Be Still My Soul By: Joanne Bischof

Be Still My Soul is Joanne Bischof’s debut novel. You’d never know it by reading this story! From page one, I was hooked and couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. Lonnie Sawyer and Gideon O’Riley are forced to marry. This is 19th century Appalachia and Gideon did steal a kiss. Even though they don’t love each other and Gideon doesn’t want to be married, Lonnie must learn to trust Gideon and Gideon must learn to love Lonnie. But, can Lonnie’s faith help Gideon come to terms with his new life and added responsibility? Not if Gideon’s old life keeps coming back to haunt him! Just when Lonnie thinks she can trust Gideon, something happens to push Gideon right back where he was. Read this truly amazing tale of two very different people and how they learn to trust in each other, God, and along the way, fall in love. Lonnie must have peace in her soul while Gideon fights his demons; however, Gideon needs peace to realize what he has before he loses it all. But, will it be a happily ever after or a never after? Be Still My Soul continues on in the second book of the series, Though My Heart Is Torn. If you love a great romantic tale of a hastily arranged marriage by the bride’s father that follows all the ups and downs of making that marriage work, you will love this story. You will be captured on page one and not turned lose till you finish. All the surprise twists will have you turning the pages, crying and laughing at the antics of these two characters. This is the love story to equal Scarlett and Rhett in Gone With the Wind. You won’t be disappointed! I cannot wait to read more by this debut author.

Found in the Woods By: LoRee Peery

I just came across LoRee Peery’s books the other day. After reading Found in the Woods, I am now a fan for life! LoRee Peery does an awesome job of weaving a story of faith, trust, love, and overcoming fear into characters that you care about in a book that you will not be able to put down. I tuned everything out while reading this book, realizing that time had passed as I was lost in the pages. Beth Phillips is running from an abusive ex-husband, a past that she can’t change, and an unknowable future. She runs to a secluded cabin to hide and draw closer to God. Aiden Holt is following rumors of a wolf; as he tries to capture the wolf, he realizes he has lost his heart to Beth; however, he has a past and secrets of his own. Can they get past their fears and their past that has shaped them, to trust God fully and overcome their fear? All through this book, LoRee Peery gives us wisdom to use in our everyday struggle to live for God. “Knowing the Lord doesn’t promise a storm-free life. But it is the sweetest guarantee that I don’t have to face life alone. His grace carries me through anything I face. That’s in Isaiah forty-three.” She even gives you scriptures to back up what she is saying to help you in your walk. “Jesus is everything I need at any given moment. Strength, courage, shelter, inspiration.” No matter what you are going through, Jesus is all you need. People can make choices that mess up somebody else’s plans and their actions impact our lives, but whatever happens, God is bigger than anything we’ll face. There is nothing you can do about your past; trust God with your future. Having a personal relationship with Him is knowing that He is guiding your steps. Why is “Do not be afraid” the most repeated command in the Bible? Fear is paralyzing; it takes faith, trust, and love to overcome fear. The twists and turns in this story will take you on a journey of overcoming paralyzing fear by faith, trust, and love. This book is for anyone who has experienced fear and anyone who loves a great Christian romance. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

A Noble Groom By: Jody Hedlund

Another amazing story by Jody Hedlund! A Noble Groom will hook you from the first page. Annalisa Werner was married to a man who stole from her, gambled, and then found dead. What’s she to do? As a German immigrant, her father says a husband has to be found for her. While waiting for her husband-to-be to arrive, Carl Richards needs a safe place to stay. But, if they find out who he is, they will kill him. Can he find the peace and security he needs here with Annalisa and her child? Can Annalisa learn to trust and love again, to move past Carl’s secret? Annalisa needs to get her fields plowed and the seed planted in order to pay off her loan, or she will lose her farm. Ward Harris is determined to own her land instead so he can build a successful sawmill on the land. How can she protect herself against him? Can she open her heart to Carl, or will she settle for a marriage with a groom from the Old Country? Annalisa and Carl find out that when you trust God, all things are possible. As they fight drought, fire, and typhoid fever, they realize faith in God and love for each other is all they need.