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Be Still My Soul – Book Review

September 30, 2012 by Trish

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Be Still My Soul is the debut novel by Joanne Bischof, and the first in what will be her Cadence of Grace series. As the book opens, we meet Lonnie Sawyer, an almost-eighteen year old girl living with her family in the hills of Appalachia a little over a century ago. Although she does not have a boyfriend, she is forced into marriage by her father after Gideon O’Riley, a bluegrass musician and the local ladies’ man, steals a kiss one evening.

Lonnie finds herself an unwelcome addition to the O’Riley household, and it’s not long before Gideon decides they will strike out on their own to find a future somewhere else. The long journey goes from difficult to perilous, culminating in a providential encounter with an older couple who offer them not only food and shelter, but also a place to find their footing as man and wife.

This book is a story of journeys, both physical and spiritual. As Lonnie leaves her parent’s house and then even her home in Rocky Knob, she is also moving from being a girl to a woman, as well as a wife and mother. Gideon has a parallel journey, although it is filled with more twists and turns as he fights against his situation in life as well as against the call of God to surrender to His plan.

I truly enjoyed this sweet story. The Appalachian setting and dialogue rang very true, and the combination of plot action and character development seemed well-balanced. It was heartwarming to see how this older couple was put in the younger couple’s life and made up for the lack of warmth and caring from their earlier lives.

Joanne Bischof is a fresh voice in the world of inspirational, historical fiction, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre of books. You can learn more about Joanne and even read the first chapter of the book at her website.

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67 Comments

  1. andrea says

    October 13, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    I love to read fiction books

    Reply
  2. Wendy M says

    October 13, 2012 at 11:31 am

    The setting is one of my favorites. I also love the title. “Be Still My Soul” is one of my favorite songs.

    Reply
  3. jessica says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    I love historical christian fiction.

    Reply
  4. Jamie says

    October 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I like that it will probably be really clean as it is a Christian book.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:51 pm

      Hi Jamie! Yes, my hope is that the book would be a good read for readers of love clean romance. Blessings!

      Reply
  5. Melissa Belle says

    October 8, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    That it’s a christian book.

    sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:50 pm

      Melissa, wonderful to meet a fan of Christian fiction! If the book lands in your hands, I very much hope you enjoy Lonnie and Gideon’s story!

      Reply
  6. Laura Lane says

    October 7, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Simple and old fashioned life

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      You and me both, Laura 🙂 There’s just something special about the good old days.

      Reply
  7. Amy Campbell says

    October 7, 2012 at 8:24 am

    That it’s historical and is set during time and place of my grandpa grew up.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      Amy, it’s always fun to see you! I bet your grandpa was quite a man.

      Reply
  8. Anita Yancey says

    October 6, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    The fact that the book takes place in Appalachia really interests me. I am orginally from that area myself. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      Anita, another Appalachia girl!! What I wouldn’t give to sit down with the lot of you and have tea and chat. 🙂 So glad to meet you here!

      Reply
  9. Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says

    October 5, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    the first thing that caught my eye was that this is about a girl from Appalachia, I’m an Appalachian myself. Sounds like a great book.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:47 pm

      Carolyn, it’s such pleasure to meet an Appalachian girl. Oh the stories, I bet you can tell 🙂 I hope that Lonnie and Gideon’s story do honor and justice to this special region, especially to someone who grew up there.

      Reply
      • Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says

        October 12, 2012 at 11:02 pm

        Thanks Joanne, most people laugh at the way we talk around here, but that what we grew up in. You are right, with the stories from around here and most of them are true.

        Reply
  10. Maryann says

    October 5, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    I like the setting and time in history and would also be interested in reading how the older couple mentors and is an example to this younger couple

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:41 pm

      Maryann, it’s such a pleasure to hear what has you interested. The mentor relationship in the story was really something I wanted to bring forward and hope it encourages readers of all ages. 🙂

      Reply
  11. jackie s says

    October 5, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Would love to read this

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:41 pm

      Thank you so much, Jackie. I hope you get the chance!

      Reply
  12. april yedinak says

    October 5, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    I like that it is historical fiction.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:40 pm

      There’s something special about historical fiction, isn’t there, April. Always nice to meet another fan of the genre! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Corrina says

    October 4, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    I love these kinds of books 🙂

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Glad to hear it, Corrina!! 😀

      Reply
  14. TINA HARWOOD says

    October 3, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I WOULD LOVE TO READ THIS BOOK.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Yay, Tina! I’m so glad!

      Reply
  15. chris says

    October 2, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    I’m currently reading a book set in small towns in Kentucky/Indiana during the first half of the 20th century. I love this genre!

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Ooh, sounds like a great book, Chris! I love this genre too 🙂 Glad for the opportunity to meet you here!

      Reply
  16. Beth Essex says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    I love historical fiction, especially when it is written with good values.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:37 pm

      Beth, I couldn’t agree more. It’s a wonderful balance, the historical fiction with a moral to the story that I truly hope encourages people. Blessings!

      Reply
  17. Cindi says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    The time period, the main characters and that this
    wonderful book is the first in a series…
    Many thanks, Cindi

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:36 pm

      Just wonderful, Cindi! Yes, I’m excited that there will be 3 books in all and that each book will follow Lonnie and Gideon’s story. Lovely meeting you here!

      Reply
  18. Angie PreciselyMine says

    October 2, 2012 at 11:02 am

    I love that the story is about something that very well might have happened during that time in Appalachia.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:35 pm

      Angie, so glad you think so too! I really wanted to showcase the entanglement of heartache and hope that touches on the region of those days. I hope Be Still My Soul does it the justice it deserves. “)

      Reply
  19. ellie says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:37 am

    The storyline and the characters sound compelling and interesting.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:31 pm

      Wonderful, Ellie! That means so much to hear. Nice to see you here!

      Reply
  20. Joanne Bischof says

    October 2, 2012 at 12:27 am

    Trish,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review “Be Still My Soul”! I absolutely enjoyed reading your thoughts as well as all of the comments from this great group! It’s such a pleasure.

    Reply
  21. Cindy B says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    I like the story of the relationships between the characters.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      Glad to hear it, Cindy! Thanks so much for reading the interview and I’m glad you’re entered for the giveaway!

      Reply
  22. Daniel M says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    like reading about life in past here, lots of era’s i’m glad i wasn’t in

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      LOL, Daniel 🙂 You have a good point here. Life had many a challenges in the olden days, didn’t it?

      Reply
  23. Beth C says

    October 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I like the Appalacihan setting.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:29 pm

      So glad, Beth!! It’s near and dear to my heart. 🙂

      Reply
  24. Barbara H. says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    This sounds lovely. I’d love to read it.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Thank you Barbara, for stopping in for the giveaway!

      Reply
  25. Jessica To says

    October 1, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I like that it is a romance, but doesn’t sound like it goes down the same trite path.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Jessica, thrilled to hear that the romance has a fresh take to it for you. If you get a chance to read it, I so hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  26. Merry says

    October 1, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Be Still My Soul sounds different than the usual shotgun marriage stories. I like the young couple having caring mentors to teach them about life and love.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:27 pm

      Merry, it brings a smile to my face to hear that the story sounds a little different than other shotgun wedding stories. That’s my hope! Also, with the mentors in Lonnie and Gideon’s life…I really wanted to show that we can rarely do it on our own. 🙂 Blessings!

      Reply
  27. LisaB says

    October 1, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    I live in North Carolina and always enjoy stories set in the Appalachians.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:25 pm

      Waving at you in NC, Lisa! So nice to meet you here!

      Reply
  28. Jenny says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    The journey and independence interests me. I also like the historical setting.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:25 pm

      It’s neat to see what interests everyone and I love what you’ve mentioned, Jenny!

      Reply
  29. Sarah Hall says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia so I am interested because of the locale.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:24 pm

      Sarah, what I wouldn’t give to see the view from your front porch or hear the stories you have to tell. 🙂 So nice to cross paths with you here!

      Reply
  30. Roberta Horn says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:57 am

    This book sounds interesting and I think my BFF would love it!!!

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      Roberta, you are so sweet to think of your BFF. What a friend you are. 🙂 Glad you stopped in for the giveaway!

      Reply
  31. Ellie W says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:38 am

    The Appalachian setting really interests me.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      Elli, thrilled that the Appalachian setting resonated with you! It’s a special place. 🙂

      Reply
  32. Linda Stewart says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:02 am

    Their journey excites me. I’m anxious to read about their trials along the way.

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:19 pm

      Linda, your comment is so touching. I hope a copy of Be Still My Soul makes its way into your sweet hands!

      Reply
  33. chelsea says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    I love Christian romance books and the historical setting of this book seems really interesting

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      Chelsea, something we very much have in common 🙂 I’m so glad the setting interested you!

      Reply
  34. angie says

    September 30, 2012 at 8:48 pm

    love books like this makes for a wonderful read

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:17 pm

      I’m so glad you think so, Angie!! If you get the chance to read Be Still My Soul, I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  35. PinkyPlatz says

    September 30, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I like the idea that the plot includes an older couple in addition to a romantic younger couple. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Joanne Bischof says

      October 12, 2012 at 10:16 pm

      I’m really glad that stood out to you! I had hoped to showcase the value of relationships that span generations 🙂 Glad you entered the giveaway!

      Reply

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