Love's Unfolding Dream [Large Print]

I listened to this book as an audio book, so my perception may be different than others'. I thought it was a very good book. Better than some of the past books in this series (not that any were BAD). This story was mostly about Belinda, Marty and Clark's youngest child. Belinda is almost a young lady now and is starting to find her way in the world. She is very sensitive to the needs of others and when people, and animals, are hurt. Her older brother, Luke, who is a doctor, takes Belinda under his wing to begin training her as a nurse. Also, Marty's granddaughter Melissa (Missie's daughter), also comes to live with the Davis family for 2 years to get more schooling. Melissa is technically Belinda's niece, but they are about the same age and between the two of them and Amy Jo, they have lots of pre-adolescent girl drama to talk about. An interesting *coming-of-age* story for Belinda.

In Book 6 of the "Love Comes Softly" series Janette Oke has helped her characters grow with new challenges and decissions to make. She continues to span the years with her characters. A must read.

I have mostly shied away from Christian novels, especially Janette Oke's, but decided to pick this one up and give it a try. Instead of getting a preachy, dry as sandpaper story, I was surprised to get a nice, wholesome story of an incredibly warm and likable family full of strong characters and a good plotline. I found the rivalry between the girls over the schoolteacher's son both humorous and as frustrating as Marty did, and liked the way Belinda's family subtley reached out to the Simpsons who were too proud to accept charity from any of the neighbors. My favorite characters in this book had to be Marty, Belinda, and her relationship with her older brother Luke as she learned nursing by doing. More than anything, I got Oke's unmistakable message in this book: When you want to win someone over to your beliefs, you don't ram them down their throats, but by patiently waiting as you set an example that will eventually draw them in.

The last 3 books in the Love comes softly series are my favorites. I can really relate to Belinda. I can remember feeling left out when the cute boy always nocited by friend. Also I often feel like I am not sure what to do next in my life. A very good story with a supprising ending that you wont want to miss.

Belinda is a teenager. Her closest friends are Melissa (her niece from the West) and Amy Jo the daughter of Clare. The three girls have very different personalities but all love each other...until....one handsome young man comes to their school. Knowing Jackson threatens their friendship for a time. Belinda cannot bear anything in pain or dying, so she just naturally rescues whatever is maimed. This leads to her brother Luke asking her to help him in his doctor rounds. Belinda has found her calling even at her very young age.The Davis family continues to be a Godly influence on their community and it zones in on the Simpson family. Young Drew, 17, is seriously injured in a logging accident and Dr. Luke is forced to amputate his arm. The results provide an exciting book to add to Oke's Love Comes Softly series.