(4.5 stars) - when past collides with present

[Book 2 in Misty Beller's Hearts of Montana series, but can readily stand alone]

Joanna discovers that her son, Samuel, and the friend who was watching him have been kidnapped. She turns to Isaac for help. Isaac is pretty sure that he knows who did it & agrees to help her. The two grow closer to each other & God as they struggle through the wilderness, but Isaac has a past that is haunting him even as they are catching up to the kidnappers.

Such an exciting, suspenseful, & sweet story! I love redemption stories & Isaac's melted my heart. The development of his relationship with Joanna was believable and the resolution of their story was highly satisfying. Maybe the next story will be Laura's! This is my 2nd book by Misty Beller and I'm very happy to have found her!

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion: overtly Christian story with Christian themes, but natural to the story not preachy

I was excited to explore Joanna's story in this book. I felt for her in the previous book, Hope's Highest Mountain. Her husband died leaving her a widow and single mother of a very enthusiastic little boy. The journey to Settler's Fort was difficult and Samuel was lost at one point. So to find out that Samuel was once again involved in a tragic event was a little heartbreaking for me. In this case, he and Joanna's friend, Laura, witnessed a murderer and were kidnapped. Joanna enlisted Isaac Bowen's help in rescuing Laura and Samuel from the kidnappers.

Isaac has had his eye on Joanna since he helped rescue Samuel in the first book. Yet he feels unworthy of her due to his past. He spent a year with the very criminals who kidnapped her son before waking up and changing his life. Isaac sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself once and for all and put an end to the gang that he started.

I loved the build of the relationship between these two characters. They both had regard for the other before this journey. I loved how they slowly exposed themselves to the other through this journey. Every obstacle along the way revealed the character of each. My first reaction to Isaac breaking his leg on the journey was that Misty M Beller was throwing in unnecessary obstacles, but what she really did was provide Isaac (and myself) an opportunity to rely on God instead of Isaac himself. It was something his character needed to grow in and revealed my own faults with assuming Isaac would be the means to rescuing Samuel and Laura rather than having faith that God would provide another way.

Usually I get a little frustrated with additional narrators beyond the two main characters. In this case, Laura provided a perspective we wouldn't be able to witness without her POV. But Laura also provided intrigue for me concerning the next book in the series. I'm assuming she'll be the leading female character. I have some suspicions about who the main male character might be but I'll have to wait to find out. Either way, I'm excited to find out more.

Favorite quote:
-I’m sorry, Father. Sorry for thinking I’m the only one to keep Joanna safe. The only one capable of bringing back her son and Miss Hannon. In truth, there’s no way I can do any of it without you. Go before us, Lord. Make our way straight. Fight the battle before us.

Love's Mountain Quest was so enjoyable. I loved seeing the authentic build of feelings and relationship between Isaac and Joanna. I loved the spiritual battles each had to overcome. I ached for the trauma that Samuel and Laura endured. But I can't wait to see Laura's story. Love's Mountain Quest gets 4 Stars. Have you read Love's Mountain Quest? What did you think? Let me know!

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.

Redeeming love:
This was Book 2 in the Hearts of Montana series, which can be read as a standalone. I found it dragged a bit and wasn't as engaging as the first book, yet it was still a nice, clean historical romance.
Isaac has had a soft spot for Joanna ever since he helped rescue them when they were first headed to the settlement. Now her son and a young lady have been kidnapped and he is determined to help once again. As they spend more time together the bond and attraction between them grows, yet Isaac's past has the potential to prevent them from moving forward.
Overall this was an enjoyable book with fairly good flow and just enough drama and action to keep my interest.
I liked the reminder that we are new creations in Christ and that our pasts are forever buried and covered over by grace.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for a gifted copy of Love's Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller.

Joanna is alone in this world except for her five year old son, Samuel. When her friend Laura offers to take Samuel swimming while she is working she is grateful. Joanna decides to leave work early and meet up with them for a picnic but she discovers that they have been kidnapped. She turns to the only person she know who can help, Isaac Bowen. Isaac and his father had rescued them six months earlier and he has continued to check on them. Will they be able find Laura and Samuel?

Isaac has a past that he doesn't share with anyone but in order to rescue Laura and Samuel he may have to tell his secrets. How will Joanna react when she knows his past?

The story alternates the point of view between Joanna, Isaac, and Laura. The characters are have strength, determination, and faith.

This is book 2 in the Hearts of Montana series. I have not read the first book but I enjoyed this one very much. Yes, I do plan to read it and continue this series. It does well as a standalone also.

Christian
Release Date: June 30, 2020

A connected companion to Hope's Highest Mountain, readers return to the rugged beauty of the Montana mountains.



Joanna Watson sets off on a quest to retrieve her son from a band of ruffians, with the help of loner Isaac Bowen, a man with secrets of his own. Joanna is determined to pull her own weight, as well as protect those in her care. She is very logical and level-headed despite everything that has happened to her, putting her trust in God. Meanwhile, Isaac is used to being in control and being someone that others can depend on, he is used to being alone, and isn't accustomed to depending on someone else. Both Isaac and Joanna are strong faith driven people, they get to know each other better over the course of the story, as they work together, forming a friendship under the Montana sky.



Laura is taken along with Samuel, enduring the cruel treatment of hardened men, as she fights for her life and that of the small boy in her charge. I admired her strength and endurance.



A story of hardship and triumph in the face of adversity, friendship, faith, and determination. There were times when it was hard to read, because more and more bad things kept happening, and I just wanted to say, " Haven't they suffered enough?" But by the end, I appreciated everything that they had gone through, and I felt for them. I think that the author does a great job of showing their strong faith against the challenges of the mountains and man. Fans of the first book will love seeing returning faces in this story, as well as getting to know new characters and their stories.





I received a complimentary ecopy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Sweet. Inspiring. Heart Warming. Engaging.

First of all, the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I know they say “Don’t judge a book by the cover”, but in this case - the beauty, the landscape, the colors - tell it all!

“Once more, she screamed her son’s name into the air, tasting her desperation with the cry. Still no answer.”

Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help. Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing. As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

If I was, to sum up, the book in one phrase it would be… JUST ONE MORE CHAPTER! Not only due to the nature of a kidnapping that keeps you on the edge of your seat but also the storyline and writing maintain your interest. As a writer, I believe it would be difficult to write a book with one central concept of a harrowing journey without becoming monotonous or slow. But Misty Beller kept me interested and invested all the way through!

The change of point of view really draws you in and pulls on the heartstrings! I fell in love with the characters. I was so invested in their well being that when they failed, I was saddened; when they succeeded, I cheered; when they were discouraged, I empathized. Even beyond the general characters themselves - I fell in love with Joanna and Isaac’s relationship. Despite their own past mistakes and struggles, they were forgiving and caring towards one another. Isaac’s sheer will to make Joanna’s life better made him endearing and swoon-worthy! “A glimpse at her relaxed face toward the sky made him a little jealous of the sun’s rays. If only he could be the one to take away her cares, even for a minute.”

The power of prayer was strong in this book and I appreciated how despite their circumstances and her fear, Joanna continued to trust in the Lord. I would imagine that a situation involving your child’s kidnapping would create polar opposite feelings toward God and faith. But it was her faith in God that blessed her with the strength, perseverance, and wisdom to continue on their journey! “She imagined sealing the words in a letter, then the paper soaring up to the heavens where her father’s hand grasped it. She’d shared her concerns. Prayed her desperation. Now she had to trust that God would answer in His time. He was - after all - the only one who could control the situation.”

I only had an hour left in the book (thank you kindle for that information) and so I woke up an hour early on my birthday to finish before my family came in singing. And I am not even a morning person!

Although a second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Love’s Mountain Quest will be released June 30, 2020!

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
***4 Hearts: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop

Another page-turning, can’t-put-down read from gifted storyteller Misty Beller! Set in 1867 in the Montana Territory, Love’s Mountain Quest, Book #2 in the Hearts of Montana series, follows the journey of mountain man Isaac Bowen and widow Joanna Watson as they travel down treacherous, hidden mountain paths in pursuit of a gang of outlaws who kidnapped Joanna’s five-year-old son Samuel and a friend Laura Hannon. Isaac and Joanna, who we meet in the first book of the series, are wonderfully captivating characters, and their sweet romance is endearing even with Isaac’s secret from his past and Joanna’s doubts. Laura and Samuel’s storyline featuring their perilous exploits with the outlaws is suspenseful and adds depth to the story. The faith element affirming trusting God, forgiveness, and redemption is strong and thoughtfully woven into the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this emotionally rich, inspiring book and highly recommend it. I am looking forward to Laura’s story in Book #3 of the series Faith’s Mountain Home.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Misty Beller is a new author for me. And while the book description intrigued me on a surface level, I was quickly immersed in this story on a much deeper level from practically the first page. With constant action and rich description, the desperation of a mother to find her kidnapped child is all too apparent. My own mother’s heart was stirred as I was caught up in the raw emotions of this story. Although there is a romantic element to this book, it is only one layer to the drama, danger, and suspense streaming from the pages. Love’s Mountain Quest proved to be a fast paced read, riveting and compelling, easily attracting your entire focus from cover to cover.

I highly recommend this book. I know I will be searching for other books by this author!


I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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I had opted for this book because I had read "Hope's Highest Mountain" by Misty Beller and was very impressed. The story was simple and sweet, the writing immediately making a connect to your heart. When I saw that this book was part of the same series, I jumped at the opportunity. And I wasn't disappointed.

The lead characters in this book, Joanna Watson and Isaac Bowen, both make their appearance in the first book. I was hoping then that the two of them would get a happy ending some time in the future. I'm glad this book gives them exactly that.

"Loves Mountain Quest" begins with a tragedy. Joanna's little son, Samuel, and her friend Laura Hannon have been kidnapped by a couple of brutes. Like any mother, Joanna immediately decides to locate her son and her friend in the mountainous area, and Isaac is her support and guide on this dangerous quest.

Joanna Watson's strength was visible in the first book and establishes itself further in this. Isaac too continues his strong silent and reliable nature from the first book. So that's the main thing I want to appreciate the author for. Just to fit the requirements of the story, she doesn't change their characteristics as narrated in the first book. Rather, she turns the story to fit the characteristics of the characters. And it's the perfect approach. Though reading the first book isn't necessary, I'll glad I did. It gave the perfect background to Joanna and Isaac.

It hardly takes a few pages for the thrill to begin in this book. And it doesn't cease till the end. The whole story is gripping and easy-flowing. Though it's a fairly long book at 330+ pages, the storyline and the writing makes you complete it quickly.

Does that mean a 5 star rating? Unfortunately no. I do have a few minor quibbles with the book.
*****MINOR SPOILERS IN THIS PARA*****
Some of the decisions taken by the characters seem totally illogical and no rational person would take such steps under those circumstances. Just to give one example, if someone offers to secretly help the kidnapped person escape by writing a note about the plan, the kidnapped wouldn't ever keep that note tucked in her clothes but destroy it so that the other brutes don't find it.
Also, the beloved characters from book 1, Ingrid and Micah Bradley, are mostly missing in this book except for a very brief appearance by Ingrid in the epilogue. I really would have liked a little more of them.

I still quite enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my friends for sure.

My rating: 4.5/5.

A question to the author: Will the next book be about Laura Hannon? I'm still deciding whom I want her with: Aaron or Nate.🤭😁

#LovesMountainQuest
#NetGalley

Joanna Watson, a widow with a young son, tries to carry on with her life in Sutters Fort, Montana Territory. Her friend, Laura, takes her son on a Sunday walk along the creek. When Joanna goes to look for them, she discovers she can't find them. They are missing. With the help of Mr. Bowen, a friend, and trapper/trail guide, they go off together to look for them. Along the way, they are faced with hardship and their relationship starts to deepen.

The story deals with trust, redemption, healing, second chances, and a lot of faith in the Lord. It's an inspirational and heart-warming story set in the 1800s. The relationship between Joanna and Mr. Bowen was a truly inspiring love story. The ending wrapped up nicely and this is another great read from the author.

Wow! Love's Mountain Quest grabbed my attention from page one and held my attention until the very end. The story is filled with action, mild suspense, danger, friendship and love. Although this is book 2 in the Hearts of Montana series, this book can easily stand alone as it only briefly mentions characters from book 1. That said, book 1 is ALSO a great read and also well worth the time required to read it! Great story. I really like this author's writing style.

This is a well written book that is full of adventure and faith. It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. This is a book you hate to see end but you just have to know what happens next. The author makes the book come to life with her words, you can see all the scenery and feel all the emotions. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Bethany House and Misty M. Beller via Netgalley for the ARC copy of this wonderful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Enjoyable story set in the rugged Montana frontier. The struggles the characters went through during this period and the endurance they had were amazing. Youthful decisions that may come back to haunt a person is well addressed through Isaac's story. A mother's love and courage when her child is in danger portrayed through Joanna rang true. The characters' reliance on God resonated throughout. Recommended!

My review today is on the Historical Western Romance, Love's Mountain Quest. This is book two in the series Hearts of Montana. I'm always thrilled to get my hands on one of Mistie's books. Her mountain stories are awesome. This book is well written, full of adventure, and full of faith. I know you are going to love it. This book will be released on June 30; you need to pre-order it today. You don't want to miss it.

Joanna Watson is a young widow. She didn't know being a single parent in Settler's Fort would be so hard. She takes in laundry and works from sun up to sun down. She lets her five year old son go the the swimming hole with her friend. They don't come back. She asks a man who had helped her before to help her.

Isaac Bowen was once an outlaw. Now he lives a quiet life in the mountains with his father. He has helped Joanna and her young son before and feels responsible for them, now the boy and a young single woman are missing and the sheriff dead. He must lead her into the mountains to find them. He's sure the outlaws he once ran with are the ones who have kidnapped them. How will Joanna feel about him when he finds out what kind of man he really is.

A journey through the mountains against the elements, constant dangers, and injuries. Can they reach them soon enough to save them. God has a plan for these two broken souls; a plan for a future and a hope. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Stop the fear in your life, give God your heart, and watch him move in your crisis.

Misty Beller writes another exciting adventure book! Love's Mountain Quest (Hearts of Montana, #2) is a book full of adventure, danger and romance. I have really enjoyed all of Ms. Beller's books. They have great descriptions, narratives and are faith based.

When Joanna's son, Samuel and their friend, Laura are kidnapped by outlaws, Joanna asks Isaac to help her to find and rescue them. They face many dangers and discoveries about each other while on the trail. Laura is trying to keep Samuel and herself safe and alive while also trying to make their escape.

Great story with different points of view. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own.

Another wonderful book by Misty Beller. As all of these author’s books, she doesn’t a wonderful job with making you care so much for the characters in her books. The story had adventure, friendship and a story that makes you wanting it not to end. Misty is one of a handful of authors that I preorder her books because I know I will enjoy them and always worth every penny.

This is my first book by Misty M. Beller and it was amazing. Her story draws you in from the first line.

"The woman stood in the wind, skirts billowing, hair flying, as though the gusts swept away all her inhibitions."

I mean after a description like that you can't help but continue reading and want to know more. The story is about young widow Joanna and her five year old who gets kidnapped along with Laura Hannon, the young woman that watches him after witnessing a the demise of the town's sheriff. Isaac Bowen is the gentleman that feels a strong pull to Joanna but has never shown his feelings towards her. When Joanna finds out that her little boy Samuel is missing, she goes for help and runs into Isaac who immediately enlists himself to help her find him. They set out on the trail on the mountains of Montana which is very rough terrain and not something that Joanna is used to. But she is desperate to find her son. You can definitely relate to her as a mom and can feel her desperation as she gets frustrated when they don't go as fast as she would like to go or don't reach him when she wants to.

Even though Isaac will do anything to help Joanna inside he is battling with his own demons. He knows the group that took Samuel and although he knows God has completely forgiven him for his past he still struggles with thinking if he is good enough for others but especially Joanna. Through this trip you see them get closer to each other and develop stronger feelings which makes for a super sweet love story. God's redemption is great throughout this story and I love how Misty Beller interweaves faith and how it impacts and changes the lives of people. She does this without being preachy or completely in your face which is always a refreshing thing to see. I think this is important especially when you are recommending a Christian Fiction to a new believer.

I definitely recommend this book and although its is part of a series I think it worked well as a stand alone novel. I do want to read the first one just because this one was so good. Plus we do see the character from the first book towards the end of the story!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley. The opinions in this review are my own.

Love's Mountain Quest
by Misty M. Beller
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 30 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 05 Aug 2020

Incredible story! The author pulled me right in and didn't disappoint. I will recommend this book to our patrons.
Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for the ARC of this book.
5 star

Misty Beller writes an amazing adventure story. This book had such an engaging storyline. The mother and widow, Joanna Watson's son is missing. The story takes her to rugged mountains in the search for him along with Isaac Bowen. They face many trials, dangers and setbacks as they travel, enough to make anyone give up trying.

It is a beautifully written story filled with a mother's enduring love. I really enjoyed this!

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.