Joanne Bischof...almost one year later. And yeah, oddly enough, I'm sick again...

Last October I read Joanne Bischof's debut novel whilst holed up in my 3rd floor room at the lovely Hostel Santa Cruz in Sucre, Bolivia.

I was dealing with a seriously un-fun bout of altitude sickness for which I received house arrest from our director, the beloved Alex Muir.

You can read about that day here:http://talesfromtheredhead.blogspot.ca/2012/12/be-still-myaltitude-sickness-my-date.html

As a I mentioned in that post, I had to remain in one place and "rest". Yeah, who wants to rest in a beautiful place like Bolivia? Well, considering the Oscar worthy display of suffering my SUV mates were treated to as we descended from 15,000 feet, apparently I did.

So, I picked up Be Still My Soul and before I knew it, I wanted to hold poor Lonnie close and smite Gideon.

I loved her second book, Though My Heart Is Torn, and repeatedly begged, bribed and bartered for an unfinished copy of the final book in the series.

Here's the thing...Joanne cannot be bribed. She's FAR too sweet and nice. I had the honour of meeting her at ACFW and she is so calm and sweet and kind and I think I scared her...


But un-bribable????

I know, right?! COME ON!! Who has integrity and keeps her word to her publisher and doesn't sell her Word files for Dairy Milks? Huh? Joanne Bischof, that's who.

So, FINALLY I got my copy of My Hope Is Found and once I could actually sit down and read it, I gotta admit...

It was a tosser.

What? 

A tosser.

As in, "I'm so emotionally involved in this story that when X happened to X, I tossed the book and wailed!"

But you know that feeling, don't you? That "I'm too feeble to jump up and down and scream, so I toss the book instead" feeling.

As is expected, the storyworld is exquisite, the prose may as well have background music, it's that good. The characters are flesh and blood, the pain hurts and the joy is at least a half a box of Kleenex.

I am worn out and thankful for a book as good as My Hope Is Found. The ending is true Bischof. If you've read the first two books in this series, you'll know exactly what I mean.  And yes, I kept turning pages to see if there was more.


Joanne didn't earn a Christy nomination for Be Still My Soul because she's good, she earned it because she's brilliant and can tap the tiny, hidden places of the reader's heart and fill them with music.

Well done, Joanne, I give My Hope Is Found 5 Dairy Milks out of 5.

A visit with Joanne Bischof? Okay, SURE!!!

One thing Christians loathe discussing is when God says 'no'.

 Why? Because doesn't it work on a point system? Like Weight Watchers?

"Lord, I shoveled that grumpy neighbour's sidewalk, doesn't that give me 5 points toward me getting a truck?

Yeah, I know, it's 8 points for dealing with grumpy neighbours.

I personally HATE being told 'no', because I'm self-absorbed and want what I want.
But even though I've walked through the valley  of the shadow, and lingered there longer than I wanted to,  I like to think I learned something. 
Heartbreak is never for naught when God has asked it of us.

So...


Say hello to one of THE BEST WRITERS AROUND!!

This is Joanne.

Joanne REALLY knows how to take her readers on an arduous journey. I mean, Frodo Baggins *MIGHT* have had it easier than Lonnie.

Doesn't she look nice? Yeah, that mind is ticking, people!!!

Here's the cover of the next chapter in Lonnie and Gideon's story. 
Waaaaaaaait just a minute. SHE looks sad. HE is on a horse. Huh?

In the sequel to her excellent debut novel, 'Be Still My Soul', Joanne Bischof tackles the soul crushing turmoil of being torn from the one you love.
'Though My Heart Is Torn' throws poor dear Lonnie and Gideon into a whirlwind of someone else's making. 
And as one who was truly privileged to be given an advanced copy of the sequel, let me just say, OH MY WORD!!!

Here's a brief excerpt. 

Gideon O'Riley has two wives-but he doesn't know it.
(umm, okay, just a second...WHAT??)

“Git on up!”

 The horse scaled the steep slope. The clop, clop of his shod hooves and the creaking of leather were the only sounds to be heard. They scaled the hill and the land leveled out into a broad, flat valley. Gideon glanced around. Nothing but open land for miles. He pulled his hat off and used it to shove his hair back before settling it into place. He moved the mount along a stand of trees, the road beneath him unfamiliar. Untested.

 And the urge to run hit him like a blow to the chest.

 His eyelids nearly fluttered closed. A handful of days and he could be at the Bennett’s door. Lonnie’s familiar form in his arms. Her scent. Her tears. His hand gripped the reins tighter when a burn threatened to clamp his throat shut. His son.

 Gideon gently tapped his worn-out boots into Abel’s side, and the horse broke into a trot. A tumble of clouds shifted in front of the sun. The air cooled. He tugged his coat tighter, the oilcloth smooth in his fingers. Moments passed as light danced with shadow before the sun broke free. It hit Gideon’s face in a burst of warmth, and he tilted his chin up, wishing he could ride toward it.

 Ride toward it and never stop.

 Not until he reached his bride. And in her hands he could place the tattered remains of his heart. For she was the only one who could mend it.

   ~

Now wait just one minute!!!
What is going on?
Joanne, you got some explaining to do!!

Girl, we need to TALK!!

1) Why , oh why, must they suffer so MUCH?!?!?!

I’ve heard from so many early readers that the book should come with a box of Kleenex. It’s an emotional journey isn’t? But one that’s not in vain. Though it may tug at your heart and although a tear may fall for this couple who only wanted each other, the happily-ever-after can still be all the more richer—purer, when looking out from the darkness and wondering how sweet the light might taste and if one day they might see it again. Though all hope may seem lost and though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.

2)Are you insane?   The letter from Cassie barely is noticed in BSMS, did you plan that? What other hidden goodies should we look for?

Good question. Yes, that letter in Be Still My Soul—the one Gideon never opens to prove his love for Lonnie—is actually from Cassie. There are a few other moments of Cassie tucked in the first book as in the first chapter when she tries to get Gideon alone…yet during that time, Gideon knew how to orchestrate things to his benefit and avoided her. It’s a mystery that weaves lightly through the first story, no more than a memory of Gideon’s past, a life he’s certain is no more. Yet little does he know, it’s much more than a memory when Cassie appears in Though My Heart is Torn.

3) On a more serious note, what do we say to people when there is no beauty on their horizon, and trust takes everything they've got, and more?

I think back to 1 Peter 5: 10 “But may the God of all grace who called us to His eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.”

God is always at work and even though we may be walking in a time of darkness, He is by our side at all times and WILL see us through just as He promises. 

4) How do you choose your themes? Or do they choose you? Perseverance and unflinching faith are not light fluffy issues. 

No, they are not light issues, but even so, I think they are issues that hit home for so many people. The themes in my books definitely choose me. I don’t think I ever planned on writing about the subject matter that I do. I’m passionate about redemption and the promise that though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. I love to take a group of characters on a journey that will try their faith, only to have them stronger on the other end.

5) Do you feel drawn to those who are hurting?

We often hear that God never gives us more than we can handle, but sometimes I wonder if perhaps He does. Because it’s in those moments that we cling to Him, and it’s only by His strength we are held up. I’ve had a time in my life like that, and I think many people have too. To be able to encourage people that they’re not alone, though they may feel alone, is one of my greatest hopes.

6) Will there be a long wait until Book Three? 

Not too long, I’m happy to say! Each book has been released six months apart, so My Hope is Found will come out on October 15^th, 2013. It’s about to go into the production stage and edits will soon cover my desk and I’m so excited about digging into this story. I still haven’t seen the cover yet and I am so eager to see what the designers have put together for the last book of Lonnie and Gideon’s story!

7) Can I have the file?

Hehe, you ought to win an award for perseverance. I would love for people to get to dive right into the story, but it just so happens that I need my editors so bad! I’m a bit of a messy writer to begin with and they help me iron out ideas and clean up all my typos. Trust me, it’s a good thing no one can see that file ;)

Thank you Joanne, for visiting us today!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd, we're back. I ADDED A VLOG!!!

Hello.
Yup, I've been out of the loop.
I flew the coop.
I hope you snooped!

Yes, I DID learn poetry from Sesame Street. Why do you ask?
I had to get done a chop of my manuscript in time to enter Genesis, and to get rolling on the query process.
I simply evaded the blogs and Facebook, as best I could, and worked.
Phewff!!!

Now we're done!!!

SO.....
Tomorrow???

JOANNE BISCHOF!!!

And Monday??

KATIE GANSHERT!!!

And what about April??

LAURA FRANTZ!!!

ANNNNNNNND...


The launch of Married...with Fiction!!

Pet Peeves and promotions....

"Hey kids!!"

Remember that?
It preceded almost every annoying commercial on Saturday morning TV. It drove me nuts, even as a child.

And YES,we had TV back then.

And yes, I knew Gilligan's Island was as dumb as they got. Why? Because I could read. I had no patience for shows that portrayed adults as idiots.

Another pet peeve? 

Phentex.

Anyone remember that?

What did they make that stuff with? Shredded cable? And if it burned, it looked surprisingly like plastic.

Speaking of plastic, I loathe polyester. I actually break out in hives if I wear nylons for too long. Now, don't get me wrong, polyester suits have their place, like cleaning up oil spills and being ground cloths for when I refinish antiques.

Although these chicks look so happy in their casual attire formulated from non-recyclable polymers and non-oxygenating layers of solar protection.

But they're not really running, unless it's away from whoever made them dress like this.

So, a few more pet peeves?

-empty juice cartons still in the fridge

-food containers in back packs, with apple cores that are GREY!!

-snow

-people who tailgate

-people who drive so slow you think they've run out of gas

-snow

-friends in California who whine about the cold. 65F in January is not cold!

-people who want meals when I'm writing, gah! Come on! We have a toaster!!

No, before you go all "waaaaaaaah!" and tell me your pet peeves...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JOANNE BISCHOF WILL BE HERE MARCH 1st!!

KATIE GANSHERT WILL GUEST POST MARCH 4th!!

LAURA FRANTZ is still booking her flights, but she's coming too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND?!?!?!?

"MARRIED...WITH FICTION" launches April 1st!!!!

I am soooo excited about this blog. Sometimes, ya just gotta take a leap of faith and JUMP!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So? What are some of your pet peeves??

Come ON!!!

Your Aunt Vinezia constantly telling you that you have child bearing hips?

Dishes?

Snotty kids in the church nursery?

Bratty kids?

Bring it on!

it's time for another RIVETING vlog!!

Please excuse the lint on my sweater.  And my messy ponytail.

And whatever else...

Be Still My...altitude sickness!! My date with Joanne Bischof.

I left for Bolivia on October the 17, which was also my parent's anniversary. 
I had waited two long years to go back to the Andes and my beloved, beautiful Quechua people.

But one of the very serious downsides to being up at altitudes of 11,000 to 15,500 feet is a well known malady known as "altitude sickness".

Guess who got it and got shut down for a few days?

Yup. Me. 
I was in a wicked brain fog, combined with chest pain and was as weak as could be.

I'd brought a few books to read on the trip, but usually when we're up in the villages, there is NO time to read.
But, when you're on forced bed rest at the very nice, but very VERY basic hostel, there is ample time to catch up on your reading. 
So what did I pull out of my suitcase???

Joanne Bischof's debut novel. 

I'll skip the high praise and platitudes that everyone who's read this book is heaping on Joanne, and simply tell you this.

I read this book in two shots. 

Why two? Because the altitude sickness made me so tired, I fell asleep with the book in my hand.

Sorry, Joanne, but the brain was done.

I loved the way Joanne wove the story together, and didn't make the hero perfect.  I loved the colour she infused in her story world and I loved that the heroine ACHED, but still kept going.

This book is worth every penny!!

I had a chance to ask Joanne a few questions, so here is our discussion and please refrain from your cheering until we're done...I'm used to the screaming crowds, but Joanne is a woman of refinement and elegance and would appreciate polite applause and at least one well placed curtsy.

• 1) When and why did you decide to become a writer?
• 18:42
  

  
  

  I always had my nose in a book and my head in the clouds. Growing up, I was 1 part Jo March, 1 part Beatrix Potter and 1 part Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was always writing, drawing, and living with my imagination in the past. Being a writer was always my normal. I can never remember ever wanting to be anything else. I am SO thankful that God made that dream come true!

  
  

  2) Why Appalachian stories? Do you have a fondness for that area, of did the story dictate the location?

  
  

  As the idea for Be Still My Soul took seed, it unfolded to be a love story between two mismatched people—a marriage between a shy, innocent girl with a strong faith, and a cocky, confident bluegrass musician who hasn’t given God much thought. From the first moment, I knew the perfect home for this story was in Appalachia. Living in the mountains has cultivated a deep love of mountain life. Everything about it just says "home" to me and I think that's why it's become a part of my writing as well.

  
  3) Is there a bit of you in Lonnie? And if so, what?

  
  

   I'd say Lonnie and I have a good deal in common. Most of all would be a shyness that I'm learning to outgrow and over the course of the story, she does too. Second is being married to a man who wasn't a follower of the Lord. Readers will witness Gideon change and grow throughout Be Still My Soul, and in my own life, I am so incredibly grateful and thankful that a wonderful change has happened with my husband. About a year and a half ago, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and there has been much rejoicing in our home ever since!

  
  

  
  

  
  4) Where did the names come from?

  
  

  For historical fiction, I always like to find names that were around during a particular time. For this series, I searched for names that appeared in the Appalachian region, like Elsie and Lonnie. With the men, Jebediah and Gideon, it just felt natural for folks to call them Jeb and Gid and it's always fun when readers use those nicknames as well. Whenever a reader writes me to tell me how the story effected them or what the characters meant to them, it truly touches my heart. It's been such a blessing!

  
  5) Do you know any fiddlers, and can they play the Last of the Mohican's theme?

  
  

  Great song and I know some fiddlers 

  
  

  
  6) Can they play it over the phone for me?

  
  

  Haha!

  
  

  
  7) Oops, wandering...sorry...what is next for you as a writer? Will there be a Book Three in this series, or will you go in a different direction?

  
  

  There will be a book 3! I've turned the manuscript into my editor, gotten the green light on a title and am eagerly anticipating the cover art! I'm as excited about this story as the first two. I really hope readers enjoy the final stage in Lonnie and Gideon's journey.

  
  

  8)Is Be Still My Soul your first novel, or is that hiding somewhere in your house?

  
  

   I have manuscripts in my house that will never see the light of day and I'm so glad! Glad for that time of being able to just write as part of the learning process, even though the results weren't very good.

  
  

  
  9) What advice would you give newbs ...sorry, pre-published authors...who are just starting down Publication Road? 

  
  

  There are so many key elements to developing the craft of writing. Joining critique groups, going to conferences, studying craft books and reading great fiction are all great ways to hone those writing skills.

  And above all else, enjoy the journey. I've been on this road for years and I know many others have as well. I've learned more during this process than I ever expected. At times it was easy to get discouraged and just when I felt maybe nothing was going to ever happen, God carried me through a valuable lesson because His timing is perfect.

  
  

  
  10) And our last question, Ms Bischof, have you ever wanted to be a natural redhead?

  
  

   Yes! You know my secret shame. I would LOVE to have naturally red hair! I died it red once, and it didn't turn out to well. I haven't colored it since and in fact, actually cut my own hair. That's code for "don't look to closely" 

  
  

  
  

  Thank you SO much, Joanne! 

  I'm looking forward to the next book, 

  Though My Heart Is Torn, when we join Lonnie and Gideon as their story continues.

  
  

  If you want to get to know Joanne better, visit her at www.joannebischof.com.

  
  

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  
  

  Well folks, that is IT for TFTR until after Christmas.

  Have a wonder filled, joyous, Christ centered Christmas. I'll see you back here before New Year's when I'll share my thoughts and goals for 2013. 

El Grande Announcement!!

Drum roll please..........

I have TWO, that's right, T-W-O fabulous guests coming for a visit to TFTR!!

On December 17th, Tales from the Redhead will host Bonnie Grove for her blog hop, featuring her awesome book "Talking To The Dead". 
And my fellow Redheads, I read this book in ONE SHOT! 5 hours of page turning, sleep ignoring, 'what happens next' ing awesomeness!! 
Bonnie knows her stuff and takes you on a heart breaking roller coaster ride and leaves you grinning and satisfied at the end. 

Talking to the Dead is available as an e-book for a MERE 2.99 on Amazon.





Here's a bit about Bonnie...

Bonnie Grove started writing when, as a teenager, her parents bought a typewriter (yes, during the age of dinosaurs). She clacked out a terrible romance novel filled with typos and bad grammar that her mom loved, and she's been turning out improving prose ever since.

Her non-fiction, Your Best You: Discovering and Developing the Strengths God Gave You, came out of her experience working with families in crisis. She believes people have the knowledge and ability to make changes in their life without being told what to do or how to do it. And, oddly enough, has managed to write a book that helps people do just that.

Her novel, Talking to the Dead, came out of that crazy place inside her head that has more questions then answers. Questions about grief, love, sex, God, therapy, and how laughter can make everything seem okay--even if just for a moment or two. It has won a few awards, and has been internationally published in languages she doesn't speak.

Bonnie has completed several novels since Talking to the Dead, and is currently working her butt off to ensure they see they make their way into your hands.

Bonnie is married to a cute guy named Steve, they have two children, and they make their home in Saskatchewan.

Yes, she's Canadian!!!!!

~

And then on December 20th, I'll be joined by Joanne Bischof , who wrote the lyrical, sweeping, tear producing (I was alone, all right!!)Appalachian romance, Be Still My Soul.
Which I read in two shots, not because I was sick or anything (I was) and not because I fell asleep (I did).

Here's a bit about Joanne:

Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne 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.

What is Heartfelt Fiction?

From moments that are joyous to moments that are bittersweet and even in the midst of a broken heart, with paper and ink as my medium, I write to illustrate love—the gift that was given to us by the One who loves the most.

What is this love?

I have rejoiced through countless blessings–my amazing children, a husband that I adore, and the privilege to write every day.

Like so many others, I have experienced the full spectrum. I know what it’s like to be so completely broken, I didn’t know if the sun would truly rise the next morning. But I felt God move in a miraculous way. A way that forced me to leap into His waiting arms. A place where safety and peace reign.

I’ve experienced the abundant mercy of Christ when he reached down, picked me up, and held me until the tears subsided. I’ve encountered the promise that out of brokenness springs new life. And in that new life, I discovered the overwhelming urge to rejoice and praise the God who saves.

The God who was, who is, and who is to come.

We all have ways of bringing offerings to His feet. Words and the telling of story are one of those gifts that I lay down. It is my constant prayer that they honor and please Him. It’s my desire to write about characters who have nowhere else to go but up. About characters desperate for God’s strength, mercy, and forgiveness.

I love her, even if she doesn't know a single word of "Oh Canada".

Our next blog will have interviews and insights with Bonnie and Joanne , and their honest answers to my question "Are you sad that you aren't a natural redhead?"

Oat Scones for Joanne Bischof.

Today's cooking lesson is for a Major family favourite , 'oat scones'. 
I always double this recipe because my off-spring have healthy appetites.
Ahem.

400F

Grease a pyrex pie pan

Blend:

2 cups oats
2 cups white flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 Teaspoon salt

Add:
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg


Mix and pour into pan. Batter should be somewhat milky, not dry, but not liquidy.
Bake for 30-33 minutes until top is golden.

Cool and serve.