It is my pleasure to introduce debut author Joanne Bischof ~ Joanne’s first historical romance releases this October, Be Still My Soul, the first in her Cadence of Grace series.
Here’s a bit more about Joanne:
Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne Bischof lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home-schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life. Be Still My Soul is her first novel.
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Be Still My Soul
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.
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?
Joanne shares a favourite paragraph 
It’s from the opening scene and I especially liked it because this is the first time we see the hero and heroine together.
A gray spotted dog tipped his ears when Lonnie stepped over him onto the makeshift stage. Her bare feet skirted around a pair of lanterns at the stage edge. Samson Brown raised a banjo onto his lap, eyes twinkling. Lonnie took her place beside the trio’s mandolin player, Gideon O’Riley, and when their shoulders touched, she stepped sideways, nearly tripping as she did. Gideon glanced at her, his expression unreadable until amusement flitted through his green eyes. Lonnie chided herself for blushing so easily. The fiddler tilted his instrument to his chin. The creases in his blacksmith hands were stained dark as coal. He nodded and waited, bow poised. Reluctantly, Lonnie returned the nod.
Will you be adding Be Still My Soul to your wishlist?
Connect with Joanne
Facebook page ~ http://www.facebook.com/joannebischof
Website ~ http://www.joannebischof.com/
Twitter ~ https://twitter.com/#!/joannebischof
Be Still My Soul on Pinterest ~ http://pinterest.com/joannebischof/appalachian-romance/
Buy at Amazon or Koorong
July 9, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Absolutely. I’m really looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for spotlighting Joanne.
July 10, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Lori Benton » You and me both, Lori!
July 9, 2012 at 11:34 pm
I love bluegrass music but I don’t think I’ve seen many Christian fiction books incorporate it into the storyline, so I’ll definitely be putting this one on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing. =)
BTW: Jen says things are starting to get back to normal since the fire Thanks again for your prayers. *hugs*
July 10, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Jenny » Thanks for the update on Jen, Jenny 🙂 Bluegrass and I haven’t really been introduced – not a big or even a small thing in Oz, I’m afraid.
July 9, 2012 at 11:48 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of having a sneak peek, and can tell you this is a story that will transport you, take you into a powerful place of faith and hope. And leave you wanting more!
July 9, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Oh and I just saw that I can use the reply button for you all. Oops! 🙂 Thanks, Beverly! Your support is such a blessing and an encouragement. Hugs!
July 10, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Beverly Nault » Good to know, Beverly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
July 9, 2012 at 11:50 pm
Thank you for hosting me, Rel! It’s such a pleasure to be here. Your sight is a Welcome place for readers and authors. Such a blessing!
Hi, Lori! Thank you 🙂 Hugs!
Jenny, it’s a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for your sweet words. I’m a big bluegrass fan and it was a lot of fun to get to incorporate it into the series. I hope you enjoy it 🙂 Take care!
July 10, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Joanne Bischof » It’s a pleasure to have you here, Joanne! I’m delighted that the lovely Keli Gwyn introduced us 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading and reviewing your book, too.
July 10, 2012 at 12:59 am
So good to see Joanne here and her beautiful book! I’m quite partial to fiddlers and blacksmiths myself! Thanks, Rel, for another gret post. Hugs to Joanne!
July 10, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Laura Frantz » It looks like a book we will both enjoy, Laura 🙂
July 10, 2012 at 1:01 am
Whoops! Pls excuse the typo – I couldn’t delete my comment!
July 10, 2012 at 2:23 am
Laura, we are typo kindred spirits! I love that about you 🙂 If I remember correctly your son is a fiddler, right? Now I’m wondering who is the blacksmith… 😉 Have a lovely day!
July 10, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Laura Frantz » I have the power of deletion, Laura, and exercised it for you – hehe!
July 10, 2012 at 2:10 am
hi, Joanne! as you know, I love stories set in rustic Appalachia! and your descriptions of the singers, and stage! what a beautiful voice you have. Did I hear this is the first of a trilogy? Always interesting to see what happens next.
What inspired this love of bluegrass? Do you play an instrument, or are you the singer in the house?
All the best!
Ashley
July 10, 2012 at 2:31 am
That’s a good question, Ashley 🙂 I probably picked it up from my dad. He plays the guitar, banjo and mandolin. The mandolin is one of his specialties and when we play together its a lot of fun.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy seeing your face pop up. You have such a heart for encouragement. It’s a true blessing!
July 10, 2012 at 2:39 am
You inspire me daily to keep up with my writing. Someday I’ll stick my head above the water line of my comfort zone! and a large part of that is having a critique partner as talented as you. Back atcha, sister!
xo
Ashley
July 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Ashley » Keep at it, Ashley ~ always looking for brave new authors 🙂
July 10, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Thanks, Rel!
July 10, 2012 at 2:31 am
Oh yes, this one is definitely going in my TBR pile! I already love the setting and the premise!
July 10, 2012 at 2:40 am
Just so you know, Melissa, this book made me alternately laugh out loud and weep like a little girl… the heart of the message is clear. Joanne Bischof has wonderful stories to tell! can’t wait for the ones that follow…
July 10, 2012 at 2:41 am
Ahh, laughing and crying in one book is a sign of awesomeness. Can’t wait to read it!!
July 10, 2012 at 3:24 am
Melissa! I keep wanting to call you Mrs. Tebow…why is that… 😉 I’m so glad it’ll be on your TBR! I hope you enjoy it!
July 10, 2012 at 3:29 am
Ahhh, LOL. That is a nickname I will happily embrace. 🙂
July 10, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Melissa Tagg » Oh, Melissa ~ is your TBR as bad (or as good!) as mine…..overwhelming and exciting all at the same time?!
July 10, 2012 at 2:48 am
Can’t wait to read this book! Joanne is such a sweet soul, and I’m sure her book will reflect that in mighty ways.
July 10, 2012 at 3:25 am
Welcome back to the states, Lindsay! I’ve missed your smiling face! I’m excited that you’re excited. Hugs!!
July 10, 2012 at 3:09 am
I’m looking forward to reading this book! I’m a sucker for a man on the fiddle! 🙂
July 10, 2012 at 3:27 am
Thank you Jessica! There’s just something about a musician, right?! I’m married to a drummer slash cello player (Odd combo, LOL) but it just makes my heart go pitter-patter 😉
July 10, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Jessica R. Patch » Ha! That made me laugh, Jessica 🙂 I think there is something appealing about guys who have the ability to play a musical instrument. My hubby is a guitarist so I’m probably biased!
July 10, 2012 at 4:11 am
This sounds really good!! 🙂 I love the setting, and I’m a huge bluegrass fan! 😀
~Amber
July 10, 2012 at 5:16 am
Amber, you and me both! That’s always fun to hear of a fellow bluegrass lover 🙂
July 10, 2012 at 4:41 am
I’m working my way through an advanced reading copy of this book and am utterly captivated by Lonnie and Gideon’s story. It’s filled with such descriptive, picturesque writing that I wish I could have written it myself–or at least transferred those skills to my own writing! Good job, Joanne! I can’t wait to see book 2!!
Thanks, Rel, for posting this great interview!
July 10, 2012 at 5:20 am
Dona, you just know how to make my day! I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am that you are enjoying the book so much. Number two is on it’s way! Hugs!
July 10, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Dona » Love hearing that, Dona – thanks for sharing 🙂