“Night’s chill tickled her skin. Lonnie pressed her hands together and glanced up. He was even more handsome up close. Having grown up the shy, awkward daughter of Joel Sawyer, she’d hardly spoken to any boy, let alone the one who had mothers whispering warnings in their daughter’s ears and fathers loading shotguns.” (Be Still My Soul, Joanne Bischof).
It’s time to start preparing for cozy fall days, curled up by the fireplace with a good book and a cup of hot apple cider. Be Still My Soul
I fell in love with Appalachian fiction years ago when I read the classic, Christy, and I have been searching out Appalachian novels ever since. Joanne Bischof does a splendid job of weaving the setting into her tender romance, with the characters coming to life against the lush background. When bluegrass musician Gideon O’Reilly picks at the strings of his mandolin, I can practically hear the notes jumping off the page and when sweet Lonnie pads down the trails in her bare feet, I can feel the mountain dirt clinging to her skin.
This tender romance is anything but formulaic. Rather than starting with the first glance and ending with marriage, Be Still My Soul begins a hasty, unwanted wedding. Already saddled with regret, can Lonnie and Gideon even dream of romance?
Here is the back cover copy, courtesy of publisher WaterBrook Multnomah:
Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith. But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate.
Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob.
Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life. What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?
I had the joy of meeting writer Joanne Bischof at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in 2011 when, during an icebreaker, she landed a paper airplane at my feet. We’ve been friends ever since, sharing a love for writing and for historical romance. I look forward to reading more of Joanne’s books in the future, including Though My Heart Is Torn
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
A paper airplane?? I had no idea Joanne was such a hooligan 🙂
I love, love, loved this book! And I’m thrilled I’m not alone in praising it. I can’t wait for the next one in the series!
I am reading this now and sometimes I just want to shake these two characters -they could do so much better together and just maybe they are finally realizing that as I am getting into the story. This is a wonderful story thanks for sharing it with us..
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Karen, I just have to say how much I enjoyed hearing your thoughts and seeing Be Still My Soul through your eyes. Thanks so much for choosing it as your pick this week!
Sarah, paper airplane flying is my secret shame 😉 It was a fun ice braker and who knew that the plane would land to the lady standing practically beside me?! Thanks so much for your support of the book and for your LOVELY endorsement!! I’m off to the post office today to peek and see if With Every Letter has arrived. So excited!
Hi Pol! I’m just chuckling at your comment. I think Lonnie and Gideon are going to suffer a lot from shaken character syndrome. 😉 Those two sure get off to a rocky start. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book!
Blessed to have gotten a pre-release copy of Be Still My Heart. About 1/3 way through and I’m entralled! You’re so right, Kare, anyone who loves historical fiction, will want to pre-order this captivating story by Joanne Bischof. Congratulations, Joanne!
Sarah, I’m just fortunate that Joanne isn’t better at making paper planes or we might not have met! I can’t wait to review your new novel–probably this coming Friday. 🙂
Paula, I often feel that way about characters when I’m at a mid-point of a book. “Why don’t you just TALK to each other!” Of course, you could probably say that for most of our relationships in real life, too! Stick it out with Lonnie and Gideon because the ending is definitely “sigh-worthy.”
Mona, pre-releases are such fun! I always feel like I’m peeking at a Christmas present before its time.
Joanne, thanks for letting me get a sneak peek at BSMS. I can’t wait to see the next installment of your series. Any hints on who the main characters will be?
Ooh, good question, Karen 🙂 The whole series follows Lonnie and Gideon. Book 2, Though My Heart is Torn will take them on a whole new journey, with a twist that might have readers flipping back to the first pages of Be Still My Soul. 😉
Okay, now I’m REALLY excited, Joanne! I’ve grown accustomed to the current trend of choosing new POV characters for each book in a series, but I think it’s much more fun following the same characters as they grow and change. I can’t wait until April! 🙂
Great post. Loved it. Have read an ARC of Be Still my Soul and can’t wait for the next installment!
Thanks for stopping by, Janette! I took a peek at your wonderful blog. My best friend grew up with JRA and still struggles with RA, today (That’s a lot of rhyming). Such a frustrating condition. I love your take on it, especially the post “A Bumpy (Lumpy) Ride.”
Thanks, Karen for checking out my blog. RA can be a challenge and certainly provides a learning experience. I hope your friend is finding answers as she travels on with it. It must be especially difficult when the onset starts so young!