Be Still my Soul by Joanne Bischof - a book review

This book is about a young couple who have been forced into a marriage neither one wants.   The bride, Lonnie, is looking forward to the day when she is old enough to leave her abusive father's household.  The groom, Gideon, has no desire to get married and enjoys playing the field.  He is forced by their father's to marry Lonnie but is not at all pleased about it.  There are times during the book, that I found myself really disliking this young man.  He decides that in order to make a living he must move to a different town. It is a grueling trip and along the way Lonnie realizes that she is pregnant.  They are taken in by a loving , older Christian couple who tend to Lonnie.  The man makes it his mission to teach Gideon how to be a man worthy of Lonnie, much to Gideon's dislike.  This is a story about submisson, devotion, forgiveness, dedication and faith.

From the publisher's website:

"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?"

I really enjoyed this book.  I especially liked reading about the some of the mountain towns we see on our travels. Mount Airy and Fancy Gap have always intrigued me.

Read more about the author on her website HERE.

And take a sneek peek at the first chapter HERE....





I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multnomah through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”