About this book:“Set along the rugged coastline of 18th century Canada in what was then called Acadia (now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick), The Meeting Place re-creates a world that was home to native Indians, French settlers, and English garrisons. Such diverse populations did not live in accord, however. Instead, they were isolated within their own groups by a brewing political tension under the difficult English rule. Amid such chaotic times two women, both about to become brides and both trying to live lives of quiet peace, meet in a lush field of wildflowers. Louisa, a Frenchwoman, and Catherine, who is English, continue to meet secretly through the seasons, sharing both friendship and growing faith. The outside world does not mirror their own tranquil happiness, and the dreaded crackdown by the English throne threatens far more than their growing bond. In the face of a heart-wrenching dilemma, Louisa and Catherine strive to maintain their faith and cling to their dreams of family and home.”Series: Book #1 in the “Songs of Acadia” series. Spiritual Content- Matthew 5:9 at the beginning; Many, many Prayers; Many talks about the Bible & reading it; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & many Scriptures are quoted or mentioned; Very, very strong Faiths!Negative Content- Eel hunting (semi-detailed; Yes, it’s a thing, call me naïve but I didn’t know that!); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars, fires & guns (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of killing and hanging (not-detailed). Sexual Content- A couple kisses between married couples (barely being barely-above-not-detailed); An urge to kiss someone; A mention of touching his wife’s hair (barely-above-not-detailed).-Catherine-Louise P.O.V. switches between them, Andrew, Henri, & John (three times) Set in 1753-1755 281 pages~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Pre Teens- One StarNew Teens- Two StarsEarly High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)Older High School Teens- Five StarsMy personal Rating- Four StarsI’ll admit I really didn’t know much about the French Acadians or King George’s War before reading this book, so this was educational! This also was my first Janette Oke book! (Though I’ve been watching the “When Calls the Heart” series on Hallmark, #Hearties unite! ;D ) I was a little worried at first because of the married couple being the main characters, because most married couple books have a lot of Sexual hints...it gets awkward for us unmarried, young girls (and I would think those who are married, too, but I can’t speak for them) but Oh. My. Goodness. There was seriously nothing! Like, look at the Sexual Content! Can we get all “new” Christian authors to do like Janette Oke?! It was so refreshing with the super strong Faiths and lack of icky stuff! And another note: Eel hunting. Okay, what? It’s makes since I guess, but I've sure never thought about that before!Link to review:http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
The Meeting Place is a story based during the English occupation of Nova Scotia and the subsequent exportation of all the French settlers out of Acadia as it was called. I looked forward to reading this as my husband has grown interested in the history and culture of the Cajun people in Louisiana. This book follows the lives of two very different young women, Louise who is French and Catherine who is not only English but the wife of an English officer. The two women met the day before their weddings as they married on the same day. They both had a secret place that they found gave them peace, but they found that they shared this place with a person that culture and the times said should be their enemy. The story traces the friendship that developed between these two women and the story of their husbands and children and how the evolving conflict between the English and the French effected them all. It is a heartbreaking story of love of family and heritage, as well as love of a friend and of faith in God and prayer. I was sad that the end left so many unanswered questions. I will be reading the other books in the Song of Acadia Series. This was one of my favorite books to date.
What do You think about The Meeting Place (1999)?
I loved this story. The first if its kind for me! This story was visually written therefore to my liking. It was a heart wrenching story to be sure, but I understand the compassion of the story line. I am now reading the second book in this series. I am now a fan of this author. I found out about her through the school I work at, we were all discussing "When Calls The Heart" and how we all love that Hallmark Series. Then the discussion of the author who's story inspired the series. Now we are all reading her Novels as is my daughter. They are clean, Christian based and story driven! I highly recommend them.
—Pam
A gentle, faith-filled tale as readers expect of Janette Oke, author of eight Love Comes Softly books and a dozen Women of the West. Not really historical fiction so much as Christian fiction in a historical setting. (view spoiler)[Historical errors abound: Fort Edward was just four years old when the story opens, not seventy as Oke reports. Likewise, Louisburg was already in England hands. Muttonchop sideburns were almost a century in the future. (hide spoiler)]
—Ron
This is the first book of a five book series coauthored by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn. The entire series is set in the tumultous era of pre-Revolutionary War days in early America, only in this instance the setting is in Acadia, more recenly Nova Scotia.The authors set a riveting tale of two families, one Enlish and the other French, only a few miles away from each other but never meeting or relating to each other, OTHER than a meadow high up in woods where two young girls, both engaged to be married, go to find wildflowers and smell the wonderful mountain air.The girls become good friends, thanks to the ability of the English girl to speak some French, and eventually their families find out, and both families are to a degree imperiled by the discovery.In due season both young married girls are with child and give birth also to baby girls. And when one of the infants develops a life threatening condition, the love of the other mother causes her to do a very self-sacrificing thing, which has very far reaching consequences. The entire series gave my and my wife a brand new understanding of both the horrors of war, especially the unwarranted hatred of the French by the English, but even more so of the conquering power of the love of God. It also gave us knowledge of a little known but highly importance and very dramatic event in the decades preceding the Revolutionary War. The above rating goes above the five starts, it is beyond excellent, as are all five books in this series, and there IS a second series.
—David Gregory
