Janette Oke
Encyclopedia
Janette Oke is a Canadian
author and pioneer of inspirational fiction
. Her books are often set in a pioneer time period and centered around female protagonists. She is a committed Evangelical Christian.
Janette Steeves was born in the Depression years in Champion, Alberta
, to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife, Fred Steeves and Amy (née: Ruggles) Steeves.
She graduated from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta
. Janette met her husband Edward Oke while they both attended college. They were married in 1957 and have pastored churches in Indiana, and Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. He later became the president of the college. Janette and Edward had 4 children, including a set of twins. Her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan, has co-written books with Janette.
Her first novel, titled Love Comes Softly, was published by Bethany House
in 1979. This book was followed by more than 75 others.
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.
: "follows the lives of one family through three generations--beginning with a hated "marriage of convenience," through hardships common to life on the prairie in an earlier time, leading at last to an abiding love."
This series has also been published into two boxsets, Volume 1-4 and Volume 5-8. New revisions with updated covers were published in 2003 and 2004, including the boxsets.
The Fox Faith
film versions of the "Loves Comes Softly" series, which aired on the Hallmark Channel
, do not completely follow the books. They starred Katherine Heigl
, Corbin Bernsen
, Erin Cottrell
and others. Directors of the films included Michael Landon Jr.
and Lou Diamond Phillips
.
There are also two planned prequels coming to the Hallmark Channel
titled Love Begins and Love's Everlasting Courage.
These are not based on any Janette Oke books,
: "compelling characters who experience the fears common to every woman's heart, and through the magic homespun fiction leads the reader into an awareness of faith that transcends the darkest fear." This book follows the up's and downs of a boy growing man's life.
This series was republished in 2002 with updated covers. The series has also been published as omnibus (all four books in one volume). This book is called "Seasons of the Heart".
: "this series follows a man and a woman as they stumble through foolish mistakes and misunderstandings, yet find a depth of character and courage within themselves as their love deepens." The last two books came much later and focus on the children in the series rather than the main characters of the first four books.
This series was republished in 2005 with updated covers.
: "picking up twenty years after Belinda's story from Love Finds a Home, A Prairie Legacy series follows Marty and Clark's grandchildren as they grow in faith and maturity."
This is a follow-up to the Love Comes Softly series. A box set of all 4 books is also available. A republished edition is now available.
and published by Bethany House
: "two young women, their lives shadowed by nations in conflict, begin a friendship that will propel them on a journey from which they can never turn back."
This series is continued on by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn in the follow-up series, Heirs of Arcadia.
and published by Bethany House
:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author and pioneer of inspirational fiction
Inspirational fiction
Inspirational fiction is a term that refers to a sub-category within "inspirational literature," or "inspirational writing," used in various ways in the United States and other nations...
. Her books are often set in a pioneer time period and centered around female protagonists. She is a committed Evangelical Christian.
Janette Steeves was born in the Depression years in Champion, Alberta
Champion, Alberta
Champion is a village in southern Alberta, Canada within Vulcan County. It is located on Highway 23, approximately north of Lethbridge and south of Calgary, Alberta.- Demographics :...
, to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife, Fred Steeves and Amy (née: Ruggles) Steeves.
She graduated from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta
Didsbury, Alberta
Didsbury is a town in central Alberta, Canada, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.Located next to Alberta Highway 2A, near the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, Didsbury is within the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Didsbury is approximately the half-way point between the cities of Calgary and Red...
. Janette met her husband Edward Oke while they both attended college. They were married in 1957 and have pastored churches in Indiana, and Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. He later became the president of the college. Janette and Edward had 4 children, including a set of twins. Her daughter, Laurel Oke Logan, has co-written books with Janette.
Her first novel, titled Love Comes Softly, was published by Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
in 1979. This book was followed by more than 75 others.
She received the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
The is an international non-profit trade association whose member companies are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide...
for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction.
Love Comes Softly series
published by Bethany HouseBethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
: "follows the lives of one family through three generations--beginning with a hated "marriage of convenience," through hardships common to life on the prairie in an earlier time, leading at last to an abiding love."
- Love Comes SoftlyLove Comes SoftlyLove Comes Softly is a 2003 Christian drama television movie set in the 19th century, based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It originally aired on Hallmark Channel in 2003...
, 1979 - Love's Enduring PromiseLove's Enduring PromiseLove's Enduring Promise is a 2004 Christian Drama made for TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke.The film is the second in the "Love Comes Softly" series of television movies on Hallmark Channel that includes Love Comes Softly , Love's Long Journey , Love's Abiding Joy , Love's...
, 1980 - Love's Long JourneyLove's Long JourneyLove's Long Journey is a 2005 Christian Drama made for TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It was directed by Michael Landon Jr...
, 1982 - Love's Abiding JoyLove's Abiding JoyLove's Abiding Joy is a 2006 Christian Drama made for TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It was directed by Michael Landon Jr. and stars Erin Cottrell and Logan Bartholomew...
, 1983 - Love's Unending LegacyLove's Unending LegacyLove's Unending Legacy is a 2007 Christian Drama made for TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It originally aired on Hallmark Channel on April 7, 2007. It was directed by Mark Griffiths and stars Erin Cottrell...
, 1984 - Love's Unfolding DreamLove's Unfolding DreamLove's Unfolding Dream is a Christian Drama and the sixth TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke and second to air in 2007. It originally aired on Hallmark Channel on December 15, 2007 and was produced for Hallmark by Larry Levinson Productions. It was directed by Harvey Frost...
, 1987 - Love Takes WingLove Takes WingLove Takes Wing is a Christian drama and the seventh TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It aired on Hallmark Channel on April 4, 2009...
, 1988 - Love Finds a HomeLove Finds a HomeLove Finds a Home is a Christian drama film, the eighth and final installment based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It aired on Hallmark Channel on September 5, 2009. The film is based on the book Love Finds a Home by Janette Oke...
, 1989
This series has also been published into two boxsets, Volume 1-4 and Volume 5-8. New revisions with updated covers were published in 2003 and 2004, including the boxsets.
The Fox Faith
Fox Faith
Fox Faith is a brand of film studio Twentieth Century Fox targeting evangelical Christians. Established under Fox's video division, Fox Faith acquires independent Christian-themed films for theatrical and video release...
film versions of the "Loves Comes Softly" series, which aired on the Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
, do not completely follow the books. They starred Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl
Katherine Marie Heigl is an American actress and producer. She is possibly best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series in 2007...
, Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
, Erin Cottrell
Erin Cottrell
Erin Cottrell is an American actress, who has appeared in the role of Missie Davis-LaHaye in 5 of the 8 films in the Love Comes Softly series. She also played Caroline Ingalls in the 2005 miniseries Little House On The Prairie...
and others. Directors of the films included Michael Landon Jr.
Michael Landon Jr.
Michael Landon, Jr. is an American actor, director, writer and producer.- Biography :Born as Michael Graham Landon, Landon is the son of the late actor Michael Landon and his second wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe. Michael is the brother of Christopher B...
and Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips is an American film, television, and stage actor and director. His breakthrough came when he starred in the film La Bamba. He earned a supporting actor Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in Stand and Deliver and a Tony Award nomination for his role in The King and I...
.
There are also two planned prequels coming to the Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
titled Love Begins and Love's Everlasting Courage.
These are not based on any Janette Oke books,
Seasons of the Heart series
published by Bethany HouseBethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
: "compelling characters who experience the fears common to every woman's heart, and through the magic homespun fiction leads the reader into an awareness of faith that transcends the darkest fear." This book follows the up's and downs of a boy growing man's life.
- Once Upon a Summer, 1981
- The Winds of Autumn, 1987
- Winter Is Not Forever, 1988
- Spring's Gentle Promise, 1989
This series was republished in 2002 with updated covers. The series has also been published as omnibus (all four books in one volume). This book is called "Seasons of the Heart".
Canadian West series
published by Bethany HouseBethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
: "this series follows a man and a woman as they stumble through foolish mistakes and misunderstandings, yet find a depth of character and courage within themselves as their love deepens." The last two books came much later and focus on the children in the series rather than the main characters of the first four books.
- When Calls the Heart, 1983
- When Comes the Spring, 1985
- When Breaks the Dawn, 1985
- When Hope Springs New, 1986
- Beyond the Gathering Storm, 1999
- When Tomorrow Comes, 2000
This series was republished in 2005 with updated covers.
A Prairie Legacy series
published by Bethany HouseBethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
: "picking up twenty years after Belinda's story from Love Finds a Home, A Prairie Legacy series follows Marty and Clark's grandchildren as they grow in faith and maturity."
- The Tender Years, 1997
- A Searching Heart, 1998
- A Quiet Strength, 1999
- Like Gold Refined, 2000
This is a follow-up to the Love Comes Softly series. A box set of all 4 books is also available. A republished edition is now available.
Song of Acadia series
Co-written with T. Davis BunnT. Davis Bunn
T. Davis Bunn is an American author.Bunn grew up in North Carolina. He became an international financial expert and worked in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bunn and his wife live in Oxford now...
and published by Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
: "two young women, their lives shadowed by nations in conflict, begin a friendship that will propel them on a journey from which they can never turn back."
- The Meeting Place, 1999
- The Sacred Shore, 2000
- The Birthright, 2001
- The Distant Beacon, 2002
- The Beloved Land, 2002
This series is continued on by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn in the follow-up series, Heirs of Arcadia.
Acts of Faith series
Co-written with T. Davis BunnT. Davis Bunn
T. Davis Bunn is an American author.Bunn grew up in North Carolina. He became an international financial expert and worked in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bunn and his wife live in Oxford now...
and published by Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
:
- The Centurion's Wife, 2009
- The Hidden Flame, January 2010
- The Damascus Way, 2011
Standalone books
- Return to Harmony, co-written with T. Davis BunnT. Davis BunnT. Davis Bunn is an American author.Bunn grew up in North Carolina. He became an international financial expert and worked in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bunn and his wife live in Oxford now...
- Another Homecoming, co-written with T. Davis BunnT. Davis BunnT. Davis Bunn is an American author.Bunn grew up in North Carolina. He became an international financial expert and worked in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bunn and his wife live in Oxford now...
- Tomorrow's Dream, co-written with T. Davis BunnT. Davis BunnT. Davis Bunn is an American author.Bunn grew up in North Carolina. He became an international financial expert and worked in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bunn and his wife live in Oxford now...
- Dana's Valley, co-written with Laurel Oke Logan
Women of the West books
Note: These books are standalone novels about different women of the west, and do not need to be read in order.- The Calling of Emily Evans, 1990
- Julia's Last Hope, 1990
- Roses for MamaRoses for MamaRoses for Mama is the fifth album by country musician C. W. McCall, released on Polydor Records in 1977 . The album saw McCall singing several songs that were written by others, as opposed to his previous albums, which were written entirely by him and Chip Davis...
, 1990 - A Woman Named Damaris, 1991
- They Called Her Mrs. Doc, 1992
- The Measure of a Heart, 1992
- A Bride for Donnigan, 1993
- Heart of the Wilderness, 1993
- Too Long a Stranger, 1994
- The Bluebird and the Sparrow, 1995
- A Gown of Spanish Lace, 1995
- Drums of Change, 1995
Janette Oke Classics for Girls series
- Roses for Mama
- Heart of the Wilderness
- A Gown of Spanish Lace
- The Bluebird and the Sparrow
- The Calling of Emily Evans
- Drums of Change
Janette Oke's Animal Friends series
- The Impatient Turtle
- The Prodigal Cat
- Spunky's Diary
- This Little Pig
- New Kid in Town
- Ducktails
- Prairie Dog Town
- Trouble in a Fur Coat
- Maury Had a Little Lamb
- Pordy's Prickly Problem
- A Cote of Many Colors
- Who's New at the Zoo?
- Janette Oke's Animal Friends Pack, vols. 1–6
- Janette Oke's Animal Friends Pack, vols. 7–12
Other Items by Janette Oke
- Celebrating the Inner Beauty of Women Dec 1997
- Father Who Calls: Devotional insights for Daily Meditations
- Hunger of Your Heart: Finding Fulfillment Through a Closer Walk With God
- Janette Oke Engagement Diary
- Janette Oke 2001 Engagement Diary (Calendar)
- Janette Oke's Reflections on the Christmas Story
- Making Memories by Janette Oke and Cheri Bladholm
- My favorite recipes: Featuring devotional & selected recipes
- My Favorite Verse
- The Father of Love
- The Loving Heart-Calendar
- What Does Love Look Like by Janette Oke and Cheri Bladholm