Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie
Laurel Oke Logan is the daughter of Janette Oke, awarding-winning author of Christian fiction, whose bestselling books have sold over eleven million copies, and Dr. Edward Oke. Laurel grew up in a small town on the Canadian prairie with three brothers who kept life exciting and eventful.She married during her college days and soon after began writing her first novel, Gillian. She and her husband, Marvin, are the parents of four children and Laurel has been able to resume writing on a part-time basis while she homeschools her children.Laurel Oke Logan has joined with her mother, in the writing of Janette's life story. This biography has its origins in the humble beginnings of the little farmhouse that belonged to Laurel's grandparents. In this country home she learned as a child to treasure the heritage, simple values, and family ties that shaped the life of Janette Oke. Laurel and Janette spent many hours laughing and crying as they put together the research for this biography.Laurel continued her education at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, and Purdue University. She has taught writing seminars to high school students, as well as assisting Janette Oke with her writing projects. She and her husband and children make their home in Indiana.Janette Oke (pronounced "oak") pioneered inspirational fiction and is the leading author in the category today. Love Comes Softly, her first novel, has sold over 1 million copies. Janette is now the bestselling author of over 70 books, 32 of which have been translated into fourteen languages.  Janette receives fan mail from all over the world and answers each letter personally. 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.Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. They make their home in Canada.