Though My Heart Is Torn: The Cadence of Grace, Book 2

Praise for
Though My Heart Is Torn

“Joanne Bischof is a lovely storyteller and a unique new voice in historical fiction. Exploring the nature of love, personal responsibility, and the power of God’s faithfulness,
Though My Heart Is Torn
is a rich novel. Highly recommended.”

—C
INDY
W
OODSMALL
, author of
A Season for Tending
and the
New York Times
best-seller
The Harvest of Grace

“Fresh and memorable as an Appalachian spring,
Though My Heart Is Torn
is heartrending yet hopeful, romantic, and riveting. Joanne Bischoff delivers a deeply drawn tale of hearts broken and mended in the light of the Lord’s healing love. Lonnie and Gideon’s story is one that stays with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended!”

—L
AURA
F
RANTZ
, author of
The Colonel’s Lady
and
Love’s Reckoning

“
Be Still My Soul
introduced the ultimate villain, Joel Sawyer. He coerced his shy daughter to sing for a crowd, failed to defend her when she was assaulted, then forced her to marry her assailant. Sawyer’s up to no good again in
Though My Heart Is Torn
, shattering the happiness his daughter found with her husband and bringing her a heartbreak worse than death. This is a story for everyone who ever cried out ‘Why, God? It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way.’ ”

—C
ATHERINE
R
ICHMOND
, author of
Spring for Susannah
and
Through Rushing Water

“Just when I was sure characterization couldn’t be drawn any deeper, a setting any richer, or conflict any more engaging than in
Be Still My Soul
, Joanne Bischof delivers
Though My Heart Is Torn
. Joanne’s astounding ability to paint captivating word pictures of humanity and hope already has me impatiently awaiting the last book in her Cadence of Grace series. And every book after that.”

—M
ONA
H
ODGSON
, author of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series and The Quilted Hearts novellas

Praise for
Be Still My Soul

“Bischof kicks off her Cadence of Grace series with a tale of love blossoming in the most daunting circumstances. A gem by an author sure to draw fans.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

“Bischof has written a heartwarming and inspirational historical romance that should appeal to fans of Karen Kingsbury.”

—Library Journal

“Beautifully set in the Appalachian Mountains, Joanne Bischof’s debut novel is one of those rare finds that will keep you up burning the midnight oil. I literally couldn’t put it down! Her characters are engaging from the moment they walk onto the stage of your heart and so real you’ll remember them long after you turn the last page. As an author of two historical novels set in the Appalachian Mountains, I was enchanted by the setting and Joanne’s deft descriptions. I can’t wait to read book two of the series.”

—D
IANE
N
OBLE
, best-selling author

“The rugged charm of Appalachia is the perfect backdrop to mirror the hardship and beauty of Joanne Bischof’s tender, heart-tugging debut. The author’s lyrical voice drew me in; the rich detail and authentic emotion kept me turning the pages. Lovers of historical fiction and topsy-turvy romance will find much to rejoice about in this lovely story.
Be Still My Soul
is a delight from start to finish!”

—C
ARLA
S
TEWART
, award-winning author of
Chasing Lilacs
and
Stardust

“
Be Still My Soul
is a rare gem: a powerful and compelling story for every woman who’s known love’s real ups and downs. Author Joanne Bischof draws a poignant picture of a forced marriage and its challenges and heartache, followed by the healing and joy of transformative love. A refreshingly honest new voice makes a memorable debut!”

—R
OSSLYN
E
LLIOTT
, award-winning author of
Fairer than Morning
and
Sweeter than Birdsong

“
Be Still My Soul
is a wonderful debut from newcomer Joanne Bischof. If you grew up loving Janette Oke, you’ll want to read this tender tale of grace, forgiveness, and redemption.”

—S
USAN
M
EISSNER
, author of
A Sound Among the Trees

“
Be Still My Soul
gives readers a refreshing dip into nineteenth-century American Appalachian life, with a story that bubbles into the heart like a clear mountain spring. Ms. Bischof’s uplifting tale hits the palate as sweetly as the pancakes and honey her characters enjoy for breakfast. You’ll leave the book feeling you’ve made new friends you won’t want to forget.”

—L
INORE
R
OSE
B
URKARD
, author of
Before the Season Ends
and
The Country House Courtship

“A moving debut! More than just a love story,
Be Still My Soul
takes compelling characters on a journey of redemption in the dangerous beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Joanne Bischof’s masterful and compassionate insight into human nature won me over. I can’t wait for the second book in the Cadence of Grace series!”

—S
ARAH
S
UNDIN
, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series

“Joanne Bischof offers a heartrending tale set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, where two young souls must put away their past and accept life together as man and wife. While sometimes gut-wrenching, the young couple must endure difficult trials that lead them to seek and find answers in the everlasting arms of Jesus.
Be Still My Soul
will stir your soul and leave you thinking about the characters long after you’ve turned the last page.”

—D
EBORAH
V
OGTS
, author of
Snow Melts in Spring
and
Seeds of Summer

T
HOUGH
M
Y
H
EART
I
S
T
ORN
P
UBLISHED BY
M
ULTNOMAH
B
OOKS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921

The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.

eISBN: 978-1-60142-424-2

Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Mike Heath, Magnus Creative

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

M
ULTNOMAH
and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bischof, Joanne.
   Though my heart is torn : a novel / Joanne Bischof.
      p. cm — (The Cadence of Grace ; Book 2)
ISBN 978-1-60142-423-5—ISBN 978-1-60142-424-2 (electronic)
1. Marital confict—Fiction. 2. Life change events—Fiction. 3. Domestic fiction. I. Title.
  PS3602.I75T46 2013
  813.6—dc23

v3.1_r1

To those who hurt,
and to the One who holds them,
this is for you
.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

J
OSHUA 1:9

Contents