Tender Years

Twenty years have passed since youngest daughter Belinda's story in Love Finds a Home. Marty and Clark's spiritual heritage has been lovingly passed on to their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And now beloved granddaughter Virginia faces the test of her young life. Caught in that difficult period between childhood and adulthood, feeling that she doesn't really fit anywhere, Virginia struggles against what she considers to be unreasonable restrictions and expectations.

A lively new girl arrives at school, and Jenny seems to represent everything that Virginia is longing for--her looks, her daring, her alluring freedom from constraints. But then comes the day neither girl will ever forget?

More than 500,000 copies sold!

The granddaughter of Marty and Clark Davis is caught in that difficult period between childhood and adulthood. Prairie Legacy book 1.

VOYA

Oke's new Prairie Legacy series begins twenty years after the conclusion of the Love Comes Softly series published by Bethany. Belinda and Drew, the protagonists from the earlier series, have passed their values and strong Christian beliefs to their five children. However, fourteen-year-old Virginia is struggling with self-doubt and the urge to yield to peer pressure. This title is Virginia's coming-of-age story. Virginia desperately wants to be part of a popular group, even though Jenny, the leader, is often reckless and thoughtless. It is difficult for Virginia to balance her need for her family's approval with the desire to be a little wild. Both Virginia and Jenny like the same boy, which adds even more tension. Finally, a tragic accident combines with a crime in which a man is unjustly accused to make Virginia realize the importance of living one's values and accepting God's plan. Oke's fans will be pleased with Virginia's story. The elements for a "wholesome" read are all here: basic plot, strong family values, prairie setting, personal growth, and the natural integration of religion and God into the storyline. The story is definitely didactic-the adult family members are authority figures who are patient and wise almost beyond belief. The young protagonist is challenged and grows through meaningful interaction with adults, God, and peers. The dialogue, at times, is forced, and some of the plot seems contrived, especially the resolution at the trial of the falsely accused man. These weaknesses will not deter Oke's legion of fans who wish to continue following the story of this prairie family. At the time of this review, my library system already had sixty requests for this book. Young adult readers looking for a novel of faith and optimism will enjoy Virginia's story. VOYA Codes: 3Q 4P M J S (Readable without serious defects, Broad general YA appeal, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

Janette Oke (pronounced "oak") pioneered inspirational fiction and is the leading author in the category today. Love Comes Softly, her first novel, has sold over one million copies. Janette is now the bestselling author of over 70 books, 32 of which have been translated into fourteen languages. Her books have sold over 22 million copies.

Janette receives fan mail from all over the world and answers each letter personally. 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. They make their home in Canada.