My Hope is Found by Joanne Bischof

From the publisher: 
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. Though 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 the fondness she has for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care deeply for. 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.
_________

This beautifully crafted book teaches what selfless love is.  Each and every character will wrestle with what selfless love is and will learn to offer it.  Cassie, Gideon, Toby, and Lonnie will all continue to struggle and grow in this book.

Joanne Bischof weaves a tale of relationships with others but most of all God.  She doesn't write in "preachy" way but lets the story speak for itself and the God who speaks to the hearts of the characters.  I like that each character has their own moments with God, whether it is what they want to do or not, they hear and heed His voice.  

When I finished with the book I felt as if I had walked the mountains with each of the characters and come to know them better.  Every reader has their favorite characters but Joanne Bischof writes the characters in such a way that you cannot help but root for each of them in their own way.  To me the ending was less of a rowdy cheer, but more of the sweet peace that hope was found in selfless love.

I highly recommend reading the whole series.  Each book builds on each other, not only the story, but also that of what God is teaching them.  Each book is appropriately titled and really speak to the message of the book.  

This series will be a spiritual blessing to those who read it.