As a young girl, Lillian Walsh lost both her parents and a younger sister. Now in her twenties, after enduring the death of her adoptive mother, Lillian must find her place in the world. Just as her adoptive father is leaving for an extended trip to his native Wales, a lawyer appears at the door to inform Lillian that she has inherited a small estate from her birth parents–and that the sister … she had long believed dead is likely alive.
When she discovers that her sister, Grace, is living in a city not far away, Lillian rushes to a reunion, fearful that the years of separation will make it hard to reconnect.
When the two sisters meet, Grace is not at all what Lillian expected to find. Though her circumstances have been difficult, Grace has big dreams. Can Lillian set aside her own plans to join her sister in an adventure that will surely change them both?
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Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan takes us to Brookfield, Alberta, Canada where Lillian Walsh lives with her father. Lillian deeply misses her adoptive mother who recently passed away. They are preparing to depart for Wales where Mr. Walsh will be giving a series of lectures as well as visiting his family. Mr. Dorn, a lawyer, arrives to inform Lillian that she has inheritance from her birth parents and that her baby sister, Grace is still alive. Lillian is shocked because she had been told that Grace died with her parents. Lillian postpones leaving and works with the law firm to locate Grace. The sisters have a tearful reunion that touches those in attendance. Grace is a joyful woman of deep faith and hope. Grace has begun an undertaking that will change the course of Lillian’s life. Unyielding Hope is the debut novel in When Hope Calls series. I always look forward to a novel by Janette Oke (I have been reading them since I was a teen). I know I will be getting a well-written Christian novel featuring a likeable female protagonist. I got myself comfortable and began reading this engaging historical novel that quickly transported me back in time. I was not disappointed with Unyielding Hope. Two sisters separated at a young age who rediscover each other. They take on children who are without parents or a home. They create a special family for these orphans. I like how the sisters treated these poor kids. They did not view them as a burden or extra help. The sisters gave them love, structure and a safe home. The authors deal with the topic of Home Children. A program where hundreds of children from England were transported to various countries that included New Zealand, Australia, and Canada (the author’s preface explains the program). We get a realistic picture of what life was like for these children. Some were fortunate and found good homes, but many of these kids were treated like farm hands and servants. They would be discarded like a newspaper in a recycling bin. I loved the kids in this tale. There were a variety of ages and personalities. It is just terrible what they had been through in their young lives. I found it delightful how Harrison would introduce himself to people. There is a hint of romance in this story which I believe it will be explored further in the next book. I am glad that it was not the prevalent theme in the book. There are good Biblical messages in the story. Grace was a woman with a strong faith. I like how she expressed it and showed by example. Hope is the dominant theme throughout the story. Unyielding Hope is a touching story that will linger with you long after you finish it.
Great Book!! As always
I enjoyed it from beginning to end very good story line, great characters.
#Unyielding Hope# by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan is an historical fiction book. takes place during the Janette has written over 70 books. She received the 1992 President’s Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction. Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. She lives in Canada. This outstanding book takes place in the 1800’s. in the Industrial Revolution. During that time period there were many orphans . Many people died of diseases . The children were left on the street as orphans. These orphans were sent to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and some parts of Africa to be adopted. These children were not often treated well. They were often abused. The author writes this outstanding book to ask us are ” We able to meet the challenges in our generation and be Jesus’ hands and feet?, ” The characters are well described . The setting is Canada. The reader will feel like they are truly experiencing the difficult days of life during the 1800’s . I walked away from the book thinking about the characters and reliving the beauty of this book. I commend the author for this excellent book and reminding us not to allow this to happen again. The themes are forgiveness, unyielding hope , steadfast love, Jesus hands and feet for the weak . Thank you to the publisher and netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions are my own . I will share my review with Amazon, facebook netgalley , Goodreads, Bookbub, my blog, with the church staff. ,
When I learned that Janette Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan had released a new book, I was absolutely thrilled. Reading books by this duo feels like coming home. Since I was a teenager, Janette Oke has been a staple in my reading repertoire. To still be reading her books decades later is the ultimate comfort.
Their latest series, When Hope Calls, is a spin-off of their previous When Calls the Heart trilogy. The first book, Unyielding Hope, is a gentle read, presenting a bevy of characters that will hopefully continue to ap-pear in future novels. In many ways, this book feels like an introduction, with the ending clearly leaving knots unraveled.
In Unyielding Hope, we meet two sisters who are working to provide homes for children from the British Children’s Home Society. I loved learning about the plights of these children, and my interest was quickly piqued as my heart rooted for each child. With a heart-warming and compassionate tone, this story is one that resonated with me.
I encourage you to grab onto this book. It promises to be the start of a great new series.
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Lillian and Grace. Sisters but yet different as day from night. Lillian was sheltered but Grace was exposed to the ills and troubles of life.
I loved reading about Grace’s faith despite the many troubles she had gone through. The way she spoke about God’s faithfulness was so inspiring. Wow! The work she was doing with adopted children was so heartwarming.
I enjoyed reading about these courageous and bold young unmarried women as they took care of orphans and street children alone. Their care, love and support of the children seeped into my hearts from the pages of this book.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
This heartwarming story set in Canada introduces us to sisters, Lillian and Grace, orphaned and separated at a young age. Lillian raised in a wealthy family, lives a pleasant life with her loving father while Grace, on the other hand, grew up in orphanages. The two sisters finally meet and their story unfolds as they move with a group of foster children from the British Children’s Home Society to Lillian’s comfortable home.
Lillian’s charmed life is greatly changed as a result of her sister and the children and Grace finds herself challenged in caring for multiple children and living in someone else’s home. Love, challenges, and adventures carry the sisters and their young wards through this enjoyable tale as they struggle to get to know each other, live together, and find a path to their future.
A great book to curl up with in your comfortable chair and enjoy! A delightful tale of two sisters, their young charges, and their enterprising scheme to find families for them! A thoroughly enjoyable read! Readers of Janet Oke and Laurel Oke will be delighted with this new spin off of the Canadian West, When Calls the Heart, series.
This copy was received from Bethany House and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
Unyielding Hope is one of those stories that not just warms the heart but enters your thoughts about a time when the good intentions of some had unintended consequences. And sometimes, those consequences turn out just the way they should. Two young sisters lost their parents to consumption. Lillian was told her younger sister Grace also died of the disease that we know of today as tuberculosis. Little did she know, Grace survived.
Grace and Lillian, through God’s grace, found each other again in His own time. To find each other after so many years and build a life together was amazing. Each had her own story, with Grace never finding a forever home through adoption and Lillian, a young woman who was afforded many opportunities is a very loving home. Grace, who grew up with so little was so open to possibilities while Lillian, was a little more reticent. Yet, she brought Grace and all of the orphan children in her care back to live in the family home in Brookfield.
I have enjoyed reading Janette Oke’s stories over the years and they leave me with something to think on when the story is long gone. Unyielding Hope, written with her granddaughter Laurel Oke Logan, is a good lesson in putting things into perspective. It isn’t what we have been given but what we do with what we have that matters most. Giving love when it is needed most to those who need it is far better than all the riches of the world. I heartily recommend this book for the hope it brings and the laughter the children provide in the midst of two sisters reconnecting.
I loved reading about the British Children’s Home Society and I learned a lot.
I first heard of this subject when I read Carrie Turansky’s No Ocean too Wide.
I knew that I wanted to read more so I was happy when I discovered this book.
Grace and Lillian are two of the most remarkable ladies that you’ll ever want to meet. I felt like they were the sisters I never had. I admired them very much!
The children in the story will make you want to cry when you learn each of their stories and how they came to be with Grace and then Lillian. I already knew I’d love them like my own.
There wasn’t a thing that I didn’t like about this book. It was very well written and some of these characters are very easy to make friends with and well, some are a little harder in getting to know. I do hope there’s a sequel to this book. I don’t think the children’s stories are over just yet. I have a feeling there’s more to tell.
I think I what I enjoyed most was when someone said that it doesn’t matter who your family is. They could just be passing through or be staying awhile. They just could be your immediate family, friends or maybe just the townspeople they’re still family. Where one or two is gathered in my name there I shall be also.
Another reminder is that you can run but can’t hide. Grief will follow wherever you may go. God will use you when you least expect it. Miracles do happen all the time. We just need to open our eyes and see what’s in front of us.
I highly recommend this book. It will leave you thinking about the people in the book long after it’s over.
I really enjoyed this book! I believe you will too!
My thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own