Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof. Multnomah Books, 2012. 352p. (9781601424211)

One aspect that I really enjoy in a story is knowing that it will probably end happily. Which is why marriage of convenience stories are fun to read – you know it’s all going to work out in the end. In real life, that’s another issue completely.

Be Still My Soul is not technically a marriage of convenience story since it was not at all convenient for Lonnie and Gideon to marry. Rather marriage was forced upon them by her father.

Back cover:

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 really enjoyed this story. It was very easy to get drawn in by Lonnie’s plight and ache with her as she struggles to understand God’s plan for her life. A plan that is nothing like she imagined for herself. But God is always in control and while we might not understand what he’s doing, He has a purpose and a plan for ultimate good.  

In a way the book is more about Gideon’s journey than Lonnie’s. She’s the solid one who already trusts God although she often cries out to Him. Gideon, however, is a different story. He has a lot of growing up to do and some hard lessons to learn along the way.

It’s interesting to read about a setting and time where men (and boys) are honorable enough to own up to their indiscretions and not abandon their responsibilities. We hear a lot about divorce and infidelity and single parenthood these days and it makes you wonder how, why and when things changed.

But back to the book, it’s a fun story, it’s engaging, and the reader gets a glimpse of life in the Appalachian hills (moonshine and all).

Learn more about the author at http://www.joannebischof.com/

Go read it! When it releases on October 2, 2012... Find it at a library near you (after it releases this link will be more useful); Buy it from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBooks

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission. 

Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Quiet by Susan Cain

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Crown, 2012. 333p. (9780307352149)

This book was truly fascinating. And I really wish I had had enough time to finish it before moving to Africa. But I read a majority of it and am looking forward to borrowing it next summer from the friend I gave it to.

I was expecting this book to be written from a biblical worldview, but it’s not. The book isn’t against the Bible or Christianity. It’s just that I was expecting something that didn’t turn out to be true.

The author does address how introverts and those more on the quiet side might feel excluded by some churches – especially big churches. That’s one reason why I believe it’s very important to have greeters at every door. But the people in the pews (more often chairs these days) need to be a bit more friendly to those around them as well.

It doesn’t take long to realize that the author put a lot of research and thought into this book. There are many, many examples both from her personal life and from things most everyone comes in contact. She also traces how over the past century America has come to value extroversion more highly than introversion and she contrasts that with other societies that are opposite.

The writing is not dry, the stories keep you reading and there is practical advice scattered throughout. Both introverts and extroverts can benefit from Quiet.

Go read it! Wake County (ebook) ; Buy it from Amazon; B&N

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

  Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Waiting on Wednesday #5 - Duke's Promise

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Duke's Promise by Jamie Carie
B&H - September 2012

About
Award-winning writer Jamie Caries concludes her most epic storyline with a wonderful twist in A Duke’s Promise, the final Forgotten Castles novel.

From the Land of Fire and Ice back to England’s shores, Alexandria Featherstone finds herself the new Duchess of St. Easton. Her husband has promised a wedding trip to take them to the place where her imperiled parents were last seen -- Italy and the marble caves of Carrara -- but a powerful Italian duke plots against Alex and her treasure-hunting parents.

Hoping to save them, Alex and Gabriel travel to Italy by balloon. Fraught with danger on all sides and pressured by Gabriel’s affliction to the breaking point, they must learn to work and fight together. The mysterious key is within their grasp, but they have yet to recognize it. This journey will require steadfast faith in God and each other -- a risk that will win them everything they want or lose them everything they have.

Why I want to read it

Actually I already read it through NetGalley, but wanted to let you know it's coming out soon! Don't you just love the cover!

I was interviewed!

Almost two months ago I got a message from an author asking if she could interview me on her blog as part of a series of book blogger interviews. I was very surprised and pleased and speechless.

Keli Gwyn just released her first book a month ago and the reviews for A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California have been very positive. Be sure to look it up! (You can buy it from ChristianBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon)

When Keli first contacted me about an interview I looked through her blog and website and read other interviews with bloggers. She asks amazing questions and sounds like wonderful woman to share a cup of tea with.

And without further ado, here is the link to the interview. And be sure to check out the rest of Keli's site!

Book Blogger Hop: Favorite thing about blogging?

 

For the week of Aug 24-30:

Blogging Question: What is your favorite thing about blogging?


My answer:
It's been fun getting to know other book reviewers through their blogs and discovering cool new blogs through them. (Go check my blog list on the right - you'll have to scroll down some, to see some of my favorites!)


What is your favorite thing about blogs or blogging?

Waiting on Wednesday #4 - Unending Devotion

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
BethanyHouse- September 2012

About

Michigan, 1883 : In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan--and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?

Why I want to read it

I like stories set in the 1800s, Lily sounds like a fun character and there's just something about the cover that makes you want to know more about her.

Book Blogger Hop: What genre will you never read?

 

For the week of Aug 17-23:

What is the one genre you will NEVER read?


My answer:
Anything erotic or even borderline erotic. And chances are I'll never read about vampires either (except Dracula, maybe).


What genre will you never read?

Waiting on Wednesday #3 - Altared

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The True Story of a She, a He, and How They Both Got Too Worked Up About We Written by Claire and Eli
Random House - September 2012

About
“Altared is a must-read for young Christians hungering for a realistic, biblically rich take on love and marriage in the twenty-first century.” —Katelyn Beaty, editor, Christianity Today magazine, Her.meneutics

Mar•riage-hap•py \mar´-ij-hap´e¯\ adj 1: Having an inordinate preoccupation with marital pursuits, sometimes at the cost of other Christian priorities, commonly seen in evangelicals. 2: A giddiness stemming from all things related to marriage.

In the frenzied pursuit of romance, Christians sometimes lose sight of the greatest commandments: to love God and to love others. Distracted by wedding bells and exuberant hopes for a happily-ever-after, Christians often forget the greater vision of Christ’s call to love.

What if God is less worked up about marriage than we are?

With honesty and insight, Claire and Eli ask us to shift our thinking away from marriage or singleness and toward love and discipleship.

Drawing from luminaries like Augustine, the Desert Fathers, and Bonhoeffer, they invite you to join their real-life exploration of love as they convincingly demonstrate why a love for God and for one’s neighbor are to be our top priorities, whether we are single or married.

Why I want to read it

Doesn't it sound interesting? And plus, let's face it, a lot of singles idealize marriage and forget that life can be fulfilling before saying "I do".

Book Blogger Hop: Go-to author when in reading rut

 

For the week of Aug 10-16:

Who is your go-to author when you are in a reading rut?


My answer:
Usually if I'm in a reading rut it's because I've read so much recently that I'm just taking a break. But a fun, semi-light author that I can easily pick up are Lori Wick. Or I'll just read my favorite scenes from Anne of Avonlea, or a Janette Oke book. Depends on what is nearby. :-)


Which author do you go to when in a reading rut?

Waiting on Wednesday #2 - The Reason

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Reason by William Sirls
Thomas Nelson - September 2012

About
When Facing the Impossible, Can You Only Believe?

Storm clouds gather over a small Michigan town. As thunder shakes the sky, the lights inside St. Thomas church flicker . . . and then go out.

All is black until a thick bolt of lightning slices the sky, striking the church’s large wooden cross—leaving it ablaze and splintered in two.

When the storm ends—the search for answers begins.

James Lindy, the church’s blind minister, wonders how his small congregation can repair the cross and keep their faith in the midst of adversity. And he hears the words “only believe.”

Macey Lewis, the town’s brilliant young oncologist, is drawn to Alex, a young boy who’s recently been diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia. She puts her hope in modern medicine—yet is challenged to “only believe.”

And Alex’s single mom, who has given everything she can to her boy—is pleading with God to know the reason this is happening . . . to save her son. But she only hears silence and wonders how she can possibly “only believe.”

The Reason is a milestone debut novel, opening with a blast and never letting up as it introduces us to everyday characters who are wrestling with the questions: where is God when bad things happen? And does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? The answer each character receives will astound readers while offering an unforgettable call to hope, to change, to . . . only believe.

Why I want to read it

The cover looks quite interesting. Plus it sounds like an interesting story.

Book Blogger Hop: Do you rush out to get "viral" book?

 

For the week of Aug 3-9:

When a book goes “viral” (Hunger Games, Fifty Shades, Twilight), do you rush out to read it like everyone else, even if it’s not in your typical genre?


My answer:
Nope. I'm too cheap to buy a book, usually I just wait my turn at the library.


Do you rush out to read the latest book?

Waiting on Wednesday #1 - Unstoppable

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Unstoppable by Nick Vujicic
Random House - October 2012

About
Being unstoppable is about believing and achieving. It’s about having faith in yourself, your talents and your purpose and, most of all, in God’s great love and His divine plan for your life.

Millions around the world recognize the smiling face and inspirational message of Nick Vujicic. Despite being born without arms or legs, Nick’s challenges have not kept him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that no matter the despair and hard times in life, God is always present. Nick credits his success in life to the power that is unleashed when faith takes action.

But how does that happen? In Unstoppable Nick addresses adversity and difficult circumstances that many people face today, including:
 · Personal crises
 · Relationship issues
· Career and job challenges
· Health and disability concerns
· Self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and addictions
· Bullying, persecution, cruelty, and intolerance
· Balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit
 · Service to others

Through stories from his own life and the experiences of many others, Nick explains how anyone wanting a “ridiculously good life” can respond to these issues and more to become unstoppable. What’s standing in your way? Are you ready to become unstoppable?

Why I want to read it

I've heard a number of people say they were quite moved by his story and enjoyed his first book. Which is also something I'd like to read.