9.03.2012

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof ~ Please Rank My Review!

Be Still My Soul: A Novel
My Review: Have you ever read a book that was just so good that you hesitate to start another, because you know that the next has a high bar to meet? Well, that's how I feel after reading Joanne Bischof's Be Still My Soul.

Lonnie Sawyer is a quiet girl, raised in the mountains. When her father sees her with Gideon O'Riley he forces them to marry, though that is that last thing that either of them wants. Gideon resents Lonnie for putting him in this tough spot. Can God mend the seams of a relationship broken from the start?

Ms. Bischof has a beautiful writing style that has a sort of lilting smoothness to it, that breathes life into her storytelling. What I loved about this tale was how it was gritty and realistic, set in the Appalachian Mountains. Lonnie and Gideon's lot is hard, and they are both tested by how they choose to deal with the situation they were thrown into.

What was interesting was how from the first I strongly disliked Gideon, he was far from the kind of hero that you usually read about. Yet he grew throughout the course of the book, and by some miracle I went from despising him to cheering for him. I just loved the characters of Elsie and Jebediah, especially Jeb, who was a strong father figure and stood up for what was right. All of the characters were so strong.

This tale is one of heartache and pain, and about hope coming when it seems like all hope is lost. Yet it was a sort of coming of age tale too.

Overall all this book is engaging, and paced steadily to keep the pages flying by. As I said above, I just loved Ms. Bischof's writing style, and her descriptions that took me there. Be Still My Soul  is a beautiful, heartfelt tale of forgiveness and starting over, with deep characters and a stunning mountain setting.

Much thanks to Joanne Bischof and Multnomah Publishers for providing me with a complimentary review copy of this book :) Thank you!

 

24 comments:

  1. Some books are so good that it's useless to start a new book until you can let go of the story. It doesn't happen much to me. I only had it happening with two authors. I'm still recovering from one of the books I read almost two weeks ago, but I'm starting to pick up a new book again and try to get into it. Needless to say that I will read ALL the books by those authors. :)

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  2. I like your review & your writing, Faye! 5 stars! I tried to submit a ranking & was rejected twice!

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  3. OK - got it to work via multnomah

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  4. Marian, it is so fun when that happens. The funny thing is that when it happens to me it happens all in a row! I'm so glad you have found authors that you so enjoy!

    Murray, Thank you! I have no clue why it's not working! But thank you so much for trying!

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    1. I read many good books, but it doesn't happen very often that I really can't get into the next book, because the previous book was sooo good. I'm a very picky reader and an author will have to use beautiful phrasings will he/she make me love the book so much that I can't forget it. :)
      I will put this book on my wishlist. Who knows... maybe I will love it as much as you did!

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    2. I hope you like it! What I liked was how it really surprised me with how much I did enjoy it, because there was a little bit there when I wasn't sure I would like it.

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  5. Sounds good, Faye! I look forward to reading it!

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  6. Thanks for the great review. I am looking forward to reading this book. It is next on my schedule.

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  7. Patricia, you are welcome. I hope you enjoy it :)

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  8. Love, love, love. Can't WAIT to read this book for myself (it's on preorder). :)

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    1. Thanks! I hope you enjoy this book, I just loved Ms. Bischof's seemingly effortless flowing style and powers of description!

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  9. Faye, I love what you said, "a beautiful writing style that has a sort of lilting smoothness to it, that breathes life into her storytelling. " This phrase has convinced me I want to read this book! Thanks for a fantastic review :)

    Enjoy your weekend! ~ Anne

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  10. Anne, Thank you. I immensely enjoyed this book :D I hope that you do too!

    Faye

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  11. Thanks for linking this in to Books You Loved: October. If you pop back in a day or so there will be even more good book links to check out. Have a great week.

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  12. I will be sure to check that out, thanks Carole!

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  13. Thanks, Karen! I hope you enjoy it :)

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  14. Awesome review. I just finished this book also and really loved it. :)

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    1. Thanks, Jan! I am glad that you liked it :)

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  15. Sounds like a beautifully told story!

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  16. Wow...BEAUTIFUL BLOG.

    NEW FOLLOWER.

    THANKS for your post.

    Stopping by from Carole's Books You Loved Post.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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