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Journey of the Soul

by JoEllen Claypool

October 15, 2012

Joanne Bischof does a wonderful job with her first novel, Be Still My Soul. She makes the characters in the book truly come to life.

When you think of a journey, traveling may come to mind, but it is not always a physical act. It can be an emotional act as well. You will follow two young people on a journey through different places in their lives physically and mentally.

Gideon is a self absorbed young man thinking he is God's gift to women and he is assigned by 18 year old Lonnie's brother to walk her home after a social gathering. Lonnie thought he was quite the gentleman as he helped her to get home. She almost felt obligated to kiss him goodnight but realized he wanted more than just a peck on the lips. She helped him "to understand" what she thought of his rudeness and went home. She quickly found out that her overly stern father had seen the kiss and ordered Gideon to make it right and marry his daughter.

This certainly was not what either of them wanted. Lonnie was moved into the home of Gideon's family where it was made clear by his mother that they would leave as soon as possible. With a new husband that had no idea how to process this situation and a new mother-in-law that despised her, Lonnie could only hold onto the faith and lessons taught to her by an aunt. She would cling to that as her husband moves her out of the house to go on a physical journey to find work. Walking all the way with little rest and little to eat, they both come to their wits end. Lonnie collapses in exhaustion and Gideon is fed up with her weakness.

As Gideon is taking his frustration out on Lonnie, a man steps in and talks both of them into coming to his home with his wife. Lonnie begins her journey to recovery and understanding that she will soon be a momma and Gideon is "mentored" on how to be a man.

Through it all another journey is taking place in the hearts of both them as they learn to live by faith and love through hope. A beautiful story with many lessons on enduring hardship.

I received this book through Multnomah Blogging for Books Program and was not required to write a positive review.