Reviewed by: Ceil Carey, long time book discussion leader

Church: Community Christian Church of Yorkville

Introduction

Title: Where Trust Lies

Series: Return to the Canadian West #2

Author: Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: February 3, 2015

Format: Paperback

Length: 336 Pages

OVERVIEW

Beth Thatcher loved the year she spent teaching in the Canadian West and hopes that she will be called to return and continue teaching. In particular, she has grown close to Jarrick, a Canadian Mountie who has stolen her heart. Family obligations call her home, so as a dutiful daughter, she returns only to find her mother has planned an extended steamship tour for the women of the family to take place almost immediately. Beth is tired, emotionally and physically, and would like nothing more than a long rest but, of course, she agrees to this trip her formidable mother has planned.

Set in the 1930’s, there are so many facets to this book by Janette and Laurel Oke. Beth grows to love and understand her mother in a way that she had never experienced while they are traveling. The reader gets a glimpse of the many cultural changes happening at this time and the difficulty for Christians to respond to these changes in a mature and godly way. Some examples would be the change in dress and hair styles for women as well as the new independence females were being offered.

Although beginning as what seemed to be simply a family and romantic novel, as the story unfolds, the reader finds real meat in the book with an exciting kidnapping at the denouement of the story. A Christ-like life is demonstrated by Beth, her mother and Jarrick, although each acting out their Christianity in different ways. Where trust lies is highly recommended for any library.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

5 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

High school students and adults

Christian Impact

The maturity that Beth gains by listening to her mother (someone who has always been very intimidating to her) can be an example to all of us. Also, looking at the changes occurring during this time which so scandalize and pain the older generation, should enable us to look at changes occurring in our world today and put them in a mature light.

If you love libraries, you will find them and their “work” everywhere. That being said, Ceil Carey has worked in an elementary school library, a middle school one and is retired from a public library. She has been on the board of her hometown library for many years, leads a book discussion and attends another. She is on the board of ECLA and is currently attempting to start a library in my church.

“ I cannot live without books.” Thomas Jefferson

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