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/
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.
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