Love's Abiding Joy

This book was so frustrating! The beginning wasn't that bad. I was excited to return to Marty and Clark while reading more about Missie's budding family. So far, the books have been sweet with a dash of drama. I didn't mind the slower, calmer pace. What I do mind is unrealistic optimism.

To lose a limb is devastating, regardless of who you are. While there are people who've recovered (somewhat) and made their stories inspirational, they only succeeded after months or even years of struggling. That is completely fair. Their entire life has changed. For a farmer like Clark, losing his leg could mean the difference between life and death. He wouldn't be able to plow his fields or feed his family.

When this horrible thing happened, I settled show more in to read about how this inspirational family overcame this tragedy. Instead, that was solved in one page. I kid you not. Clark spends a page - one afternoon - crying and praying, and then he's fine. That's it. One afternoon of wallowing, and then he's accepted it. Not only is it unrealistic, it's just uneventful. There's no point in the rest of the book. Not only did Clark accept his new life, so did everyone else. No more conflict. No more struggle. No more story.

I guess Clark is supposed to be a Christian's fantasy: a simple yet manly man whom other men look up to who is also very spiritual. Taking this into consideration, it makes sense why Clark would get over his loss so quickly. That said, it doesn't excuse the poor storytelling. What strengthens faith is doubt. It's ironic, but it's like having day without night. You need one to really value the other. Since Clark never doubts, never struggles, neither his character nor his faith grows. This book is preachy and bland and did a disservice to the more complex character in the first Love Comes Softly book. show less

Love's Abiding Joy is another lovely addition to the Love Comes Softly series, but unlike the first three books in the series, this one is pretty much pure inspirational, historical fiction. There's really no romance to speak of. The story is primarily a continuation of Clark and Marty's relationship as they face more trials and joys with a side helping of Willie and Missie. There are no new budding romances, and even these two married couples don't so much as share a kiss on the lips, only extremely chaste pecks on the cheek or forehead. This was a tad disappointing, because the first three books had just enough romance for me to be comfortable categorizing them as such. However, it was still a wonderful book that is every bit as good show more as the Little House on the Prairie series, which it resembles, and fans of frontier stories are sure to enjoy it.

In the last book of the series, Love's Long Journey, Missie and Willie headed west in a covered wagon to settle on the frontier and build a cattle ranch. They are now prospering in their new home, but Clark and Marty dearly miss their oldest daughter. With a new rail line now running through a town not far from Missie and Willie's ranch, Clark and Marty are finally able to go visit them. Although this part of the story moved a little slowly for me, I did find it interesting. Compared to modern-day travel, their week-long journey by stagecoach and train seemed downright primitive, but in many ways, Clark and Marty felt like they were traveling in luxury. Although it was still exhausting for them, I suppose when you consider the alternative of traveling overland by covered wagon it was luxurious. The accommodations in their departure city were as well, but from there on, not so much, which makes me very thankful for our modern hotels and travel conveniences.

When Clark and Marty finally arrive, they couldn't be more thrilled to finally see Missie and Willie again and be introduced to the grandchildren they've never met. After a rocky beginning, Missie has settled into her life on the frontier very nicely, and they have built a wonderful group of people around them as a support system. Missie now loves life on the ranch every bit as much as Willie always did, and their two boys are as cute as a button. Clark and Marty only plan on staying for two weeks before heading back to the family they left behind, but a tragic accident, extends their stay for much longer.

Just like the first two books of the series, a large part of this book is in Marty's perspective, but a decent chunk of it is from Clark's POV, which was a refreshing change. I've always adored Clark for his patience and gentleness, and I loved the way he teases Marty. He has always been the perfect foil for Marty's bluntness and impatience. We see a touch of that here, but it's mostly about her strength and resilience which I admire. What I've always admired more though, is Clark's quiet faith and optimism. When tragedy strikes, he does get upset to some extent, but only for a short time, and he doesn't allow himself to dwell on it too much. That's because he believes wholeheartedly that everything that happens to him, good or bad, has a purpose. He also believes everything will be OK no matter what, because God is watching out for us and wants the best for us. With that in mind, he also puts his sharp mind to work figuring out ways to overcome these new obstacles with which he is faced. The other thing I've always loved about Clark is how he quietly lives out his faith in a way that is easy for others to see but non-threatening. That's because he never tries to shove his religion down anyone's throat, but instead, is a good friend and gentle teacher to everyone, no matter where they are in their walk with God. In this way, he is able to reach many people in a positive and often life-changing way. Clark is such an easy man to fall in love with even when the book technically isn't a romance.

Overall, Love's Abiding Joy was a very pleasant and heartwarming read. I love that the faith message is a more gentle one, and not preachy, like many inspirational books nowadays. It also paints a vivid picture of life on the frontier and many of the difficulties inherent in living so far from civilization. I very much enjoyed my time reading Love's Abiding Joy. It has earned a spot on my keeper shelf next to its predecessors, and I look forward to continuing the series. show less

Somehow, Janette Oke's characters get under my skin. This is the fourth bookin the 'Love Comes Softly' series about pioneer families in America. In this book, Marty and Clark make the long journey out West by train, to see their married daughter Missie and to meet their two grandsons. Their visit is unexpectedly extended far longer than they expect.

Not the greatest of literature, but the characters are three-dimensional, and several times I found tears in my eyes as I read. Since this is American Christian fiction, here's the obligatory explanation of how to become a Christian included in a couple of places, but it comes fairly naturally during relevant conversations and is not pushed.

Gives a good idea of what it might have been like show more for people like this in the early days of train travel, despite being a very light read that would be suitable for teens or children.

It's not necessary to have read earlier books in the series, but it would probably help. There are quite a number of different characters, which could be confusing for someone picking this book up as a stand-alone read. show less

The fourth book in the Love Comes Softly series: the continuing story of the children of Marty & Clark Davis, a young widow and widower who joined in a marriage of convenience, but found true love in God and each other. Set somewhere in the Canadian prairies and sometime in the pioneer/homesteading days, but no specific place or time are mentioned. Very satisfying stories, full of characters struggling in realistic ways with their faith amid the trials of life and finding hope in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The male characters are admirable (not perfect), God-fearing, and honorable.

In the fourth book in the Love Comes Softly series Marty and Clark are reunited with their daughter’s family, but their hope and faith are tested by a tragedy.

“This series is just soooo good. Marty and Clark decided to visit Missie and Willie in the West, they encounter a couple trials while visiting and really count on God to help them through. I enjoyed reading about how the kids have grown up into young adults. Some are married and others are just at the age to begin dating/courting.

Reading what the men and women have to go through during this time, makes me so very thankful for everything I have. Electricity, heat, running water, and just being able to go to the Dr. for any illness or birth of a baby.

I'm looking forward to the next book!”

The railroad brings Missie's family to her when it is completed, allowing her parents to see their two grandsons, Nathan and Josiah, for the first time. But an accident brings Clark a problem that could cost him his life and Marty works to save him.