Though My Heart Is Torn, ©2013 by Joanne Bischof author of Be Still My Soul

The Cadence of Grace Series
Book 1, Be Still My Soul, is now available.
Book 2, Though My Heart Is Torn, will be available in April, 2013.






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. Then a heartless ruse interrupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob--

The life that called the forest home provided the song that set their feet in motion--birds chirped as they fluttered about, sending down a chorus of jumbled melodies and the breeze in the dried leaves overhead whispered faintly as it rippled through the branches. With the forest providing the music, Gideon lifted his face, wishing he knew the words to the mysterious song. Though My Heart Is Torn, page 30

 

Wait with hope for the Lord.

Be strong, and let your heart be courageous.

Yes, wait with hope for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
*[Chorus:] CASTING CROWNS lyrics are property and copyright of their owners.
"Praise You In This Storm" lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
September 1901
Rocky Knob, Virginia

Gideon's past calls him back. Sadness for both of them, and though longing for his wife and son, he must return. So beautifully written, you are transported to the depth of their hearts, as a current in a river turns.

Joanne Bischof is such a fluid writer. You are there amid the birdsong, the anguished hearts, the need to go on. Understanding brings meaning to the unraveling, building strength in the least expected. Fear kept them captive; love releases them.


Visualizing, I had some favorite descriptions as I began reading (italics mine):

Prologue, page 1; ...the old man who was too short for his weight.

Chapter 1, page 9;  Untouched for nearly a year, the sun-rotted wood seemed to have become a part of the thick bark. Clouds challenged one another in front of the sun, dimming the orchard, cooling the air.
   He lifted the ladder over his head and settled it into place, cobwebs catching the light.

Chapter 1, page 13; Jebediah worked silently, the man never needing to fill empty space with words. He'd been that way for as long as Gideon had known him--since the day Jebediah had rescued Lonnie from a life of sorrow; laying down the challenge that Gideon could be more than a man of anger. From that moment on, Jebediah had walked every day with him, through the struggles, through the blessings. All for Lonnie. She'd been worth every moment of it.

Throughout the descriptions of narrative, it is like you are walking along with them. I felt this in the first book too. Both books could be read as a stand-alone, but you will want the background to see the change in characters. Life continues, as our own, and there is no sure thing of what is going to happen. Attitude plays a big part. Accepting or rejecting where we are.

Thank you to the author, Joanne Bischof, for sending me the Advance Reading Copy. I look forward to reading the finished copy, but... this is wonderful the way it is, with a few edits here and there not disturbing the content. Very well written. I look forward to Book 3.