I was much surprised at this book. I had expected, at the end of the last book in the Canadian West series, that this book would pick up where it left off. Instead it seems to be about 20 or so years in the future and primarily about the Delaney's two adopted children, Henry and Christine.We find them while Henry is reliving a painful memory. Like his dad, he has joined the Mounties and has been one for about 5 years. He however finds trouble at time, especially when he had to inform a young widow with a baby about the death of her husband. This memory has stuck with him and made him feel guilty about how he had handled it.Now he is reassigned to a town in the South. Here he is surprised to discover that same widow, working as the barber in the town. Her young boy, five now, wants so much to be a part of everything but as she's afraid of losing him too he's kept somewhat secluded. When he decides to head out on an adventure of his own, the widow and Henry must work together to bring him home safely.Christine has left her parents for a job as a secretary in the South. While her boss is a bit brash at times she grows to like her job and kindles a relationship with the boss' son Boyd.Boyd, while charming, has no direction in his life and certainly no room in his belief system for Christine's religion. He parties with his friend and goes from pleased to angry in an instant. As I was reading I'd had an inkling that he'd be abusive. Would Christine be able to turn his love around?The Christianity in this novel is pretty low key. The most seems to happen around Christine as she is struggling between her faith and Boyd and his rejection of God. Henry goes to church in the novel but his story isn't as faith based.I have a few criticisms for Oke in this novel. I would have liked to see one come before it or more background given. We are suddenly introduced to these adult children of Elizabeth and Wynn without any history. What happened that they adopted Christine? Where did Kip go and how did the new dog replace him? Another book is almost needed. In addition, these characters seemed a little too perfect for me. They hardly had any faults and just seemed less real than the stories of Elizabeth and Wynn did.I do applaud Oke's incorporating of abuse in this novel. Its a hard task to write about and I think she did it well. Aside from those notions, there was nothing in this book that would offend anyone.It was a nice story as usual just a little bit of a let down for me as I had become attached to the characters of Wynn and Elizabeth.Beyond the Gathering StormCopyright 2000253 pages
I just love this series. When I found out that Janette Oke wrote 2 more after the first 4, I reread the first 4 books because I read them probably 20 years ago. I couldn't believe how much I had forgot about the stories. But I really remember liking them and I can really identify with Wynn and Beth all their moving around and unable to have children. Now the next two books pick up ironically 20 years later. Yes this one is a little different but it is still historical fiction but I felt kept the same feel and again I identified with Christine their adopted daughter it was almost painful to read but I am really happy with the outcome of the story. Moving on to the last one in this series. So far this Canadian West series is my favorite.
I've got to say, I was disappointed that the story of Wynn and Elizabeth, one that I had followed faithfully for four books previously was cut off. I loved reading of them in their rural lives and the adventures, trials and victories that they had. But I felt that their story was stopped rather abruptly.This book picks up some 20 odd years later with the stories of their adopted children. After the first few chapters, you are drawn into the story of Christine and Henry, but nonetheless, the underlying problem still remains. I wanted to know more about Wynn and Elizabeth. There were questions left completely unanswered and this book still didn't answer them all. It almost seems that this book, though it was very good, should have some sort of bridge. Some warning at least to the closing of the previous story. At the end of the previous book, Wynn and Elizabeth had an "adopted" son and were living in town, but hoping to return to the Indian village. There it stopped. And now, 20 years later, we are reading about their children with little notice as to what happened in between. All things in consideration, it was a good book. I certainly don't regret reading it! You will find the stories in this one just as interesting. But if you are looking for some sort of happy ending, or any ending really to the story mainly centered on Wynn and Elizabeth, I believe you'll be in for a little disappointment.
—Rachel
I very much enjoyed this volume of the Canadian West series. Oke takes some more difficult topics in this story. The only thing that was a little disorienting is that this story is set some 20 years after the last book (#4). It takes a bit to catch up to the author and figure out what's going on and what has happened over the years. Eventually, the story is told (though not in satisfying detail) and we get to hear about Wynn and Elizabeth's adopted children and the challenges that they face. I l
—Lori Field
Another of the Canadian West book series that I read to my wife. In Book #5 of the series, Elizabeth and Wynn take in a little boy, Henry. In this book, it turns out that they adopted him and a little girl as well. This book is about the children, now grown. Henry becomes a Mountie like his dad and finds a good woman to share his life. Christine is not so fortunate, but she has a good strong background and gets out of a bad relationship in time with a broken heart to show for the ordeal. I suspect that book #6 will be about Christine's future, but for now, she is at home with Wynn and Elizabeth and is contemplating her future. Diana liked the book, I'm ....
—Allan67
