Be Still My Soul--book review

Be Still My Soul 

by Joanne Bischof

About the book:




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?

Gideon only ever cared about himself. Now that Lonnie is his wife, will he ever be worthy of her heart?



My Review:

I read through this book in two days. Author Joanne Bischof did an amazing job of bring the characters to life and making me feel each and every heartbreak, joy, sorrow, and hope. I found myself so upset with what was going on in the story that I had to read through the next chapter and the next chapter because I couldn't stand not knowing whats going to come of it all. 

The first chapter is filled with vivid descriptions and lost of similes and metaphors. I found this a bit distracting personally but noticed it smoothed out further into the story.  Well, either it smoothed out or I became too engrossed in the story to notice. Guess I'll be rereading it to find out for sure. 

God felt a good distance away even when the characters were speaking or thinking of Him. Although I suppose it is like that in so many of the novels I have read, Yet I found myself expecting a bit more in this area. Especially towards the end of the book. That said, the grace and mercy of God are clearly portrayed and how forgiveness can change everything.

All in all I would recommend this book to you. It is in no way a relaxing read. It will have you holding your breath with wide eyes as you take in the story of Lonnie Sawyer and Gideon O'Riley.


****Thank you Edelweiss, Blogging for Books, and Multnomah Books for the free E-book in exchange for my honest review.****






Visit author Joanne Bischof's website and find out more about her.

To get your copy of this "Can't put it down" book, click on over here to Amazon.com or even here to Christianbook.com.