyalists for no other reason than being Loyal to their king, or at least did not portray every American character as wonderful and a hero. But that's my personal opinion :)
- Also, first Anne, Charles, and Thomas had John Price's diary, and now Catherine and Nicole have it? Or perhaps Catherine has her mother's diary and Charles has John's father's diary ? Perhaps I skimmed that bit...
- Gordon and Nicole receive communion at her father's church after they are married, just the two of them. I'm not sure of what denomination Andrew is a pastor/priest, but Gordon and Nicole receive communion from him (at his church) the day after their wedding, and the author later says (of that same thing) that they had the Eucharistic bread and wine...
- At the beginning of their voyage, Thomas and Anne's captain says he is happy to have a vicar on board, and then a few chapters later it is said that even though he was gruff and "clearly preferred to keep God in His quarter, had even come to calling their passage a blessing".
- And lastly, although I really love that Gordon used Newton to really speak to his sailors, I find it a little far-fetched that Gordon, who hasn't been in England for two years, would know of Newton's Amazing Grace, which was written in 1779. Especially since it states that the winter before was valley forge, which would make the year they were in exactly 1778, a year before Amazing Grace was published.
Things I loved:
Obviously I enjoyed something if this book got 5 stars lol.
- I greatly enjoyed the cleaness of the book. And the romance. Gordon and Nicole are really sweet together and I loved that it was Louise who figured out why Nicole wasn't feeling well. Gordon was so sweet about the child, and I wish we could have known what their name was/whether they were a girl or boy!
- John was the cutest and reminded me of my little brother with his inquisitiveness. The nanny was really sweet as well.
- Really love how Thomas deals with the farm situation, it was so wise. And although I don't think it was accurate (forgive me for talking too much about Historical Accuracy, but I just finished studying this in my history course), it was super sweet and nice to have it included! I liked how they talked over the Acadians being sent away.
(Small historical note: Although the British did it because the Acadians kept saying they were neutral, and then joining sides with the Mi'kmaw and French (in other words, lying about their neutrality several times) and the British gave them several chances to actually BE neutral, but the Acadians decided not to take those chances until the British were past the breaking point. The Acadian deportation was still a horrible and inhumane thing for the British to do.)
- This book really built off the plot of the 4th book and was even better, plot, and character wise. I really didn't see the plot twist coming at all, but it was the most interesting thing! And it was believable as well.
- Carter, and the other sailors are really amazing, and it was wonderful to see Louise and Henri Robichaud once again, as well as seeing more of Judith (and Charles). I wish we could have seen Thomas and Anne return to England, and come back, but I also see why the authors saw fit to end the series there.
- As a half-french, half-English person myself (though I am more French than English), I really understood Nicole and Anne's struggles, though I admit mine are easier than theirs.
All in all, although I found some things a little far-fetched or inaccurate, it was a very fun and interesting read.
Things that bothered/confused me:
- I'm still really confused as to why Gordon choose the American's side? Charles clearly states that he is favourable to their cause because he thinks the British aren't treating them right, but Gordon never states his intentions clearly. In the 3rd book, he says that he is inclined to their cause because of his brothers in America, but then decides that since the British took "his" ship, were going to hang him as a traitor, press-ganged his me, and were going to flog his men for insubordination (something which every sailor would have been really accustomed to!
(Note that Gordon has only been a captain for two years. He basically is insignificant to the merchant navy and the British-he's barely on the ladder.)
- I see why it would be horrifying to modern ears, but as Gordon said himself about things the Americans did to the British, it was the fortunes of war. And while I feel that it would be accurate for Gordon to dislike those things, to have every character upset and horrified by it seems a little overdone to me.
- I admit that I was expecting the book to be a little more favourable to the British, as Oke is Canadian. Whereas every British character except Gordon, Charles, Judith, Andrew, Catherine, John Price, and Gordon's sailors are portrayed as money loving and mean. It just doesn't seem historically balanced to me, or fair.
NOTE: I suppose it's just me, but I was wanting a fresh view of the revolution, instead of the American one. Not that I mind their view, but I like seeing both sides, and can never find a book that talks about the revolution in fair and balanced terms, though all the books I have read about the revolution are written by Americans who would naturally think that their side was the best (which is human nature). And I don't think everything the British ever did in history was correct, but I was really hoping for a more neutral and fair view that talked of, for example, how awfully the Americans treated the Loyalists for no other reason than being Loyal to their king, or at least did not portray every American character as wonderful and a hero. But that's my personal opinion :)
- Also, first Anne, Charles, and Thomas had John Price's diary, and now Catherine and Nicole have it? Or perhaps Catherine has her mother's diary and Charles has John's father's diary ? Perhaps I skimmed that bit...
- Gordon and Nicole receive communion at her father's church after they are married, just the two of them. I'm not sure of what denomination Andrew is a pastor/priest, but Gordon and Nicole receive communion from him (at his church) the day after their wedding, and the author later says (of that same thing) that they had the Eucharistic bread and wine...
- At the beginning of their voyage, Thomas and Anne's captain says he is happy to have a vicar on board, and then a few chapters later it is said that even though he was gruff and "clearly preferred to keep God in His quarter, had even come to calling their passage a blessing".
- And lastly, although I really love that Gordon used Newton to really speak to his sailors, I find it a little far-fetched that Gordon, who hasn't been in England for two years, would know of Newton's Amazing Grace, which was written in 1779. Especially since it states that the winter before was valley forge, which would make the year they were in exactly 1778, a year before Amazing Grace was published.
Things I loved:
Obviously I enjoyed something if this book got 5 stars lol.
- I greatly enjoyed the cleaness of the book. And the romance. Gordon and Nicole are really sweet together and I loved that it was Louise who figured out why Nicole wasn't feeling well. Gordon was so sweet about the child, and I wish we could have known what their name was/whether they were a girl or boy!
- John was the cutest and reminded me of my little brother with his inquisitiveness. The nanny was really sweet as well.
- Really love how Thomas deals with the farm situation, it was so wise. And although I don't think it was accurate (forgive me for talking too much about Historical Accuracy, but I just finished studying this in my history course), it was super sweet and nice to have it included! I liked how they talked over the Acadians being sent away.
(Small historical note: Although the British did it because the Acadians kept saying they were neutral, and then joining sides with the Mi'kmaw and French (in other words, lying about their neutrality several times) and the British gave them several chances to actually BE neutral, but the Acadians decided not to take those chances until the British were past the breaking point. The Acadian deportation was still a horrible and inhumane thing for the British to do.)
- This book really built off the plot of the 4th book and was even better, plot, and character wise. I really didn't see the plot twist coming at all, but it was the most interesting thing! And it was believable as well.
- Carter, and the other sailors are really amazing, and it was wonderful to see Louise and Henri Robichaud once again, as well as seeing more of Judith (and Charles). I wish we could have seen Thomas and Anne return to England, and come back, but I also see why the authors saw fit to end the series there.
- As a half-french, half-English person myself (though I am more French than English), I really understood Nicole and Anne's struggles, though I admit mine are easier than theirs.
All in all, although I found some things a little far-fetched or inaccurate, it was a very fun and interesting read.
October 14, 2014
This book takes place during the American Revelution and it focus on a family who has connections in Canada, Enland and the Americas, and how this challenge was met. The book illustrate the challenges of this family as one or more of their members travel to these areas.
March 1, 2019
Perhaps it’s because I hadn’t read previous books in this series but I found this so hard to keep picking up. I must say, the faith value is very good and the characters are likable. But it just seemed a bit boring for me.
And I so wanted to like it!
And I so wanted to like it!
December 22, 2014
I enjoyed this book, but did find at time it dragged.
January 21, 2016
Final and fifth book as Anne and Nicole's finally come together in Nova Scotia and the end of the American Revolution is coming to an end.
November 3, 2020
This story was extremely confusing. It flicked back and forth between 3? families. It had a little revolutionary history, a bit more about their strong faith (which seemed genuine) but other than a robbery there was little action and far too much angst about traveling. The ending was easily figured out and the characters were pleasant but I couldn’t relate to them.
October 16, 2023
What a moving conclusion to the series! I’ve already said it, but each book in this series is wonderful, these characters inspiring and heart warming. I’m sure I will re read it again in the future!
March 21, 2017
I read this a while back(it was gift) I have not read the series to this book,when reading this I was getting lost because I did not know what it would be,so I give it this 2 stars because I have not read the others also I did not really feel like I connect with the characters,also I love the way it was written.
September 16, 2020
This one is kind of slower in the beginning but I think I like the place where we jump into the story again.
Things have changed, some for the good!
Gordon has proved to be a good man still. Its interesting adding in Anne, Charles, Thomas, and little John again. The last book didn't have much of them. And John Jackson!!
Some other favorites are welcomed back into the story and it's quite heartwarming :)
The story has progressed slowly but it hasn't been boring to read through for the most part.
One kiss and one hand kiss. Very clean. No cursing.
This ending to the series wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite of the books. In fact, I think it's probably my least favorite, sadly. I just felt like maybe the authors didn't want to write the last book and so it kind of dragged. The spiritual content was really insightful and gave me something to think about. I loved hearing from almost all the characters from the series in one book. But that's about it. The plotline wasn't as interesting to me as the other plotlines.
3 stars.
Things have changed, some for the good!
Gordon has proved to be a good man still. Its interesting adding in Anne, Charles, Thomas, and little John again. The last book didn't have much of them. And John Jackson!!
Some other favorites are welcomed back into the story and it's quite heartwarming :)
The story has progressed slowly but it hasn't been boring to read through for the most part.
One kiss and one hand kiss. Very clean. No cursing.
This ending to the series wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite of the books. In fact, I think it's probably my least favorite, sadly. I just felt like maybe the authors didn't want to write the last book and so it kind of dragged. The spiritual content was really insightful and gave me something to think about. I loved hearing from almost all the characters from the series in one book. But that's about it. The plotline wasn't as interesting to me as the other plotlines.
3 stars.
October 4, 2014
Sad to be at the end of this series. Some loose ends could have been tied up for me - like I would have liked to know what baby Catherine had and how her property in Massachusetts was restored. Also if Anne and Thomas decided to live in America. From the onset of the search for the missing relative left you knew it would tie everyone together somehow. But overall a good series and would recommend it to my friends to read.
January 27, 2009
This is a historical fiction of the French Acadians and the English at the of the explusion of the French in the 1700's. The first book ist pretty slow until near the end. Then it picks up and is more bearable for the rest of the series.
It's one of those series that when there are no other new books to read, can be read over again.This is the second time I have read the series.
It's one of those series that when there are no other new books to read, can be read over again.This is the second time I have read the series.
January 16, 2016
The best one of them all I think. I loved the ending and the way everything came together. I especially loved how they all relied on God to help them through whatever trial they were facing. This was set during the revolutionary war and they had trials!! It's always good for me to hear about other people and their faith in God. It strengthens me and mine.
June 12, 2014
Song of Acadia series
I have just finished reading book #5 in this series and have loved every one of them. Each just flows from one to the next. Wonderfully written series about Nova Scotia, the British, the French and the American Revolution. Felt as if I was actually living in that time.
I have just finished reading book #5 in this series and have loved every one of them. Each just flows from one to the next. Wonderfully written series about Nova Scotia, the British, the French and the American Revolution. Felt as if I was actually living in that time.
November 20, 2016
An excellent ending to a great novel; Nicole and Anne have come full circle back to Acadia, both married. Both families have united on the shores of Acadia where there is happiness and sadness. However in the midst of it all there is also a mystery that is solved that causes a very happy ending. I encountered many different emotions upon reading this great finale.
February 28, 2017
History Captured in This Story
The story continues to keep you captive to their emotions and the turmoil of the events happening around them. The way Bunn and Oke write with such emotion and carry you through the history of the times is an art. I had a difficult time putting the book down.
The story continues to keep you captive to their emotions and the turmoil of the events happening around them. The way Bunn and Oke write with such emotion and carry you through the history of the times is an art. I had a difficult time putting the book down.
April 13, 2014
A great read.
A good book about faith. A story about true friendship. A great love story about two different people.A story about the French and British war. A story with a happy ending.
A good book about faith. A story about true friendship. A great love story about two different people.A story about the French and British war. A story with a happy ending.
May 6, 2014
Song of Acadia series
I recommend this to anyone who thrives on historical fiction. The writer opens a door into the events of the French/British conflict in Canada by painting a viable picture of human angst turned to hope through faith.
I recommend this to anyone who thrives on historical fiction. The writer opens a door into the events of the French/British conflict in Canada by painting a viable picture of human angst turned to hope through faith.
January 3, 2015
A wonderful series with good information, advise and morals.
If all mankind lived a life like the characters in this series, there would be no wars or hatred. Peace would be a useful real word.
If all mankind lived a life like the characters in this series, there would be no wars or hatred. Peace would be a useful real word.
March 5, 2015
A lovely and surprising ending to a delightful series. Only 4 stars because some of this book was too cliche for me; however, I'm glad to have read this and see the spiritual growth of the characters and learn a bit of the history of the Acadians.
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September 3, 2007Great series. Wholesome.
September 19, 2007
This is the final book. And it's definatly summing up an over all amazing series!! Read it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews