Love Comes Softly (Love Comes Softly Series, Book 1) Paperback – April 1, 2003

One of the fines crossover stories every written, LOVE COMES SOFTLY has tremendous appeal and an inspiring message for readers of every age, and every life situation. It is a story about the enduring power of faith and love, and the ability to heal and survive even the most devastating losses. Many other reviews detail the plot of this story, so I will make a few other points. Author Janette Oke, humbled by the enormous response she received to her story and characters, continued to write of Marty and Clark and their family until both of the original main characters were into ripe, old age. Janette said in an interview that she simply did not want to see Clark and Marty die, so she stopped weaving their family tale after book 12 (see series order below).All of the stories are wonderful, but in my opinion, books one through four are superior, and the first book, LOVE COMES SOFTLY, is outstanding.IMPORTANT NOTE: Ms. Oke REVISED her series in 2003, to reflect slightly more modern vocabulary and context, in order to increase reading comprehension for those who do not know vernacular and colloquialisms of the mid-nineteenth century pioneer era. While the revisions certainly make the story more accessible to many, I feel that part of the charm and authenticity present in the original 1979 version have been a bit reduced. I was able to find a copy of the original 1979 release, and enjoyed this version a bit more. For the average reader, the story will not suffer; history and period piece buffs may want to try to find the original. Ms. Oke revised a number of the titles in the series as she saw fit, again only for vocabulary and comprehension, not for content.Whether you are a Christian or historical fiction fan, a reader of romance or a strong female protagonist fan, or if you simply enjoy an honest, thoughtful, character-driven story, LOVE COMES SOFTLY will not disappoint. With a plotline that catches the reader's attention from the first sentence, this simply spun, authentic, beautifully voiced story rings with sincerity and pathos, and cannot fail to touch the heart of even the most taciturn reader. Read it yourself, read it with your children, recommend it to your parents or your book group or your church group. Just read it!SERIES READING ORDER:Book 1: Love Comes SoftlyBook 2: Love's Enduring PromiseBook 3: Love's Long JourneyBook 4: Love's Abiding JoyBook 5: Love's Lost LegacyBook 6: Love's Unfolding DreamBook 7: Love Takes WingBook 8: Love Finds a HomeBook 9: The Tender Years (Book 1 of A Prairie Legacy Series, a spinoff starring Clark and Marty's granddaughter Virgina)Book 10: A Searching Heart (Book 2 of A Prairie Legacy Series)Book 11: A Quiet Strength (Book 3 of A Prairie Legacy Series)Book 12: Like Gold Refined (Book 4 of A Prairie Legacy Series)

Lovely, engaging, comforting. Truly enjoyed reading this book and inspirational. Can’t wait to read the next in the series. Recommend.

The book begins with the funeral of newlywed Clem. The young couple had followed their dreams of owning property out West and now an accident has left Clem’s pregnant wife, Marty, alone to survive. Clark Davis, a widow too, with a little girl named Missy decides to make the Marty an offer of marriage. She was to be her daughter’s mamma and take care of the house, in exchange, he would provide for her and pay for her passage for her to go back home to the East in the spring time. Marty agrees seeing that she had no better plan for surviving in the winter. The book then follows the story of this “family” as they grieve the loss of their loved ones and begin their new way of life in the best way possible.The book gives great insight to the reader about life in the Old West during the mid 1800’s. The reader learns of the excitement of young couples in search of their own property, their drive for adventure. Janet Oak not only tells us about the hardships and ways of life in the West, but she transmits so much feeling through her characters that the reader seems to actually experience those moment. No history book can do that. It is not only the death of Clem that emerges the reader to the story. Throughout the book one learns about the living situation in the West; the seasons for farming, the way food was stored and cooked, the daily hardships of keeping the fire burning. One of the things I enjoyed the most about the book was the values that are transmitted to the reader. There was a culture of solidarity in Old West which is clearly shown in the book. Neighbors would help each other during hard times, both through moral support and physical work. Another very important aspect of the western life which is described in the book is religion. Puritan roots and faith were very deep-rooted beliefs for many of the people in the west. Being also a Christian novel, the book portrays the value that religion had as well as the moral and social role it played during those times.I was very surprised by a passage in the book in which the value of tradition and gender-role is showed. Clark and Marty are constantly trying to fill their “part of the deal” as man and woman of the house. In this scene the reader can see how the duties of a man and a woman were so well defined. “He was simply providing what was needed for those under his roof, a thing he had been taught was the responsibility of the man of the house...” (77). Some people may find Clark’s mentality as very misogynist, conversely I find it to be noble. A person’s honor and responsibility is extremely important.It is important to notice how the Western life remained one with the most pure American values. As life in the East was driven by money and power and slavery in the South violated the American principle of freedom, the West remained untouched. Settlers strived to own their own piece of land and live a free, calm and puritan life. Such philosophy led to the lack of major economic developments and technological advances in the West. There was no desire for much more than land and peace. Although the world may not see this as a good decision today, I believe that if the Western life had what Americans valued the most then it must’ve been a tough but happy one, such as the one told in this book.I would recommend this book to any romantic person. The story flows very easily and its vocabulary is colloquial yet right. Janette Oke not only provides a romantic and sweeping story but grandeurs the importance of values and faith during the harsh Old West. The reader will be hooked by the story and its loving characters and furthermore will experience the life of the Old West. One will not regret reading it.

This was a sweet read, and makes you desire the simpler life of the past. It was a quick, predictable story, but sometimes that peaceful feeling at the end of a happy ending is all you need.

I have loved this book since I was young and I love it still!! Highly recommended!! It’s lovely, I’m so happy I read it again!

I've read this book many times over, yet each time I'm as moved as the first! It's artfully told with a quiet strength. The story builds beautifully in a way that's moving, and with soft and gentle humor too. Marty and Clark learn to love each other in difficult circumstances. And the lesson of "love sometimes comes softly" . . . is a wonderful reminder that love (even romantic love) grows within us in different ways, as we learn to unselfishly serve one another. Read it - you won't be sorry. Thank you, Janette Oke!

Great short story. Hits the most important parts of what marriage and life are all about. The richness of a man is his family and the loss of loved one leaves lingering grief. I enjoyed it very much

I hope you will enjoy this interesting story and all the depth of its meaning, as much as I did.