Tag Archives: Joanne Bischof DeWitt

Top 10 Tuesday — Great First Lines!

24 Feb

Happy Tuesday! TTT‘s topic today is bookish quotes. I regularly participate in First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower. What a great way to introduce new books to readers! So today, I am including some of the best first lines from the past few months. I hope you find a book to pique your interest.

For more bookish quotes, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top First Lines!

I deeply regret to confirm that your son Lance Corporal Mark James Taylor died in Vietnam 1 November 1968.

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee

Viola Chambers had always wondered at what point in the dying process a person understood they weren’t long for this world, and now she’d give anything to unlearn it.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

“The sea never gives back what it claims . . .”

Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard

A shrill sound pierced the night, sweeping through the house like the unearthly wail of a banshee.

Dragonfly Ashes by C. C. Warrens

Lizbeth Bennet clutched the handle of the wicker basket with hope.

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

No one knew that Carol Langstrom hated Christmas.

Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson

Natasha shifted uncomfortably on the rock floor of the icy cave, shoving her gloved hands under her armpits to keep warm.

Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert

Death had always been fashionable.

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Pandemonium has broken out in the streets of New York City.

Under The Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

When I was eight, I watched my mother disappear in fading pixels.

Wicked Is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

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Top 10 Tuesday — Typography!

3 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT is featuring book covers with interesting typography. What is typography, you may ask? From Google AI —

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. 

There were a lot of different directions to go with this topic, but I finally narrowed it down to titles with two or more fonts. While some are more subtle than others, the visual interest really grabbed my eye. What do you think?

For more on the subject, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with Interesting Typography

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens

For A Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Lost Hours by Susan Sleeman

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Wicked is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

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Top 10 Tuesday — Thanksgiving Freebie

25 Nov

Happy Tuesday! This week TTT bloggers are posting about Thanksgiving and thankfulness. I have done a lot of these posts through the year and just couldn’t seem to come up with anything fresh. So . . . I am spelling out THANKGIVING with titles from books I am thankful for. The authors created books that made me smile, laugh out loud, and cry. They made me think and examine and ponder. They entertained and educated. So a big thanks to all on my list!

Top Book Titles That Spell Thanksgiving

T — Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon

H — The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

A — The All American by Susie Finkbeiner

N — The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

K — The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

S — The Stories We Carry by Robin Pearson

G — Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

I — The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

V — The Vanished by Cara Putman

I — Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe

N — Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

G — Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

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Book Review — The Heart of Bennet Hollow

20 Nov

When I learned that Joanne Bischof DeWitt had written a retelling of Pride And Prejudice, I was all in! There are some difference between the classic Jane Austen novel and The Heart of Bennet Hollow, but the essence of the story is there. DeWitt’s version is fresh and faith-filled, and I absolutely loved it!

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.

A Christy and Carol Award winner, Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. She lives in California with her new husband and their six children making her a big fan of conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

My Impressions:

I am a sucker for a Jane Austen knock-off or, in proper literary terms, a variation. I fell in love with Austen’s books 30ish years ago, and wanted more. So I turned to the many, many adaptations that are available. The Heart of Bennet Hollow is a new acquisition. Joanne Bischof DeWitt’s fresh take on Pride and Prejudice is a great mix of the classic story and the very American setting of Appalachia. The author matches the characters and plot of P&P with her own style of storytelling. I loved that the characters were a bit more balanced in this novel. No extreme embarrassments or interference in others’ love lives. The two main characters are instantly likable, and this reader appreciated how their relationship grew from grudging admiration to respect to love over the course of the novel. The Appalachian coal country setting of the early 1900s was very interesting. My own grandfather was a coal miner in Virginia, so the glimpse into what my family’s life may have looked like was a real treat. DeWitt includes a strong faith-thread into the narrative. The characters’ actions were informed by their faith in God — concern for the lives of others was at the forefront of their decisions. And the romance! DeWitt does justice to the love story all Austen fans love.

I highly recommend The Heart of Bennet Hollow, even if you are not an Austenphile. It’s a great historical romance that stands on its own.

Highly recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Top 10 Tuesday — Books Based on Classics

18 Nov

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is modern day classics — contemporary books that will one day be recognized as classic pieces of literature. Honestly, I am just not feeling this topic so I am going in another direction. Shocking, I know. I am going with books that are based on or inspired by classics, ones I have read (denoted with an asterisk) and those that I’d like to. Let me know if you would read any of these. Sorry/not sorry for all the Jane Austen-inpired books.

For more on-topic posts, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books Based On/Inspired By Classics

Dear Mr. Knightley (Daddy Long Legs) by Katherine Reay*

The Heart of Bennet Hollow (Pride And Prejudice) by Joanne Bischof DeWitt*

Jane Fairfax (Emma) by Joan Aiken*

The Lady’s Guide to Death And Deception (Pride And Prejudice) by Katherine Cowley*

Longbourne (Pride And Prejudice) by Jo Baker*

March (Little Women) by Geraldine Brooks

Mrs. Elton in America (Emma) by Diana Birchall*

The Murder of Mr. Wickham (various Austen novels) by Claudia Gray*

Version 1.0.0

Unmarriageable (Pride And Prejudice) by Soniah Kamal

Wide Sargasso Sea (Jane Eyre) by Jean Rhys

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Spotlight on Historical Romance — The Heart of Bennet Hollow

22 Oct

The Heart of Bennet Hollow JustRead Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Heart of Bennet Hollow

Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow
Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt
Publisher: Tyndale
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

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.

Excerpt

Ma nodded, looking pleased. “It’d do well to marry a few of you girls off sooner rather than later. And to think of such wealthy men here in town. I hope they stay a good long while.”

“Ma!” Lizbeth gasped.

“Well, you two are of age, and your sisters are right behind. It doesn’t seem like anyone ‘round these parts has caught your eye. A mother can hope. Least give me that.”

Jayne widened her eyes playfully and chose another flower. “I’ve been told the train car has a parlor and a dinin’ room. All dressed up in velvet curtains as deep a blue as the midnight sky. Just imagine being whisked away into the grand unknown aboard such a dream.”

Lizbeth smiled softly. At twenty, she was two years younger than Jayne. Her other sisters—Maryanne, Kit and Lacey—stair stepped after her. Though the younger three still walked to school each day, they were just grown enough to attend the coming barn dance. The very girls that bounded down from the second story now, brown braids flying. Like chicks on a stoop, they filled the crooked stairwell in a chorus of sun-faded skirts, mountain drawls, and tattered boots.

“I heard tell the owner’s a sight to see as well!” Sixteen-year-old Lacey winked brazenly and twirled around the post. “A coal baron all the way from Vermont. They say he’s rich enough to own all of New River if he fancies to. Oh, I hope he notices me.”



Also Available:

The Lady and the Lionheart

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale Fiction | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

About The Author

Joanne Bishof DeWitt

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God’s own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who’s a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they’re a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

Connect with Joanne by visiting JoanneBischofDewitt.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of Bennet Hollow and a $25 gift card to Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart!

The Heart of Bennet Hollow JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 22, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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First Line Friday — The Heart of Bennet Hollow

17 Oct

Happy Friday! I am a big Jane Austen fan, so when I saw that Joanne Bischof DeWitt had written a P&P re-telling I knew that I had to get it! Y’all, The Heart of Bennet Hollow is set in the Appalachian region of Virginia! And the Darcy character, William Drake, is a coal baron! I felt my roots calling! You see, my maternal grandfather was a coal miner in Virginia. Yes, my mother was a coal miner’s daughter. 😉 I am reading it now. Even if you haven’t read anything my Austen, you won’t want to miss this book!

Here’s the first line:

Lizbeth Bennet clutched the handle of the wicker basket with hope.

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.

A Christy and Carol Award winner, Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. She lives in California with her new husband and their six children making her a big fan of conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

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Top 10 Tuesday — Fall-Vibe Book Covers

30 Sep

Happy Tuesday! It’a finally fall, y’all! Although the temps in my part of the world would not be considered sweata weatha, there is hope in sight! To commemorate the change of seasons, this week’s TTT topic is book covers that give all the fall vibes — whether they feature autumn sights or have the rich colors of the season. I have a mix of genres, as well as new releases and older books. What do you think?

For more autumnal book covers, please visit That Arsty Reader Girl.

Top Fall Vibe Book Covers

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

Of Gold And Shadow by Michelle Griep

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

A Song in The Dark by Kimberly Woodhouse

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner

Unintended Witness by D. L. Wood

The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton

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Top 10 Tuesday — Fall TBR

23 Sep

Happy Tuesday! I’m finally back with another TTT post. It has been crazy the last few months, and I haven’t had the mental bandwidth to come up with lists that I think anyone would want to read. 😉 I have a few days to breathe and this week’s topic, Fall TBR, should be a no-brainer, so here is my list. I don’t have a lot of mandatory reading so this list is fairly loose — books that have caught my eye and I hope to read them in the coming weeks. Let me know which ones you have enjoyed.

For more Fall Reading Lists, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top 10 Books on My Fall TBR List

Between The Sound And Sea by Amanda Cox

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills

Echoes of A Silent Song by Amanda Wen

Final Approach by Lynette Eason

From The Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser

The Heart of Bennett Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

Over The Edge by Irene Hannon

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

The Stories We Carry by Robin Pearson

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

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