Best Selling Books by Joanne Bischof

When mail-order bride Juniper’s husband vanishes, she writes to him—but fears she''s waiting for a ghost in a ghost town. A century later, Johnny Sutherland discovers her letters while restoring her abandoned farmhouse. Can her loving words from the distant past change his present? 1902: Upon arriving in Kenworthy, California, mail-order bride Juniper Cohen is met by the pounding of the gold mine, an untamable landscape, and her greatest surprise of all: the kind and charming man who awaits her. But when the mine proves empty of profit, and when Juniper’s husband, John, vanishes, Juniper is left to fend for herself and her young daughter in the dying town that is now her home. Juniper pens letters to her husband but fears she is waiting on a ghost. Perhaps worse, rumors abound claiming the man she loves could be an outlaw. Fighting for survival, she befriends the few people left in Kenworthy and refuses to leave, resolving to be exactly where her husband left her in case he comes home. Surviving in a ghost town requires trusting the kindness of a few remaining souls, including the one who can unlock the mystery of her husband’s disappearance. Present day: Trying to escape the heartache of his failed marriage, Johnny Sutherland throws himself into raising his children and restoring a hundred-year-old abandoned farmhouse in what was once known as Kenworthy in the San Jacinto Mountains. While exploring its secrets he uncovers Juniper’s letters and is moved by the handwritten accounts that bear his name—and as a love story from the past touches his own world, Johnny might discover yet that hope and resilience go hand in hand. With The Gold in These Hills, acclaimed and beloved author Joanne Bischof returns with an absorbing masterpiece of faith, perseverance, and love that changes the course of history. Sweeping, Inspirational fiction with historical and contemporary timelines Stand-alone novel Book length: 93,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs and a note from the author

In this stunning sequel to The Sons of Blackbird Mountain, Aven and Thor’s love story continues—and an age-old feud endangers the Norgaard family in ways no one could have ever imagined. Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon—whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him. Having fled the Norgaard orchard after a terrible mistake, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade, where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s—which is already imperiled due to a grave illness brought to him at the first prick of warfare. Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for. This inspirational historical romance can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed as a follow-up to The Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Christy Award–winning author Joanne Bischof. Book length: approximately 109,000 words. Includes a reading group guide and a note from the author. “Bischof’s effortless prose and emotionally driven scenes captivate the reader from beginning to end. Characters so real you begin to believe they are. The Norgaard brothers and their families will steal your heart. Beautifully eloquent, this grace-filled tale is one not to be missed.” —Catherine West, author of Where Hope Begins “Laced with lyrical prose, Daughters of Northern Shores is a story of redemption that gripped me from its first moments. I savored every gorgeous detail, and the characters continue to live with me even now. Bischof is a master at enfolding readers in her story world and bringing them along in a journey of the heart.” —Lindsay Harrel, author of The Secrets of Paper and Ink

Two handsome brothers. An age-old Appalachian feud. And a love that may tear the Norgaard family apart. After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family. But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength. As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world? A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love. “Beloved author Joanne Bischof doesn’t disappoint with her latest beautifully written, heartrending tale . . . a quick favorite for historical romance readers.” —Elizabeth Byler Younts, author of The Solace of Water “Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) transports readers to late 19th-century Appalachian Virginia in this moving historical romance . . . With fine historical details and stark prose that fits the story, Bischof skillfully weaves a tale of love and redemption in rough Appalachia.” —Publishers Weekly “Christy- and Carol Award-winning author Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) creates endearing characters and a heartwarming story line in this unforgettable novel about the power of family, love, and the true meaning of home. Fans of Kristy Cambron, Julie Klassen, and Susan Meissner will love this one.” —Library Journal “Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a quiet gem of a historical romance. Refreshingly real and honest in its depiction of flawed but lovable individuals, it introduces characters readers will want to meet again.” —CBA Market magazine

"Heartachingly beautiful" - RT Book Reviews, 5 Star TOP PICK! Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it''s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet--freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice. As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella''s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl--boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

Night’s chill tickled her skin. Lonnie pressed her hands together and glanced up. He was even more handsome up close. Having grown up the shy, awkward daughter of Joel Sawyer, she’d hardly spoken to any boy, let alone the one who had mothers whispering warnings in their daughter’s ears and fathers loading shotguns. Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith. But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate. Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob. Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life. What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts? Gideon only ever cared about himself. Now that Lonnie is his wife, will he ever be worthy of her heart?

Gideon O’Riley has been given another chance at a life with Lonnie. But will the fight for her heart risk it all over again? After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon’s heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family. God’s merciful hand saw Gideon through the heartache, and with Cassie’s blessing, he is able to return home. But his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated. Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever. Strengthening her resolve to move on is her growing fondness for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care for deeply. His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son. Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieces of her heart that still love Gideon. When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again. “Joanne has hit a home run with her Cadence of Grace series… With memorable characters and struggles aplenty, this is the kind of story that will have readers telling their friends, ‘You’ve got to read these books.’” —Lauraine Snelling, best-selling author of the Red River of the North series and Wild West Wind series

Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 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. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife. As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength she has. While Gideon’s guilt and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

Five historical romances inspired by a messaged passed down through time. Join the journey as one word etched in Latin on an ancient bronze bottle travels through the centuries to reach five young women who are struggling to maintain their faith in God and love. An Irish princess, a Scottish story weaver, a Post-Colonial nurse, a cotton mill worker, and a maid who nearly drowned each receive a message from the bottle just when they need their hope restored. But will the bottle also bring them each to a man whose love will endure? The Distant Tide by Heather Day Gilbert 1170: County Kerry, Ireland When a Viking bent on revenge mistakenly raids the castle of a bookish Irish princess, will she cast her fears aside to befriend the enemy, finally realizing God’s plan for her life? A Song in the Night by Amanda Dykes 1717: Scotland and England When a Scottish story-weaver loses her family in a clan war, she finds herself aided by a handsome, secretive bagpiper in a race against time to reunite with someone she never dared hope she''d see again. The Forgotten Hope by Maureen Lang 1798: New York As a champion of the sick, a young New Yorker never doubted her worth until a new doctor arrives to work with her father, one who believes her to be nothing more than a social butterfly. Can she gain his respect—and his love? A River Between Us by Jocelyn Green 1864: Roswell, Georgia When a Georgian cotton mill worker is arrested and sent North, the Union officer who tries to protect her is the last person she wants to forgive—and the only man who can bring hope and healing to her heart. The Swelling Sea by Joanne Bischof 1890: Coronado Island, California After washing ashore on the California coastline, a young woman’s yearning to discover her past leads her to the courageous oarsman who helps her find the key.

An Appalachian farmer''s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen''s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart . New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family''s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family''s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it''s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters. Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth''s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she''s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she''s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd A clever, clean love story Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Meet four women whose lives are in transition and watch as something old, new, borrowed, or blue brings them joy, romance, and renewed faith. Betsy’s something old is a lost family watch. Wren’s something new is a home built with her in mind. Clara’s something borrowed is a farmhand from the neighbors. Darla’s something blue is her mother’s missing cameo. Will each woman find the treasure her heart is intent upon in these four historical romance novellas?

In ''De lange weg naar huis'' van Joanne Bischof keert Haakon Norgaard na vier jaar terug naar degene die hij zo gekwetst heeft. Vier jaar eerder vluchtte Haakon naar zee, nadat hij het vertrouwen had beschaamd van de vrouw naar wiens waardering hij juist het meest verlangde. Intussen heeft hij opnieuw de liefde leren kennen. Maar wat er jaren eerder is gebeurd, blijft aan hem knagen. Met lood in zijn schoenen keert hij terug naar huis, om te ontdekken dat zijn dove broer Thor hem nu harder nodig heeft dan ooit. ''De lange weg naar huis'' is het los te lezen vervolg op ''De zoete geur van appelcider''.

Sarah Miller doesn''t expect anything special in her rural schoolhouse until she meets a boy with a fatal illness.

''Het hart van de leeuw'' van Joanne Bischof is een meervoudig bekroonde historische roman over een circus in Virginia waar de uiteenlopende werelden van dompteur Charlie Lionheart en verpleegster Ella samenkomen in een verboden vriendschap, die beiden hoop en liefde geeft. Virginia, 1890. Een circus strijkt neer in de stad Raonoke. Dompteur Charlie Lionheart is wanhopig: zijn babynichtje Holland heeft hoge koorts. Hij brengt haar naar het ziekenhuis, waar verpleegster Ella haar uiterste best doet om Holland beter te maken, niet wetend welk afschuwelijk geheim Charlie en Holland met zich meedragen. Stukje bij beetje leert Ella het gouden hart van Charlie kennen.. En naarmate hun vriendschap dieper wordt, laat Charlie de geheime wereld achter de coulissen zien, waar Ella ontdekt hoe hoop geboren kan worden uit opoffering. ''Een warm geschreven roman... ik kijk uit naar meer!'' – Christelijkeboeken.info over ''De zoete geur van appelcider''

''De zoete geur van appelcider'' van Joanne Bischof is een prachtig geschreven en meeslepende roman waarin een hoofdrol is weggelegd voor de dove Thor. Aan het eind van de negentiende eeuw verhuist de jonge weduwe Aven Norgaard van Noorwegen naar Amerika om te gaan inwonen bij een tante van haar overleden man en haar drie kinderen. Bij aankomst blijkt de tante overleden en wordt ze tot haar verbazing opgewacht door drie volwassen neven, die in hun levensonderhoud voorzien met het brouwen van cider. Tussen Aven en de charmante Haakon ontstaat al snel een hechte vriendschap. Maar het is de gevoelige, dove Thor die Avens hart steelt. Thor is echter verslaafd aan zijn eigen cider, een probleem dat Aven dankzij haar overleden echtgenoot pijnlijk bekend voorkomt. Zolang de verslaving zijn leven blijft beheersen, heeft de liefde tussen Thor en Aven geen kans. Treffend brengt Joanne Bishof de stille wereld van Thor tot leven. ''De zoete geur van appelcider'' is een boek dat geen lezer onberoerd zal laten.

Inspired by the critically acclaimed Cadence of Grace series, "Heartfelt Recipes" is a peek inside the mountain kitchen of author Joanne Bischof. From Yogurt-Blackberry Jam Bread to Moonshine Pecan Pie, this cookbooklet celebrates the simple things in life and the comforts of hearth and home. Included as a special bonus is a fiction read: "Hunting Chestnuts," an Appalachian Romance Vignette.

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O''Shay''s dreams. Go to college. Become president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn''t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O''Shay-the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra-she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.

A story where hope is found at all new heights.Graduate from college. Get married and have children. These have always been checkpoints on Sadie''s map of life. But still single in her thirties, and weary of unmet expectations, she faces a crossroads:Continue waiting for life to begin? Or rethink what those checkpoints should be?Determined to find renewed purpose, Sadie deletes her old dating apps, opting instead for a trip to the outdoor adventure store in her small, Colorado town. The plan is simple: find a hobby that offers fresh challenges and experiences. New horizons to be explored. Even if it means facing some of her biggest fears, inside and out.So begins the first adventure in the all-new chronicles of Sadie McGillis--one woman who strives to redefine what happiness should look like. From Christy-Award winning author, Joanne Bischof, comes a faith-journey of the heart. A novel where friendships are born, life is embraced, and joy is found in unexpected places.