Love's Mountain Quest - (Hearts of Montana) by Misty M Beller (Paperback)

Author Misty M. Beller transports her readers to a world of adventure and love amidst the beautiful and dangerous backdrop of the Rocky Mountains of 1860’s Montana territory. Filled with enough adventure filled moments to keep you entertained and a beautiful love story that is sure to touch your heart, I was absolutely engrossed from the beginning straight until the final page! I’ve enjoyed every book that I’ve read by this author and Love’s Mountain Quest is no exception! The story of Isaac and Joanna (along with Laura and little Samuel) just pulled me in and refused to let go. I loved it! I’m definitely looking forward to book number three in this series! Ms. Beller never disappoints!

What if a young mother came home from work and found that her young son and his babysitter were missing and a murdered man had been found near the place they were supposed to be? Imagine the frantic phone calls, the police swarming to the scene, and the news reports that would be seen and heard everywhere. A mother's worst nightmare, for sure, but what if this mother was actually a young widow living in Montana in 1867? Now you can call that a nightmare! Beller has created an exciting story with memorable characters and a wonderful faith message and she has filled it with adventure, danger, hope, and forgiveness. She also adds a sweet romance that will leave you wishing for a happy ending. If you enjoy historical Christian romance, you will definitely want to read Love's Mountain Quest. I received a complimentary copy from the author via Celebrate Lit. There was absolutely no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

Love's Highest Mountain, the second book in Misty Beller's Hearts of Montana series, is another wonderful historical romance story. Having read several of her other books, I was looking forward to reading this one and found it to be as enjoyable as I'd hoped. It is a beautiful and captivating story of unexpectedly finding love in a very stressful and difficult situation. and of recognizing the importance of learning to trust--trusting God to work things out and trusting one's heart. The writing style is graceful and flows smoothly and the author has beautifully crafted her characters--characters who have to work together, trusting virtual strangers with their lives, to complete a daunting task. The author has infused the story with page-turning, nail-biting action during a treacherous mountain trip to rescue the prisoners and take down gang members. It is a trip that is beset by one trial after another. Realistic situations and wonderfully descriptive scenes of the week-long journey through the mountains all work together for a delightful story. Threaded throughout the book is a faith in God--the God who can be trusted, who gives us strength when we need it the most and the One who alone forgives, mends broken lives and loves to give second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ms. Beller's books. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

I was interested in reading this as soon as I finished book one as I loved the lesser character of Joanna and wanted to read her story. Now I loved the lesser character of Laura and want to read her story. Love’s Mountain Quest is a journey for Joanna to find her kidnapped son but also a journey of the heart for her and the hero Isaac. Isaac comes face to face with his past and finds that his faith in Christ is sufficient. When we are weak He is strong and carries us as several of the characters discover in this arduous quest. Samuel is a spunky little boy and adds the element of how far a mother will go for her child. This author has a way of drawing you in and you feel like you are immersed in Montana Territory in 1867. Although this can be read as a stand-alone you will not want to miss book one as this series speaks to your heart. Misty Beller is an author to put on your favorites list as I feel her books contain so much hope. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This is the second book in the “Heart of Montana” Series, and I loved it as much as I loved the first one, which had totally captivated me last year. My heart ached for Joanna since the first book, as she is recently widowed, left alone to care for her five year old son Samuel, who is a very enthusiastic and spirited little boy. Isaac Bowen has an important part in their rescue, finding Samuel when he’s lost during the journey, and then getting them safely to Settler’s Fort. He was since in awe of Joanna, but he knew he couldn’t pursue her because he wasn’t worthy, because of his past sins. But then, Joanna’s son is kidnapped with Laura, Joanna’s friend who was taking care of him, and Joanna comes to him for help. He’d do anything for her and her son, even if he knows there would never be a future for them, so he sets with her after the trail of the outlaws, only a few hours after the kidnapping. Isaac is almost sure of who the kidnapper is, but he’s afraid of voicing his suspicion to Joanna, because the gang that could’ve kidnapped her son is the gang that he started and worked with, before he realized of his erred ways and changed. But maybe this is his opportunity for his redemption. If only the truth wouldn’t be exposed so that Joanna wouldn’t fairly reject him and hate him for it… But as they trail along, and he gets to know Joanna more, he knows the truth cannot be avoided. Can he hope for redemption, not only from the woman he’s beginning to love, but from God Himself? This was a beautiful story. Isaac and Joanna have an epic journey chasing the kidnappers, full of perils from the elements, fighting against injuries that slow them down, and fighting their own demons: Joanna’s fear of losing her son, Isaac’s fear of of his past catching up with him. Even if it seems there are just many obstacles to endure, it’s in fact this struggle against the impossible what will lead them to seek and trust God, the Only one who can really save them. The story has a beautiful and inspiring message about leaning on God, and bask in His Love and Providence. Isaac’s story of redemption was beautifully told too. It made me cry. There’s so much to learn from this book and you will do it without knowing it. It’s just natural and not preachy. And the romance is achingly sweet. I loved the despcription of the nature and landscape during the journey. Misty Beller is great at making you imagine the scenery with detail. There was a lot of action, so the story didn’t drag. And there was a surprising third point of view, from Laura, the kidnapped woman along with Samuel, which made it very interesting, because we usually don’t get to see the other side out of the main characters. It was a good addition and helped understand better what was happening. Samuel just tore my heart, he’s so adorable! I’m hoping Laura will be next in turn for a story in this series. I’m just sorry I’ll have to wait till next year but it’s so much worth it!

"He'd thought he'd buried that past and become someone respectable. But it turned out the past could creep up and catch a man. Make him regret those mistakes a hundred times over." This second installment in Hearts of Montana series is a little different from the other Misty Beller's books I've read. The story picks up with Joanna, a recently widowed young woman struggling to raise her little boy alone, and Isaac, a mountainman who makes his living off the land, combining their efforts to track down and rescue Joanna's kidnapped son and friend. Joanna and Issac were introduced as secondary characters in the first book and this book feels like a continuation of the first story but with a shift in the main characters. I don't remember feeling that way through her Heart of the Mountains series or Call of the Rockies series. So if you haven't read the first book Hope's Highest Mountain, it would be better to read that first to fully appreciate this story. The plot is a bit different, too, in this story. The bulk of the plot deals with Joanna and Isaac chasing after the villains who took Joanna’s son Samuel and her friend Laura. The chase, though it is still a race for survival, feels somewhat different from the author's usual trek of survival in the wintery wilderness. Despite these differences, the author's trademark description of the inescapable beauty of the untamed land and accidents/tangles with nature and wildlife that will have your heart jumping in your throat is still vivid throughout the pages of this book. Isaac has a shameful past that he must acknowledge in order to help with the rescue and his full acceptance and embrace of God's forgiveness for his past also has the author's trademark touch. If you enjoy historical romance, you will surely enjoy this series. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

"She strained to hear the little-boy laughter that was a trademark of her son's exuberant personality." And yet, there was silence; something had gone terribly wrong. Panicked, Joanna Watson runs back into the small town of Settler's Fort to find help. Providentially, assistance came in the form of the one man whom Joanna could trust with her life and the life of her most precious possession, her son. That man was Isaac Bowen. Isaac Bowen's past was not a particularly honorable one, but he had worked hard to grow in his faith and become the man that God wanted him to be. Determined to help the lovely widow find her son, Isaac quickly assembles a posse and begins the trek along a trail that he knows all too well. As helplessness threatens to overtake both of them, the words of the apostle Paul come to Isaac's mind; "My strength is made perfect in weakness". . . . . . "Was this why this was happening? Why he'd been brought on this journey, . . . . why he couldn't walk on his own . . . . why he couldn't protect the woman whose care he'd though he was being entrusted with?" "Love's Mountain Quest" is a tale filled with obstacles, obstacles that appear to be overwhelming, when in fact they become a gateway to faith. Readers will enjoy this author's crystal clear style as she paints a picture of adventure, determination, and a love that not only withstands, but overcomes. I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

The old is gone - the new has begun. 2 Corinthians 5:17b In the rough world of 1867, life at Settler’s Fort in the Montana Territory means hard work with little playtime for widowed Joanna Watson. Spending an afternoon at the local swimming hole with Laura, a neighbor, is all she can offer her young son Samuel on a hot summer day. When they are not found there, and a murder has obviously occurred, fear settles deep into Joann’s heart. Will they be found alive? Isaac Bowen was one of the men that rescued Joanna and Samuel from the mountain wilderness after her husband died. Believing he can help find her son and friend, they set out to follow the trail left by the outlaws. The author has done an incredible job of detailing what the search and rescue would have entailed. The pain and panic experienced by Joanna could almost be felt - I wonder if I would have been as strong under such overwhelming odds. Life with the outlaws was very dangerous causing fear and discouragement for Laura as she tried to care for Samuel. There is constant action, danger and suspense as the characters learn what it really means to trust and rely on God, in spite of the circumstances. You will not put this aside until you know how this ends. Will help come in time? An ARC of this book was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.