I fell in love with Joanne Bischof when I read her latest book Sons of Blackbird Mountain. That is a must read, by the way. After reading Be Still My Soul, I was on the fence about Gideon, but loved Lonnie's character. I couldn't wait to read Though My Heart Is Torn. By now I love both Gideon and Lonnie and I am sad for all the situations they find themselves. Without giving anything to the story away, I will just say Joanne takes you on an adventure you soon won't forget. The description of the Appalachians and that area, you feel like you are right there with them. I loved this book and am starting on book three, My Hope Is Found. ( )

This book is the second in a series, the first of which I did not read. I sat on reading this book for a while, meaning to get a copy of the first book, but couldn't get one through interlibrary loan and so I procrastinated...

I finally picked it up to read and review. It does read as a stand alone, though I did feel as if I was missing half of the story, which drives me completely and utterly crazy. I hate feeling like I miss the back story.

There's a neat twist right at the very beginning of the story, which gets you to turn each page and sets the pace for the rest of the book.

It's a great love story with Christian elements.


--
I received a copy of this book to read and review through the blogging for books program and was not paid for my review. ( )

My Emotions Were In Turmoil!

Though My Heart Is Torn, is the second book in this series. It continues with the main characters Gideon and Lonnie. Hang on folks, you are in for a roller coaster ride with your emotions.

I can’t believe how many tears I shed over this book. It is only a fictional story I told myself but yet I was drawn in and made part of Gideon and Lonnie’s life. How hard it was for me to sit on the sidelines and not be able to voice my opinion! The story wasn’t going my way and I am ashamed to say I cried bitter tears over it, I fretted over it, and I put the book down. I was drained! Yet, the story drew me back and I picked the book back up and finished reading the book.

The author knows just how far to push your emotions and she did a great job in making that happen. I dare anyone to read this book and not tear up or down right sob!

Book three, My Hope Is Found, beacons me. Will I dive right in or give myself an emotional break? I don’t have a clue!

I urge everyone reading this review to pick up all three books in this series. Be Still My Soul, Though My Heart Is Torn, and My Hope Is Found. I highly recommend it!

Thank you author Joanne Bischof for a fantastic story! ( )

I give 5 out of 5 stars for Though My Heart is Torn by Joanne Bischof. This is book 2 of The Cadence of Grace Series. Gideon and Lonnie have overcome their rocky beginning and are now happy in their marriage and growing in both their faith and love. They have a son Jacob and life seems good. When they go home to what is suppose to be a family emergency Gideon is hit with the realization that he has two wives and he didn't even know it. His past has caught up to him and even though he isn't that man anymore he must face the past and find away, even though his life is being torn apart, to rectify this situation? What is God's plan in all of this? Whose heart will be broken? What will happen to Gideon, Lonnie, Jacob, and Cassie? Will they rely on their faith and make it through this situation? You will have to read this book to find these answers and more.

I loved this book. It is an emotional roller coaster, but it is a ride you don't want to get off of till the ride is over. When I got to the last page I didn't want it to be over, I wanted more. You are torn, right along with Gideon, on doing what is right, what he should do and what his heart is wanting. It is a great read that has romance, love, heartache, faith, repentance, and forgiveness.

Joanne Bischof weaves a story that keeps you in its grip and wanting more. I did not read the first in the series, but there is enough information about the first book that you aren't lost by just reading this book. She has a knack of taking you from happiness, to sadness, to forgiveness and love all at the same time. I would keep the Kleenex close when reading this. I will be reading the first book and the next one also. ( )

Though My Heart is Torn by Joanne Bischof is a great story of love that is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early twentieth century. Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have settled into a happy marriage and are the parents of a young son. The marriage had a rocky beginning but Gideon has come to love his wife and to also love God. Lonnie received a letter from her father telling her that her mother was gravely ill and she should come home. When Lonnie and Gideon arrived at her father’s house, they found her mother in great health. The truth that hit them both like a ton of bricks was the fact that Gideon was still married to Cassie Allan. He married Lonnie thinking that the marriage had been annulled. The rest of the story deals with how each person deals with this problem.

The author did a great job in developing the characters, plot, dialogue, and action scenes. The characters seemed so real that at times I just wanted to reach out and give them a good shake or a big hug. There was quite a bit of suspense in the plot because of Gideon being married to two women at the same time. Everything in the book seemed so real that I was going through everything that was happening with the characters. I appreciate the way that the author had God being important to the characters and how His love and forgiveness were part of their lives. The book has a good ending but I would have been happier to see a few things cleared up. I am sure they will be answered in the next book in the series. I definitely enjoyed the book but think it would have been even better had I read the first book of the series before reading this one. However, the author gives enough information that one can figure out what happened earlier.

The following links to resources related to this book are included here for any reader that is interested.

Joanne Bischof’s Website: http://www.joannebischof.com/ ;

More information about the book: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=219084

To read Chapter One: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2013/01/09/sneak-peek-though-my-heart-is-tor...

Author Bio: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=157548

I highly recommend this book but I do think that one might enjoy it more if the first book of the series, Be Still My Soul, is read first. But do not hesitate to read even if you have not read the first book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )