The past year has been an awesome one for debut Christian fiction…and one of my absolute favorite debuts of last year was Joanne Bischof. Her Be Still My Soul is this beautiful piece of historical Appalachian fiction. I loved it so much that when she visited Tag(g)lines the first time, I interrupted my own writing getaway to film her intro video…while I was in pajamas, no makeup and glasses.
Yep. Possibly I should’ve just skipped the video that time around and saved viewers that little peek into messy Melissa, but I loved the book so much I had to gush about it on video. And no worries, I’m mostly put together in today’s intro.
I recently read the ARC for Joanne’s next book in the series, Though My Heart is Torn. Oh my…oh my. Sooo good again. Pretty sure I was crying at the end mostly because a) it was such a beautiful ending, but also b) now I have to wait for book three! After you read Joanne’s post today, be sure to check out the prize bundle giveaway going on at her website.
When Hope and Heartache Entwine
Clearing his throat, Gideon voiced her name. It fell from his lips like sweet honey. Would he ever have a reason to say her name again? Perhaps he would have to whisper it in the silent places of his heart to keep himself from losing his mind. They continued walking and Gideon waited until he had her attention. He longed for her forgiveness, but that seemed selfish. He focused instead on bringing her peace.
Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it.
I find myself wanting to guard this new revelation, especially for those of you who’ve journeyed through the first stage of Lonnie and Gideon’s story in “Be Still My Soul.”
I worry about how it will effect hearts, and for you wonderful readers who’ve followed this couple from the first moment of their shotgun wedding, those words may be heartbreaking…but hope and heartache can entwine.
Hope and heartache can entwine.
I’ve been thinking of this a lot lately. I’ve lived this. Perhaps you have too?
I think of the Psalms and the idea that though at times, the Psalmist is enduring a great trial, it is often ended by “but You oh, Lord.”
You oh, Lord are good. And just. And ever-present. Even when the road is rocky. Even when it is steep.
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Pre-order Though My Heart is Torn here! |
This second story in the Cadence of Grace series will be a love story perhaps unlike a love story you’ve read. It may tug your heart, it may stretch your heart, but is that not what love does at times? Is love truly a smooth, calm river that we float down? Or is it an immensely powerful journey that sometimes passes through stormy waters.
I think it did just that when a shy innocent girl was forced to marry a selfish scoundrel. Yet that man changed. Grew, matured. All for the love of his family. All so they might have a joyous life…and that he might be given the grace to be part of it. So he could hold his family tighter. And tighter. Little did he know, a mistake of his past was going to come back to haunt him.
Now, though their love story will take a surprising twist in “Though My Heart is Torn” it will not be for naught. Because love can blossom under these circumstances. It does it in the same way a flower finds its way through a pebbled path or the first ray of sunlight bursts through the storm.
It’s my firm belief that a happily-ever-after is all the more richer—purer, sweeter—if we had found ourselves looking out from the darkness and wondering how sweet the light might taste and if one day we might see it again. Though all hope may seem lost and though weeping may endure for a night…
Joy comes in the morning.
I wonder if perhaps you’ve been there, dear reader. Have you ever passed through a sorrow—only to experience the overwhelming, breath-bated joy of hope rising amid the ashes?
Has there been a time in your life, when your joy was sweeter, because of the rocky path you have walked?
Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne Bischof lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home-schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life. Though My Heart is Torn is the second novel in her Cadence of Grace series.
Readers, be sure to check out the giveaway going on at Joanne’s website. Joanne, thanks so much for being here today!
Comments 43
Okay! I’ve heard about this book and these characters and I am completely intrigued. Though I do believe I may wait for the third book to come out and then have a marathon read session b/c I think it’s a series I want to read all in one sitting!
I don’t blame you, Susan. It’s so hard to wait in between. 🙂
Susan, I am so glad to hear it! You are a woman after my own heart 🙂 You sound just like I do when I need a Lord of the Rings fix, must watch them all! The books are a bit of a saga so that’s a good plan (and I hear book 2 is a cliff hanger) *wink*. So fun to chat with you!
The books sound great. Entered the giveaway. and Melis, was wondering…who is it again you think Christy should marry? 🙂
Waaait, I didn’t make that painfully obvious in the video??? 🙂 The curly-haired, Scottish doctor all the way. It’s one (obviously very important) area in life in which Amy and I will never agree. Hahaha…
I have got CHRISTY right now from the library and now I must know all about this!! I feel so behind. 🙂 I’ve heard such great things. Thank so much, Sherrie, for reading the post and entering the giveaway!
So agree with Susan. I have to read these books! And I don’t think I can wait for the 3rd one. Maybe just read the 1st one, then wait…
Pat, are your three books coming out from Revell connected? Because if so, I have a feeling I will have the same problem waiting in between your books. 😉
Patricia, so honored that you’ve read the stories. Delighted that you enjoyed them. Thank you! I’m intrigued hearing about your books through Revell, I will have to go look them up!
My three are connected in the way small town people are connected. Each will be a stand alone with a minor character in the 1st book becoming the hero in the 2nd book. The 3rd book will be the same way. New character for the heroines, though.
I think my joy has always been sweeter when I walk the rough paths. Loved this book, Joanne!
Don’t know why but I read “sweeter” as “sweater” the first time and giggled. 🙂
I so agree, Jessica. That joy really is sweeter.
LOL, Melissa. Hehe!
I can not wait to read this book, please pick my name as the winner
Shirley Blanchard
jcisforme@aol.com
Thanks for stopping by, Shirley! To enter the giveaway, be sure to stop by Joanne’s website. 🙂
Good morning, Shirley! Thanks so much. 🙂 So glad you signed up for the giveaway over there.
Through losing a brother and my dad I have grown stronger. God showed me I wasn’t as strong as I thought I was. Want to read this.
Oh my, losing a brother and dad would be so incredibly hard. But I love the thought of strengthening you through the process.
My heart aches for your loss, Diana but rejoicing with me that God strengthened you through the journey. Blessings!!
Yay! Two of my favorite writer friends in one place!
Joanne, I loved your second book. IT totally tugged at my heartstrings. And yes, I think heartache makes the joy all the sweeter, because it reminds us of what’s important and what we have. And it makes us lean on the everlasting arms, something that we forget to do sometimes in normal life.
And Mel, I never read Christy, but watched the TV series…so I don’t know who she ends up with. Argh!! But I liked the doctor too, for sure. The preacher annoyed me with his whining. Hehe.
Yay, I’m glad you like Dr. McNeill. Most of the people I know seem to prefer the preacher, but I just don’t get it. He whines and is pushy and there are a couple times when you see him watching Christy from around a corner or something–creeps me out completely. Although, I’m probably halfway biased because I’ve read the book and he comes off even more pushy there, if I remember right. 🙂 Anyway, I’m glad we agree on this. lol
Oh, I’m such a sucker for a love triangle. I must dig into Christy!! I’ve watched the series, too and am excited to read the actual book now. So, so true, Lindsay that it really does make us lean on the everlasting arms of Christ.
Ahhh more books to enjoy “down time” with….and be uplifted, inspired & renewed!
You will definitely be all three of those things by reading Joanne’s books!
Thank you so much! I hope the book gives you that encouragement!! Thank you for your sweet comment. 🙂
Loved this blog post! I loved Be still my Soul and had the privilege of reading Though my Heart is Torn as an ARC. The mark of a good book for me is when I can’t bear to put it down regardless of dinner needing to be cooked and things needing to be done. Isn’t that true for all of us, though? These books met the mark for me! Looking forward to the final installment for Lonnie and Gideon. Guess I have to learn patience in the meantime!
Oh, that patience thing. 🙂
I just love seeing your sweet face!! (This is my mom) isn’t she cute?? 🙂
“It does it in the same way a flower finds its way through a pebbled path or the first ray of sunlight bursts through the storm.”
I love this. Such seemingly fragile things, strengthened beyond what we think is possible, by God’s hand. I can’t wait to read this installment in Lonnie and Gid’s story and watch the progression of this miracle!
That is a beautiful quote from Joanne’s post…love it!
A beautiful word picture: those fragile things strengthened beyond what seems possible–all by God. Love that. Thank you my sweet friend! (and thank you, Melissa!) 🙂
It’s so fun seeing the lovely Joanne on your blog today, Melissa! I’m not surprised that you’re gushing – Lonnie and Gid’s story is beautiful, heart-warming and tender. I loved the first book, and Though My Heart is Torn will be in my hands tomorrow while my hubby is driving us out to Denver! Can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Ooh, you’re going to Denver? Fun! And yeah, I tend to be a gusher by nature, which may sometimes stilt the impact, but for real…ahh…I just love her Cadence of Grace series! Love, love, love!
Thanks so much, Gabrielle! I am so glad that you enjoyed Be Still My Soul and I hope you enjoy book 2 as you drive to Denver! I love that you can read in the car! If I so much as try and look out the window, I have to pull over and put my head between my knees (ok, not literally, but just about) 😉 Have a safe trip!
Yes, we’re taking the kids to the Denver area for a visit with my sister and her family. I may even get a chance to hug Beth and Jeanne in Colorado Springs while I’m there! Looking forward to the adventure. And, Joanne, I’m so thankful I can read in the car! It helps pass the time. 🙂
So looking forward to the next book in Joanne’s series! Loved the first one.
I can’t believe I haven’t read ‘Christy’ yet, I loved the TV series. I will definitely have to put it on my TBR list. 🙂
Thank you Cathy! I hope you enjoy the next part of Lonnie and Gid’s journey. 🙂
What a great intriguing plot premise and location area. I will have to look into these.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad it intrigued you 🙂
I think I picked this book up and started skimming it in a bookstore- but didn’t end up buying it b/c I was actually supposed to be doing something else at the time and then reminded myself of that. Too bad! I totally should’ve bought it!
Laura, isn’t it funny how that happens? Well I’m so glad the book at least caught your eye even if it didn’t make it home 😉 if you come across it again, I hope it might bless you!
This Bischof person ain’t bad.
Although, she does think Uncas is hotte…more technically savvy as an actor than Magua. But I still say anger management and some chocolate will fix Magua’s issues.
Oh, I’m SORTA off track…
Ahem.
I read BSMS in a little hostel room a bit south of here,and smoked through it in 2 sittings.
For the ARC of TMHIT, I basically ignored life as I knew it and ate every page!!!!
As for joy being sweeter after a rocky path, I blogged about grace a few days ago. I certainly don’t mean to be self serving and wail “read MY blog!!” here, because that is rude. Long story short, years after we’d been vandalized, one of the kids who did it is now an Army officer, a solid believer and a great leader.
God is good. And He doesn’t wear a watch.
Jennifer-
You know my love for The Last of the Mochicans!! A fondness we share 🙂 I bet with a little work, you could have Magua straightened out. Chocolate is a great idea. 😉 What a neat story from your blog about grace! God is so very good.