Janette Oke (born 18 February 1935) 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 and Amy Steeves.
She graduated from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta. Janette met her husband Edward Oke (pronounced "oak") 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.
published by Bethany House: "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 Softly, 1979
Love's Enduring Promise, 1980
Love's Long Journey, 1982
Love's Abiding Joy, 1983
Love's Unending Legacy, 1984
Love's Unfolding Dream, 1987
Love Takes Wing, 1988
Love Finds a Home, 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 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 Resounding Courage.These are not based on any Janette Oke books,
Seasons of the Heart series
published by Bethany House: "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 House: "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 House: "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 Bunn 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."
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 Bunn and published by Bethany House:
The Centurion's Wife, 2009
The Hidden Flame, January 2010
Standalone books
Return to Harmony, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
Another Homecoming, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
Tomorrow's Dream, co-written with T. Davis Bunn
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 Mama, 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
Youth books
I Wonder Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb? (picture book)