Be Still My Soul: The Novel

"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."

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?-Amazon.com

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After reading and reviewing Though My Heart is Torn, the second book in Joanne Bischof's The Cadence of Grace series, I could not wait to read the story that brought Gideon and Lonnie together. When I finally got my hands on Be Still My Soul it did not take me long to finish. Once again I was enthralled with Bischof's writing style. Bichof writing style includes vivid imagery and believable characters. The pain is etched on their faces (yes I realize this is only a book), but with Bischof's words I could visualize them as though I was watching the story unfold in front of me. 

It was a different experience reading the second book first. Like I said in my review of Though My Heart is Torn, I never read book series out of order! It is against my nature, but reading the second book before the first gave me a different experience. When the characters in Be Still My Soul said or did certain things I wanted to cry out and tell them what would happen in their future. Yes, as you might have guessed, I get really involved in the lives of imaginary people. 

If you enjoy Christian fiction Be Still My Soul and Though My Heart is Torn are must reads. I cannot tell you which one is my favorite. I am hoping it will be number three which is coming in October! :) 

I know I have not said much about this novel, but I want to leave it a surprise. Find out about Joanne Bischof's inspiring story on your own and then tell me how you liked it!

Note: See my next blog post entitled "Be Still My Soul: The Hymn" for insights on Bischof's choice of title and how the classic hymn ties in with her novel.