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Be Still My Soul Captivated Mine

by Kristen Whirrett

August 30, 2012

@kmwhirrett

I recently received an advance copy of Joanne Bischof's first novel - Be Still My Soul. When my husband was out a meeting the other night, I started the book - and didn't put it down until I finished it. Yes, I am a fast reader to read 337 pages in 3 hours, but the more important point is that this book is really that good!

Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Be Still My Soul is the story of young Lonnie Sawyer. Lonnie's innocent life changes one night when she accepts a walk home from handsome yet reckless Gideon O'Reilly. Lonnie's father makes assumptions, and two days later, Lonnie is a bride.

Gideon doesn't want to be tied down at all - much less married to a woman he didn't chose. Both Lonnie and Gideon fight resentment towards one another and their marriage gets off to a rocky start.

It doesn't get any easier when Gideon decides to make a clean start in a faraway town, uprooting Lonnie from all she has ever known. Yet, Gideon doesn't seem to understand why Lonnie is resentful at leaving.

Their journey is not easy. Eventually, they meet Jebediah and Elsie, an elderly couple who take them in. In Jebediah and Elsie, they find encouragement and a loving model of marriage. Gideon resists longer than Lonnie, but they both have a lot to learn.

I've read a lot of Christian Historical Fiction and this book was unique. It is a different story with twists and turns that have your heart aching (and rejoicing) with Lonnie and Gideon. Joanne's first book makes me hope there are many more to come!

If you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you. I promise you'll want to curl up until you get to the end, too!

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.