| Title | : | Loves Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 076422851X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780764228513 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1983 |
Marty and Clark Davis's daughter Missie and her husband had homesteaded land in the far West, many weeks' journey away by covered wagon. But with the coming of the frontier railroad, the miles are suddenly bridged, making possible their long-awaited reunion.
Grandparents Marty and Clark are thrilled to meet their two little grandsons for the first time. Missie, anxious to hear news from home, plies her mother with questions about her brothers and sisters. And as Willie proudly shows the two visitors around his successful ranch, Missie, just as proudly, shows them the little soddy that was their original home.
But the joyful reunion is shattered by a tragic accident. Will they ever be a happy family again?
Loves Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly, #4) Reviews
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Reviewed for
THC Reviews
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 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. -
I think I enjoyed the third book a little more, but this one was nice too. I watched the movie last night and it was way different from the book...I hope to start the 5th one soon though :)
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This was not what I was expecting, but I loved it anyway. I love watching these characters grow. <3
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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 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. -
What a wonderful story ... a reunion between parents and child who have not seen each other for several years ... and a beautiful story of how to smile through adversity, how to let God be God, and how to trust Him for everything! Very inspirational!
April 2015 ... my very favorite of the entire series. Reunion of Clark & Marty with daughter Missie ... and then a terrible tragedy, which a deep and abiding faith can turn to a deep and, indeed, abiding joy. -
Always heartwarming to read! 😍
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The Transcontinental Railroad has been built, and a months-long excursion is now about a week. Clark and Marty take advantage of modern times and take a trip west to see Missy and meet their grandchildren. After the last couple of books it is so sweet to read about their reunion and for them to see the success of Willie's ranch. But it's not long before tragedy strikes and their world is turned upside down. The faith of this family is uplifting and inspiring.
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This is the fourth book of the Love Comes Softly series. Marty and Clark take a train trip out west to visit Missy, Willy and the two grandsons, Nathan and Josiah. They plan to stay two weeks but sometimes even a well organized schedule can fall apart. There is no way that the couple could have foreseen the tragedy that awaited them during their visit with Missy and her family.
I have enjoyed the four books of this series that I've read so far. I'm going to say this one is my favorite. The trip out west on two different trains. The long awaited reunion with Missy, Willie and the boys. This book drew me in and I laughed and cried along with the characters. I enjoyed my reading experience with Love's Abiding Joy. Most have probably read this series long ago but it's my first time reading it so every book is a new experience for me.
For those who love reading classic books this series is for you. Those that have read it already might enjoy rereading it. I have loved every book or series written by Janette Oke that I have read.
I was fortunate to find a complete original set of this series at a garage sale. A review was not requested. I share here my honest thoughts and opinions about Love's Abiding Joy. -
A Quickie Review
It's been a while since I've read any installments in this series, but, I remembered the characters and situations well enough to follow this one. Fans of books like this know what to expect, and that's just what they get here.
Score: 4/5 -
Beautiful series of Christian fiction.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved that Marty and Clark got to see Missie and Willie again. This book was also filled with great scriptural truths.
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This is the fourth book of the series. Like the others, reading the previous books in order adds some depth of feeling and identification, but it probably isn't absolutely necessary. And like the others, this story is complete at the end, but with the promise that the saga continues.
This is a Christian book and as much as any previous book, faith and God are an essential part of this story. The beginning drags a bit as Clark and Marty journey to see Missie and her family and that journey is drawn out. There is also a portion at the end which is somewhat anti-climactic. The reunion is nice, but the heart of the story is the "tragedy". That story and how that event plays out as part of this family's faith journey is what makes this book stand out.
The author explores how Christians deal with God's will. Part of that is how they pray in the midst of crisis. The author presents through the story her explanation of how God works in these things and this explanation is probably good as far as it goes.
***There may be a bit of a spoiler in the paragraph that follows, but I don't think so. If you open this "spoiler", it reveals some of the feel of the climax, but no specifics.
Both Clark and Marty show deep and mature faith in this story. At times Willie fades into the background. Missie is not the center of this story, but rather she is in many ways back to being Clark and Marty's daughter. There are significant contributions by several other people in this story.
It is hard to say that there are mature themes in this book, but there are a couple of things worth noting. There is still no sex. There is a brief mention in a backstory of a suicide. And of course the central tragedy touches on why bad things happen to good people. -
Marty misses Missie and Willie and the granchildren she's never met. Her family is helping her celebrate her forty-second birthday and Clark gives her a wonderful gift - train tickets out West! She's going to see Missie!
The travel is not comfortable - Marty wonders if it's any better than a wagon - but it's much quicker and soon she is hugging her daughter and meeting her grandsons, Nathan and Josiah.
Willie's ranch has grown and they have a real rock house now. The LaHayes have made a good life out West and that makes Clark and Marty happy.
The time together passes quickly, but due to an accident in a mine, the Davis' stay is greatly extended. Clark loses his left leg as a result and must recuperate. Missie spends so much time fussing over him and caring for him, that she is neglecting her husband and sons. Clark and Marty both realize this, so they move out to the soddy for the winter. I think they end up staying out there almost two years? Year and a half? It's a long time.
Things go well back home. Clare got married, Clae and Joe moved to the city so Joe could go to seminary, Luke is training with the doctor.
During the time out west, Clark helps start a church, a school is built, and they get a doctor. Turns out that Willie and Missie's neighbor, Juan de la Rosa, is a doctor. He lost confidence after a tragedy, but helping Clark and talking things through, as well as reconciliation with his family, restored his confidence and he is back to being a doctor.
The book ends with Clark and Marty heading back home, leaving behind Willie, Missie, the boys, and a soon-to-arrive grandchild, as well as all the friends they've made during their stay. -
In the 4th installment of the Love Comes Softly series we follow Marty and Clark as the take a trip west to see Missie, Willie, and their sons. I liked that we got to see some of all of the Davis family. Last book I mentioned that it was a little to focused on Missie and Willie for my liking. Although the writing is about the same as the other books I did notice some spelling errors but that could have been a mistake made when they mad this into an ebook. The new characters introduced in this book were enjoyable. My favorite is Wong.
As I’ve stated in my previous reviews for this series I definitely recommend these book to Christian fiction readers. -
THERE IS A NICE CONSISTENCY TO HER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES THAT IS COMFORTING AND ALSO DELIGHTFUL TO SOME DEGREE. YOU KNOW THE CHARACTERS PRETTY WELL BY NOW AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE BOOK GIVING YOU A CLEAR MESSAGE ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS, GOD'S ONE AND ONLY SON. IT TELLS THE STORY OF FAITH IN THE MIDST OF EVERY TRIAL AS WELL AS BLESSING. IT IS A GREAT SERIES AND GOES TO SHOW THAT WRITING WITH A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE AS THE BACKDROP IS ALWAYS A WINNER.
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Love Comes Softly #4
I don't want to spoil anything about this book, so I'm just going to say that you should read the first three books in the series before you read this one. You will get so much more out of it if you do. Also, read with tissues… Enjoy!
Read:
February 17-18, 2020 – Kindle Edition -
Honestly, I was expecting a plot more along the lines of the movie. This was NOTHING like the movie. This was, in a lot of ways, BETTER than the movie. This book is overflowing with faith. Strong faith that is unshakable even in the bitterest of tragedy. There are so many great Christian elements and messages to take back. Looking forward to book 5!
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Read this book and found out when I was 3/4 finished that it was part of a series. I couldn’t be any happier. Love the era and place it was set in, but either it is very very small, or it was so short I finished it in one night. It helps that I loved it.
I hope the rest of her series books are as enjoyable because I have now found another favourite author. -
Loved these books as a teen and young adult until I read Mrs. Mike and realized that this author merely copied another author's work as her own without giving them credit. She plagerized almost the entire Canadian West series but it really put a bad taste in my mouth for any of her other books including her animal series.
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A historical Christian Fiction sequel to Love's Long Journey - Book includes a birthday surprise, a journey west by parents, Marty and Clark, to visit their daughter and family on a cattle ranch.They expect a joyful reunion, but their joy doesn't last long when a tragedy changes everything.
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A delightful read. The loving ties of a pioneer family makes me really appreciate how we can visit our loved ones so easily in modern times. I like the exploration of the outlook of Clark as he lost his leg.
