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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.
andrea says
I love to read fiction books
Wendy M says
The setting is one of my favorites. I also love the title. “Be Still My Soul” is one of my favorite songs.
jessica says
I love historical christian fiction.
Jamie says
I like that it will probably be really clean as it is a Christian book.
Joanne Bischof says
Hi Jamie! Yes, my hope is that the book would be a good read for readers of love clean romance. Blessings!
Melissa Belle says
That it’s a christian book.
sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Laura Lane says
Simple and old fashioned life
Joanne Bischof says
You and me both, Laura 🙂 There’s just something special about the good old days.
Amy Campbell says
That it’s historical and is set during time and place of my grandpa grew up.
Joanne Bischof says
Amy, it’s always fun to see you! I bet your grandpa was quite a man.
Anita Yancey says
The fact that the book takes place in Appalachia really interests me. I am orginally from that area myself. Thanks for having this giveaway.
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says
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.
Joanne Bischof says
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.
Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says
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.
Maryann says
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
Joanne Bischof says
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. 🙂
jackie s says
Would love to read this
Joanne Bischof says
Thank you so much, Jackie. I hope you get the chance!
april yedinak says
I like that it is historical fiction.
Joanne Bischof says
There’s something special about historical fiction, isn’t there, April. Always nice to meet another fan of the genre! 🙂
Corrina says
I love these kinds of books 🙂
Joanne Bischof says
Glad to hear it, Corrina!! 😀
TINA HARWOOD says
I WOULD LOVE TO READ THIS BOOK.
Joanne Bischof says
Yay, Tina! I’m so glad!
chris says
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!
Joanne Bischof says
Ooh, sounds like a great book, Chris! I love this genre too 🙂 Glad for the opportunity to meet you here!
Beth Essex says
I love historical fiction, especially when it is written with good values.
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Cindi says
The time period, the main characters and that this
wonderful book is the first in a series…
Many thanks, Cindi
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Angie PreciselyMine says
I love that the story is about something that very well might have happened during that time in Appalachia.
Joanne Bischof says
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. “)
ellie says
The storyline and the characters sound compelling and interesting.
Joanne Bischof says
Wonderful, Ellie! That means so much to hear. Nice to see you here!
Joanne Bischof says
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.
Cindy B says
I like the story of the relationships between the characters.
Joanne Bischof says
Glad to hear it, Cindy! Thanks so much for reading the interview and I’m glad you’re entered for the giveaway!
Daniel M says
like reading about life in past here, lots of era’s i’m glad i wasn’t in
Joanne Bischof says
LOL, Daniel 🙂 You have a good point here. Life had many a challenges in the olden days, didn’t it?
Beth C says
I like the Appalacihan setting.
Joanne Bischof says
So glad, Beth!! It’s near and dear to my heart. 🙂
Barbara H. says
This sounds lovely. I’d love to read it.
Joanne Bischof says
Thank you Barbara, for stopping in for the giveaway!
Jessica To says
I like that it is a romance, but doesn’t sound like it goes down the same trite path.
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Merry says
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.
Joanne Bischof says
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!
LisaB says
I live in North Carolina and always enjoy stories set in the Appalachians.
Joanne Bischof says
Waving at you in NC, Lisa! So nice to meet you here!
Jenny says
The journey and independence interests me. I also like the historical setting.
Joanne Bischof says
It’s neat to see what interests everyone and I love what you’ve mentioned, Jenny!
Sarah Hall says
I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia so I am interested because of the locale.
Joanne Bischof says
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!
Roberta Horn says
This book sounds interesting and I think my BFF would love it!!!
Joanne Bischof says
Roberta, you are so sweet to think of your BFF. What a friend you are. 🙂 Glad you stopped in for the giveaway!
Ellie W says
The Appalachian setting really interests me.
Joanne Bischof says
Elli, thrilled that the Appalachian setting resonated with you! It’s a special place. 🙂
Linda Stewart says
Their journey excites me. I’m anxious to read about their trials along the way.
Joanne Bischof says
Linda, your comment is so touching. I hope a copy of Be Still My Soul makes its way into your sweet hands!
chelsea says
I love Christian romance books and the historical setting of this book seems really interesting
Joanne Bischof says
Chelsea, something we very much have in common 🙂 I’m so glad the setting interested you!
angie says
love books like this makes for a wonderful read
Joanne Bischof says
I’m so glad you think so, Angie!! If you get the chance to read Be Still My Soul, I hope you enjoy it!
PinkyPlatz says
I like the idea that the plot includes an older couple in addition to a romantic younger couple. Thanks for the giveaway!
Joanne Bischof says
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!