My Hope is Found by Joanne Bischof

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so happy it's Friday! I was even MORE excited to receive this book from the Blogging for Books program to review. As you all know, I absolutely LOVED the first two books, Be Still My Soul and Though My Heart is Torn. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book! Now I've received it, read it, and I'm sad the series is over! There was a little hint that a new series might continue the story of one of the characters, and that makes me happy! :)

Overview: Gideon O’Riley has been given another chance at a life with Lonnie. But will the fight for her heart risk it all over again?

After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon’s heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family. God’s merciful hand saw Gideon through the heartache, and with Cassie’s blessing, he is able to return home. But his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated.

Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever. Strengthening her resolve to move on is her growing fondness for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care for deeply. His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son.

Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieces of her heart that still love Gideon. When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again.

My Review: Where do I even begin? Lonnie is such a strong woman. Who could endure all that she's had to endure and still keep their faith and their hope in the Lord? I certainly had a hard time doing that. Lonnie's struggles are believable and real. We get to know Toby's character better. He is exceptionally down to earth and "real" for a preacher. He is kind-hearted and flawed. He loves Lonnie, but he continues to pray for God's will instead of giving in to his selfish desires. Gideon, oh Gideon! There are times I would like to grab him by the shoulders and shake him! Everything he wants is right in front of him! All he has to do is reach out and take what God is giving him. I like that the author didn't do just that. His internal struggle to accept all that God offers is commendable and very, very real.

This story is so authentic. I don't believe I've read any book that comes close to it. Joanne Bischof is masterful at pulling your emotions in every direction and keeping you entrenched in the story. The depth of emotions these characters go through is poignant and real. Lonnie, Gideon, and Toby go through so much and their characters are developed extremely well. The story is bittersweet. It kept me guessing at the ending until I reached it. I had hopes, but I was uncertain as to how it would end. I'm very satisfied with how it ends.

Overall, the story is a very satisfying conclusion to the Cadence of Grace series. Lessons learned in the book are different for each character, but clear. Be patient. Wait on the Lord. He will make all things right in your life, if you allow Him to. Keep your head up and keep going. The Lord will be there with you every step of the way. I loved this book!

"Letting go can be a harder way to love than holding on."

 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

More fun, with links!

• Learn more about Joanne Bischof
• Follow Joanne: Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Joanne's Blog
• Read an excerpt from My Hope is Found
• Coming 10/15/13!! Pre-order now: B&N * Amazon * Christianbook.com

**I received an ARC copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.**

Though My Heart is Torn by Joanne Bischof

Good morning everyone! It's well past time for this review. Good news though, I have one week left of my summer classes, then I  have three weeks off! I will get plenty of reading done in those three weeks! I am very excited to be reviewing this book for you because it was excellent. This is the second book in the Cadence of Grace series, and the third one is expected to be released in October (sad I have to wait that long for it!) Without further adu, here's my review!

From Barnes and Noble:

Overview:

Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it.

Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.

As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.

While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all?

Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

My Review:  This book was very hard for me to finish because it is so heartbreaking! Imagine: you finally get your husband to love you the way you deserve to be loved and he is ripped away from you! Joanne Bischof did an excellent job of describing the pain and heartache Lonnie and Gideon were feeling. You hurt along with them. Your heart breaks with theirs. While I don't particularly care for Cassie's parts in the story, you can't help but sypathize with her and feel her pain as well.

The message in the book is clear. God has a bigger plan for our lives and while we don't always agree with what's happening or see a way out, God does. We need to learn to lean on Him for everything. He can give us strength; He can give us peace in the midst of our storm.  This story shows Lonnie and Gideon struggling to find strength in God's wisdom and power which is something we can all relate to. I'm very anxious to see how the story ends with the third book, My Hope is Found.

You can purchase this book here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/though-my-heart-is-torn-joanne-bischof/1113244454?ean=9781601424235

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program for this review.*

CLICK HERE:
* to read the first chapter: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2013/01/09/sneak-peek-though-my-heart-is-torn-by-joanne-bischof/
*to learn more about the author: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=157548
*to visit Joanne Bischof's website: http://www.joannebischof.com/

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof

I am so excited to be reviewing this book for you! I received the second book, Though My Heart is Torn, from the Blogging for Books program. Naturally, I had to read the first book in the series before I could read the second! Without further ado, here is my review:

From Barnes and Noble:

Overview:

Night’s chill tickled her skin. Lonnie pressed her hands together and glanced up. He was even more handsome up close. Having grown up the shy, awkward daughter of Joel Sawyer, she’d hardly spoken to any boy, let alone the one who had mothers whispering warnings in their daughter’s ears and fathers loading shotguns.

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.

My Review:  WOW! All I can say is WOW! This book is not a light read by any means, but it is fantastic. The description doesn't do the book justice.  It doesn't even come close to describing the emotion that is tinged in every word these two characters speak.  The characters are very well written.  Lonnie, even though she's used to "fading into the background" can be a little sassy and can hold her own when she has to.  Her faith is a "quiet faith" as the description states.  I wish I could have that kind of faith! Her aunt is her source of comfort, so when her father forces her into this hasty marriage and takes her away from everything she's ever known, "His eye is on the sparrow" is all the faith she has left! Gideon surprises me.  At times, he acts like he cares.  At other times, you want to punch him in the face. He is mean and VERY angry at the hand he's been dealt.  Through events in the story, you watch Gideon's faith take shape. I loved that about the story! He wants redemption, peace and slowly but surely, he finds it.

I cannot say enough good things about this book and this author! The plot moves along, not quickly, but not slowly enough to deter from the story.  The characters are real.  The author has a way of pulling you into their lives.  Gideon reminds me of the story of the prodigal son.  We all learn the same thing that Gideon did, as Gideon learns it. "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine."

GO READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it! I am looking forward to reading the second book in the Cadence of Grace series, Though My Heart is Torn.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-still-my-soul-joanne-bischof/1108939519?ean=9781601424211