Review: A Healer's Promise by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

 

Synopsis

Levi Masters's time as a British spy hasn't ended, though his country's war with America has. Overhearing a scout reveal a discovery that could give America an upper hand in future conflicts, Levi is sent to investigate. While trekking through the Canadian Rockies, he is convicted about his life of lies and half-truths. But just as he decides to embrace truth at any cost, warriors from a hidden mountain village take him captive.

Village healer Audrey Moreau is more curious than afraid of the outsider. And she's drawn to his commitment to honesty even at his own expense. But despite her arguments, the council decides he's too great a risk. Compelled to help him escape, she sneaks him out of the village. But when Levi faces a life-threatening injury and the fierce mountain winter closes in, Levi and Audrey are forced to discover just how far they'll go to ensure the safety of the other and the love growing between them.

My Review

I’m always up for an epic wilderness with this author’s stories! The first book in the series introduces us to the remote village Laurent that has been isolated from the rest of society. It’s fascinating to imagine what that could have been like, and how a community would progress separately for over a century with limited resources. In this book an outsider makes his way to the village, and the villagers’ fear over his potential threat makes Audrey’s natural compassion help him escape from the captivity they placed him in. The spiritual journey of Levi and Audrey adds depth to the crisis they find themselves in, and their attraction makes their situation even more complex. I was glued to the pages to find out how they would find a solution to their growing closeness.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Brides of Laurent series . . .

Book One

 

Book Three

Review: Honor in the Mountain Refuge by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

This epic journey is his last chance to start a new life.

After being cast out of his Blackfoot village for his kindness to the Nez Perce captives, Chogan travels west in search of meaning for his life. Meaning that doesn’t require killing or torturing innocent people. Though the lovely face of Telípe, a Nez Perce woman, is imprinted on his heart, he avoids her village. She deserves a happy life with her husband and coming child.

With her husband dead and the birth of her babe imminent, Telípe’s reality looks nothing like she planned. She’s been forced to return to the village where she grew up and the chaos of her family’s lodge—with all her boisterous younger brothers. She desperately desires to start a new life for herself and the babe growing within her, but she can’t seem to climb above the mire of her past. When she stumbles into the brave who’d shown her kindness during her captivity, something ignites within her—a new hope.

Chogan’s determination to stay and help Telípe is thwarted by her people’s fear and hatred for his tribe—especially since he was among last winter’s kidnappers. It doesn’t matter that he did everything he could to keep her and her unborn child safe and comfortable during that awful event. But as a new predator threatens the safety of the village, Chogan determines to take down the massive wildcat that’s already injured several children—including one of Telípe’s younger brothers. When the danger escalates, Chogan is faced with an impossible choice. No matter which option he chooses, his life will never be the same—nor that of the woman he’s come to love.

My Review

I love the unlikely friendship that blossoms between Telípe and Chogan! She realized his kind and compassionate nature when he cared for her and protected her when she had been kidnapped by the Blackfoot warriors in a previous book in the series. With Chogan outcast from his tribe for rejecting violence, we learn about his struggles with his father and his search for purpose which unexpectedly leads him to reunite with Telípe. Their curiosity about each other lead to meeting in secret, and they develop a sweet connection. Chogan's protectiveness is endearing and his service to Telípe's village helps him find a level of acceptance as he continues to seek God's will for his future. I enjoyed the growing faith of both Chogan and Telípe as they embrace Christianity with help from the group of friends that have been traveling throughout the series but are beginning to settle down with new families starting. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Faith in the Mountain Valley by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

This epic journey is the only way to leave her secrets behind.

After eleven years spent looking for the girl who stole his heart, Jean-Jacques Baptiste—better known as French to his friends—is tempted to give up. Until the day he spotted the flaxen-haired stranger traveling the wooded path with Blackfoot Indians. He never imagined he’d find his childhood friend masquerading as a man in this Rocky Mountain wilderness, hundreds of miles from the Canadian town where he last saw her. No matter her reasons, he can’t let her go this time.

Colette Mignon’s life has become a cacophony of lies, including the fact that her Blackfoot Indian companions believe she’s a man. She’s willing to live the taxing life of a trapper in these desolate mountains as long as it keeps her secrets hidden. When her childhood friend and first love discovers her, his determination to help might put everything at risk.

As the worst of her past threatens to catch up with her, the hope for Colette’s new life shatters. But no matter what, she must protect the one good thing that came from all her mistakes. Though French is determined to stay at her side, she can’t let him become entangled in the perilous consequences of her actions. If only it wasn’t so painful to push him away. The danger pressing in may leave her only one choice—leave everything behind…again.

My Review

I loved how this book really added some variety to the series! French has been an enigma in the previous books, so it was gratifying to learn his secrets and motivations- ultimately, finding Colette. Colette is disguised as a man since she is on the run, and I thought it was so interesting that she found a place with a small group of Indians who are accepting of her differences. French and Colette's reunion is serendipitous- or providential- and French displayed his unwavering loyalty as he joins her camp and does whatever it takes to be whatever she needs. It takes some time for French to break down her walls, but it was beautiful how their friendship renewed and blossomed into sweet romance. Of course, there is still a good deal of danger and adventure in the wilderness, and I'm always astounded by the resiliency of these outdoorspeople. Colette's internal struggles are evident throughout the story, and only a resolution with her past can allow her to move forward with peace. One of my favorites of the series!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Call of the Rockies series . . .

Review: Courage in the Mountain Wilderness by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Keeping her son safe on this epic journey may be harder than she imagined.

Caleb Jackson is on a journey. And not just the mission he and his friends have embarked on to fetch the Nez Perce chief’s runaway daughter. Maybe someday, he could also find God’s plan for his life. He’d once thought being a small town minister was the Lord’s will for him, but he’d proved a failure at living under the scrutiny of his congregation. Yet the chief’s niece and her feisty toddler accompanying them on this expedition make him feel like he might be able to make a difference yet.

Otskai is eager to take on a challenge. She’s lived under the shelter of other’s choices her entire life, especially when she was betrothed to one of the village braves at the tender age of eight. Now with her husband's death, she’s finally found the freedom she always craved—even with a two-year-old to raise. She’s built her camas root harvest into a thriving trade to provide all she and her son need and more, yet she can’t seem to keep her active child safe. When she agrees to accompany her new friends on a trip to bring back her wayward cousin, she knows she’ll have her hands full managing her boy.

The journey turns out nothing like Otskai expects, and for the first time in her life, she’s thankful to have others around to help. Especially Caleb, whose gentle attentions captivate her son and occupy him for hours at a time. But as the danger escalates and her worst fears come to light, she must find the courage to choose between freedom and a love more liberating than she imagined possible.

My Review

This series follows a group of travelers as they embark on different missions in the wilderness, and the friends they meet and join with them along the way. At this point in the series three of the men have found love amid their adventures, and in this book I enjoyed getting to know Caleb better. He is cheerful, encouraging, and quickly bonds with Otsaki's son. It takes longer for Otsaki to warm up to him, but his consistency, faith and battle with a grizzly endear him to her. As usual with this author, the Christian message is strong and the characters each grow on their own personal spiritual journey.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Call of the Rockies series . . .

 

Review: Faith's Mountain Home by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Nate Long has always watched over his identical twin brother, Aaron, even when it put him on the wrong side of the law. When Aaron is wounded in a shootout, the brothers are taken to Settler's Fort to recover. As Nate works to make reparations for their past, he marvels at the nursing Aaron receives under the care of a woman with all the reason in the world to resent him.

Laura Hannon knows what it is to start over, and she knows Nate's newfound faith is real. What she can't look past is how far he allowed himself to be led astray by his brother's weaknesses.

My Review

This story revolves around admirable characters who are striving to overcome their circumstances that seem to keep kicking them while they're down. Nate and Laura each have faith to rely on for strength through their frustrations, and it gives them something in common as their friendship deepens, as well as the fascinating cave in the mountains and its hidden occupants. The pace of the story moved a bit too slowly for me, and kept referencing Laura and Nate's experiences from the previous book, so I don't think it should be read as a stand alone. Overall the book provided the author's trademark storytelling style of the harsh wilderness and frontier living with a hefty dose of faith-filled themes.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Check out the previous books in the Hearts of Montana series . . .

Review: Light in the Mountain Sky by Misty M. Beller

Book Three in the Call of the Rockies series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Determined to prove her worth, Meksem fiercely fought to earn her place among the warriors in her Nez Perce camp. When her half-sister is captured by an enemy tribe, she refuses to trust the rescue to anyone else. But her new friends insist on joining her mission, and she battles between relief and frustration at their presence. Especially the white man who peers at her as if he can see through the face of the warrior she struggles so hard to maintain.

Spaniard Adam Vargas thrives on adventure wherever his travels take him. He’s fallen in love with this Rocky Mountain wilderness, as well as the spotted horses the Nez Perce tribe raise. His fascination with this Indian maiden-turned-warrior catches him off guard though, including the way she seems to be fighting for more than her sister’s safe return.

The journey proves more perilous than any of the group expects, and the secret Meksem hides becomes impossible to conceal. If they live through this mission, the life they knew will never be the same again.

My Review

I've enjoyed the adventure in this series and the author's trademark hostile wilderness setting. We've followed a group of friends as they traveled to find Adam, with three women joining along the way. I've eagerly anticipated learning Adam's story and what compelled him to search after the elusive spotted horses. His biggest flaw is how impetuous he is! Sometimes it works in his favor, but more often than not it brings difficulties and complications since he acts single-mindedly before considering the possible consequences. Meksam is a stalwart female warrior, but inside she is a hot mess of suppressed emotions and tragic memories. She internalizes her grief and it influences her outlook on life and her decisions. They are a disparate pair, but the consideration and compassion they show each other indicates deep feelings and a partnership that defies their different worlds. Their journey is filled with harshness and danger, tempered with spiritual longings and growth, and I'd expect nothing less from this author!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Don't miss the other books in the Call of the Rockies series . . .

Book One

Book Two

 

Book Four - coming April 2021

 

Book Five - Coming June 2021